How to Download and Install Themes for Xiaomi: All Ways 2026

Changing the theme on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the easiest ways to personalize your device to your liking. With the MIUI branded shell, users can change not only wallpaper and icons, but also fonts, animations, sounds and even system menus. However, many people face difficulties when first launching the Theme app: it must first be downloaded and then deal with the settings.

In this article, we will take a look at all the current ways to download the Themes app, from the official Xiaomi store to third-party sources for users with limited access to the company’s services, and learn how to avoid common install errors, which themes are supported on different versions of MIUI (12 to 14), and what to do if the application does not open or update.

We will pay special attention to security: we will tell you how to distinguish original themes from fakes, why you should not download them. APK-So if you want to not just change the look of your smartphone, but also do it without risk to the system, read on.

1.Official way: download through Mi App Store

The most reliable and recommended method is to install the Themes app through the Xiaomi store, which is suitable for all devices on MIUI 12/13/14, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models, the main advantage is automatic virus checks and compatibility with your firmware version.

To download the app officially:

  • πŸ“± Open the Settings menu on your smartphone.
  • πŸ” In the search bar, type β€œMi App Store” (or β€œGetApps” on some firmware).
  • πŸ›’ Start the store and type in the search box β€œThemes” (or β€œThemes” for the English version).
  • ⬇️ Click β€œInstall” – the application will download and install automatically.

If the Mi App Store is not on your device (e.g. global firmware for Europe), you can restore it through Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Show all the apps. Find GetApps there and turn it on.

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Before installing, check that you have automatic app updates enabled in the Mi App Store, which ensures you get the latest versions of themes without manually checking.

Alternative sources: APK-file-store

In some cases, the official Xiaomi store may not be available, for example, due to regional restrictions or blocking services. APK-Topics from third-party sources, but this method poses risks:

  • 🦠 Ability to download modified versions with malicious code.
  • πŸ”„ No automatic updates (you will need to manually monitor new versions).
  • ⚠️ Incompatibility with certain firmware (especially on the POCO and Black Shark).

If you still decide to download APK, use proven resources:

SourceReferencePlusesCons
APKMirrorapkmirror.comChecking hash sums, original filesThere is no Russian-language interface
Xiaomi Communitynew.c.mi.comOfficial beta versionsRegistration is required
4PDA4pda.toCurrent discussions and patchesRisk of informal modifications

Important: Before installing APK, enable permission to install from unknown sources in Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Special Accesses β†’ Install Unknown Applications.

πŸ“Š Where do you usually download applications for Xiaomi?
Official Mi App Store
APKMirror
4PDA
Other forums
I don't download third-party apps.

3. How to verify the authenticity of the downloaded theme

One of the key security rules for Xiaomi is to make sure that the file has not been altered by malicious users, and even if you downloaded the theme from an official store, you should do a few checks:

  1. Hash reconciliation: Sites like APKMirror will list the file as MD5 or SHA-1 next to it. Compare this amount to what your device gives out after downloading (you can use applications like Hash Droid).
  2. Signature verification: Original themes from Xiaomi have a digital developer signature, which can be seen in the file information (for example, via APK Analyzer).
  3. Reviews and ratings: In the official theme store, pay attention to the number of downloads and ratings. Topics rated below 4.0 and less than 1000 downloads are best avoided.

Critical information: Some themes may contain hidden ad modules that are activated after application. For example, the Dark Mode Pro theme from an unknown developer may add banners to the notification bar. Always read the description and permissions that the theme requests!

How to remove a malicious topic?
If you notice suspicious activity after applying the theme (advertising, browser redirects, quick battery drain), follow the following steps: 1. Go to Settings β†’ Themes. 2. Select a standard Default or MIUI theme. 3. Delete a problematic theme through My profile β†’ My themes β†’ Delete. 4. Check the device with an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Malwarebytes).

4. Installation and application of topics: step-by-step instructions

After successfully downloading the Themes app, you just have to apply the theme you like, and it takes less than a minute to process, but there are a few nuances to be aware of:

Download the theme in.mtz (for MIUI) or.apk (for third-party launchers) format

Check the compatibility of the theme with your version of MIUI (indicated in the description)

Backup your current settings in Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Backup

Close all background applications to speed up the process

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Now let's move on to the installation:

  1. Open the Topic app (a brush or palette icon).
  2. Go to My Topics β†’ Local (if the theme is manually downloaded) or Online (to download from the store).
  3. Select a theme file (.mtz format) or find your favorite theme in the directory.
  4. Click "Apply" - the system will automatically update icons, wallpaper and fonts.

If the topic does not apply, check:

  • πŸ“Œ Compatibility with your version MIUI (for example, topics MIUI 14 may not work on MIUI 12).
  • πŸ“Œ Is there enough free space in memory (themes take from 5 to 50 MB).
  • πŸ“Œ Does the theme conflict with installed launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Nova Launcher) POCO Launcher).

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The use of themes through the official Theme app does not require root rights and does not affect the device warranty, but third-party launchers (such as Action Launcher) may conflict with system themes.

5. Problem Solving: Themes are not downloaded or applied

Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi users sometimes encounter errors when working with themes.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Themes don't get downloaded from the store.Problems with the Internet or servers XiaomiCheck your network connection, restart the Mi App Store, or use a VPN
The applied theme is reset after rebootingConflict with battery optimizationAdd the Topics app to exceptions: Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery Optimization
The Mistake: "Incompatible version of MIUI"The theme is for another firmwareFind a theme version for your MIUI or update your firmware
Icons don't change.Conflict with the launcherReturn to the standard MIUI Launcher launcher or apply the theme through the launcher settings

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the Topics app settings:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ Topics.
  2. Click on β€œStorage” β†’ β€œClear Data”.
  3. Restart the device and repeat the application of the theme.

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If you lose any wallpaper or fonts after resetting themes, check /MIUI/theme/ through the file manager, and sometimes the files remain there even after the reset.

6. Top.-5 Free themes for Xiaomi in the 2026 year

The selection of themes in the official Xiaomi store is huge, but not all of them are worth considering. We have selected the 5 best free themes that are compatible with MIUI 14/13 and receive regular updates:

  • 🌌 Deep Dark is a full-fledged dark mode with adaptive icons and accent colors. AMOLED-screen.
  • πŸƒ Nature Green is a theme with natural wallpaper, green accents and minimalist icons, perfect for eco-style lovers.
  • πŸ€– Cyberpunk Neon is a futuristic design with neon elements and animations. MIUI 13+.
  • ⚑ Minimalist Black is an ultra-minimalist theme with monochrome icons and no extra details.
  • 🎨 Artistic Colors is a theme with hand-drawn icons and abstract wallpaper.

All of these themes are available in the official Topics store and do not contain hidden advertising. To install them, you just go to the β€œRecommended” section or enter the title in the search bar.

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Before installing themes with bright colors (such as Cyberpunk Neon), check the battery settings: AMOLED-On screens, such themes can increase charge consumption by 5-10%.

7 How to Create Your Theme for Xiaomi

If you don't like themes, you can create your own.

  • πŸ–₯️ Computer with software MIUI Theme Editor (Official Tool from Xiaomi).
  • πŸ“± Xiaomi smartphone with unlocked bootloader (for testing).
  • 🎨 A set of icons, wallpapers and fonts in.png and.ttf formats.

The process of creating the theme includes the following steps:

  1. Download and install MIUI Theme Editor from the official Xiaomi forum.
  2. Import your graphics files to the project (the icons should be 192Γ—192 px in size).
  3. Customize colors, animations and fonts through the built-in editor.
  4. Export the theme to.mtz format.
  5. Transfer the file to your smartphone and apply through the Themes app.

The finished theme can be published in the official store, but this will require you to register as a developer on the Xiaomi platform. Detailed instructions are available at dev.mi.com.

How do you make money on your topics?
Xiaomi pays the developers for the number of downloads, for example, for 10,000 downloads you can get up to $100 (Mi Creator Incentive), but to participate you need to moderate and confirm the originality of the design.

FAQ: Frequent questions about topics for Xiaomi

πŸ”Ή Can you install themes on Xiaomi without the Topics appΒ»?
Yes, but with limitations. You can use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) that support changing icons and wallpapers. However, only the official Theme app will provide a full theme change (including system menus and animations).
πŸ”Ή Why some topics are paid?
Paid themes are usually developed by third-party designers and are strictly moderated at Xiaomi, with sales proceeds distributed between the author and the company, and free themes often have simplified designs or contain ads.
πŸ”Ή How to bring back the standard theme MIUI?
Open the Themes app, go to My Themes and select Default (or MIUI). If that is missing, clear the app data through Settings β†’ Apps.
πŸ”Ή Can I transfer themes from one Xiaomi to another?
Copy the theme files (.mtz format) from /MIUI/theme/ to the old device and transfer them to the same folder on the new one. Then apply the theme through the Topic β†’ Local app.
πŸ”Ή Why After Updating MIUI themes fly off?
This is due to a change in the structure of system files in the new firmware version. To avoid a problem, back up the themes through Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Backup before updating.

Now you know all about downloading, installing and configuring themes for Xiaomi smartphones. If you need help with a specific model (such as the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T) or the version of MIUI, check out the details in the comments. Good customization!