How to set up a curtain on Xiaomi Mi 9: the complete guide

The Xiaomi Mi 9, which was released as a flagship device, is still relevant today thanks to a powerful processor and a high-quality screen. However, the standard MIUI shell does not always offer the perfect interface out of the box, requiring the user to additional customization for their own needs. One of the most popular elements of the interface is the notification panel, or, as it is used to be called, “curtain”.

Many owners are wondering how to change the appearance of this area to improve usability with one hand or just refresh the design. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways of modification, from basic system settings to advanced methods through special applications. You will learn to manage the size, style and functionality of the panel, turning the standard interface into a personalized tool.

It is worth noting that the configuration options directly depend on the version of the installed firmware, whether it is global Global. ROM or the Chinese version of China ROM. Some features may be hidden or, conversely, more accessible depending on the regional features of the software. MIUI for your device.

Basic interface and style settings

To start with, the Android operating system itself, in conjunction with the MIUI shell, provides a limited but useful set of tools to change the appearance. First of all, you need to go to the Settings menu of your Xiaomi Mi 9. Here, depending on the firmware version, you may need to go to the Notifications and Status bar section or find the Lock Screen.

This section hides the main switches that affect what exactly is displayed when swiping down. You can choose whether to show app icons, notification text, or hide sensitive content. The interface becomes cleaner if you turn off the display of unnecessary details, which is especially true for a small screen of 5.39 inches.

There is also a choice between the "classic" and "new" style of the control center, a new style reminiscent of iOS, separates notifications and quick access buttons, which makes control more ergonomic. The switch is usually at the bottom of the list of notification settings or in the Control Panel section.

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If you don’t see the Control Panel style switch, try updating the Security or Themes app through the built-in GetApps store.

It's important to understand that the change in style affects not only the visual part, but also the logic of interaction. In the new format, the brightness and sound buttons are put into a separate block, which requires addiction, but significantly speeds up access to them in everyday use.

Changes in the size and density of elements

One of the biggest problems with big smartphones, like the Mi 9, is the difficulty of reaching the top of the screen. Standard controls can seem too small or take up a lot of space. To solve this problem, MIUI has hidden font size and interface settings.

To access a more nuanced setting, go to Settings -> Advanced Settings -> Text size and display. Here you can change not only the font size, but also the size of the interface elements. Reducing this setting will allow you to fit more information into the curtain area, making it more compact.

There is also an engineering menu that allows you to change the density of dots per inch (DPI), which directly affects the size of all elements, including the curtain. However, using this method requires caution, since incorrect values can make the interface unreadable. The standard path for changing the DPI is often hidden, but it can be found through a search in the settings by entering the query "least width".

It is recommended to change the DPI value in small steps, no more than 20-30 units from the standard value.For the Xiaomi Mi 9 with its high screen resolution, the standard value can vary, and its sharp decrease will lead to the text becoming too small for comfortable reading notifications.

⚠️ Note: Write down the initial value DPI If the interface becomes unreadable, you'll have to reset your settings via Recovery or ADB, To get it back to the way it was.

Customization through the Topics app

The safest and most effective way to dramatically change the look of the curtain is to use the built-in Theme app. The Xiaomi theme store has thousands of designs that change not only the icons, but also system elements, including the notification panel and control center.

To find the right design, open the Themes app and search for keywords such as “Clean UI,” “iOS Style,” “Minimal” or “Compact.” When choosing a theme, pay attention to the screenshots in the description: developers often show what the Quick Access Panel and notification list will look like.

Once the theme is installed, the system will suggest that you apply the changes selectively, so you need to tick the boxes "System", "String" and "Control Center", leaving the rest of the elements (such as wallpaper or icons) unchanged, unless you want to change the entire look of the phone.

Some themes may not appear correctly on certain versions of MIUI, so before full use, it is better to use the preview function. If after applying the theme the curtain began to work unstable or disappeared, simply delete the theme through the profile menu or switch to the standard theme "Classic".

⚠️ Warning: Avoid low-rated unverified authors, as they may contain errors in the code that cause the SystemUI interface to reboot.

Extended functionality with the Control Center application

If standard tools are not enough, third-party apps come to the rescue from the Google Play store. One of the most popular and functional solutions is the Control Center (Old Version) app or its counterparts, which completely replace the standard curtain with a customizable panel.

Once installed, you will need to give it a number of permissions, including notification access and overlay rights over other windows, so that the application can intercept system events and display its interface instead of the standard one.

In the application settings you can:

• 🎨 Completely change the color scheme and transparency of the background curtain.
• 📍 Move the Quick Access buttons anywhere on the screen.
• 🔌 Add widgets, such as battery power level as a percentage or memory RAM.
• 🔔 Adjust the behavior when swiping, for example, open the curtain only from a certain area.

Using third-party curtain launchers can increase power consumption, as the process constantly monitors user activity. However, on the flagship Snapdragon 855 processor installed in the Mi 9, this effect is almost invisible in everyday use.

Customization of buttons and gestures

The usability of Xiaomi Mi 9 depends on how quickly you can perform frequently used actions. In the system settings and through third-party utilities, you can reassign the functions of the buttons in the curtain or add new gestures.

In the section Additional settings -> Keyboard shortcuts, you can configure actions with long-term pressing or double tap on the control buttons, if your version of MIUI supports it, most often this functionality is available for the home button (if it is virtual) or side buttons.

To further fine-tune the actions inside the curtain, you can use automated applications such as MacroDroid or Tasker, which can create a scenario where, for example, a prolonged press on the brightness slider will include Do Not Disturb or trigger a flashlight.

Executing complex scenarios takes time to set up, but the result is worth it.You can create a unique management profile that will take into account your personal habits and smartphone use scenarios throughout the day.

Hiding unnecessary elements and confidentiality

In today’s world, privacy is becoming a priority, with notification curtains often containing sensitive data: codes from banks, messages from contacts, reminders. Xiaomi Mi 9 offers flexible tools to manage the visibility of this information.

In the notification settings, you can turn on the “Hide Content” mode, in which case only the name of the application and the text “Hidden Content” or “New Notification” will appear on the locked screen and in the curtain.

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Using the “Hide Content” mode is the best way to protect personal data from prying eyes in public places.

You can also configure notifications from specific applications. Go to Settings -> Notifications and Status bar -> Application Notifications. Here, for each application, you can individually select whether it shows notifications in the curtain, on the lock screen or in the status bar.

Another useful feature is the ability to hide notification icons in the status bar (top row), leaving them only in the unfolded curtain, which allows you to keep the top of the screen clear of visual noise, which is especially important for devices with “bangs” such as the Mi 9.

⚠️ Note: When setting up notification hiding for banking applications, make sure you have Push notifications enabled inside the bank app itself, otherwise you may miss an important transaction code.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)