Xiaomi Themes: What it is and how to completely change the appearance MIUI

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO, You probably noticed that the interface MIUI It offers a lot more customization than standard Android. One of the key personalization tools is the Themes app. But what is it? Why some users actively use it, while others do not even suspect its existence?

In this article, we’ll take a look at what Xiaomi Themes is, how it works, where to find the best themes, and how to avoid the typical installation mistakes. You’ll learn how to dramatically change the look of your smartphone with one app, from icons and wallpaper to animations and fonts. And we’ll also reveal a few secrets that don’t lie on the surface: how to install themes from third-party sources, or why some collections may not apply to your model.

Spoiler: Themes' capabilities go far beyond just changing wallpapers. It's a whole constructor that makes your Xiaomi unique. But there are pitfalls -- we'll talk about them, too.

What is Xiaomi Themes and Why You Need It

Themes (or “Themes”) is a standard firmware application MIUI, It's a tool that allows users to change the visual design of the smartphone interface, and it's not just about wallpaper, it's about wallpaper:

• 🎨 App icons (you can choose from hundreds of styles – from minimal to minimalist) 3D)
• 📱 System elements style (notification panels, switches, buttons)
• 🖼️ Wallpaper for desktop and lock screen (including dynamic and live wallpapers)
• 🔤 Fonts (systemic and downloaded from the store themes)
• 🎬 Animations and transitions (e.g. effects when opening applications)

Themes is essentially the Microsoft Store for Windows themes, but with much deeper integration. Unlike standard Android, where you need launchers like Nova Launcher to change icons. MIUI It works out of the box without any additional programs.

The application is preinstalled on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (Except for Android One devices that use pure Android, however, its functionality may vary depending on the type of Android device:

• 📱 Smartphone models (flagships often get exclusive themes)
• 🌍 Firmware region (in global and Chinese versions) MIUI collection)
• 🔢 Versions MIUI (In new versions, additional options appear, for example, dark mode for themes)

⚠️ Note: Some budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C31) Themes functionality can be reduced – there are no dynamic wallpapers or support for third-party themes.

How to Open and Use Themes App

Find the Themes application in several ways:

1. Through the app menu, look for an icon with a brush and palette (the name may be “Themes” in Russian).
2. Through Settings: Go to Settings → Topics (in some versions) MIUI path may differ).
3. With a system search, swipe down the desktop and type in “Themes” or “Themes.”

After opening the application, you will see several tabs:

• 🏆 Recommended - a selection of popular themes from Xiaomi
• 🎁 Gifts – sometimes Xiaomi gives away premium themes for free (watch out for promotions!)

To apply the topic:

1. Choose your favorite collection and click on it.
2. View the preview (you can tap on the screens to see what the desktop, notification panel, etc. will look like).
3. Click on Apply (or Download if the theme is not already downloaded).
4. Confirm the changes – some elements (such as fonts) require rebooting.

Compatible with your smartphone model

Reviews of other users (rating and comments)

Theme size (some weigh up to 100MB!)

Premium status (free themes may have limitations)

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If the topic does not apply, check:

• 🔄 Update the Themes app (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).
• 📱 Compatible with your model (some themes only work on flagships).
• 💾 Free space (themes can weigh from 5 to 150 MB).

Where to download themes for Xiaomi: official and unofficial sources

The main source of themes is the Themes app itself, which has both free and paid collections, but many users don't know that the themes can be installed from other places.

1.The official theme store in the Themes app

Pros:

• ✅ Security – all topics tested by Xiaomi for viruses and compatibility.
• ✅ Automatic updates – Themes are updated with the app.
• ✅ Integration with MIUI — There is no need for manual adjustment.

Cons:

• ❌ Limited choice in some regions (for example, Russia has fewer than China).
• ❌ Paid topics (price usually 1-3)$, but there are stocks).

2. Third-party sites and forums

Popular resources for downloading topics:

• 🌐 MIUI Themes – the largest database of themes with the ability to filter according to the model of the smartphone.
• 🌐 Xiaomi EU Forum – here they lay out exclusive themes for custom firmware.
• 🌐 4PDA — Russian-speaking community where topics and installation instructions are shared.

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party themes may not be secure! Always check files for viruses and read reviews. Some themes contain ads or change system settings without your knowledge.

3. Telegram channels and chat rooms

Telegram has many channels where they post free themes for the Internet. MIUI. Popular:

• 📌 MIUI Themes – Daily updates to collections.
• 📌 Xiaomi Themes – Themes for New Models.

To install a theme from a.mtz file (standard theme format for the MIUI):

1. Download the file to your smartphone.
2. Open Themes. → My subjects. → Imports.
3. Select the downloaded file and apply the theme.

Themes' official store

Third-party sites (MIUI Themes, 4PDA)

Telegram channels

I'm creating/editing myself.

I don't use themes.-->

Top.-5 Best topics for Xiaomi in the 2026 year

The choice of themes depends on your preferences, but we have selected five time-tested collections that suit most users:

Important: Material You Dynamic Theme Requires the inclusion of the option “Adaptive Colors” in the Topic settings → It's not going to look right without it.

If you want something unique, try searching for themes based on specific queries, such as:

• 🎮 «Gamer themes – with elements from Genshin Impact, Valorant or Cyberpunk.
• 🌿 «Eco-style – natural motifs, green accents.
• 🖤 «AMOLED-Themes – Optimized for Deep Black screens.

How to Create Your Theme for Xiaomi

If you don't like any of the themes you've got, you can create yours! There are two ways to do this:

1. Theme Editor in Themes App

In some versions MIUI (starting MIUI 12.5) There is a built-in editor where you can:

• 🎨 Change the color palette of system elements.
• 🖼️ Download your wallpaper for desktop and lock.
• 🔤 Choose from predefined fonts.

To open the editor:

1. Go to Themes. → My subjects.
2. Click on the icon «+» or “Create a theme».
3. Follow the instructions of the setup wizard.

2. Third-party programs (for advanced users)

For full customization you will need:

• 💻 MIUI Theme Editor (a program for PC, allows you to edit.mtz files).
• 📱 Root access (for deep changes, such as replacing system icons).
• 🛠️ Knowledge XML and JSON (formats in which theme settings are stored).

⚠️ Attention: Editing system files without a backup can lead to a smartphone "brick" (inoperability). If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to use ready-made themes.

If you want to try creating a theme without risk, start with simple things:

1. Download your favorite theme from the store.
2. Unpack her.mtz file on your PC.
3. Replace your wallpaper or icons with your own (keeping the original folder structure!).
4. Pack back to.mtz and import into Themes.

Typical Themes Problems and How to Solve Them

Even a useful tool like Themes has its own bugs and limitations, and here are some of the most common problems and ways to solve them:

1. The subject does not apply or is partially applied

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Incompatibility with the version MIUI → Check which version of the firmware theme is intended for.
• 📱 Model constraints → Some themes don’t work on budget smartphones (like Redmi). 9C).
• 🔧 Failure in the application → Clear the Themes cache in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

2 Theme disappears after update MIUI

This is standard behavior, after major firmware updates, some themes are reset to get back to their original appearance:

1. Open Themes. → My subjects.
2. Find the previously used theme and click "Apply" again.
3. If the topic is not in the list, import it again from the file.

3.Not working search or theme store

If the Themes app does not load new collections:

• 🌍 Internet problems → Check the connection or switch to mobile data.
• 🔒 Regional lockdown → Some themes are only available in China, and the solution is to change the region in Xiaomi’s account (but this may violate the warranty!).
• 🔄 An outdated version of the app → Update Themes via Play Market or App Gallery.

4.Themes take up too much space

One theme can weigh up to 150MB, and if you download a dozen, the memory will fill up quickly.

1. Go to Themes. → My subjects.
2. Tap and hold on to an unnecessary topic → select "Delete».
3. For complete cleaning, remove the folder /MIUI/theme/.cache via file manager (root rights or access to hidden folders required).

💡

If the theme does not apply to icons, try manually selecting the icon package in the launcher settings: a long tap on the desktop → Desktop settings → Icon style.

Hidden Themes chips you didn't know about

Themes has more than it looks like. Here are some life hacks:

1. Dynamic wallpaper with paralax effect

Some themes support live wallpaper that responds to the tilt of the smartphone. To include:

1. Download the theme marked “Dynamic” or “Live Wallpaper”.
2. Apply it and go to Settings. → Wallpaper.
3. Select “Dynamic Wallpaper” and activate the effect.

2. Themes for individual applications

V MIUI 14, you can apply different styles to different apps, like you can make a dark theme for YouTube, but a light one for Telegram:

1. Open Themes. → Settings of topics.
2. Select “Personalization of Apps”.
3. Specify for which applications you need to apply separate settings.

3. Export and import of themes between devices

If you have changed your smartphone, but want to move your favorite theme:

1. On an old phone, copy the theme file (.mtz) from the folder /MIUI/theme.
2. Flip it to a new smartphone (for example, via Bluetooth or the cloud).
3. Import through Themes → My subjects. → Imports.

4. Hidden collections of themes

V MIUI There are hidden themes that don't appear in the main directory:

1. Open Themes.
2. In the search bar, type #hidden or #secret.
3. Check out the collections that have appeared (usually experimental or seasonal themes).

💡

Not all hidden themes work consistently – some may contain bugs or incomplete design elements.

FAQ: Frequent Questions About Themes Xiaomi