Themes app on Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide to installing and configuring themes

If you are the owner of the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and noticed the mysterious Themes application in the list of installed programs, then this is not just random software, but one of the key elements of the corporate shell. MIUI. This app allows you to radically change the appearance of the interface of your device — from icons and wallpaper to fonts and animations. But many users do not know how to use it or even do not know about its capabilities.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what Themes is on Xiaomi Redmi, how it works, where to get themes and how to install them without risking the system; learn about hidden features, popular collections of themes, and even how to create your own designs; and debunk the myths about security and performance impact that often discourage newcomers from experimenting with the design.

What is Themes App and Why It Is Needed

Themes (or “Themes” in Russian) is a built-in shell tool. MIUI, And it's the one that's responsible for visual customization of the smartphone:

• 🎨 Change app icons to stylized options (for example, in the style of iOS, Material You or pixelated).
• 🌄 Install dynamic wallpaper with animation or adaptive colors.
• 🔤 Select fonts, including handwritten or futuristic.
• 🎚️ Customize the sounds of notifications, alarm clock and interface.
• 📱 Apply full-fledged themes that change the design of system menus, notification panels, and even transition animations.

It's important to understand that Themes isn't just skins, it's a full-fledged look and feel builder. Unlike Android launchers like Nova Launcher, it's integrated into the system and can change elements that are not normally available to third-party applications, such as changing the design of Settings, Phone Book or even Lock Screen, something that usually remains "native" even with alternative launchers.

Themes does not require superuser rights (root) and works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO shelled MIUI (starting with MIUI However, some features may differ depending on the regional firmware, as we will discuss later.

Where is the Themes app and how to open it

Find the Themes application in several ways:

1. Through the App Menu: scroll through the list of installed programs to the brush and palette icon (usually called “Themes” or “Themes”).
2. Through a search by system: swipe down the main screen, type in the search bar “Themes” and select the desired application.
3. Through Settings: Go to Settings → Registration → Topics (the path may vary slightly depending on the version) MIUI).

If you can't find the app, it may have been disabled or hidden to bring it back:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the list of “Themes” (or “Themes”).
3. Click Enable if the application is disabled.

On some firmware (e.g. global versions for Europe), the application may be called Theme Store or Theme Manager. MIUI for POCO Themes interface can have a simplified design with a focus on dark themes and minimalism.

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After the update MIUI Themes app is gone, try resetting the launcher settings: pinch the empty space on the home screen → Home screen settings → Reset the settings.

How to Set and Apply Topics

It takes less than a minute to install a new theme. Here's a step-by-step instruction:

After the topic has been applied, the changes will concern:

• 📱 App icons (if the theme includes pack icons).
• 🖼️ Wallpaper (on the main screen and lock screen).
• 🔤 Fonts (if provided by the topic).
• 🔔 Sounds (notifications, alarm clock, keyboard).
• 🎛️ System menus (settings, notification panel, lock screen).

Some themes may require additional action, for example, if you install an icon package, then after applying the theme, you need to manually select it in the launcher settings:

1. Click the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select Home Screen Settings → Icon style.
3. Find the installed icon package in the list.

If the topic does not apply or is partially applied, check:

• 🔄 Compatibility of the theme with your version MIUI (specified in the subject description).
• 📥 Internet connection (some items are downloaded from Xiaomi servers).
• 🔧 No conflicts with other launchers (for example, Nova Launcher can block the use of themes).

Where to download themes for Xiaomi Redmi: official and third-party sources

The main source of themes is the built-in store in the Themes app, which is divided into several sections:

• 🔥 Popular – Topics with the most downloads.
• 🆕 New - newly added collections.
• 🎨 Icons – separately packs of icons without a full theme.
• 🖼️ Wallpaper – static and dynamic background images.
• 🎵 Sounds – notification melodies and ringtones.
• 🔍 Search – manual search by name or tags.

However, the official store has restrictions:

• ⚠️ Many topics are paid (price is usually from 50 to 300 rubles).
• ⚠️ Not all themes are compatible with global firmware (especially Chinese themes).
• ⚠️ The catalogue may vary depending on the region (in Russia, some topics are hidden).

Alternative sources of topics:

When downloading themes from third-party sources, be careful: theme files (.mtz) may contain malicious code. Before installing, check other users' reviews and use antivirus.

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The safest way is to download themes only from the official Themes store. Third-party sources may offer unique designs, but there is always the risk of running into viruses or incompatible files.

How to install themes from.mtz files (manual installation)

If you downloaded a.mtz theme from a third-party site, you can manually install it.

1. Download the theme file (for example, cool_theme.mtz) on your smartphone.
2. Open the Themes app.
3. Go to the Profile section → Imports (or Local) → Import in some versions).
4. Select the downloaded.mtz file and confirm the installation.

If there is no Import section, try an alternative method:

1. Put the.mtz file in the folder MIUI/theme In-house storage (create it manually if it doesn’t exist).
2. Reboot your smartphone.
3. Open Themes and find your theme in the Locals section.

Some topics may require additional action:

• 🔧 If the theme does not apply, check its compatibility with your version. MIUI (It is listed in the description on the site where you downloaded the file).
• 🔄 If after applying the theme icons have not changed, restart the smartphone or manually select the icon package in the launcher settings.
• ⚠️ If the theme contains animations or dynamic wallpaper, they may not work on global firmware (Chinese version required) MIUI).

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Before installing a third-party theme, back up the current one through Themes. → Profile → Export: So you can quickly redesign the old design if the new theme fails.

Problems with the Themes application and their solutions

When using Themes, users often face problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the settings of the Themes app:

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Themes → Warehouse.
2. Click Clear Data (WARNING: This will remove all installed topics!).
3. Reboot your smartphone and try to apply the theme again.

Creating your own themes for Xiaomi Redmi

If you don't find the right theme, you can create it yourself.

• 🖥️ Computer with software MIUI Theme Editor (Official Tool from Xiaomi).
• 🎨 A set of icons, wallpapers and fonts (you can download for free on sites like Flaticon or Freepik).
• 📲 Xiaomi Smartphone for testing.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install MIUI Theme Editor from the official website.
2. Create a new project and select a basic structure (e.g., “Full Theme” or “Icons Only”).
3. Import your images for icons, wallpaper and other items. Icon resolution should be 192×192 px, wallpaper - not less 1080×2340 px.
4. Customize colors, fonts and animations (if required).
5. Export the theme to the.mtz file.
6. Transfer the file to your smartphone and install it via Themes (as described above).

If you don’t want to mess with an editor, you can use online builders, such as:

• 🌐 Official Xiaomi Theme Website (Section "Create a Theme»).
• 🌐 ThemeBetter – a platform for designers with templates.

You can post a finished theme in a store and even make money from selling it.

1. Register as a developer on themes.mi.com.
2. Upload your theme through the developer panel.
3. Wait for moderation (usually takes 1-3 days).

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Creating themes requires knowledge of the basics of design and patience, but it allows you to get a unique interface that other users do not have. Start with simple changes (for example, a package of icons) and gradually master more complex elements.

Safety and Impact on Productivity

Many users fear that using Themes may:

• ⚠️ Slow down the smartphone.
• ⚠️ Violate confidentiality.
• ⚠️ Lead to system failures.

Let's get to the bottom of every myth:

1. Impact on productivity

Standard themes from the official store do not slow down the smartphone, as optimized for the smartphone. MIUI. However:

• 🔋 Animated themes (with dynamic wallpaper or complex transitions) can increase battery consumption by 5–15%.
• 🐢 Too detailed icons (for example, 3D-renderers) can cause lags when scrolling through the menu.
• 🛠️ On weak smartphones (for example, Redmi). 5A Redmi 7 is better to choose light themes without animations.

Confidentiality

Official topics do not collect user data.

• 🕵️‍♂️ Third-party themes (.mtz from unverified sources) may contain spyware.
• 🔗 Some themes require internet access to download additional items (such as weather widgets).

Stability of the system

The use of themes cannot break the smartphone, as they do not affect the system files.

• 🔄 Incompatible themes can lead to visual glitches (e.g., missing icons).
• 🛑 In rare cases, the topic may conflict with the update. MIUI (Resetting themes to standard).

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To check if the theme is slowing down your smartphone, open Settings → The phone. → Status of the system → Performance and look at the loading schedule CPU before and after the topic.

⚠️ Note: If you install themes from third-party sources, always check.mtz files through an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Themes app on Xiaomi Redmi