Redmi smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize the interface, and the notification curtain is one of the first things to look at. In the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Note, the standard design of the MIUI system may seem familiar, but it is easy to transform without obtaining superuser rights. Changing the appearance of quick access panels and notifications allows not only to improve the aesthetics, but also to improve the usability of the gadget in everyday life.
Customization doesn’t require a lot of technical knowledge, but it’s important to understand the architecture of Android shells. Standard features are limited, but the built-in Themes app provides a lot of options to replace graphic elements. You can change icons, fonts and, most importantly for our request, the style of the control panel.
Consider that deep modification of system files via ADB or installing third-party launchers can affect the stability of the device.We will look at safe methods that ensure that the warranty and health of your Redmi 9 Note are maintained. Get ready to dive into the world of interface customization, where every pixel counts.
Standard options for adjusting the curtain in MIUI
Before we get to the edge, we need to learn the basic functionality that Xiaomi offers: The latest versions of the MIUI shell (on which the Redmi 9 Note is based) have the ability to switch between the “old” and the “new” control center, which does not change the graphics dramatically, but alters the logic of interacting with notifications and brightness sliders.
To access these settings, the user doesn't need to search for hidden menus. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Control Center. You can choose the classic view where the notification curtain and switches are in the same panel, or the modern style of iOS where they are separated. This is a fundamental change that affects the ergonomics of one-handed use.
However, standard settings do not allow you to change the background color, transparency or shape of sliders. System restrictions block direct editing of graphic resources without using themes. If you just need to change the location of elements, built-in tools will be enough, but additional steps will be required for visual transformation.
⚠️ Warning: Switching between control center styles may require rebooting the interface. If the phone freezes after changing settings, press the power button on the control center. 10-15 second-on-second forced reboot.
It is important to note that in different regions of the firmware (Global, EU, China) menu item names may differ slightly. In some cases, the curtain split function may be hidden or, conversely, enabled by default. Check the relevance of the MIUI version in the About Phone section, as older builds may not support new control functions.
Use of the Topics application for customization
The most effective and safest way to change the look of the curtain on the Redmi 9 Note is to use the official Themes app, a built-in tool that allows you to download and apply entire design packages created by designers from around the world. Unlike manually editing the code, this method does not violate the integrity of system files.
The process of finding the right design requires care. Not all topics change the control panel. When browsing the directory, pay attention to the preview: if the screenshots show a changed style of volume sliders or curtain background, then the topic contains the necessary modifications. Often these topics are tagged with Custom Control Center or iOS Style tags.
Once the theme is loaded, the system will suggest customizing the components, and you will be given a list of elements: lock screen, wallpaper, icons and System. It is in the System or Control Center section that you can deselect the application of the theme to the entire interface, leaving only changes to the curtain, if this option is supported by a particular theme, which allows you to combine elements of different designs.
- 🎨 Open the “Themes” app and go to the “Profile” tab».
- 🔍 Search for “Control Center”, “Notification” or “Status Bar».
- ⬇️ Download your favorite topic and click "Apply».
- ⚙️ In the application menu, select only the components associated with the system and control panel.
It’s worth remembering that free themes may contain ads or require you to watch videos to activate. Paid options tend to offer better detail and no intrusive advertising. For the Redmi 9 Note, it’s better to choose themes with a resolution of 1080x2340 to avoid stretching the graphics.
Installation of third-party launchers and modifications
For advanced users who lack the capabilities of standard themes, there are third-party launchers and modifications. Installing an alternative shell, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, does not change the system curtain by itself, but in conjunction with add-ons (plugins) can give the desired effect.
One popular method is to use Magisk modules, but this requires unlocking the bootloader. On the Redmi 9 Note, this process is officially allowed, but it resets all data from the device and can void the warranty in some regions. Once unlocked, you can install modules that change the system fonts and interface graphics on the fly.
☑️ Checking before installing mods
If you're not prepared for the risk of data loss, there are apps in Google Play that emulate a new curtain over the standard one. They don't replace the system file, they create a layer on top of it. Examples are applications like Notification & Status Bar, which redraw the interface, but can consume more battery life.
When using third-party software, it is important to control permissions. An application that replaces the notification curtain must have access to notifications and the right to display on top of other windows. Without these permissions, functionality will be limited or inoperable. Always check app reviews before installing to avoid malware.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard settings of MIUI | Low. | No. | Minimum |
| Annex Topics | Low. | No. | Tall. |
| Third-party emulator applications | Medium | No. | Medium |
| Magisk (Root) modules | Tall. | High-pitched | Maximum |
Configuring controls and widgets
Changing the look is only half the battle. It is important to properly configure the curtain functionality on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Note. In editing mode (usually called by a long tap on the switch or via the Edit button at the bottom of the list), you can change the order of the quick access buttons.
Take the most commonly used features to the top level. It can be flight mode, Bluetooth or flashlight. Grouping elements helps save space and makes the interface cleaner. Newer versions of MIUI also offer size adjustments for brightness and volume sliders, which is especially true for a 6.67-inch screen.
Secret editing function
Don't forget widgets that can integrate into the curtain. Music player, smart home control or weather can all be swiped, and these elements are set up in the appropriate applications, but are governed by the system settings of notifications.
For users who appreciate minimalism, there is a feature available to hide unused switches, removing unnecessary buttons from the active list does not remove them at all, but hides them at the bottom of the menu, making the main panel more compact, which is especially useful when using the phone with gloves or one hand.
Solving problems with the display of curtains
During customization, Redmi 9 Note users may encounter bugs, often flashing after installing a heavy theme, disappearing for a split second when unlocked, or displaying transparency incorrectly, due to conflicting resources of the Android graphics engine and optimizing MIUI.
If the edit button is missing after applying the theme or the switches stop working, the first thing you should do is clear the cache of the Themes and System UI application. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find system processes and click Clear Cache. Rebooting the device also often solves the problem of hanging graphics.
⚠️ Warning: If the curtain stops opening completely after installing the module or theme, load into Safe Mode. To do this, when you turn on the phone, when the Mi logo appears, press the volume down button. In Safe Mode, remove the problematic theme.
Another common problem is to desynchronize the time or icons of the network after changing style, which is treated by resetting the date and time settings to automatic, as well as switching network mode (for example, from 4G to 3G and back), in rare cases, resetting the design settings to standard through the theme recovery menu helps.
It's important to distinguish between a software glitch and a hardware touchscreen problem. If the curtain doesn't respond to swipes just at the top of the screen, check the sensor's performance in other applications. It may not be the software, but the calibration of the display.