How to Include and Change Themes on Xiaomi: All Ways to MIUI 12/13/14

Changing the theme is one of the key ways to personalize Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones. The manufacturer offers hundreds of free and paid themes through the Mi Theme Store, but many users face problems: the Theme button disappears from the menu, downloaded.mtz files are not installed, or the system issues an error “Not supported by your version of MIUI.” In this article, we will analyze all working ways to include themes on current versions of firmware, including bypassing regional restrictions and manual installation through files.

It's important to understand that the themes are functionally dependent on the MIUI version and the firmware region. For example, on global (Global) and European (EEA) builds, the theme store is often disabled by default, whereas on Chinese (China ROM) it is available always. We'll look at solutions for everything from standard settings to alternative methods using ADB or third-party launchers.

Method 1: Standard Enablement through “Settings”

If your Xiaomi smartphone is running on official themes-enabled firmware, the easiest way to activate them is through the system menu, which is suitable for most MIUI 12, 13 or 14 devices (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
• 🎨 Scroll down and select the Topics section** (or Wallpaper & Themes in English firmware).

You can go to the store.

• 🌈 Apply ready-made themes from categories ("Minimalism", "Dark», «AMOLED» etc.).
• 🔍 Use search by name or hashtags (e.g. #DarkMode).
• 💎 Buy Premium Themes (Payment through Mi Account).
• 📥 Download themes to the memory card for subsequent manual installation.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EEA For Europe, the theme store may be blocked. In this case, go to Method 3.

Method 2: Install themes through.mtz files

If the theme store is not available or you want to install a custom theme from a third-party source (for example, from the XDA Developers forum or the Mi-Themes.ru site), you can download a file with the.mtz extension and apply it manually. This method works on all versions of MIUI, but requires preliminary preparation.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the theme file (.mtz) to your phone or computer: 🌐 Miuier Themes (English-language catalogue). 🌐 Mi-Themes.ru (Russian-language themes). 📁 Forum 4PDA (partition of your smartphone model).

Move the file.

MIUI/theme

Apply the subject

• Open the “Themes”** in the settings.
• Slip on the icon "My themes"** (or Offline).

If the theme is not displayed correctly after installation (icons, fonts or colors are lost), try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🗑️ Remove the “Themes” app cache** (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📥 Download a different version of the theme (some.mtz are optimized for specific models only).

💡

Before installing a custom theme, check it is compatible with your version of MIUI. For example, MIUI 12 themes may not work on MIUI 14 due to changes in system file structure.

Method 3: Bypassing regional restrictions (for EEA/Global ROM)

On MIUI Global or EEA (Europe) firmware, the theme store is often disabled due to Xiaomi’s GDPR compliance policy. To unlock it, you can temporarily change the system region or use workarounds.

Method 1: Changing the region through settings

Method 2: Install theme store APK

If the change of region did not help, download and install APK-Mi Theme Store file manually:

1. Download the current version from APKCombo or APKMirror.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications).
3. Install APK and open a theme store.

⚠️ Attention: When installed APK from third-party sources, risk running into modified software with ads or viruses. Check the hash amounts of files and use only proven resources.

Method 4: Incorporate themes through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, you can force the theme store to activate using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands, which requires connecting the phone to your computer and enabling the developer mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version** (you will be notified that you are a developer). Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and activate USB Debugging.**

Connect your phone to your PC

ADB

official website of Android

Open the command line.

adb.exe

Execute the command

adb shell settings put global miui_theme_manager_global_version 1

Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.themes/.activity.ThemeManagerActivity

To reset the download restrictions of third-party sources, use:

adb shell settings put global private_theme_enabled 1

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change other parameters unless you are sure of their purpose.

Method 5: Using third-party launchers

If you don't like system themes or Mi Theme Store is not available, the alternative is to install a third-party launcher with customization support.

• 🎨 Nova Launcher - allows you to change icons, fonts and animations, supports icon packages from the Play Market.
• 🖼️ Lawnchair is an open source launcher that mimics the Pixel Launcher, but with advanced theme settings.
• 🌌 Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for Xiaomi and offers built-in themes without the need for rooting.
• 📱 POCO Launcher – the official launcher from Xiaomi with support for dark theme and custom wallpaper.

How to customize the theme with Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Play Market.
2. Download the icon package (such as Whicons or Delta) and apply it to the launcher settings (Long press → Settings → Appearance → Icon Style).
3. For a complete theme change, use the Substratum or LSPosed modules (root access required).

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• ✅ Work on any firmware, including custom (LineageOS, PixelExperience).
• ✅ It does not depend on the regional restrictions of Xiaomi.
• ✅ Offer more customization options (gestures, animations, adaptive icons).

💡

Third-party launchers don’t replace MIUI system themes entirely — they only change the desktop look and menu of applications. Changing system fonts, animations and sounds will still require access to MIUI or root-right settings.

Method 6: Manual System File Replacement (for Advanced Users)

If you are willing to take drastic measures and have root access or custom recovery (TWRP), you can manually replace the theme system files.This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires working with the /system file system.

What you need:

• 📱 Smartphone with unlocked loader and TWRP.
• 💾 Backup copy of the current firmware (required!).
• 📁 Theme files in.mtz or unpacked.apk.
• 🛠️ Programme MT Manager or Root Explorer for working with system folders.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the.mtz file with the archiver (this is the file file file). ZIP-archive with icon, wallpaper, font, etc.).
2. Copy files into the appropriate system folders: /system/media/theme/default is the standard theme. /system/fonts is the fonts. /system/media/audio is the notification sounds.

644

755

Reboot the phone.

Warning! Incorrectly replacing system files can lead to bootloop. Build a full backup through TWRP before you start.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with themes on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Theme compatibility with your smartphone model (some themes only work on your smartphone) AMOLED-screen).
• 🔧 Availability of updates MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).
• 🛠️ System File Integrity (if you suspect damage, reset settings).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions