Changing the visual design of a smartphone is not just a tribute to fashion, but an opportunity to personalize the device to suit your own tastes and needs. Device owners Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are in an advantageous position, since the shell MIUI (and the new HyperOS) offers a built-in and powerful tool for these purposes. Users do not need to find complex workarounds or get root access to radically change the appearance of the system.
The process of changing the theme affects not only the desktop wallpaper, but also application icons, notification shade style, lock screen and even the design of system settings. However, despite its simplicity, beginners are often faced with questions about where to find the desired section or how to return everything back if you don’t like the new design. In this article, we will analyze in detail all aspects of customizing the interface on brand devices.
It is worth noting that the interface may differ slightly depending on the software version. If you are using an older version MIUI 12 or the newest HyperOSthe location of some menu items may vary. However, the operating logic of the Themes application remains the same for the entire manufacturer’s ecosystem.
Built-in Themes application: the main customization tool
The central element for changing the appearance is the system application, which is pre-installed on each device. You can find it on the desktop by the brush icon or through the search in the menu. This is where thousands of design options are concentrated, created by both official designers and independent artists from all over the world.
When you first launch the app, you will be prompted to accept the user agreement and may ask for permission to access the storage. This is necessary for the correct download and installation of heavy graphics packages. After entering the main screen, you will see the “Recommended”, “Popular” and “New” sections, where the most current works are collected.
To search for a specific style, use the search bar at the top of the screen. You can enter queries in Russian or English using keywords like “minimalism”, “anime”, “dark theme” or the names of specific brands. Selection algorithms often suggest similar options if you are browsing a specific category.
It is important to distinguish between free and paid themes. Free options are marked with an appropriate icon or simply do not have a price, while premium content requires payment through a linked account Mi Account. Before downloading, be sure to view the screenshots in the product card to evaluate how the theme will look on the lock screen and in the application menu.
⚠️ Warning: When installing themes from unofficial sources or third-party stores, the risk of picking up malware increases. Use only the built-in application or trusted resources to ensure the safety of personal data.
Step-by-step guide for installing a new theme
The process of applying a new design is intuitive, but has several nuances that should be taken into account for the successful completion of the operation. First, find the option you like in the catalog and click on its icon to open a detailed description.
On the topic page you will see a “Download” button (usually with a down arrow). Click it and wait until the data package is downloaded. Loading speed depends on the size of the theme and the quality of your Internet connection. Once completed, the button will change to “Apply.”
Click “Apply” and the system will prompt you to select the components you want to change. You can activate the entire theme or select only individual elements, for example, keep the old icons, but change the wallpaper and lock screen style. This gives flexibility in settings.
After confirming the selection, the screen will blink and the changes will take effect instantly. Restarting the device is usually not required, although in rare cases when changing deep system fonts, a restart may be necessary to display text correctly in all applications.
☑️ Theme installation algorithm
If after applying the theme you notice that some icons third-party applications have not changed, this is normal. Third-party developers often use their own graphic assets, which are not replaced by system themes. To solve this problem, some themes offer separate icon packs in the same store.
How to return the default theme to the default one
Sometimes experimenting with design leads to the user wanting to return to the clean, factory look of the system. This can happen if the new theme is uncomfortable, too bright, or poorly optimized for your smartphone model.
To reset all changes, open the Themes application again. Go to the user profile by clicking on the little man icon in the lower right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, select the “Themes” section, where the history of all the designs you have downloaded is stored.
In the list you will find a theme called “Classic”, “Default” or “Miui Classic” with a logo icon Xiaomi. Click on it and then select the “Apply” button. The system will automatically restore factory fonts, icons and interface colors.
An alternative reset method is available through the general phone settings. Go to Settings → Wallpapers and themes (or simply “Themes” depending on the OS version). There is often a “My Themes” tab at the bottom of the screen, where you can also select the standard option and activate it.
If the standard theme does not appear in the list of downloaded ones, try clearing the cache of the "Themes" application through the smartphone settings menu, then restart it.
Return to factory settings also helps eliminate visual bugs, such as unreadable text in the menu or incorrect display of widgets. This is the first step in diagnosing problems with the interface before more radical measures.
Customizing individual interface elements
The flexibility of the shell MIUI allows you to change not only the entire theme, but also its individual components. This is useful if you like a particular theme, but only want to change the font or lock screen to a different one.
In the Themes app, there are separate tabs for each component. By clicking on the profile icon, you will see the sections: “Fonts”, “Wallpaper”, “Lock Screen”, “Calls” and “Icons”. Each of them can be downloaded and applied independently of the rest of the design.
Particular attention should be paid to the lock screen. Modern themes offer interactive wallpapers, animated clocks, and weather widgets that come to life when touched. However, such elements consume more battery power, so keep an eye on power consumption.
To change the font, select the desired style in the appropriate section. Once applied, the new font will be used in all system menus and applications that support it. Some fonts support only Latin, others - Cyrillic, which needs to be checked before installation.
| Element | Impact on the system | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper | Only desktop background and locks | Wallpaper tab |
| Fonts | Displaying text in menus and applications | Fonts tab |
| Icons | View application shortcuts in the menu | Icons tab |
| Theme | Complete change of style (colors, curtain, settings) | Home page |
| Audio | Sounds of notifications, calls and alarms | Calls tab |
By combining different elements, you can create a unique style that is not found in ready-made assemblies. For example, you can take a dark theme, add a bright pack of icons to it and install a calm font for reading. This modularity gives complete freedom of creativity.
Secret customization function
In some versions of MIUI, if you long press on an empty space on the desktop and select “Settings”, you can disable the signature under application icons, which will make the desktop cleaner and more minimalistic.
Use of third-party launchers for deep changes style
If the built-in capabilities are not enough for you, you can install a third-party launcher from the store Google Play. These are apps that completely replace the desktop and application menu, offering functions not available in the standard shell.
Popular options include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher. They allow you to customize the desktop grid, gestures, application minimization animations, and even hidden system settings. After installing the launcher, the system will ask you which application to use as the default home screen.
Select a new launcher from the list and click “Always”. Now, when you press the Home button, you will be taken to the updated interface. To return to the standard view, you need to go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications, find the current launcher and clear the default settings.
Third-party launchers often work faster than standard ones on older devices, since they are less loaded with visual effects. However, they may not support some branded features Xiaomi, such as specific gestures or integration with brand services.
⚠️ Attention: Installing third-party launchers may lead to increased battery consumption due to constant interface rendering processes. It is recommended to test the device for 24 hours before regular use.
In addition, some launchers require special permissions via ADB or special features settings for gestures to fully work. Carefully read the instructions from the developers of the selected application.
Solving common problems with themes
Users sometimes encounter a situation where the theme does not install, freezes at the loading stage, or is applied incorrectly. Most often, the reason lies in the lack of free space in the device memory or cache errors.
First, check the available storage space. Heavy themes with 4K wallpapers and complex animations can take up hundreds of megabytes. If the memory is full, clear it of unnecessary files or transfer the media to a memory card.
The second step is to clear the Themes application data. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Themes. Click Clear and select Clear All (or Reset). This will delete downloaded but not applied themes and reset the store settings.
If the problem is not resolved, check the system version. Outdated firmware may not be compatible with new theme formats. Go to Settings → About phone and check for updates. Also make sure that you are logged into your Mi Accountas some functions require authorization.
Most installation errors can be resolved by simply clearing the cache of the Themes application and checking the free space in the smartphone's memory.
In rare cases, the problem may be on the side of the developer's servers. If the theme store doesn't load the catalog or shows a network error, try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa. You can also change the region in the phone settings to “India” or “China”, since the theme directories in different regions differ.
Why did the widgets disappear after changing the theme?
Some themes do not support old widgets or change their size. Try removing the widget from your desktop and adding it again through the edit menu. If the widget is third-party, make sure that the application itself works correctly.
Is it possible to install a theme from another Xiaomi phone?
Yes, you can transfer a theme file (.mtz) from one device to another. However, to install it, you may need a special theme installer application, since the standard store may not recognize a file downloaded from outside.
Does a theme affect the speed of a smartphone?
Complex animated themes and “live” wallpapers can slightly reduce performance and increase battery consumption on weak devices. On modern flagships, the difference is almost unnoticeable.
How to delete a downloaded theme to free up space?
Go to the “Themes” application profile, open the “Themes” section, find the unnecessary one in the list of downloaded ones, hold it with your finger and select the trash icon or click “Delete.”
Why did the font become unreadable after installation?
Probably the selected font does not support Cyrillic or is too thin. Return the default font through the "Fonts" section in the "Themes" application or in the screen settings.