How to change the top panel on Xiaomi: hidden settings and life hacks

The top bar (or notification curtain) on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a place to quickly access settings, it is a powerful tool that can be completely redesigned to suit your needs, from changing the order of icons to adding hidden features that are not available in standard mode. Many users do not even know that MIUI (Xiaomi’s shell has dozens of customization settings hidden in the top panel, from changing transparency to adding custom switches.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to change the top panel on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From basic settings in the menu to hidden commands through ADB You'll learn how to remove unwanted icons, add missing ones, change the style of notifications, and even return the old version of the curtain if you don't like the new one, and also solve typical problems when the panel "gluts" or does not respond to swipes.

1. Basic settings of the upper panel in MIUI

Let’s start with the simplest: what can be changed directly in the standard settings MIUI No more software, most users are limited to these options, but even here there are many useful features.

To open the curtain settings:

1. Turn the top panel swipe down.
2. Click on the "cogs" icon» (⚙️) top-right.
3. Select the settings of the notification panel.

The following options are available here:

• 🔄 Order of icons: Drag and drop icons of fast settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) in any order.
• 📱 Display on a locked screen: You can hide notifications or show only a part.
• 🌓 Dark theme for curtain: included separately from the overall dark theme of the system.
• 📊 Show application shortcuts: displays icons of frequently used programs at the top.

💡

If you're in your version MIUI no item "Settings of the notification panel", try to pinch any icon in the curtain on the 2-3 Seconds – the editing mode will open.

Note the Notification Style option – you can choose between Classic (as in older versions of Android) and «MIUI» (The latter is more convenient, but some users prefer the former because of the familiar interface.

2. How to Add or Remove Quick Settings Icons

By default, the top panel displays only the main switches: Wi-Fi, mobile data, flashlight, etc. But in the MIUI You can add dozens of additional shortcuts – from the “Do Not Disturb” mode to the hotspot and save charge.

Instructions:

1. Open the notification curtain.
2. Click on the pencil icon (✏️) (or pinch any icon).
3. Below will be a list of available shortcuts - drag the desired to the top.
4. To remove unnecessary ones, just drag them down.

The list of hidden icons depends on the model and version MIUI, But it's usually there:

• 🔋 Savings of charge (different modes).
• 📡 Mobile access point.
• 🔇 No sound/Vibration/Sound.
• 📱 On-screen mode (for screen recordings).
• 🌙 Dark theme (fast switch).
• 🔒 Blocking orientation.

If a label isn't on the list, it doesn't mean you can't add it. For example, some firmware doesn't have a switch. NFC — It can be returned through ADB (We'll tell you about that below).

3. Hidden settings via ADB (for advanced)

If there are few standard options, you can use the commands. ADB (Android Debug Bridge is an official tool from Google that allows you to change system settings that are not available through the GUI:

• 🔧 Return the old version of the curtain (if you don’t like the new one).
• 📛 Add hidden switches (NFC, developer mode.).
• 🎨 Change the transparency of the panel or background color.
• 🚫 Remove advertising and unnecessary items (on some firmware).

To work with ADB you will need:

1. Computer with installed ADB-driver.
2. Developer mode on your smartphone enabled (click 7 times on Version) MIUI phone-setting).
3. Connecting the phone to USB debugging-permitted USB.

Examples of useful commands:

Reintroduce the old curtain (MIUI 12) in MIUI 13/14


adb shell settings put global use_new_control_center 0




Add an NFC switch to the panel (if it is not available)



adb shell settings put global qti_sys_fw_bsp_qsee_nfc 1




Change the transparency of the panel (value from 0 to 255)



adb shell settings put global window_light_navigationbar_alpha 200

Install Platform Tools on PC|Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi|Allow debugging by USB customized|Connect your phone to the original cable|Check the connection with the adb device command-->

Warning: misuse ADB This can cause system failures.Be sure to back up your data through Settings before experimenting. → The phone. → Backup.

4.Setting up notifications: what can be changed

The top panel is not only quick settings, but also notifications. MIUI You can flexibly adjust their display, from priority to alert style:

Notification Priority is especially useful, for example, you can set up messaging to show up on top of everything, but not gaming notifications.

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Priority of notifications.
2. Select an app (such as WhatsApp).
3. Set the priority of "High."
4. Enable the option “Show as a pop-up window”.

MIUI 12|MIUI 13|MIUI 14|Another version |I don't know-->

If notifications from any app don’t come at all, check:

• 🔕 Are they not in the app settings.
• 📵 Has the application been added to the “Black List” (Settings) → Notifications → Blacklist).
• 🔄 Is the "Do Not Disturb" mode on».
• 📶 Are there any problems with the Internet (some notifications require an active connection).

5. Top panel problems and their solution

Sometimes the notification curtain on Xiaomi doesn't work properly: it doesn't open, it slows down, or it shows an empty panel. Here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI curtain became "glutch", try to clear the cache of the system application System UI. To do this, go to the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Three points (⋮) → Show system-based → System UI → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the curtain settings to the standard:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find System. UI (This may be called a system interface).
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data”.
4. Reboot the phone.

Important: Cleaning the System data UI It'll reset all the curtain settings, including the order of the icons and the style of the notifications, and then you'll have to reconfigure everything.

Third-party applications for customization

If there are opportunities MIUI It's not enough, you can use third-party utilities, and they allow you to change the curtain beyond recognition, add new switches, change the design, add widgets, and even create your own shortcuts to run scripts.

Top.-3 applications:

• 🛠️ Power Shade -- allows you to completely remake the curtain, change colors, add your switches, adjust gestures. Works without root, but some features require you to change your colors. ADB.

Example of settings through Power Shade:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Give all necessary permissions (including special access to display on top of other applications).
3. Select the curtain style (e.g. Android 12 or iOS).
4. Add the switches from the list (there are more than 50!).
5. Customize colors, transparency and animations.

⚠️ Note: Some curtain customization applications may conflict with MIUI, Especially if they require permission to change system settings. Before installing, check user reviews of your Xiaomi model.

If you want to go a step further, you can install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that has completely redesigned notification curtains and no restrictions. MIUI. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of the guarantee.

7 How to return the old version of the curtain (if you don't like the new one)

Many Xiaomi users complain that after upgrading to the MIUI 13/14 The curtain has become less comfortable, with some icons gone, the design changed, and the animations are delayed.

Method 1: Through theme settings (not working on all devices):

1. Open the Topic app.
2. Go to Mine. → Settings → System style.
3. Choose «MIUI 12” (if the option is available).
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: A Universal Method (ADB):

adb shell settings put global use_new_control_center 0

After this command, the curtain will return to the design. MIUI 12.To cancel the change, replace 0 with 1.

Method 3: Firmware rollback (extreme case):

If new updates are made MIUI You're not really happy, you can bring back the old firmware version through the Mi Flash Tool:

• 🔴 Drops all the data on the phone.
• 🔴 May result in bootloader locking (on new devices).
• 🔴 Deprive you of the latest security fixes.

Before resorting to rollbacks, try other methods or wait for the next update – often Xiaomi returns popular features on user requests.

💡

After the update MIUI Icons from the curtains have disappeared (for example, NFC or hot spot, they can be returned through ADB Third-party applications like Quick Settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the top panel on Xiaomi