Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi device offers users a wide range of personalization options that go far beyond simply installing wallpaper. MIUI’s standard interface and its modern version of HyperOS offer flexible tools to change the appearance and functionality of system elements. Many smartphone and TV owners often wonder how to adapt the interface to their habits to make the gadget as convenient as possible.
The control panel on this company's devices is not a static element that cannot be touched. It is a dynamic area where you can change the location of switches, add new widgets, or even completely change the style of the notification curtain using third-party applications. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available customization methods, from built-in settings to advanced methods for power users.
It’s worth noting that the approach to changing the interface will vary depending on the type of device. On smartphones, the emphasis is on the notification curtain and the control center, while on Android TVs or PatchWall, it’s about the launcher and the home screen. Understanding these differences will help you avoid confusion and find exactly the method that is necessary for your model.
Differences in interfaces on smartphones and TVs Xiaomi
The first step to a successful modification is to have a clear understanding of the operating system architecture installed on your device. Xiaomi smartphones run on MIUI or HyperOS shells based on Android, where the control panel is usually called from top to bottom. At the same time, Xiaomi TVs use modified versions of Android TV or its own PatchWall system, where navigation is carried out from the remote and the interface is sharpened for horizontal control.
On mobile devices, the control panel is often divided into two parts: notification area and quick action area. In newer firmware versions, these zones are separated by swipes in different directions, which is part of the company's design philosophy. On TVs, the control panel is a pop-up settings menu or a widget menu, accessible through a long press of the menu button or a special remote key.
⚠️ Note: Interface of Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall shell can be significantly different from pure Android TV. In PatchWall, the main screen is filled with content recommendations, and changing its structure with standard means is almost impossible without installing an alternative launcher.
It is important to distinguish between software constraints imposed by the manufacturer. If you can easily install a third-party launcher on a smartphone, then on a TV this may require additional manipulation of access rights or debugging over USB. System restrictions exist to ensure the stability of the device, so deep customization always carries certain risks.
Setting up the control center on smartphones with MIUI and HyperOS
Smartphone owners often want to change the curtain, the area where they access Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and brightness. In modern versions of the shells from Xiaomi, there are two main display styles of this area: classic (as in pure Android) and new (divided into notifications and switches), switching between them through system settings without the need to install additional software.
To change the style, you need to go to the Settings menu, then find the Notifications section and the status bar (or Notifications). There will be the Control Center Style item where you can choose your preferred option. The old style combines all the elements in a single list that scrolls down, while the new style displays the switches on the right and the notifications on the left, which is addictive but looks more modern.
In addition to style selection, users often want to change the order of the quick access buttons or add new ones. To do this, call the control panel, click on the edit icon (usually a pencil or a Change button), and drag the desired items. You can add shortcuts for a flashlight, a screenshot, Do Not Disturb mode or start a voice recorder. The number of buttons displayed is also adjusted in this menu.
Special attention should be paid to the functions of floating windows, which are also often accessed in the control panel. In new versions of HyperOS, multitasking management has been redesigned, and some elements may behave differently than in MIUI 12 or 13. If standard features are not enough, you can use third-party utilities, although they require more complex settings.
Using third-party launchers for full customization
If built-in features aren't enough, third-party launchers come to the rescue, and these are apps that completely replace the desktop and often change the logic of the control panel. The most popular solutions are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Lawnchair, which allow you to create your own widgets, change animations, and even copy interface styles from other devices.
Installing the launcher is a simple process: download the application from the Google Play Market, install it, and when you first start the system will suggest to choose the default app for the home screen. After that, the new interface will replace the standard. However, it is worth remembering that some Xiaomi system features, such as gestures or specific widgets, may not work correctly or require additional permissions.
| The name of the launcher | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery | Widget support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Tall. | Low. | Complete. |
| Microsoft Launcher | Medium | Average. | Limited. |
| Lawnchair | Medium | Low. | Tall. |
| Smart Launcher | Low. | Low. | Automatic. |
When using third-party launchers, it is important to configure permissions correctly. The MIUI system aggressively unloads background processes, so a new launcher needs to be added to the startup and allowed to work in the background, otherwise the interface can "fly out" or return to standard after rebooting. This is done through the Application menu -> Permissions.
Changing the interface on Xiaomi TVs with Android TV
On TVs, the situation is different, because on-screen navigation is less flexible. If you have a model with a pure Android TV, you can install an alternative launcher, such as an ATV Launcher or Fauncher TV. This will change the main screen, remove banner ads and make the menu more concise. However, on models with a PatchWall shell (often found in devices for CIS and Asian markets), the launcher replacement can be blocked by the manufacturer.
To install third-party software on your TV, you often need to turn on Developer Mode. Go to Settings -> About Device and click on Build several times until you get a message that you have become a developer. Then, in the Developer Menu that appears, you need to activate Debugging over USB and allow applications to be installed from unknown sources.
The process of installing a launcher on TV is as follows:
- 📥 Download. APK-file of the selected launcher on the flash drive or use the application to download files directly to the TV.
- 💾 Install a file manager (e.g. File Commander or Send Files to) TV), if it's not built in.
- 📂 Find the downloaded one. APK-launcher file and start installation.
- ⚙️ After installation, do not start the launcher immediately, but go to the settings and assign it to the main one if the system allows you to.
⚠️ Note: On some models of Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall shell, installing a third-party launcher can lead to a cyclical reboot or unstable remote operation.Be sure to have access to the keyboard and mouse to control the system in the event of an interface failure before experimenting.
Advanced customization through ADB and hidden menus
For users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of changing system settings through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This is a way to disable system components, change the parameters of the density of the interface (DPI) And hide the control panels that are not removed by standard means, USB-cable and installed drivers ADB.
By connecting your phone or TV to your computer and activating USB debugging, you can type commands to modify the registry, such as changing the number of columns in the notification curtain or completely hiding the system icons, and entering commands in the terminal on your computer after you connect to the device.
adb shell settings put global qs_show_brightness_slider 2The above command, for example, can change the brightness slider display in the quick access panel. However, using ADB requires accuracy: one incorrect command can lead to a "bricking" interface or bootloom. Before making any changes through ADB, it is strongly recommended to make a full data backup.
There is also a hidden test menu available under the code ##64663## (engineering menu), but it is primarily designed to diagnose hardware components and rarely contains interface settings. However, some firmware versions can find screen calibration or touchscreen settings, which indirectly affects the perception of the control panel.
Solving Control Panel Problems
Users often encounter bugs during the setup process: the panel does not leave, buttons do not respond to clicks or the interface “lags”, most often this is due to a crowded system cache or a conflict of installed themes. If you installed a third-party theme from the Themes store, try turning it off or resetting the theme to standard ones.
Another common problem is to desynchronize the time and notifications in the curtain after changing the system font or text size. If the control panel is displayed incorrectly (hits other elements, cuts), check the settings of font size and screen size in the Display section. Returning to default values often solves the layout problem.
If the control panel has ceased to respond to touch completely, cleaning the cache of the system application "System" can help. UI» (System UI). This is done through the Settings menu -> Annexes -> All applications -> System interface -> Memory -> Clear cache.Don't confuse it with "Clean data" as it can reset your personalizations.