How to return the standard MIUI theme on the Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

You’ve installed a custom theme on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but it’s too bright, slows down the system or just doesn’t like it? Returning the default factory theme is a challenge many MIUI users face. Unlike a factory reset that deletes all data, restoring a standard theme can be done quickly and without loss.

Complicating the problem, newer versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 14 or HyperOS) have changed the theme menu interface and some older ways have stopped working. In this article, we will discuss current methods for 2020-2026 models, including Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

Why can the MIUI theme change on its own?

Before you revisit a standard topic, it's important to understand why it might have changed without you, and here are the most common reasons:

• 🔄 Automatic update of topics - in settings MIUI Themes can be enabled with the option to automatically download new themes from the cloud.
• 📱 Resetting part of the settings - for example, after updating the firmware or resetting the display parameters.
• 🤖 Third-party application actions – some launchers (like Nova Launcher) or optimizers may conflict with MIUI Themes.
• 👤 Xiaomi account sync error – if you’re logged in to another account, the theme could have pulled up from a cloud profile.

If the theme changes regularly without your input, check your sync settings in Xiaomi Account → Cloud → Theme Sync. Turn off this option if it is active.

Method 1: Recovery through MIUI Themes settings

The easiest method is to return a standard theme directly from the MIUI Themes app, which works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including HyperOS.

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the tab My (or Profile in new versions).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
4. Scroll down and find the option to Return the default theme or Reset theme.
5. Confirm the action – the system will restart the interface.

If there is no default Return button, the current theme is already standard, but its appearance may have changed due to other settings (for example, dark mode or font scale).

Method 2: Reset via System Settings (without data loss)

If the Themes app doesn't respond or is not responsive, try resetting the interface through the system menu. This method doesn't affect user data, but it will return to factory settings:

• Desktop wallpaper
• Color scheme (light/dark)
• Style of icons and fonts

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Click Reset UI settings (or Reset themes and wallpapers in HyperOS).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take ~1 minute).

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU This item may not be available, in which case use Method 3 or 4.

Method 3: Remove custom theme through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods fail and the topic continues to reset, the problem may be in corrupted theme files, which can be helped by deleting the theme via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
4. Remove the current custom theme (replace) theme_package_name The name of the package, which can be recognized by adb shell pm list packages | grep theme): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 theme_package_name
5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

After deleting the theme through ADB, the system will automatically apply the standard MIUI theme. If this does not happen, clear the theme app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Themes → Storage → Clear Cache).

Method 4: Manually download a standard theme from MIUI Themes

If the theme is deleted or damaged, you can download it again from the official catalogue.

1. Open the Themes app and go to the Online section.
2. In the search box, type: For MIUI 14/HyperOS: MIUI Default or Standard MIUI. For MIUI 12/13: Miui Global or Miui China (depending on your firmware).

Official.

Apply

If the standard theme is not available, try:

• 🌐 Change the region in the Topic app settings (e.g. India or China).
• 🔄 Update the theme directory by pulling the screen down.
• 📥 Download the topic manually from forums (for example, XDA Developers) and install via.mtz file.

Method 5: Completely reset (if nothing helps)

If all previous methods fail, the last option is hard reset, which will return the phone to factory status, including the standard theme, but will remove:

• 📁 All user data (photos, videos, documents).
• 📱 Installed applications and their settings.
• 🔑 Google, Xiaomi and Other Accounts.

How to reset:

1. Back up your important data (via Settings → About Phone → Backup or manually).
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After restarting, perform the initial phone setup.

⚠️ Note: On devices with bootloader unlocked, a reset may result in the phone being locked (requires re-unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool). → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Tap 10 times on the logo MIUI.

💡

Write down before resetting. IMEI your phone (dial *#06# in dial number) This will help restore access to the network if you have problems with resetting. SIM-card.

What if the theme is reset itself after rebooting?

If the standard theme applies, but after the reboot the custom theme returns again, the problem may be related to:

• 🔄 Auto Update Themes – Disable It in Settings → Topics → Auto-update.
• 📦 Damaged cache – clear the Topic app data (Settings) → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 🛠️ Conflict with Magisk or custom recavery – temporarily disable Magisk modules or re-flash the original recavery.

If the problem persists, check the integrity of the system files:

1. Install the MIUI Hidden Settings app from Google Play.
2. Go to System Check → Verify System Files.
3. If errors are found, restore through Repair.

💡

If the theme is reset after the MIUI update, wait for a stable patch (usually released within 1-2 weeks).

FAQ: Frequent questions about themes recovery on Xiaomi