Next articleTheme Flying to the Standard on Xiaomi: 7 Reasons and 10 Ways to Fix

You’ve installed a beautiful custom theme on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but within hours (or after the reboot) it’s reset to the standard MIUI gray shell? This is a common problem faced by Xiaomi smartphone users on firmware versions from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15. The reasons can be in system bugs and incorrect settings.

In this article, we will discuss 7 main reasons why the theme is going default, and offer 10 working ways to return customization, from simple reboots to deep system settings. Particular attention will be paid to models with HyperOS (new shell from Xiaomi), where the theme mechanism works differently. If you are tired of reconfiguring the theme every day, read on.

Why the topic is falling to the standard: 7 main reasons

Before you fix the problem, it is important to understand its root, and here are the most common triggers for resetting themes on Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Automatic update MIUI/HyperOS: The system can reset themes after minor updates, especially if they affect system applications.
• 📱 Cleaning the cache of the “Themes” application: When manually or automatically cleansing (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Storage) current theme is reset.
• 🔋 Battery Saving: Ultra-Economic or Super-Economic mode disables background processes, including theme synchronization.
• 🛠️ Resetting Launcher Settings: If you reset the Home Screen Settings (Settings) → Main screen, it could have touched the subject.
• 📥 Third-party launcher conflict: Apps like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair can block system themes.
• 🚫 Limitations MIUI For uncertified topics: Some custom themes (especially from third-party sources) do not pass system verification.
• 🔄 Device reboot: Some firmwares don’t save themes after a reboot due to a bug in com.android.themes.

Interestingly, on the POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12 with HyperOS, the problem is more often associated with synchronizing the Mi Account - the system tries to tighten the cloud theme, but fails. And on older models (Redmi 9, Mi 10T), the cache or conflict with Google Play Services is usually to blame.

Method 1: Reboot and reset the cache of the "Themes" application

Let's start with the simplest and most innocuous method, which works 60 percent of the time, and often the problem is the cache of the Themes app, which is responsible for the application.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Theme app (an icon with a brush) and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. Return to the main menu of the Themes app, apply your custom theme again.
5. Reboot your smartphone (required!).

If the topic crashes again after the reboot, try to clean the app data (same Warehouse menu → Clear data), but keep in mind that this will delete all downloaded themes and you will have to download them again.

Method 2: Disabling battery savings for the Themes application

Energy saving modes (Settings → Battery and Performance) aggressively close the background processes, including theme synchronization, especially for models with a small battery (Redmi A1, POCO C50).

How to fix it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Savings.
2. Select Savings Settings → Applications.
3. Find the Topics in the list and turn off the savings for it (switch to off position).
4. Also check the AutoRun section and allow autorunning for the Themes app.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with HyperOS is a different path: Settings → Battery → Battery mode → Settings → Applications without restrictions. Add themes.

After this manipulation, re-apply the theme and check its stability after the reboot. If the problem persists, move on to the next method.

Method 3: Re-use of the theme through MIUI Theme Editor

Sometimes the theme flies due to the fact that the system incorrectly saves its settings in the file. theme_manager.xml. In this case, the forced re-use through the built-in theme editor will help.

Steps:

1. Open the Topic app.
2. Go to the My Topic (or Installed) section.
3. Find your topic and tap it.
4. Click Apply, even if the topic is already active.
5. Wait 10-15 seconds and lock the screen (power button), then unlock.

If the theme still flies, try to delete it and install it again:

• 🗑️ Remove the topic through My themes → Delete.
• 🔍 Find it again in the catalog and install it.
• 🔄 Apply and restart the device.

Method 4: Verify your Mi Account and sync

On devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70) themes are tied to the Mi Account. If synchronization is disabled or there are problems with authorization, the system can reset the registration to default.

What to do:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Make sure you are logged in (if not, log in to your account).
3. Go to Data Sync and enable sync for Themes.
4. Return to the Themes app, apply your theme and wait for synchronization notifications.

If the topic still flies after that, try logging out of Mi Account and logging in again:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account → Sign out.
2. Reboot your smartphone.
3. Log in to your account again and apply the topic.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10 Pro) after leaving the Mi Account, Google Pay and Find My Device settings can fly!

Method 5: Manual editing of a configuration file (for advanced ones)

If all previous methods fail, the problem may be in a corrupted configuration file. theme_manager.xml. It can be edited manually, but it will require root rights or ADB.

Instructions via ADB (without root):

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap on version, then go back to Additional → For developers).
2. Open the command line on the PC and type: adb shell su cd /data/data/com.android.themes/shared_prefs/ ls Look for the file theme_manager.xml.
3. Download the file on PC: Adb pull /data/data/com.android.themes/shared_prefs/theme_manager.xml
4. Open it in a notebook and find a line with current_theme_package. Make sure it has the correct title for your topic (e.g. com.theme.xxxx).
5. If the value is incorrect, fix it, save the file and download it back: adb push theme_manager.xml /data/data/com.android.themes/shared_prefs/
6. Reset the device.

This method is suitable for users who are not afraid to work with ADB. If you have never used debugging, it is better to skip this section or consult a specialist.

💡

Before editing theme_manager.xml Make it backup with the adb pull command /data/data/com.android.themes/shared_prefs/theme_manager.xml theme_manager_backup.xml.

Method 6: Install Themes via Magisk (for rooted devices)

If your Xiaomi has root access (via Magisk), you can install the theme “silently” using the MIUI Theme Manager Fix module.This method is guaranteed to prevent themes from being reset, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Magisk Manager and make sure root works.
2. Download MIUI Theme Manager Fix (available on XDA Developers)
3. Install the module via Magisk (Modules → Install from storage).
4. Reset the device.
5. Apply the theme through the standard Theme app.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ The theme does not fly even after resetting the settings.
• ✅ Works on MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS.
• ✅ Compatible with most custom firmware (xiaomi.eu, PixelExperience).

⚠️ Note: Installing modules via Magisk may result in loss of warranty and unstable banking applications (due to the SafetyNet trigger). TWRP.

Method 7: Alternative launchers with support for themes

If none of these methods worked, consider using a third-party launcher that supports themes. For example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair lets you install icons and wallpapers regardless of the MIUI system settings.

How to set up:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Download an icon package (such as Whicons or Delta) in.apk format.
3. Open Nova Settings → Look & Feel → Icon style and select the downloaded package.

The disadvantage of this method is incomplete integration with the system (no changes in fonts, animations, sounds), but the topic will definitely not fly!

Frequently asked questions

💡

The most reliable way is to combine the battery saving switch for the Themes app + sync with your Mi Account, which solves the problem 80% of the time without root.