How to Restore an Old Theme on Xiaomi Redmi: A Reversion to Factory Design and a Return to Remote MIUI Themes

After updating MIUI, many users of Xiaomi Redmi face an unpleasant problem: the system automatically resets the user theme to a standard one, and favorite designs disappear from the theme gallery. Worse, some themes are no longer supported in new versions of the firmware. If you find yourself in this situation, do not despair: you can return the previous interface in several ways, from simple to technically complex.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods for recovering an old theme on Redmi, including rollback through settings, manual installation of.mtz files, using ADB and even editing system configs. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and Redmi models (from Note 8 Pro to Redmi 12), and you will learn how to avoid losing themes in future updates and where to look for archival versions of designs.

Before you start, make sure you have a backup of important data — some methods require resetting or manipulating system files. And remember, on devices with a locked bootloader, some methods will not be available without unlocking.

1. Search for an old theme in MIUI archive

The first thing to try is to find a deleted theme in the official MIUI Themes archive. Xiaomi keeps many designs even after they are removed from the main catalog, but access to them is hidden.

To find archival themes:

• 🔍 Open the Topics app and go to the Profile section → My subjects. → Archives.
• 📁 If the archive is empty, try manually entering the title of the topic in the search box (e.g., "Pure Black"). MIUI 12").
• 🌐 For those removed from the global directory, switch to the Chinese region: Profile → Settings → Region → China (required) VPN).
• 💾 If the theme is found, click Apply and wait for the download (you may need to restart the device).

Important: Some themes are tied to a particular version of MIUI. If your firmware is newer than the theme version, the design may not be displayed correctly or at all, in which case only the system rollback will help (see section 4).

⚠️ Note: If you change the theme settings, your Mi Account may be temporarily blocked. Use this method only if you are confident in the security of your account.

2. Manual recovery via.mtz file

If a theme is lost after a reset or update, but you still have a.mtz file (for example, on your computer or in cloud storage), you can install it manually, and this method works even for informal topics.

Instructions:

1. Download the theme file (theme_name.mtz) on the device (for example, in the Download folder).
2. Open the Themes app and go to Profile → Local Themes.
3. Click on the + icon in the upper right corner and select the downloaded file.
4. Confirm the installation and apply the theme.

If Local Themes are not available (relevant to MIUI 14), use the workaround:

• 📂 Rename the file to theme.mtz and place it in a folder /MIUI/theme/ (You will need a root access guide or ADB).
• 🔄 Reboot the device – the theme will appear in the list of available.

Download.mtz file from a reliable source

Check the integrity of the archive (size >100 KB)

Enable installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Rights)

Use the original file (not renamed APK)

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Where to look for.mtz files:

3. Reset theme settings via ADB

If the theme is applied but displayed incorrectly (e.g. icons are standard and wallpaper has changed), the problem may be in the system cache. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

Procedure:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times) → Additional → For developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell pm clear com.android.themes rm -r /data/system/theme/* reboot
3. After rebooting, try to apply the theme again.

If that doesn’t help, try resetting the Topics app settings:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home


adb shell pm clear com.android.launcher

⚠️ Note: pm clear commands will delete all custom launcher settings, including the location of icons and widgets.

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Before using ADB, back up your data via Mi Cloud or locally. rm -r and pm clear commands irreversibly delete files.

4.Return of the MIUI version to restore compatibility

Some themes (especially custom ones) only work on specific versions of MIUI. If the system stops supporting your design after the upgrade, the only reliable way to get it back is to roll back to the previous firmware.

How to do this:

1. Download the fastboot firmware version from the official Xiaomi or Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unclose the file and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
3. Run the command to roll back: fastboot flashall firmware.zip or (for devices with a locked bootloader): fastboot update firmware.zip

Important: rollback will reset all the data on the device.

• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔐 Save your Mi Account (device link may be reset).
• 📡 Make sure the firmware version is compatible with your Redmi model (check the device code, such as ingres for the Redmi Note 10 Pro).

5. Editing system files (for advanced)

If you're willing to take risks, you can manually write an old theme into system configs, which requires root rights or access to TWRP.

Instructions:

1. with the help of Root Explorer or ADB open the file: /data/system/theme/theme_config.xml
2. Find a line with the current topic (for example, <theme name="default" />) and replace it with: <theme name="Title your themes" package="com.example.theme" /> (The name of the package can be found from the.mtz file by decompressing it as ZIP-archive).
3. Save the changes and restart the device.

Alternatively, through TWRP:

• 📁 Download the.mtz theme file and rename it to theme.mtz.
• 🔧 Boot in. TWRP and mount the section /system.
• 📋 Copy the file into /system/media/theme/default/ (substitute).
• 🔄 Reboot to the system.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot).Before changes, create a full backup through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

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Editing system files is an extreme method, only use it if other methods have failed and you understand the risks.

6.Alternative launchers as a replacement for MIUI themes

If you can't get your old theme back, consider using third-party launchers, which allow you to customize the interface regardless of the version of MIUI and are independent of system updates.

Best launchers for Redmi:

• 🎨 Nova Launcher - flexible customization of icons, animations and gestures. Supports backup settings.
• 🖼️ Lawnchair – lightweight launcher with support for Pixel themes and adaptive icons.
• 🌌 Hyperion Launcher – Maximum customization (including changing fonts and icon shapes).
• 📱 Poco Launcher – official launcher from Xiaomi with minimalist design (works on all Redmi).

How to transfer the design from an old theme to the launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Import wallpaper from /MIUI/theme/ (if you have any leftovers).
3. Customize icons through icon packs (such as Whicons or Delta).
4. Apply color schemes through the built-in launcher settings.

The advantage of this method is stability: launchers are updated independently of MIUI, and their design will not reset when updating the firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about themes recovery on Redmi