Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, are famous for their extensive personalization capabilities. One of the main tools to turn a standard interface into a unique one is the Theme app, which is not just a picture gallery, but a powerful system utility that manages the appearance of icons, fonts, lock screens and even audio notifications.
Many users immediately after buying a device ask, "The themes xiaomi app is what it is and can it be removed?" The answer lies in the deep integration of this service into the operating system. It is responsible for the visual part of your interaction with the gadget, allowing you to apply ready-made stylistic solutions from designers from around the world. Understanding the principles of this tool will open doors to the world of deep customization.
In this article, we will take a look at the functionality of the built-in store, learn how to install third-party designs and solve typical problems. You will learn how to safely experiment with design without disrupting the stability of the smartphone.
The main purpose and functionality of the application
The Themes system application (often referred to in the file system as com.android.thememanager) is the central hub for managing the operating system’s visual style, and its main task is to replace standard graphical interface elements with user ones. Unlike simple launchers that only change the location of icons on the desktop, this tool affects system windows, notification curtain, settings menu and lock screen.
The app's functionality goes far beyond simply changing wallpapers, allowing you to embed complex animations, reshape app icons, and even transform the look of the control panel. For users who value individuality, it's a key tool, but it's worth remembering that some heavy topics can consume more CPU resources.
⚠️ Attention: Installing themes from unverified third-party sources may result in in-system advertising or unstable interface performance.
An important feature is the ability to create your own profiles, so you can customize your own style for work and for leisure, switching between them in a single touch, which is especially convenient for those who use the phone in different scenarios and want the interface to fit the current mood or tasks.
Theme catalog: wallpaper, fonts and widgets
The built-in store offers a huge catalog of content divided into several logical categories. The main tab is devoted to complete design themes that change the entire appearance of the system. However, there are separate modules available inside the application for more subtle customization. For example, you can leave the system theme, but only replace a set of icons or font.
The Wallpaper section contains both static images and live wallpaper with animation. Live wallpaper can be quite demanding for the battery, so you should monitor the autonomy of the device when choosing them. Also available is the Widgets section, which allows you to add useful elements to the desktop: watches, weather, calendars, made in the same style with the chosen theme.
The Font section is particularly noteworthy, and there are thousands of different types of characters that support Cyrillic, and replacing the system typeface is one of the most effective ways to change the way you see the interface without making a major change, and some fonts can be larger or larger, which is useful for people with visual impairment.
- 🎨 Full topics: comprehensive interface graphics replacement, including icons, menus and sounds.
- 🔤 Fonts: changing the style of text display throughout the system and supported applications.
- 🔔 Sounds: sets of tunes for calls, notifications and system events.
- 🖼️ Wallpaper: background images for the lock screen and main table (static and live).
Hidden opportunities of the catalog
How to Install and Activate a New Theme
The installation process in MIUI and HyperOS is as simple as possible for comfortable use. You don't need superuser rights or a computer connection. All operations are done directly through the application interface. You just need to find your favorite design, click the download button and wait for the installation to be completed.
Once downloaded, the theme automatically applies to the system. If you want to return the standard look, just go to the user profile (the human icon in the lower right corner) and select My Themes, which stores your entire download history and preinstalled standard Classic or Default style.
☑️ The theme setting algorithm
It is worth noting that some elements of the theme may not apply immediately or require a reboot of the device to correctly display all the animations. If after applying the theme you notice artifacts or missing icons, try rebooting your smartphone. This is a standard procedure that helps the system read the modified configuration files again.
💡
Before installing a new theme, always pay attention to the ranking and downloads. Topics that rank better are usually better optimized and have fewer errors in the graphics.
Manual installation of themes from files.mtz
The official store is not the only way to change the look. There are many third-party resources where enthusiasts upload files with the.mtz extension. These are archives containing all the necessary graphic elements. Installing such files requires the use of a special bootloader or an integrated import feature, if it is available in your version of the shell.
To manually install, you need to open a downloaded.mtz file through the Themes app. In some cases, the system can warn you that the theme is from an unknown source. This is a standard security warning. If you are confident in the reliability of the file, confirm the installation. The process takes a few seconds.
| Parameter | Official store | Files.mtz (Third-Party) |
|---|---|---|
| Security | High (tested) | Medium (at your risk) |
| Availability | Depends on the region. | Global |
| Diversity | Limited to moderation | A huge (thousands of options) |
| Automatic updates | There is. | No (manually) |
It is important to understand that themes created for older versions of MIUI may not work properly on newer versions of HyperOS due to changes in the structure of system files. Always check that the theme version is compatible with the version of your operating system in the file description.
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.mtz files allow you to install unique themes that are not in the official store, but require caution when choosing a download source.
Setting up the lock screen and widgets
The lock screen is the first thing a user sees when they pick up a phone, and the theme app makes it not just beautiful, but functional, and the lock screen has dozens of options for how to design the watch, unlock and display notifications.
Modern versions of Xiaomi shells support Superbugs and complex lock screen scenarios. You can customize pedometer, weather, or charging status directly on the locked screen. Some themes add interactive touch-responsive elements.
⚠️ Attention: Using complex live wallpapers and widgets on the lock screen can significantly increase battery consumption, especially on models with a high-powered battery. AMOLED-screens, if not optimized properly.
To add widgets to the home screen, you need to pinch the empty area on the desktop and select the Widgets, which can be found here as standard system widgets, and special ones that come with installed themes. They often have a unique design that harmonizes with application icons.
Solving and deleting topics
Sometimes, after you install a new theme, you may have problems: you lose your icon signatures, you change your font size in undesigned places, or you change your background settings, and most of the time, resetting the theme to a standard theme helps, so go to your profile, select a classic theme, and apply it.
If the problem persists, the app cache may be damaged. You can clear it through the Settings menu → Apps → All Apps → Topics → Memory → Clean. This action will not delete your downloaded themes, but will reset temporary files that may have caused the conflict.
Removing downloaded themes is done via Profile → My Themes. Click on the theme you want to remove and select the appropriate button. However, completely uninstall the Themes system application without root rights and deep system modifications (which is not recommended for ordinary users) is impossible, since it is a critical component of Android on Xiaomi devices.
- 🔄 Reset: Using a standard theme solves 90% of visual errors.
- 🧹 Cleaning: Cache removal helps if themes get stuck when loading.
- 📉 Deinstallation: Complete removal of the system application can lead to a cyclical reboot (bootloop).