How to remove the dark theme on Xiaomi Mi 9: all working ways

The dark theme on Xiaomi smartphones has become a standard for many users, but not everyone likes it. Especially if it’s the Mi 9, where the MIUI interface can automatically switch between light and dark modes depending on the time of day or battery settings. If you want to bring back the classic light design, this guide will help you get a glimpse into all the nuances.

Unlike new models where dark theme settings are prominent, on the Xiaomi Mi 9 (especially with older versions of MIUI 10-12), the path to shutdown may not be obvious.In addition, some users encounter a bug when the theme spontaneously turns on after a reboot or update.We will consider not only the standard way, but also alternative methods, including cache reset and work with ADB.

It is important to consider that on the Mi 9 there were several modifications of firmware: global (MIUI Global), Chinese (MIUI China) and custom builds such as xiaomi.eu. Instructions may vary slightly - below you will find universal solutions and a compatibility table.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest way to disable a dark theme is to use the built-in system options. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, the path depends on the version of MIUI, but the general logic is maintained:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).

2. Go to Screen or Additional Settings → Screen (on some firmware).

3. Find Dark Theme (may be called Night Mode or Dark Theme Mode).

If the item is not in the Screen section, check:

• 🔍 Settings → Battery and productivity → Dark Theme (in some versions) MIUI 11).
• 🔍 Settings → Special facilities → Color and contrast (rare but not common).
• 🔍 Use the search by settings (the magnifier in the upper right corner) and enter the query “dark theme».

Once you find the desired partition, disable the slider or select the Off option.. On some firmware, additional options are available:

• 🌓 Automatic switching (on schedule or depending on sunset/dawn time).
• 🔄 Follow system settings (if power saving mode is enabled).

Update. MIUI last-minute|Check for the "Dark Theme" item in the screen settings|Turn off the power saving mode (may forcefully turn on the dark mode)|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

2. If the dark topic is included itself: causes and solutions

Many Xiaomi Mi 9 users complain that the dark theme returns after a while after the blackout, due to several factors:

1. Power saving mode. In the battery settings (Settings → Battery → Power saving mode), the option Dark theme at low charge can be activated. Turn it off.

2. Automatic Schedule. Check if automatic time-on is set to Settings → Screen → Dark Theme → Schedule.

3. Cache error. Sometimes a MIUI failure leads to a dark topic being turned on spontaneously.

• 🧹 Clear the Settings app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

4. Conflict of topics: If you use custom themes from the Theme (application from Xiaomi), some of them may force dark mode.

Settings → Topics → My Topics → Standard

Never had such a problem.|I used to, but I decided)|Sometimes it's turned on for no reason.|He is constantly returning after the shutdown.-->

3. disable dark theme through ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on PC.
• 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Connect Xiaomi Mi 9 to your computer and confirm debugging permission.

Step 2: Execution of commands

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put secure ui_night_mode 1


adb shell settings put secure ui_night_mode 0

The first command turns on the dark theme (to check), the second one turns off. Once done, restart the phone.

Step 3: Checking

If the theme is not turned off, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings delete secure ui_night_mode

This method resets dark theme settings to factory values and often helps with spontaneously enabled bugs.

4. Reset theme settings to factory

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to reset the theme settings, which doesn't affect user data, but will bring all visuals back to standard.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Theme Manager app and open its settings.
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Once you reboot, the theme will reset to standard (light), and if you've used custom themes, you'll have to re-install them.

💡

Before resetting themes, take screenshots of the current screen settings (brightness, color temperature, fonts) to help quickly restore the familiar look of the interface after reset.

5. Method compatibility table for different versions of MIUI

Below is a table with the performance of methods to disable dark theme on Xiaomi Mi 9, depending on the firmware version:

If your version of MIUI is not listed in the table, try the standard method and then (if you fail) reset the themes or ADB.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you turn off the dark theme on the Xiaomi Mi 9, users often make the following mistakes:

1. Do not restart the phone after changes. Some MIUI settings apply only after the reboot. Always reboot the device after the dark theme has been turned off.

2. Ignore the power saving mode. Even if you turn off the dark theme in the screen settings, the battery mode can turn it back on.

Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode → Dark theme

3. Not update the firmware. Older versions of MIUI (especially MIUI 10) had dark-themed bugs fixed in subsequent updates.

Settings → About the phone → System update

💡

On Xiaomi Mi 9 with MIUI 12.5+, a dark theme can be linked to a Xiaomi account. If you use one account on multiple devices, theme settings can sync. To avoid this, disable the theme syncing in your account settings.

4. Confuse "Dark Theme" and "Night Screen Mode." These are different functions:

• 🌙 Dark theme – changes the color of the interface (menu, applications).
• 🌃 Night mode – filters blue light (configured in Settings) → Screen. → Night mode).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi Mi 9 firmware (especially Chinese), disabling the dark theme can cause system applications to malfunction. If after the changes, interface artifacts (black rectangles instead of text, incorrect icons), perform a cache reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the MI logo appears.
3. Select Wipe Cache (use volume buttons for navigation).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Alternative solutions: third-party applications

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use third-party utilities, but be careful: some applications require root rights, which can disrupt the warranty and stability of the phone.

Verified annexes:

• 📱 Night Mode Controller (not root, but not all firmware) can be downloaded from Google Play.
• 🔧 Shizuku + AppOps (for power users, allows you to manage system permissions without root).
• 🎨 Hex Installer (requires root, allows deep customization of topics).

Instructions for Night Mode Controller:

1. Install the app and provide access to special features (Settings → Special features → Night Mode Controller).
2. Open the app and select Force Light Mode.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Night Mode Controller can conflict with system processes MIUI. If after using them, the phone began to brake or overheat, remove the utility and reset the cache.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dark topic on Xiaomi Mi 9