How to Include a Dark Theme on Xiaomi Redmi 5: All Ways for MIUI 9, 10 and 11

The Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone among users who value reliability and simplicity. However, owners of this model often face a problem: standard MIUI settings do not always offer an obvious way to turn on dark mode. Depending on the firmware version (MIUI 9, MIUI 10 or MIUI 11), the path to activating a dark theme can be radically different — or even absent from the menu.

In this article, we will discuss all working methods for enabling the dark interface on Redmi 5, including hidden developer settings, third-party apps and workarounds for outdated versions of MIUI. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances: why on some devices the option disappears after the update, how to make a dark theme work in individual applications (for example, YouTube or Chrome), and what to do if the system “does not see” this feature at all.

Spoiler: Even if your Redmi 5 doesn’t officially support dark mode, there’s a way out — and it doesn’t require root rights or complex manipulation.

Why is Redmi 5 not using the Dark Theme button?

The main reason for the lack of option is the MIUI version and hardware limitations. The smartphone came with MIUI 9 based on Android 7.1 Nougat, where dark mode was only available in beta versions of firmware or for selected regions. Later, with the release of MIUI 10 and MIUI 11, the feature became more common, but not for all devices.

Here are the key factors that influence the presence of a dark topic:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Nana MIUI 9 the option is hidden or absent, on MIUI 10/11 It may appear after the update.
• 🌍 Regional firmware: Global (Global) and Chinese (China) versions MIUI function.
• 🔧 Developer Settings: Sometimes dark mode is activated through hidden settings.
• 📲 Third-party launchers: Some shells (e.g. Nova Launcher) support dark themes regardless of the system.

If your Settings → Display menu doesn’t have a Dark Theme option, don’t get upset. Below we’ll look at alternative ways, including forced activation via ADB (no root) and the use of add-ons.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 5s MIUI 9 Standard dark mode may not work properly — some system applications (such as Contacts or Messages) will remain light.

Method 1: Standard Enablement via MIUI settings (MIUI 10/11)

If your smartphone runs on MIUI 10 or MIUI 11, try this method first. It's the easiest and requires no additional steps.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the Display section.
3. Find Dark Theme (or Dark Theme Mode) and activate the switch.
4. Confirm the change if the system requests a reboot.

If there is no item, check:

• 🔄 Firmware Update: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest patches.
• 🌐 Firmware Region: Global Versions MIUI You can find out more about the dark mode. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Some firmware may call it Night Mode or Dark Mode — look for these options. If the option is gray and inactive, your version of MIUI doesn’t support it (see below).

Method 2: Forced activation through developer settings

This method works on MIUI 9/10/11, but requires pre-enabled developer mode, which allows you to trick the system into showing hidden options.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times in a row) will appear notification "You became a developer".
2. Return to the main Settings menu and open a new section → For developers.
3. Find the option Forced to Enable Dark Mode (or Override Force-Dark) and activate it.
4. Reboot the phone.

Effect:

• ✅ Most system applications (Settings, Phone, Messages) will go dark.
• ❌ Some third-party apps (such as Instagram or WhatsApp) may not display correctly.
• ⚠️ Possible graphic artifacts in the menu (for example, white text on a light background).

Important: Once you force the dark mode on, some interface elements (such as keyboard or notifications) can remain light. This is normal for Redmi 5 and cannot be fixed without root rights.

Method 3: Using ADB to activate a dark theme (without root)

If previous methods have not worked, try to turn on the dark mode through the ADB-It's safe and doesn't require unlocking the bootloader.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and program ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 5 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your phone screen.
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 should appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the command to enable dark mode: adb shell settings put secure ui_night_mode 2
5. Reboot the phone.

To return a bright topic, use the command:

adb shell settings put secure ui_night_mode 1

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI team ui_night_mode If you have a manufacturer's limitations, try the alternative command: adb shell settings put global. dark_theme 1 But her support is even less predictable.

Method 4: Third-party applications for dark mode

If system methods don't work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, and they don't change the MIUI theme globally, but they do darken the interface of most programs.

Top.-3 supplant 5:

• 🌙 Dark Mode (from Dark Mode Apps) — creates a surface dark filter for all applications.
• 🎨 Night Mode Enabler - activates hidden Android settings for dark theme. ADB (see method 3).
• 📱 Swift Dark -- it replaces light with dark at the system level. It works without root, but you need rights. ADB.

How to install and configure:

1. Download one of the apps (like Dark Mode) from Google Play.
2. Run it and provide the necessary permissions (access to the Overlay on top of other applications).
3. Turn on the dark filter and adjust the intensity of the dimming.
4. Add the app to the autoboot so that the filter is applied after the phone restarts.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ It works on any version. MIUI.
• ✅ Does not require root or complex manipulation.
• ✅ You can set the schedule (for example, turn on the dark mode from 22:00 to 7:00).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some interface elements may not be displayed correctly.
• ❌ Possible increase in battery consumption (due to filter operation).

Method 5: Use of alternative launchers

If you don't like the standard MIUI shell, you can install a dark theme side launcher, which won't replace the system interface, but will make the home screen and app menus dark.

Best launchers for Redmi 5:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher supports dark icons and themes, and the free version has limitations, but it’s enough for basic customization.
• 🌌 Lawnchair 2 is a lightweight open source launcher with a built-in dark theme.
• 🎭 Action Launcher – allows you to customize color schemes for each interface element.

How to set up a dark theme in Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen → select Settings.
3. Go to the Appearance → Style of icons and choose a dark palette.
4. In the Topics section, activate the Dark Mode.

Note: the launcher will only darken the main screen and app menus, and system settings, notifications, and apps will remain bright unless additional methods (such as ADB or third-party filters) are used.

💡

If after installing the launcher, some icons remain light, download the dark theme icon pack (for example, Delta Icon Pack or Whicons) and apply it to the launcher settings.

Problem Solving: What to do if the dark topic doesn’t work?

Even after successful dark mode activation, Redmi 5 may experience crashes, and let’s look at typical situations and how to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: On some firmware, the dark theme turns off when the charge level is low.
• 📦 Cash Systems: Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Resetting: In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (don’t forget to back up your phone!).

💡

If the dark theme is unstable, try a combination of methods: for example, turn it on through ADB and additionally use a third-party launcher, which will increase the chances of the interface being displayed correctly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dark topic on Xiaomi Redmi 5