How to completely remove the application “Themes” on Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Themes is one of the standard MIUI solutions that many Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO users want to remove, and it not only takes up space in memory, but also constantly sends notifications, consumes traffic in the background, and sometimes even changes wallpaper or icons after updates, and in this article we will discuss all possible ways to get rid of it, from simple disconnection to complete removal by system methods.

It’s important to understand that MIUI is closely integrated with Xiaomi services, so simple removal through the app menu is often not available. However, there are workarounds for both root-free users and advanced owners with an unlocked bootloader. We’ll look at options for different firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and models including the Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5.

If you are not confident, start with the safest methods (sections 1-2). For experienced users, ADB or TWRP (sections 4-5) are suitable. For those who are afraid of breaking something, we will show you how to at least limit the activity of the application without risking the system.

1. disabling the “Themes” application without deleting

The safest way is not to delete the app at all, but simply to block it from working.This will not free up memory, but will stop background processes, notifications and automatic theme loading. MIUI.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “Themes” (or Themes on English firmware).
• ⚙️ Click on the app, then select Disable (or Force Stop). + Disable on global versions).
• 🔒 Confirm Action – The system will warn that some features may stop working (this only applies to manually changing themes).

After the shutdown:

• ✅ The app will stop sending notifications.
• ✅ Disappear from the menu and stop consuming traffic.
• ❌ It will be remembered and will take place (usually). ~50–150 MB).
• ❌ Some wallpaper and icons can be dropped to standard.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11) the Disable button may be inactive.

2.Removal of updates to the “Themes” app

Often the problems are not with the standard app itself, but with updates that Xiaomi installs through the Play Market or App Store, which can be removed by returning the app to the factory version, which will not free up memory completely, but will reduce its size and remove unnecessary functions.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Topics.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner (or ⋮).
3. Select Remove Updates (if no updates are available or built into the system).
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

If the item Remove updates is not available:

• 🔹 Try resetting the app settings via the same menu (Storage button) → Clear the data).
• 🔹 On global firmware (MIUI Global) sometimes helps delete via Play Market: open the Topics app page and click Delete.

3. Removal of "Tem" via ADB (no root)

If you don't have root rights, you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which allows you to completely uninstall the Themes app without unlocking the bootloader, but requires you to connect the phone to your computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Utility. ADB Tools by Google.
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press the version → return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the ADB folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Follow the command to remove the Themes app: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.themes For Chinese firmware (MIUI China) you may need: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.themes
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 14 Xiaomi 13 Ultra can return the Failure error [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR]. In this case, try an alternative command: adb shell pm hide com.android.themes It will not remove the application, but hides it from the system.

4. Complete removal via TWRP (for advanced)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and custom recovery (TWRP) installed, you can physically delete the Themes application files from the system partition.This method is the most radical and frees up the maximum amount of memory, but requires caution - an error can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).

What needs to be done:

1. Download. TWRP For your model (for example, for Redmi Note) 10 Pro — twrp-3.7.0_12-vayu.img).
2. Load the phone into Fastboot mode (turn off, then press Power + Volume Down).
3. Please. TWRP The command is fastboot flash recovery. twrp.img Then reboot to recovery (fastboot reboot recovery).
4. In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager.
5. Delete the following folders: /system/priv-app/Themes /system/app/Themes (if any) /data/app/com.android.themes-* (all folders with such a prefix)

Reboot → System

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Completely frees up space (up to 200 MB).
• ✅ Remove all traces of the application, including cache and data.
• ✅ It even works on Chinese firmware (MIUI China).

⚠️ Note: Before removing, make a backup section /system into TWRP (If the phone doesn't boot after you delete it, restore the backup and try another method.

5. Alternative method: replacement with an empty application

If removal is through ADB or TWRP It didn’t work, you can go for a trick – replace the original application “Themes” with an empty one. APK-This will fool the system and it will stop running it, but the memory will remain occupied (albeit minimally).

Instructions:

1. Download empty. APK-file (e.g., from here).
2. Rename it to Themes.apk.
3. Copy the file to your phone in /sdcard/Download.
4. Open up. ADB and execute the commands: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/Download/Themes.apk /system/priv-app/Themes/Themes.apk chmod 644 /system/priv-app/Themes/Themes.apk reboot

This method is suitable for:

• 📲 Root-right devices.
• 📲 Firmware where standard removal is blocked (MIUI 14 on Xiaomi 13T).
• 📲 Users who need to maintain system functions.

💡

If the Themes app still appears on the menu after you replace it, clear the Google Play Services and MIUI System Launcher cache in the app settings.

6. How to return the Themes app back

If you change your mind or have problems after deleting (for example, wallpaper or fonts stopped working), the application can be restored.

If removed via ADB:

• Follow the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.themes
• Or reinstall it through the Play Market (if available there).

If removed via TWRP:

• Restore the /system partition backup.
• Or run the full firmware through Fastboot.

If you were replacing it with an empty APK:

• Download the original APK of the Themes app (can be pulled from the firmware or found on APKMirror).
• Repeat the replacement process, but with the original file.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 13.5+) After restoring the Themes application, you may need to reset settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings), as the system can "forget" standard wallpaper and fonts.

💡

Before any manipulation of system applications, backup data. Even if you are an experienced user, a team error or firmware incompatibility can lead to the loss of the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing "Tem" on Xiaomi