How to bring back the old theme on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways to roll back MIUI

You updated the design theme on your Xiaomi Redmi 8, but the new version was uncomfortable, slowing down or just not like visually? To return the previous design of the system in several ways, from a simple rollback through settings to manually installing a backup. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12, 13, 14) and potential risks that are rarely warned about.

Redmi 8 users’ main problem is that after updating the theme through Themes → The online system automatically deletes old registration files, leaving no way to return them in one click. In addition, some themes (for example, Dark Mode or Mi Fan Festival) can conflict with the firmware core, causing lags. We tested all methods on Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5 and 14 – the results are summarized in the table below.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. This depends on the availability of functions.
• 🔄 Backup: If you have previously saved themes through themes → Mine. → Backup, the process will take 2 minutes.
• 🛠️ Root rights: Deep rollback (for example, removing system theme apics) will require unlocking the bootloader.

⚠️ Note: If you have been installing themes from third-party sources (APK-files), their rollback can cause com.android.themes to fail.In this case, only resetting to factory settings will help.

1. Restore theme through MIUI backup

The safest way to do this is to use the built-in theme backup feature, which is available in MIUI 12.5 and later, but many Redmi 8 users are unaware of its existence.

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the tab My → Backup copies.
3. Select the date when the theme you want to use was active (such as Default or Dark).
4. Click Restore and confirm the action.

If the Backup tab is missing, the function is disabled in your firmware, in which case try an alternative path:

Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backups

Archives with themes can be stored here if you have previously created a full backup system.

Check the space in memory (need ≥500 MB)

Restart your phone before restoring.

Update the Themes app on Google Play

Try to restore a copy through Mi Account (if sync was enabled)-->

⚠️ Note: Restore backup copy from MIUI 12 on MIUI 14 can lead to graphic artifacts in the notification menu, in which case only manual setting of the theme will help (see Section 3).

2. Resetting themes to factory settings

If you don't have a backup, but you want to return the standard Redmi 8 design, reset themes through the system menu, which doesn't affect user data, but will return all visual elements to a default:

1. Go to Settings → Themes.
2. Choose My Subjects → Current theme.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset to factory.
4. Confirm the action (reboot may be required).

Once reset, the phone will use the standard MIUI Default theme, which matches your firmware version, for example, on MIUI 14 it will be NeoMorph, and on MIUI 12.5 it will be Classic.

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware for Redmi 8 (for example, MIUI 12.0.3) Resetting topics can lead to the disappearance of the folder.miui/theme In this case, you need to create it manually through a root file manager.

Light (Default)

Dark Mode (Dark Mode)

Colored (such as Pink or Blue)

Castomy (from third-party sources)-->

3. Manual recovery of theme through.mtz files

If previous methods didn’t work, you can manually install the old theme by downloading the file in.mtz format, a method that is suitable for advanced users, as it requires working with the file system.

Where to get.mtz files:

• 🔍 Official catalogue MIUI: The topics you previously downloaded can be stored in /sdcard/MIUI/theme.
• 🌐 Third-party resources: For example, Miuier Themes or Xiaomi Themes (check files for viruses!).
• 📱 Export from another device: If a friend has the same Redmi 8, ask them to save the theme through Themes → Mine. → Exports.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the theme file (.mtz) and place it in the /sdcard/MIUI/theme folder.
2. Open the Topic app and go to Mine → Local.
3. Select the downloaded file and click Apply.
4. If the theme doesn’t show up, reboot the phone.

Critical:.mtz files for MIUI 14 are incompatible with MIUI 12.5 due to changes in the theme structure.Installation of an incompatible theme can lead to a reboot cycle!

4. rollback through ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to force theme reset, which requires connecting your phone to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm clear com.android.themes


adb shell pm clear com.miui.home




adb reboot

These commands will reset the themes and launcher to the factory, and once the phone is rebooted, it will apply standard design.

⚠️ Note: Pm Clear commands will also be deleted:

• Desktop settings (folders, widgets).
• Custom wallpaper and icon styles.
• Themes app data (including download history).

We recommend pre-backup through Settings → Additional → Backup.

adb shell settings put secure theme_customization_pkg com.android.themes

This will force the system back.-->

5. Removing Theme Updates via Recovery

In rare cases (for example, after a failed update through the Topics → Online), the system can “hang” on the corrupted topic, causing permanent errors.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 8.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache (Do not reset your data!).
4. Reboot the phone.

If the problem persists, try:

• Install custom Recovery (TWRP) and manually delete /data/system/theme folder.
• Fastboot to save data (fastboot flash system.img command).

⚠️ Note: Delete system files through TWRP It can lead to brick if you remove critical components. Build a full backup before working with Recovery. TWRP → Backup.

6. Alternative solutions: custom firmware and patches

If you haven't managed to get the old theme back to the standard, consider installing custom firmware with the right design. Redmi 8 is popular for:

• 🔄 MIUI EU: European version of firmware with advanced theme settings.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience: Android One-based firmware with Material You theme.
• 🛠️ LineageOS: Minimalist design without unnecessary Miueva elements.

To install custom firmware will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install TWRP Recovery for Redmi 8 (version 3.5.2 or later).
3. Sweep ZIP-firmware TWRP → Install.

⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware voids the warranty and may result in:

• Data loss (including photos and contacts)
• Inoperability of banking applications (due to lack of certification).
• Camera or sensor issues (if the firmware is not optimized for the Redmi 8)

💡

If you only want an old theme, try all the standard methods first (sections 1-4).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When trying to bring back an old theme, Redmi 8 users face typical problems, and we've collected the most common and ways to fix them:

If your problem is not described in the table, check the error logs through ADB Logcat. To do this, connect your phone to your PC and type in:

adb logcat | grep -i "theme"

FAQ: Answers to popular questions