Where MIUI themes are stored on Xiaomi smartphones: system paths, backups and management methods

Xiaomi's MIUI shell is famous for its flexibility in customizing the look and feel, from icons to animations. But what if you downloaded a unique theme and it disappeared after resetting? Or if you want to manually transfer your favorite design to another smartphone? You need to know where exactly MIUI themes are stored in the device's file system. Spoiler: their location depends on the the theme type (system, downloaded from Mi Theme Store or custom), the shell version and even the smartphone model.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to store themes, from standard folders in internal memory to hidden system directories that are only available with root permissions. You’ll learn how to find files by those manually, what formats they use (.mtz,.apk), and why some themes disappear after a MIUI update. And how to back up and restore designs without loss, even if Mi Account doesn’t sync them automatically.

1. Standard location of MIUI themes in internal memory

Most of the themes you install through the official Mi Theme Store are stored in the internal memory of the smartphone in open folders. They can be found without special permission using any file manager (for example, Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/ — Here are downloaded themes in.mtz format. The folder is created automatically when you first install the theme from the store.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.miui.themeeditor/files/ — Temporary files if you edited the theme with an embedded editor.
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Download/ — mtz files are downloaded here when manually downloading topics from the Internet (for example, from forums). 4PDA or XDA).

In /MIUI/theme/, each theme is stored in a separate subfolder named for its identifier (e.g., com.example.theme.id).

• 📄 description.xml — metadata topics (title, author, version).
• 📁 preview/ — preview.
• 📁 resources/ — main design files (icons, wallpaper, fonts).

⚠️ Warning: Don't rename folders to those by hand! This can lead to errors in the design application. If the theme stops working, delete it through Settings. → Theme → My themes and re-install.

System themes and their location (root rights required)

Standard themes pre-installed in MIUI (e.g., Default, Dark Mode or brand designs for Redmi/POCO lines) are stored in secure system partitions, without root or ADB rights, they are not accessible.

To access these folders you will need:

1. Getting root rights (for example, through Magisk).
2. Use of the ADB with the team: adb shell su ls /system/priv-app/MiuiSystemTheme/
3. A file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).

⚠️ Note: Modifying files in /system/ may disrupt MIUI! Before experimenting, create a backup copy through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

3. Backups to those where MIUI saves your settings

MIUI automatically backs up the themes that are applied, but not all of them, for example, custom themes from third-party sources may not be saved.

• 🔄 /data/data/com.miui.themeeditor/shared_prefs/ — theme editor settings (if you have manually modified the design).
• 🔄 /MIUI/theme/.backup/ — Backups of theme created by the system before the update.
• ☁️ /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ — If you have done a full backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

To manually save the theme:

1. Open the Settings → Theme → My Themes.
2. Click on three dots next to the desired theme and select Export.
3. The.mtz file is saved to /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/.

Download the.mtz theme to your first smartphone |Transfer the file to your second smartphone (e.g., via Bluetooth or the cloud) |Install theme through Mi Theme Store (Local) |Use the design in the theme settings

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4. MIUI theme file formats: what.mtz means and how to open it

The MIUI theme is not a single file, but an archive with a set of resources.

• 📦.mtz is the main theme format. ZIP-archives that can be opened by any archiver (e.g, 7-Zip Or WinRAR. Inside you'll find a folder. resources/ It's got images, fonts, sounds. description.xml It's metadata. preview/ shop-screenshot.
• 🤖.apk – System themes (e.g, MiuiSystemTheme.apk) installed as applications.
• 🖼️.png/.jpg — individual elements of the themes (icons, wallpaper) can be stored in folders /MIUI/theme/[theme_id]/resources/.

To create your own theme or edit an existing one:

1. Download the.mtz file and rename it to.zip.
2. Unpack the archive and edit the files in the resources/ folder (e.g., replace the icons in resources/drawable/).
3. Pack back into ZIP and rename it to.mtz.
4. Install it through the Mi Theme Store (local section).

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If the theme doesn’t install, check the archive structure: the description.xml file should be at the root, not inside the subfolder. Also make sure that the theme name in description.xml matches the folder name.

5.Why topics disappear after a MIUI update or reset

Xiaomi users often find that after updating the shell or resetting to the factory settings, the applied themes are reset, and some even disappear from the list.

• 🔄 Update MIUI: Newer versions of the shell can change the structure of the storage of themes. MIUI 14 path /MIUI/theme/ The same is true, but the metadata format in description.xml renewed.
• 🧹 Resetting: When Wipe Data is removed through Recovery, all user files, including the folder, are deleted. /MIUI/theme/.
• ☁️ Mi Account problems: If the theme was installed through a Xiaomi account but sync is disabled, it may not recover.
• 🚫 Blocking Custom Themes: MIUI Sometimes removes topics established from unverified sources (e.g., from the 4PDA).

How to avoid losses:

• 📥 Export your favorite themes to.mtz regularly through Settings → Theme → My subjects.
• ☁️ Enable theme synchronization in Mi Account (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Synchronization).
• 🔄 Before the update MIUI Backup the folder. /MIUI/theme/ PC-only.

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The most reliable protection against the loss of themes is manual export to.mtz and storage of files on the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or PC.

6. How to transfer themes between Xiaomi smartphones

If you bought a new Xiaomi and want to transfer your favorite themes from your old device, there are a few ways to do this:

Method 1: Export/import.mtz

1. On an old smartphone, export the theme to.mtz (see Section 3).
2. Transfer the file to a new smartphone (e.g., via Mi Share, Bluetooth, or the cloud).
3. On the new device, open the Mi Theme Store, go to Locals and select the transferred file.

Method 2: Through the MIUI backup

If the topics were set up through Mi Account:

1. On an old smartphone, turn on the themes synchronization (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization → Theme).
2. On the new device, log in to the same Xiaomi account.
3. Open Mi Theme Store → Profile → My themes – synchronized designs should be displayed here.

Method 3: Manually copy the folder (root required)

If you have root access:

1. Copy /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/theme/ from your old smartphone to your new one.
2. Reset the device.
3. Themes will appear in the My Themes section of the Mi Theme Store.

⚠️ Note: When transferring topics between different versions MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) display errors may occur. Before using, check compatibility in the subject description.

7 How to Recover a Removed MIUI Theme

If the theme is gone after a reset or update, try the following recovery methods:

• 🔍 Check the Recycle Bin: Some file managers (such as Mi File Explorer) save deleted files in the Recycle Bin (/storage/emulated/0/.trash/).
• 📂 Search by internal memory: Use keyword searches (such as.mtz or topic name) in the root folder.
• ☁️ Recovery from Mi Cloud: If sync was enabled, check Settings → Xiaomi account → Cloud. → Theme.
• 🛠️ File recovery software: For example, DiskDigger or Recuva (requires a PC connection).

If the theme was purchased from the Mi Theme Store:

1. Open a theme store and go to Profile → Shopping.
2. Find the right theme and click Reinstall.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MIUI topics