How to Change the Curtain on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Setup

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their flexibility in interface configuration, and the quick action panel, often referred to as the “curtain”, is no exception. Many users want to personalize this space to make it more convenient or visually appealing. Unlike standard launchers, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide advanced editing capabilities.

Changing the look and function of the curtain allows you to get to the right settings, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or flashlight mode, faster, without having to wander through deep menus. This is especially true for those who use the phone for work or games, where every second matters.

It's worth noting that the approach to editing can vary depending on the version of the operating system. If you have an older Android installed, the options will be limited by standard means, while newer versions offer integration with third-party themes and deep modification of the system. Let's look at the main steps.

Standard Control Panel settings in MIUI and HyperOS

Before you start installing third-party software, you need to learn the built-in functionality. Xiaomi has introduced a convenient editor that allows you to change the location of the icons and add new switches. To access it, you just need to unlock the screen and swipe down from the top of the display.

In the menu that opens, you'll see a grid with active buttons, and to change the set, look for a pencil icon or an edit button, which is usually located in the upper right or lower right corner of the screen, and you click on it and you go to sort mode, where you can drag and drop elements with your finger.

The system allows you to display up to 10-15 of the most commonly used functions on the first screen, the rest will be hidden at the bottom of the list or on the second page of the curtain, which helps to keep the interface neat and not clutter the space with rarely used options.

It’s important to understand that a standard editor doesn’t change the graphical style of buttons, just the set and order of buttons. If you want to change color, shape, or transparency, you’ll need to use third-party apps, as we’ll discuss later.

Using the Themes app to change style

The safest and easiest way to dramatically change the appearance of the curtain is to use the official Theme Store. Xiaomi catalog contains thousands of designs that completely replace the system icons, including those in the notification panel.

To find the right style, open the Themes app on your desktop. In the search bar, type in a query like “iOS style,” “Minimal,” or “Neon.” The theme description often indicates whether it changes system icons.

• 🎨 Choose a topic with a high rating and a large number of downloads to make sure its stability.
• ⚙️ Before using, be sure to review the preview to understand what the switches will look like.
• 📥 After downloading the theme, click “Apply” and select the “System Icons” component if the system offers a choice.

Not all themes support changing the curtain on global firmware versions, and sometimes developers block this feature for regions outside of China, so you can try changing the region in your phone settings to India or Nepal, apply the theme, and then return the original region.

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If the theme doesn’t apply fully, try clicking on the three dots in the corner in the theme menu and selecting “Apply components”, then manually tick “System icons” and “Control Panel”.

Advanced Customization through Control Center

Modern versions of the MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS use a separate module called Control Center, which is visually different from the classic Android curtain and has its own configuration structure.

To switch between old and new style, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Control Center. Here you can choose the Old version (classic full-screen curtain) or New version (dividing into notifications on the left and buttons on the right).

The new version of the control center allows you to adjust the brightness and volume more flexibly, and sliders can be moved to any part of the screen, as well as resize them, which makes interaction with multimedia more convenient, especially on large screens.

It's worth noting that the new version of the control center often has a "Switch Order" feature that works similarly to the standard editor, but with smoother animations, which creates the feeling of a more modern and expensive device.

Third-party applications for deep modification

If built-in tools are not enough, Google Play apps come to the rescue. Software like Control Center iOS 15 or Quick Settings Tile Style allows you to completely simulate the interface of other operating systems or create unique designs.

These applications run on top of the system interface, requiring permission to “mask over other windows.” Once installed, you get access to a constructor where you can change the size of the buttons, their rounding, background color, and even add widgets that are not in stock firmware.

However, third-party software has its nuances: some programs may consume extra battery power because they are constantly active in the background, and they may conflict with system security updates.

⚠️ Warning: When installing applications to change the system interface, only grant the necessary permissions. Avoid programs with dubious reputations, as they may access your notifications and personal information.

For advanced users with Root rights, there are endless possibilities. Modules for Magisk, such as Xposed with plugins for the Root. MIUI, allow for editing XML-System files, changing everything from the fonts on the buttons to the logic of their operation.

Setting up actions and gestures in the curtain

The functionality of the curtain is not only in its appearance, but also in the speed of access to functions. Xiaomi can adjust not only the buttons themselves, but also the actions they perform, as well as the reaction to gestures.

In the section Additional settings → Special features → Sensor (the path may differ depending on the OS version) you can find one-handed management settings or quick commands. Although direct binding of actions to the curtain buttons is limited, the use of automation scenarios can compensate for this.

Automation applications like MacroDroid or Tasker allow you to create complex scenarios, for example, double-tapping a specific area of the screen (if the phone supports gestures on the screen off) can unfold a curtain with a specific set of widgets.

You should also pay attention to the notification settings. In the Settings menu → Notifications and status bar, you can customize in detail which apps can display their icons in the curtain and which will be hidden. This helps keep the panel clean and informative.

Comparison of customization options in different versions of MIUI

The evolution of Xiaomi’s shell has led to the fact that the curtain configuration functionality varies significantly between versions, and understanding these differences will help you to use the capabilities of your particular device more effectively.

The table below compares the key dashboard editing features across different firmware generations so you can assess your smartphone’s potential.

As you can see from the table, newer device owners have a lot more personalization tools, but even older MIUI 10 models can do well by installing custom themes.

If you are planning to buy a new device for the sake of customization, it is worth targeting models that have already received or will receive an upgrade to HyperOS. This system inherits the best features of MIUI and adds new visual effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The most effective way to change the curtain without risk to the system is to use official themes in the Themes app with the System Icons component.