If you just got a new Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone and want to give it a completely fresh look, the first thing you should explore is themes. MIUI and HyperOS have one of the most powerful theming systems among all Android skins, letting you change everything from icons and fonts to the lock screen, status bar, and notification panel — all with a single tap.
In this complete guide, you will learn how to install MIUI themes on any Xiaomi device in two different ways: using the official Theme Store and by manually installing a downloaded MTZ theme file. Whether you are running MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14, or the latest HyperOS / HyperOS 2.0, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What is a MIUI Theme File (.MTZ)?
Before jumping into the installation steps, it helps to understand what you are actually working with. A .mtz file is the standard theme package format used by Xiaomi's MIUI and HyperOS operating systems. The name stands for MIUI Theme Zip. Every theme you download from the Xiaomi official theme store or from third-party websites is packaged as an MTZ file.
An MTZ file is essentially a ZIP archive that contains all the graphical assets that define the look of your phone — app icons, system fonts, wallpapers, lock screen layouts, notification panel designs, status bar icons, and more. When you apply a theme, MIUI reads this file and replaces the default visual assets of the system with the ones inside the theme package.
MTZ vs Theme Store — What Is the Difference?
There are two ways to get and install themes on your Xiaomi phone. Here is a quick comparison to help you understand which method is right for your situation:
| Feature | Theme Store Method | MTZ File Method |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Official Xiaomi Theme Store app | Downloaded from websites / Telegram |
| Internet required | Yes (to browse & download) | No (once file is on phone) |
| Theme availability | Thousands of free & paid themes | Unlimited — any MTZ from internet |
| Region restriction | Yes — some themes are region-locked | No — works regardless of region |
| Paid themes | Requires payment / subscription | Some free alternatives available |
| Difficulty level | Very Easy | Easy |
Method 1 — How to Install MIUI Theme from Theme Store
The easiest and most beginner-friendly way to install a theme on your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device is through the built-in Themes app (also called the Theme Store). This app comes pre-installed on every MIUI and HyperOS device and gives you access to thousands of free and premium themes directly from Xiaomi.
Note!
The Theme Store interface may look slightly different depending on your MIUI version or region. However, the core steps remain the same across all versions from MIUI 12 to HyperOS 2.0.
Step-by-Step: Install Theme from Xiaomi Theme Store
- Open the Themes app on your phone. You can find it on your home screen or app drawer. It usually has a colorful palette icon. On HyperOS devices it may be called "Personalization" or still "Themes".
- Browse or search for the theme you want to apply. Use the search bar at the top and type a keyword like "dark", "iOS style", "minimal", or the exact theme name you are looking for.
- Tap on the theme to open its detail page. You will see a full preview of the theme including home screen, lock screen, icons, and notification panel.
- Tap the Download button. If the theme is free, it will start downloading immediately. If it is a paid theme, you will be prompted to purchase it using Xiaomi coins or your account balance.
- Wait for the download to complete. The time depends on the theme file size and your internet speed. Most themes are between 5 MB and 30 MB.
- Tap "Apply" once the download finishes. A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you want to apply the theme. Tap "Apply" to confirm.
- Your theme is now active! Go back to your home screen and enjoy the new look. Icons, wallpaper, lock screen, and UI elements will all reflect the new theme instantly.
How to Browse Free Themes on MIUI Theme Store
Not all themes in the store are paid. There are thousands of completely free themes available. To filter only free themes, open the Themes app and look for a filter or sort option — usually a funnel icon near the top of the browse section. Select "Free" to show only themes that cost nothing to download. You can also filter by category (dark, minimal, colorful, iOS style, etc.) to narrow down your choices faster.
If you want some ready-to-download theme recommendations, check out our posts on the iOS 26 HyperOS Theme for Xiaomi and Redmi and the stunning Transparent Hyper HyperOS Theme — both are fan favorites with beautiful UI designs.
Method 2 — How to Install MIUI Theme from MTZ File (Offline Method)
The MTZ file installation method is perfect when you have downloaded a theme from a website, a Telegram channel, or received it from someone directly. This is also the method you need when the Theme Store does not have the theme you want, or when you are in a region where certain themes are not available.
Many of the best custom HyperOS themes — like the Black OX HyperOS Theme with 3D icons or the sleek Glass Scrub MIUI & HyperOS Theme — are distributed as MTZ files that you install manually. Here is exactly how to do it.
Before You Begin — Requirements
Make sure the following conditions are met before attempting to install an MTZ theme file:
- Your phone is running MIUI 11 or above, or any version of HyperOS / HyperOS 2.0
- The Themes app is installed and working on your device
- You have a file manager app installed (Mi File Manager comes pre-installed on most Xiaomi phones)
- The MTZ theme file is already downloaded and saved on your phone's internal storage
- Storage permission is granted to the Themes app
Warning!
Do not rename the MTZ file before installing. Changing the filename can sometimes prevent the Themes app from recognizing the file as a valid theme package.
Step-by-Step: Install MTZ Theme File on MIUI / HyperOS
- Download the MTZ theme file to your phone. If you downloaded it from a website on your phone's browser, it will usually be saved in the
Downloadsfolder. If received via Telegram, save it to your internal storage first. - Open your file manager. On most Xiaomi phones, this is the Mi File Manager app. You can also use Mi File Manager from the Play Store if it is not already installed.
- Navigate to the folder where the MTZ file is saved. This is usually
Internal Storage → Downloadsor wherever your browser saves files. - Tap on the MTZ file. Your phone should automatically recognize the file extension and prompt you to open it with the Themes app. If an "Open with" dialog appears, select Themes.
- The Themes app will open and display a preview of the theme. Review the theme preview screens to make sure it is the correct one.
- Tap "Apply" at the bottom of the screen. If there is a download button first, tap that and then Apply.
- Wait for the system to apply the theme. This usually takes 5–15 seconds. Your icons, wallpaper, and UI will refresh automatically once the theme is applied.
- Go to your home screen and enjoy your new theme! Long-press on the home screen to confirm the wallpaper has changed, and open a few apps to see the new icons in action.
Alternative Method — Install MTZ via Themes App Directly
On some MIUI and HyperOS versions, you can also import an MTZ file directly from within the Themes app itself, without going through the file manager. Here is how:
- Open the Themes app on your phone.
- Tap your profile icon or the three-dot menu at the top right corner of the app.
- Look for an option that says "Import", "Local Themes", or "Install from storage". This option name varies slightly by MIUI version.
- A file picker will open. Navigate to the folder where your MTZ file is saved.
- Tap the MTZ file to select it. The theme preview will load inside the app.
- Tap "Apply" to install and activate the theme.
Tip!
If you cannot find the import option in the Themes app, use the File Manager method described above — it works universally on all MIUI and HyperOS versions.
Common Problems and Fixes When Installing MIUI Themes
Sometimes things do not go as planned. Here are the most common issues users face when installing MIUI themes and their solutions:
❌ "This theme is not supported" error message
This error usually means the theme was built for a different version of MIUI or HyperOS than what you are running. Some themes designed for MIUI 12 may not be fully compatible with HyperOS 2.0. Try downloading a newer version of the theme, or check our blog for themes that are specifically tagged as HyperOS 2.0 compatible. For example, the Super26 Pro HyperOS Theme is verified to work on latest HyperOS builds.
❌ MTZ file not opening with Themes app
If tapping the MTZ file opens a different app or shows "No app to open this file", you need to set the default app for MTZ files. Go to Settings → Apps → Default Apps and look for file type associations, or simply long-press the MTZ file in File Manager and choose "Open with" to manually select the Themes app.
❌ Theme downloaded but not showing in My Themes
Open the Themes app and navigate to Me (Profile) → My Themes or Downloaded. If it still does not appear, try clearing the cache of the Themes app by going to Settings → Apps → Themes → Storage → Clear Cache and then re-open the app. Your downloaded themes should now appear.
❌ Theme applied but icons did not change
This can happen if the theme package only includes certain elements (wallpaper + lock screen) but not custom icons. Some lightweight themes are designed this way intentionally. If you want full icon customization, look for themes that specifically mention "full theme with icons" in their description. You can browse our Hyper Edge HyperOS Theme which includes complete icon sets.
❌ Theme app says "Download failed" repeatedly
This is usually a network issue or a server-side problem with the Xiaomi Theme Store. Try the following fixes in order: (1) Check your internet connection, (2) Toggle Wi-Fi off and on, (3) Clear the Theme Store app cache, (4) Log out and back into your Mi Account in the Themes app, (5) Try downloading from a different network. If the issue persists, download the theme as an MTZ file from an alternative source and use the manual installation method described above.
How to Go Back to the Default MIUI / HyperOS Theme
Changed your mind and want to go back to the original Xiaomi default theme? No problem. Reverting to the stock theme is just as easy as applying a new one.
- Open the Themes app on your phone.
- Tap on "My Themes" or the "Downloaded" section.
- Look for the theme named "Default Theme", "HyperOS Default", or "MIUI Default" — it is always pinned at the top of your theme list.
- Tap on it and press "Apply".
- Your phone will instantly revert to the stock look with original icons, wallpaper, and UI styling.
The best thing about MIUI theming is that you can switch themes as often as you like. Nothing is permanent — apply, test, revert, and try again until you find the perfect look for your phone.
HyperOS Theme Blog
Tips for Finding the Best Free MIUI and HyperOS Themes
With thousands of themes available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Here are some practical tips to find themes that look great and perform well on your specific device:
- Check theme compatibility — always verify that the theme supports your MIUI or HyperOS version before downloading. Most reputable theme posts will mention this clearly.
- Read user reviews — in the Theme Store, themes with hundreds of positive reviews and high ratings are generally safe and well-designed.
- Look at full previews — a good theme preview should show the home screen, lock screen, notification panel, and app drawer. Avoid themes with only one or two preview screenshots.
- Consider file size — themes with custom fonts and full icon sets are usually larger (15 MB+). Very small MTZ files (under 2 MB) may be incomplete themes with only a wallpaper.
- Bookmark trusted sources — sites and channels that regularly verify theme compatibility before posting save you a lot of trial and error. Our blog is one such resource — we test every theme before publishing.
Looking for theme recommendations right now? Here are some of our most popular posts to get you started:
Bonus: Change Only the Wallpaper Without Applying a Full Theme
Did you know you can change just the wallpaper on your Xiaomi phone without applying an entire theme? This is useful when you love a theme's icons and UI but want a different wallpaper. Simply long-press on the home screen, tap "Wallpaper", and choose a new one from your gallery or from the built-in wallpaper collection.
We have a great collection of high-quality wallpapers on our blog as well. Check out the iPhone 17 Air official stock wallpapers — they look absolutely stunning as Xiaomi home screen backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install MIUI themes without a Mi Account?
You do not need a Mi Account to install themes using the MTZ file method. However, to download themes from the official Xiaomi Theme Store, you do need to be logged in with a Mi Account. Creating one is free and only takes a minute at account.xiaomi.com.
Does installing a MIUI theme require root access?
No, root access is absolutely not required to install themes on MIUI or HyperOS. Both the Theme Store method and the MTZ file installation method are fully supported by the built-in Themes app and do not require any modifications to your system.
Will installing a theme delete my apps or data?
No. Applying a theme only changes the visual appearance of your phone — icons, wallpapers, fonts, and UI elements. It does not delete any apps, photos, messages, or personal data. Your phone's contents remain completely safe when switching themes.
How to install MIUI theme on HyperOS 2.0?
The process is identical. HyperOS 2.0 still uses the same Themes app with full MTZ file support. Open the Themes app, tap your profile icon, and look for the import or local theme option. Alternatively, open the MTZ file directly from your file manager and the Themes app will handle the rest. Make sure to download themes specifically labeled as HyperOS 2.0 compatible for the best results.
Why is my MIUI theme store showing only paid themes?
The Theme Store shows a mix of free and paid themes by default. To filter and see only free themes, tap the filter icon (usually a funnel or slider icon) in the browse section and select the "Free" option. You can also use the MTZ method to install free themes shared by creators on the internet without needing to use the Theme Store at all.
Final Thoughts
Installing themes on a Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phone is one of the simplest and most satisfying ways to personalize your Android experience. Whether you use the official Theme Store for convenience or manually install an MTZ theme file for access to exclusive custom designs, the process is quick, safe, and completely reversible.
Now that you know exactly how to install MIUI themes and HyperOS themes on your device, the next step is finding the right theme for your taste. Browse our growing collection of free themes right here on HyperOS Theme — we add new themes regularly, covering everything from minimal designs to full iOS-style makeovers.
If you run into any issues during installation or have a theme request, feel free to drop us a message through our Contact Page — we are always happy to help.