Have you just bought a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone and can't find where the notification bar is hiding? Or suddenly the curtain stopped opening after the update? This problem is familiar to many new owners of devices from Xiaomi, a brand that likes to experiment with the MIUI interface. Unlike "pure" Android, here the notification bar can behave unexpectedly: the icon disappears, the swipe works every time, then instead of the curtain opens a search.
In this article, we will not only show you where the notification bar is on Xiaomi, but we will also look at all the possible ways to open it, from a standard swipe to hidden gestures, and you will also learn why the curtain may not respond to touch, how to return it to its place after a crash, and what settings should be changed for convenience. If you are a user of the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or even an old Mi A2, the instruction will be suitable for any model running MIUI 12/13/14 or HyperOS.
1. Standard way: how to open the notification panel by swipe
In 90% of cases, the notification curtain on Xiaomi opens the same way as on other Android smartphones — swipe from top to bottom of the screen.
- 📱 Swipe from the top edge — swipe from the topmost edge of the display (where the black bezel is located) down. Don't touch the icons of the watch or the indicators — just start a little lower.
- ✋ One finger on most models (Redmi 10, POCO F4) But some firmware requires a double swipe (first short, then full).
- 🔄 On the home screen or in the app, the curtain opens the same way, but in some games (for example, in the same way, PUBG Mobile gesture may conflict with game elements, in which case use an alternative method (see next section).
If the swipe doesn't work, check:
- Is the mode for children activated (Settings → Special Opportunities → Mode for children) and the notification panel is blocked.
- Whether full screen mode is enabled in the app settings (for example, in YouTube or TikTok), you can swipe from the side or click on the "unfold" icon.
- Whether a shell from a third-party launcher (like a Nova Launcher or Apex) is installed, some launchers intercept gestures.
2. Alternative ways to open the notification curtain
If a standard swipe doesn't work, use one of these methods, and they'll come in handy in situations where the touch screen is partially faulty or frozen.
- 🔘 Home button on some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) Holding the physical or touch button Home for 2 seconds opens the notification bar. Only works if the option is activated in Settings → Buttons and gestures → Home button".
- 📲 Double-touch gesture – enable the function in Settings → Special opportunities → Double tap to wake up. Then double tap the screen anywhere to wake up the device and immediately open the curtain.
- 🖱️ Mouse by mouse. USB — if the smartphone supports OTG, plug in USB-Move the cursor to the top right corner of the screen and click left.
On HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the gesture to open the curtain can be reassigned to Settings → Gestures → System Gestures. There are options available: swipe on the side, hold the power button or even shake the device.
☑️ Checking the operability of the curtain
3. Why the notification panel does not open: top-5 cause
If the notification curtain stopped responding to touches, the problem lies in one of these factors:
| Reason. | How to check | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| System launcher failure | Try to open the curtain on the locked screen (swipe works?) | Restart the device or clear the launcher cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher. |
| Conflict with the shell | Do you have a third-party launcher (like Nova) installed? | Return to the standard MIUI launcher or upgrade to a third-party. |
| Sensor damage. | Check if the top of the screen responds to other touches (like swiping down in the browser). | If the sensor is not working, contact the service. You can replace the display module. |
| Error after update | Did you have a problem with the new version of MIUI? | Reset the settings to factory (Settings → About phone → Reset settings). |
| Virus or malware | Check the list of installed applications for suspicious. | Scan your Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes device. |
⚠️ Warning: If the notification panel opens but closes immediately, it's a sign of overheating. CPU Monitor or let your smartphone cool for 10-15 minutes.
4. How to set up the notification panel for yourself
The notification curtain in MIUI is flexible. Here's what you can change:
- 🔧 Order icons - drag and drop the icons Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or flashlight in any order. To do this, unfold the curtain completely and hold the icon for 2 seconds.
- 📱 Quick switches – add or remove items (such as Airplane Mode or Charge Saving) to Settings → Notification panel → Switches.
- 🌙 Dark theme – turn on night mode for curtains in Settings → Display. → Dark subject. → Insert for the notification panel.
- 🔔 Priority of notifications – sort alerts by importance: Settings → Notifications → Priority of notifications.
HyperOS models have a Smart Notification feature, which automatically groups alerts from messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) and social media to disable the grouping:
- Open Settings → Notifications → Additional.
- Find the Notification Grouping item and deactivate it.
- Reboot your smartphone.
💡
If you’re short on fast switches, install the Power Shade widget from Google Play.It adds extra buttons to the curtain (like NFC or Game Mode).
5. Where is the notification panel on different Xiaomi models
Depending on the model and firmware version, the location of the curtain may vary. Here is a brief guide for popular devices:
| Model | Firmware version | Features of opening the curtain |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | MIUI 12–14 | Swipe from top to bottom from any screen. The Note 12 Pro+ supports the power button holding gesture. |
| POCO X3/X4/X5 | MIUI 13 for POCO | Swipe works only from the top edge (does not respond to touches in the center of the screen). |
| Xiaomi 13/13T/14 | HyperOS | Supports double swipe for quick access to brightness settings. |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | MIUI 12 | On budget models, the curtain can open with a delay (up to 1 second). |
| Mi A2/A3 | Android One | Uses “pure” Android – swipe works like a Pixel or Samsung. |
On smartphones with a front-facing notch (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro), swipe should start to the right or left of the notch, rather than the center, otherwise the system may perceive the gesture as an attempt to go back.
How to open the curtain on a smartphone with a damaged sensor?
6. Frequent errors and how to fix them
Even experienced Xiaomi users sometimes face unusual notification curtain problems.
- 🔄 The curtain opens, but it closes immediately, because of a conflict with the Second Space app. → Special opportunities → Second Space.
- 📵 No notification icons in the status bar – check settings in Settings → Notifications → Notification icons, maybe "Hide icons" mode is on".
- 🔋 The curtain does not open when the battery is low – on some models (POCO M2) below 5% charge, disable "extra" functions.
- 🔒 The notification bar is locked on the lock screen, which is a security setting. To unlock, go to Settings. → Lock screen → Notifications on the locked screen.
⚠️ Note: If after resetting the notification curtain disappeared completely - this is a sign of damage to system files. Restore the firmware through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website of Xiaomi).
On HyperOS models, the Notification Panel section is sometimes lost in the settings to return it:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- 7 times tap on the item version of MIUI (activated mode developer).
- Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.
- Activate the option to Show the notification panel.
💡
On Xiaomi smartphones with HyperOS, the notification curtain can only open after unlocking the screen – this is a feature of the new firmware, not a failure.
7. Hidden Notification Panel Features on Xiaomi
Few people know, but the notification curtain in MIUI hides a few useful tips:
- 📡 Quick switching SIM-Maps – Hold the Mobile Network icon in the curtain to choose an active one SIM.
- 🔦 Adjustment of the brightness of the flashlight - on models with AMOLED-screen (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) holding the flashlight icon allows you to select the brightness level (3 steps).
- 🎧 Quick access to audio settings – swipe left/right on the volume slider in the curtain to switch between Media, Call and Alarm.
- 🔄 Network reset – Hold your Wi-Fi icon or Mobile Data in a curtain to quickly reset your network settings.
On HyperOS devices, a new element appeared in the curtain, the Smart Assistant panel.
- 📅 Upcoming events from the calendar.
- 💳 Quick payments (if a bank card is tied).
- 📦 Status of recent orders (integration with AliExpress, Shopee).
To disable Smart Assistant:
- Open the curtain completely.
- Slip on the three dots in the top right corner.
- Select the settings of the notification panel.
- Deactivate the option to Show Smart Assistant.