How to change the curtain on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: styles and settings

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 offer users a wide range of customization options, and one of the most sought-after elements is the notification panel, popularly known as the “curtain.” Many owners want to personalize this space to make it more convenient or visually appealing, but standard MIUI tools offer a limited set of options. In this article, we will discuss in detail how you can change the appearance of the curtain using built-in theme tools, as well as third-party applications for deep modification of the system.

It’s worth noting that the term “change the curtain” can mean things from simply changing the wallpaper and icon style to completely redesigning the functionality of the fast switches. Both strategies are relevant for the Redmi Note 8, but each requires different levels of preparation and caution when interfering with system files. We will look at the safe methods available to each user and the more sophisticated options for enthusiasts.

Standard Personalization Opportunities in MIUI

Before you resort to installing third-party software, you need to learn the basic functionality of the MIUI shell, which is often underestimated. In the “Themes” from Xiaomi, you can find ready-made solutions that change not only icons, but also the design of the notification panel, including volume sliders, background color and the style of the buttons of quick settings.

It's important to understand that the application of the theme affects the entire system, and you can't change the curtain exclusively without changing the general style through the standard settings. However, there are hybrid themes that retain the standard wallpaper but completely redraw the notification interface. This is the most secure way, without requiring root rights or unlocking the bootloader.

• 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the Profiles or My Profiles section».
• 🔍 Search for “Notification style”, “Control center” or “iOS style».
• ⬇️ Download your favorite option and click “Apply” by selecting only the “System” or “Notifications” component if the theme allows you to choose from it.

⚠️ Note: When installing themes from unverified sources in third-party theme stores, there may be unstable interface work.

If standard themes don’t meet your requirements, you can use the “Second Space” or region change feature to activate new notification management features that may not be available in your default firmware version. For example, global versions sometimes have a new control center resembling iOS that can be enabled through settings.

Use of third-party launchers and widgets

One of the most effective ways to change the visual perception of the curtain is to install an alternative launcher that offers its own widgets for the notification panel. Although it is difficult to replace the system curtain completely without deep code implementation, you can create the illusion of a new interface by overlaying standard elements with custom widgets.

Popular launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, combined with notification widgets, allow you to display information to the desktop in any format. This does not change the system curtain when swiping from above, but gives alternative access to notifications that look completely different. For the Redmi Note 8, this is a great option, since the device has enough power to smoothly work heavy graphics shells.

Also worth noting are the Control Panel widgets, which can be placed at the top of the screen, which mimic quick settings, allowing you to run apps or change your brightness and sound settings without calling the standard curtain, which is especially convenient for users with thumbs who have difficulty reaching the top corner of the Redmi Note 8 screen.

Advanced configuration through modifier applications

For those who want to have full control over the look and function of the curtain, there are customized modifier applications that work on top of the standard system, intercepting notifications and displaying them in their own style. One of the leaders in this niche is the Material Notification Shade application, which allows you to completely redraw the notification bar.

Installing these applications requires special permissions, including access to display over other windows and access to notification history. Once set up, the user can change the transparency of the background, the size of the icons, the number of columns in the quick settings, and even add their own buttons to launch the applications, making the standard MIUI curtain a unique tool.

• 📥 Download the curtain modifier app from Google Play (e.g. Material Notification Shade).
• 🔐 Provide all permissions requested, including “Above other applications».
• 🛠 Enable the service in the application settings and disable standard system notifications if necessary.
• 🎨 Customize colors, fonts and arrangement of elements to your taste.

⚠️ Attention: Using curtain modifiers can increase battery consumption, as they are constantly active in the background.

Importantly, some features of such applications may conflict with the aggressive MIUI energy saving system. To keep the modifier running, you need to add it to the battery exclusion list and allow auto-start. Without this, the system can periodically "kill" the application process, returning the standard curtain appearance.

Changing the style of the control center to iOS-like

The latest versions of the MIUI have the ability to switch to a new control center that visually and functionally resembles the iOS interface. This is not quite a “curtain” in the classical sense, since notifications and quick settings are now divided into two separate panels, swiped from different corners of the screen. For owners of the Redmi Note 8 is a great opportunity to refresh the interface without installing unnecessary programs.

To activate this mode, you need to go to the system settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but it is usually in the section responsible for notifications and status bar. Switching to the new style changes the logic of interaction: the swipe on the right top opens the settings (brightness, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), and the swipe on the left - the notification list.

This style is particularly convenient for devices with large screens, as access zones are located on the edges, which makes it easier to control with one hand. In addition, the brightness and volume sliders in the new control center are more informative and enjoyable to use.

If your settings menu doesn’t have a Control Center style switch, it could mean your version of MIUI hasn’t received this update yet, so you can try changing the region in your phone settings to India or Indonesia, where new features often come up earlier.

Deep Customization through Root and Modules

For advanced users who are willing to risk a guarantee for maximum results, there is a way to get root rights. Having superuser rights allows you to install modules for Magisk or LSPosed that can dramatically change the system curtain, and this is the only way to actually rewrite the interface code, rather than just superimpose a new picture on top of it.

One of the most powerful tools is the Xposed framework (or its modern counterparts), which, in conjunction with modules like GravityBox, gives control over every pixel of the interface. You can change the transparency of the curtain, remove the operator logo, change the location of the watch, add a custom watch in the style of Digital and much more. For the Redmi Note 8, there are stable versions of the bootloader unlockers.

However, it is worth remembering the risks: incorrect installation of the module can lead to a bootloop (cyclical reboot) of the phone.Be sure to make a full backup of data via TWRP or built-in MIUI before starting such procedures. Also keep in mind that banking applications can stop working without additional manipulations to hide root rights.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights cancels the warranty on the device and may make it impossible to use security-protected services (Google Pay, banking applications).

If you do decide to do this, start by exploring the forums dedicated specifically to your model (Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, codenamed ginkgo), where you can find ready-made patches and instructions adapted to your hardware, which minimizes the risk of errors when flashing system partitions.

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Before installing any system modules, take a screenshot of the current ADB settings or save a list of installed applications so that the work environment can be quickly restored in the event of a reset.

Optimizing and cleaning the notification curtain

Often, the desire to “change” the curtain is dictated not so much by aesthetics as by the desire to put order in the chaos of notifications. MIUI has powerful built-in tools for sorting and filtering, which make the curtain clean and informative.

In the notification settings, you can turn off the display of icons in the status bar for selected applications, leaving only important system events. Smart notifications, which groups messages from one sender, prevents the screen from filling with a dozen individual lines, is also available.

• 🔕 Go to Settings. → Notifications and status bar → Management of notifications.
• 📱 Select the app and set the priority to “No sound”, “Important” or “Hide content».
• 🧹 Use the Clean All feature to instantly delete all notifications read with one touch.

You can also change the behavior of the curtain when you lock the screen, such as turning off the display of personal data on a locked phone, leaving only music or weather widgets available, not only improving visual style, but also increasing the privacy of your data in public places.

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Competent configuration of notification filters is often more effective than visual changes, as it eliminates information noise and speeds up access to important information.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions