How to completely remove the application “Themes” on Xiaomi Redmi: all working methods

Themes app on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is often a source of annoyance: it takes up space in memory, consumes battery power in the background and obsessively suggests downloading new designs. Although MIUI does not allow you to remove this application with standard means, there are workarounds – from disabling through settings to completely removing system commands. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including those that work on the Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other models from 2020-2026.

It’s important to understand that Themes are not just a regular application, but a system component of MIUI integrated into the shell. its removal can affect the stability of some functions (for example, changing wallpaper or fonts), but if you are willing to sacrifice these capabilities for the sake of freeing up memory and increasing battery life, our instructions will help to do this safely.

Why the Topics app can’t be removed in the standard way

Unlike third-party apps from Google Play, Xiaomi system utilities are protected from accidental removal.

• 🔄 Integration with MIUI: The app is responsible for visual design of the interface, including wallpaper, icons and animations. its removal can lead to malfunctions in other components.
• 📦 Predefined status: “Themes” are set in the section /system/priv-app, which is protected from changes without superuser rights (root).
• 🔒 Xiaomi policy: the manufacturer blocks the removal of key services to ensure firmware stability and a monopoly on the distribution of content (for example, paid themes).

Even if you find the "Delete" button in the app menu, it will be inactive or replaced with "Disable." It's not a mistake, that's how MIUI protects. But you can bypass it.

Method 1: Disable the application through settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the application, not physically delete it, which will stop the background processes, but will keep it back on.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, enter “Themes”.
3. Slip on the app and select "Disable".
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After the shutdown:

• 📉 The app will stop using battery and Internet traffic.
• 🔄 The icon will disappear from the menu, but the files will remain in memory.
• ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (For example, changing wallpaper through a standard menu may not work properly.

Make a backup copy of wallpaper and fonts

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Close all background applications

Make sure the battery is charged > 30%-->

If the “Disable” button is inactive, you have limited-authority firmware installed on your device (e.g., Global ROM for the European market), in which case move on to the next method.

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

This method will require a computer with ADB drivers installed and enabled USB debugging on your smartphone, an advantage of which is that it works on most Redmi models without having to get root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to turn on Developer Mode).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB Debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer on your phone screen.
4. Open the command line (cmd) on the PC and type:

adb devices

(The name of your device should be displayed.)

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

If the command is successful, the application will be removed for the current user (without physically erasing files from the system).

⚠️ Attention: After removal through ADB function MIUI (For example, setting up live wallpapers may stop working. To get it back, run the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.themes

Method 3: Remove root rights (for power users)

If you have root access (for example, through Magisk), you can completely delete the files of the Themes app, which is suitable for Custom ROM firmware or unlocked devices.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/Themes or /system/app/Themes (depending on MIUI version).
3. Delete the com.android.themes folder or files with the.apk and.odex extensions.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting root-righted system files can lead to bootloop.Before doing anything, back up through TWRP Or OrangeFox.

💡

If the live wallpaper stopped working after removal, install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) and use it to customize the design.

Method 4: Reset MIUI settings to factory

The last method is to completely reset your smartphone, which will delete all user data, but return the system to its original state, where the Themes app will be disabled by default (on some firmware).

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data”.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The Themes app will be deactivated (on Global) ROM Europe).
• 📱 All data (photos, contacts, messages) will be deleted – be sure to make a backup copy.
• ⚡ Reset does not delete system files, but only resets settings.

💡

Factory reset is the only officially supported way Xiaomi can “remove” pre-installed apps, but it’s not the right way to save data.

Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (for unlocked downloaders)

If your Redmi has an unlocked bootloader, you can use tools like MIUI Hidden Settings or Debloater Tool to remove unnecessary components.

Examples of Debloater Tool:

1. Download the tool with XDA Developers.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC in ADB mode.
3. In the utility, find the com.android.themes package and mark it for removal.
4. Click on “Apply” and wait for the process to be completed.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Allows you to remove several unnecessary applications at the same time.
• 🔧 Works on firmware with blocked root (but requires unlocked bootloader).
• ⚠️ The risk of damage to the system is higher than with manual removal through ADB.

What to do if nothing works

If none of these methods worked, maybe your firmware has some additional limitations.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version – sometimes new builds allow you to disable system applications.
• 📥 Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) that does not have a Themes app».
• 🛠️ Contact Xiaomi Service Center – some models (for example, Redmi for the Chinese market) have strict restrictions on modifications.

Also check if your device is corporate (with Enterprise ROM firmware) – on such devices, removal of system applications is often blocked at the kernel level.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing "Tem" on Xiaomi Redmi