How to remove the theme update on Xiaomi: 5 working ways (no risk to the system)

Theme updates on Xiaomi smartphones often come automatically along with weekly MIUI patches. The new theme may seem awkward: too bright colors, unreadable fonts or mismatched icons. Unfortunately, there is no Cancel Theme Update button in the standard settings - but there are workarounds. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods to bring back the old design, including hidden MIUI features, ADB commands and extreme measures like reset.

It's important to understand that the theme in Xiaomi is not just wallpaper, but a set of changes affecting system applications, animations and even sounds. APK-theme file via Settings → The apps won't work. We need deeper manipulation, some of which require superuser rights or PC connectivity.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Smartphone model: on the Redmi Note 12 and POCO X5 The algorithm may be different from Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
• 🔄 Version MIUI: into MIUI 14 and newer, some ways on the menu have changed.
• 🔒 Backup: Create a backup of important data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

1.Shootback through the "Themes" menu: Hidden option

The easiest way is to return a standard theme if the upgraded one was installed through the Temas Store, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices without root rights and PC connection.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to My Themes section (the tab at the bottom of the screen).
3. Scroll down to System Themes and select “Default”.
4. Click Apply and confirm the change.

If this paragraph is missing or the topic does not change:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes changes are applied after a reboot.
• 🧹 Clear the app's cache Themes in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Update the Temas Store via Google Play or App Gallery.

💡

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI EU), the standard theme may be called “MIUI” or “Stock.” If you don’t find it, try searching for the keyword “default” in the My Topics section.

2. Delete theme through ADB: for advanced users

If the standard rollback did not help, and the theme was installed as a system update (for example, through OTA), you will need a connection to the computer and the ADB utility.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Utilities: ADB Tools and drivers for Xiaomi.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode:


- Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number.




- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging via USB.





2. Connect the phone to the PC and enter in the terminal:


   Adb devices (should appear serial number device).



3. Delete the subject by command:


   adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.theme.icon_pack.{ title topics]


*The exact name of the package can be found via adb shell pm list packages | grep theme.

Developer mode enabled |Installed drivers Xiaomi|ADB unpacked at the root of the drive C:|Phone connected in file transfer mode (MTP)|Debugging over USB is allowed-->

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you're not sure what the theme package is, don't delete anything at random. XDA Developers.

3. Reset theme settings via Safe Mode

If after updating the theme, the smartphone began to slow down or issue errors (for example, “Theme app stopped”), starting in Safe Mode will help.

How to log in to Safe Mode:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button before the MI logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, release Power and immediately press Volume down.
4. Keep Volume down until the "Safe Mode" appears at the bottom of the screen.

In safe mode:

• 🎨 Go to Settings. → Display. → Topics and select the standard.
• 🔄 Restart the device in normal mode.
• 🧹 If the problem remains – clear the application data Topics in Settings → Annexes.

On some models (e.g. POCO F5), the entrance to Safe Mode may be different: instead of holding Volume down, you need to keep Volume up after the logo appears.

4. Manual removal of theme files (root required)

For users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, there is a radical way: manually delete theme files through a file manager (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).

The path to topics at MIUI:

Algorithm of action:

1. Open a file manager with root support.

⚠️ Note: Removing files from /system/ If you're not sure, back up the theme folder before you change it.

5. Full reset to factory settings: an extreme measure

If none of the methods worked, and the updated theme is critically disruptive, then you have to hard reset, which will remove all the data from the device, including photos, messages and installed applications.

How to do the reset correctly:

1. Create a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup or manually copy files to your PC.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
3. Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, configure the smartphone as new – the theme will return to the factory.

Alternative method (if the smartphone is not turned on):

• 🔌 Connect the device turned off to charging.
• 🔘 Squeeze the power. + Volume up before the Recovery menu appears.
• 📛 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Manage volume buttons).
• 🔄 Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

💡

Before any interference with system files, check if the problem is a temporary bug. Sometimes it is enough to wait 1-2 days - MIUI can automatically correct the theme errors through background updates.

How to Avoid Forced Updates to Themes in the Future

To prevent Xiaomi from imposing new themes, turn off automatic updates:

• 🛡️ In the Appendix Topics: Profile → Settings → Auto-update themes → turn off the slider.
• 📵 In the system settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Mobile data/Wi-Fi → ban background activity.
• 🔧 For advanced: disable the service com.miui.thememanager through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.thememanager *This will shut down the theme store completely.

If you use custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS), there won’t be any problems with themes being imposed – there’s no built-in Temas Store.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the rollback of themes on Xiaomi