How to turn off the dark theme on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

The visual interface of the MIUI operating system or Xiaomi’s new HyperOS can be set up in dark mode by default, which is designed to reduce eye strain in low light conditions. However, many users prefer the classic light design scheme, as it provides better readability of text in bright daylight and makes the interface more contrasting. The standard switching procedure usually takes a few seconds, but sometimes the system can behave unpredictably, ignoring user commands or hiding the necessary switches.

There are several ways to bring back the white background, from basic customization in the personalization menu to using hidden engineering menus through special codes. In some cases, the black background may be imposed not by the system theme, but by a specific application or energy saving feature, which requires an individual approach to solving the problem. Understanding the workings of the theme will help you quickly adapt your smartphone to your preferences.

In this article, we will take a look at all the known methods of disabling dark themes on Redmi, Poco and Black Shark devices, and also consider situations when standard methods do not work. You will learn how to forcefully change the display of interface elements and avoid common errors that can lead to incorrect operation of the visual shell.

Standard Disconnection through the Personalization Menu

The easiest and safest way to change the color scheme of the interface is to use the built-in Android system tools, which requires you to open the main settings menu of your device and find the section responsible for the appearance. Depending on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS firmware, this item can be called “Screen” or “Personalization”.

Once you enter the section, you'll need to find the dark mode switch, which is usually located at the top of the screen or highlighted in a separate set of settings, and clicking on this element should instantly return the standard light design of all system menus and supported applications.

If you can't find the right item, use the built-in search by settings. Type the word "Theme" or "Mode" into the search box, and the system will prompt you to go to the desired menu, this is especially true for newer versions of shells, where the menu structure can be changed.

Importantly, changing this setting affects the entire system globally, and once switched, all system applications, such as the phone book, messages and gallery, will automatically switch to a light design scheme without having to restart the device.

Sometimes, after switching, some interface elements remain dark, this may be due to caching of graphic elements or the specific features of the operation of specific applications, in which case it is recommended to completely close the working programs and open them again so that they read the updated system settings.

Theme management through the Control Center

To quickly access frequently used features, Xiaomi has implemented a handy Control Center that is called by swipe down from the top right corner of the screen. It often has a shortcut for instant switching between light and dark theme, allowing you to adapt the smartphone to current lighting conditions without deep immersion in the menu.

If you don't see the theme icon on the Quick Access bar, it may be hidden in the optional menu.Click on the edit button (usually the pencil or gear icon in the corner of the panel) to see the full list of available switches.Look for the Dark Theme item and drag it to the active area for permanent access.

⚠️ Warning: If the dark theme label is missing even from the list available for add, it could mean your shell version is missing. MIUI Does not support fast switching through the curtain, or the interface configuration file is damaged.

Using Control Center is especially convenient when you need to quickly change settings for a short time, for example, if you turn on a dark theme to read at night, you can return the light mode with one touch in the morning without being distracted by searching for deep settings.

The functionality of the notification curtain and Control Center can vary across smartphone models. On the Redmi series budget devices, some elements can be simplified, while Xiaomi’s flagship models provide enhanced customization capabilities for control panels.

Set up automatic switching on schedule

One reason users can’t turn off dark theme is the activated automatic schedule switching feature. Android allows you to set time intervals during which a dark theme is forced to turn on, such as at sunset or at a set clock.

To check these settings, go to the theme management menu and look for Schedule or Automatic. Here you will see active timers that can overwrite your manual settings, disabling this feature will allow you to fully control the appearance of the interface.

There are two main types of automation: sunrise and sunset (geolocation is used) and user time. The first option is convenient for eye protection in the evening, but can interfere if you are used to working in bright light even at night. The second option is more flexible and allows you to set specific hours, for example, from 22:00 to 07:00.

If you want to use a dark theme only in certain applications, but not throughout the system, look at custom automation settings. Some versions of MIUI allow you to create profiles that change the theme depending on the application you run or battery level.

The problem with the black screen in the settings menu

Special attention should be paid to the situation when the dark theme is included only in the settings menu, leaving the rest of the applications light. This is a well-known feature of some versions of the MIUI firmware, where the settings menu display parameters are placed in a separate subsection and do not depend on the global theme.

To solve this problem, you need to go to the design settings. The path may differ, but most often it is located at: Settings → Additional settings → Special features → Visual effects (or a similar path depending on the version), Here you need to find the switch “Dark colors” or “Dark theme in settings” and deactivate it.

In some cases, this bug may be caused by a conflict of third-party launchers or themes downloaded from the GetThemes store. If the standard shutdown doesn't help, try temporarily switching to the standard "Untitled" theme in the Themes app.

It’s also worth mentioning that some system applications, such as Explorer or Task Manager, may have their own internal theme settings that prioritize system ones. Check the three-dot or gear menus inside such applications to make sure there’s no “Use Dark Theme” check box.

Use of hidden codes and engineering menu

For advanced users who are not helped by standard methods, there are special codes for logging into the engineering menu, a hidden part of the system designed to test the hardware, but also containing some interface settings that are not available to the average user.

To get into this menu, open the Phone app and dial the combination ##6484## (CIT-The interface of this menu is usually always light, but if there is a color inversion, this may indicate a deeper problem with the display drivers. UI Mode.

A safer and more effective way to change hidden settings is to use the adb (Android Debug Bridge) application from your computer, and by connecting your smartphone to your PC in debugging mode, you can send a command to forcefully change the night mode.

adb shell cmd uimode night no

This command instantly disables the night mode at the system level, ignoring the interface settings. To turn back on, the adb shell cmd uimode night yes command is used, and to return to automatic selection, the adb shell cmd uimode night auto. This method works on most devices running Android 10 and later.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands require preliminary activation of the developer mode and the inclusion of debugging by USB. Careless change of other parameters in the engineering menu can lead to unstable operation of the smartphone.

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Before using ADB commands, make sure to back up important data, as interference with system processes always carries minimal risk.

The impact of third-party themes and launchers

Often, third-party themes are the cause of a sticky dark theme, downloaded from the GetThemes store. Many design themes have hard-coded colors for interface elements that do not change when you switch the system tumbler, in which cases the theme dictates its rules, ignoring the standard Android settings.

To check if the theme is causing the problem, use the standard Classic theme (usually white) temporarily. If the interface is lighter then the problem is in the files of the previous design, you will either have to abandon the beautiful theme or find a modification without the forced dark schema.

Third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or GO Launcher can also affect the display. These apps completely replace the desktop and often have their own theme settings. Check the launcher settings under Appearance or Look & Feel.

Some launchers can sync with the system theme, but this feature may not work properly, in which case it is better to force the light style in the settings of the launcher itself to ensure uniformity of the interface.

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Third-party themes have the highest display priority, and if you can't turn off a dark theme, 90 percent of the time, it's an active third-party theme, not a system setting.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions