Changing the visuals on Xiaomi smartphones is a quick way to personalize the device to your tastes, but sometimes the result does not live up to expectations. Users often face a situation where a new theme looks incorrect, has a low resolution or just does not like in everyday use.
The process of returning to a standard or previously installed design may differ significantly depending on the version. MIUI In some cases, it's enough to just switch the menu item, in others it'll require a complete reset of the theme settings or even deleting files through the file manager. MIUI have different algorithms for processing graphic shells.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for rollback changes, from simple actions in the settings menu to more complex manipulation of system files, you will learn how to avoid common errors and what to do if standard methods do not help restore the original view of the screen.
Standard methods of changing the topic through settings
The most obvious and safe way to get back to the old way is to use the built-in Themes app, which does not require superuser rights and eliminates the risk of damage to system files, and first you need to open the Theme app, which is a preinstalled shell component.
Inside the app, go to the Profile tab, which is usually marked by the person icon in the lower right corner, and here is the Topics section, which displays a list of all previously installed designs, find a theme in the list called Classic or Default, and click Apply.
⚠️ Note: If you are using a third-party theme from an unofficial source, removing it completely may require rebooting the device to completely reset the interface cache.
Sometimes the system suggests saving the current icon and font settings when you change the theme. If your goal is to return to the factory state completely, make sure you don't check "Save old settings" or visual artifacts may remain.
It is important to note that newer versions of firmware may have a slightly different algorithm, such as MIUI 14, which optimizes the process and applies the theme instantly, whereas older versions such as MIUI 11 may require manual desktop reboot.
Use of the discharge function in the annex Topic
If a simple theme change doesn't work and you have glitches or old shell artifacts on the screen, you have to do a forced reset, which is often hidden from the eyes of the average user, but it's extremely effective at restoring the interface.
To reset, open the Topic app and go to Profile. Click on the settings icon (usually a gear) in the top right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, find Reset Themes or Restore default theme.
☑️ Checklist before resetting the topic
After pressing the button, the system will alert you that all font, icon and color settings will be returned to factory values. Confirm the action and the device will automatically restart the SystemUI process.
This method is especially useful when the user has experimented with a lot of third-party modifications and now wants to remove all traces of changes. It acts more than just switching theme, affecting the system configurations of the display.
Recovering Remote Themes Through Cloud and History
Many users are unaware that the Themes app keeps a download history even if the file was deleted from the device.This allows you to return the theme to Xiaomi even if you cleared the phone’s memory.
Go to the Themes app, log in, and go to Downloads or History, which shows you a list of all the themes ever downloaded to that account, find the design you want, and click the download button again.
| Type of data | Where it's stored | Storage period | Recovery capability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official themes | Xiaomi server | Indefinitely | Tall. |
| Third-party topics (MTZ) | Memory of the device | Before removal | Low (needs backup) |
| Font settings | Local/Cloud | Depends on synchronization. | Medium |
| Castomic icons | Locally. | Before dumping. | Low. |
If you used the sync function with Mi Cloud, you can restore the theme even after you have completely flashed the phone, and the main thing is to remember to enable sync of these themes in your account settings before resetting the device.
What if the topic is not in the story?
Working with the file system and manual deletion
For advanced users who install themes manually through.mtz files, the process of returning to the previous version may require working with the file system.
Using a file manager with access to system folders (such as MT Manager or Root Explorer), you can find and delete active theme files, and the path to them usually looks like /data/data/com.android.thememanager/files or similar, depending on the version of Android.
⚠️ Warning: Directly deleting system files without backing up can result in a device being booted (cyclicly rebooted) and only act if you are confident in your actions.
After deleting the theme files, you need to clear the theme and desktop cache of the application. This is done through the Settings menu. → Annexes → All applications. Find the right processes and select Clear cache and Clear data».
This radical method is guaranteed to reset all visual settings to a store-like state, however, it will also remove all your personalizations, including widget layout and gesture settings.
Compatibility issues and bugs after the update
Often, the desire to return the theme to Xiaomi to the previous one arises after updating the firmware. New versions of MIUI or HyperOS may contain changes in the interface rendering code, which causes old themes to appear with errors: clocks disappear, icons are distorted or the color of the status bar changes.
In such cases, theme developers should update their products, and if the theme writer did not, the only way out is to wait for a fix from Xiaomi or look for an alternative design adapted to the new version of the system.
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Save original themes (.mtz) files on your computer or in the cloud before updating your firmware, which will allow you to quickly restore your favorite design if it goes off or stops working correctly after the update.
Sometimes cleaning up the theme cache through an engineering menu or special ADB commands helps, but this is a temporary solution.The most stable work is achieved only with themes marked as compatible with your version of Android.
It is also worth considering that global firmware versions may have restrictions on the use of themes from regional stores (for example, Chinese), which often causes a sudden hit of the topic after a change in region or update.
Alternative launchers as a solution to the problem
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t get the desired result or a standard theme seems too boring, it’s worth considering installing a third-party launcher, a full-fledged replacement for the standard desktop that gives you complete control over the look and feel.
Popular solutions like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allow you to mimic the style of iOS, pure Android or create unique designs. They do not depend on the system limitations of Xiaomi themes.
- 🚀 Speed: Third-party launchers often run faster than the standard interface MIUI.
- 🎨 Flexibility: The ability to change the size of the grid, animations and icon behavior without restrictions.
- 🛠 Feature: Additional gestures, app hiding and smart folders out of the box.
However, using a third-party launcher requires disabling the battery optimization for the launcher itself, otherwise the system will constantly “kill” the process and the desktop will reboot, and conflicts with system navigation gestures may also arise.
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Using a third-party launcher is the best way to completely ignore the limitations of Xiaomi themes and get a unique interface, but requires initial customization.