How to completely remove the app “Themes” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from disconnection to uninstallation

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its MIUI firmware is not popular. Especially annoying is the pre-installed application “Themes”** (Themes), which not only takes up space in memory, but also constantly sends notifications, slows down the system and even can conflict with custom launchers. Unlike most system utilities, it can not be removed in the standard way – the “Delete” button is simply absent from the menu.

In this article, you will find 3 working methods for removing the Themes app on the Redmi Note 9 (including the Note 9 Pro and Note 9S models), as well as solving typical problems from the “failed to delete” error error to recover deleted files by mistake. All instructions are tested on current versions of MIUI 14 and Android 12/13 (2026).

Why can’t the Themes app be removed in the standard way?

The Themes app** (com.android.themes or com.miui.themes) is part of the MIUI system components.

• 🔒 It is protected from removal at the firmware level (even with administrator rights).
• 📱 Its code is integrated into the shell. MIUI, Therefore, simple deletion can cause failures in other functions (for example, wallpaper or fonts).
• 🔄 After resetting settings or updating the firmware, the application will recover automatically.

But that doesn't mean you can't remove it at all. There are workarounds, from disabling through Settings to completely uninstalling with ADB or TWRP.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt the work MIUI. For example, after removing the "Tem" may disappear standard wallpaper or stop using dark modes!

Method 1: Disabling the Themes app without root (Secure Method)

If you just need to hide the application and stop its background activity, just turn it off through the settings. This method does not require superuser rights and reversible:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type "Themes"** (or Themes in English firmware).
3. Slip on the app and select Disable (or Disable).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• ✅ The app will disappear from the menu and stop sending notifications.
• ✅ It will not consume battery and memory resources.
• ❌ However, the application files will remain in the system and take up ~50–100 MB.

💡

If the "Disable" button is inactive, try first clearing the cache and app data in the same menu. Sometimes this will unlock the option to disable.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (without root but with PC)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is available to completely remove the Themes app** without obtaining root permissions. This method works on all versions of Redmi Note 9 and does not require unlocking the bootloader, but you will need a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔒 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to unlock Developer Settings. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging and confirm permission.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and select File Transfer Mode (not Charge).
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, enter:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.themes

For English firmware (global version) use:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.themes

If the command is successful, you will see a message Success.The application will be removed for the current user (without affecting system files).

Install drivers ADB|Enable debugging on USB|Connect the phone to the PC|Check the connection of the adb device team|Download the package ADB Tools (if not installed)-->

⚠️ Note: After the firmware update MIUI The Themes app can recover. To avoid this, back up your adb backup before upgrading or use Magisk to block automatic recovery before upgrading.

Method 3: Complete removal with TWRP (for advanced users)

If you are willing to take drastic measures and have an unlocked bootloader, you can delete "Themes" through custom recovery TWRP. This method permanently removes the application from the system, but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠️ Established TWRP Recovery.
• 📄 Backup copy of Nandroid (in case of failures).

Instructions:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi Note 9 (select the version for your model: merlin – Note 9, joyeuse – Note 9 Pro, curtana – Note 9S).
2. Install TWRP via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
3. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
4. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
5. Find folders: /system/priv-app/Themes /system/app/Themes /data/app/com.miui.themes*

Delete

Reset the device.

After removal:

• ✅ The app will disappear forever (even after updates).
• ❌ Possible problems with wallpaper and fonts — MIUI They can drop them to standard.

Table: Comparison of "Tem" removal methods on Redmi Note 9

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete "Tems," users often encounter problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🚫 Error "Failed to delete" in the ADB: Reason: Not enough rights. Solution: repeat the flag command --user 0 Or you get rooted.
• 🔄 App Recovered After Update: Solution: Before Updating, Turn Off Automatic System Application Recovery via Magisk (System App Remover Module).
• 📱 The smartphone does not turn on after removal through TWRP: Solution: Restore Nandroid backup or reflash the device via Fastboot.
• ⚙️ Dark Theme Settings Gone: Solution: Install a third-party theme management app (e.g. Dark Mode Enabler).

💡

If you are unsure of your actions, start with the safest method, which is to disable through settings. Deleting system applications always carries risks, especially on devices with a locked bootloader.

How to return the app “Themes” if you need it again?

If you have changed your mind or encountered problems in MIUI after deleting, you can restore the application in several ways:

1. Through Settings Reset: Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select Reset All Settings. This will return all system applications, but delete your data.
2. Through ADB (if removed through it): Enter the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.miui.themes
3. Through firmware recovery: Download the full firmware package for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website and thread it through Fastboot or Recovery.

If none of the methods worked, you just have to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (this will delete all the data!).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions