Xiaomi smartphone owners who recently switched to the new HyperOS operating system often face the desire to personalize the interface. One of the most noticeable elements that users interact with daily is the control panel, or as it is often called the “curtain”, changes in the architecture of the system have made this element more flexible, but many functions are hidden from the eyes of the average user.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to change the appearance, location of elements and functionality of the notification curtain. MIUI/HyperOS, We also touch on the methods of deep customization available to advanced enthusiasts.
It’s worth noting that the term “change the curtain” can be interpreted in many ways, from simply changing the background wallpaper to completely reworking the grid of fast switches. We will cover all the levels of customization available so that you can adapt the smartphone to your usage habits.
Basic setting of fast switches
The first and most accessible level of change is editing the quick access button set, which is more intuitive in HyperOS, although it retains some of the limitations of Android, and you need to unlock the screen and swipe down from the top of the display.
When you open the control panel, you'll see a grid of icons. To change them, look for an edit button that usually looks like a pencil or a menu icon in the corner. When you click on it, you'll be in drag-and-drop mode. It's important to understand that the top row of buttons is often reserved by the system and can't be moved without using third-party tools.
You can add new shortcuts from the list below or remove unnecessary shortcuts by returning them to the general pool, which allows you to keep only the most important features, such as Read Mode or Screen Recording, at hand, eliminating visual noise.
The system automatically saves changes, but sometimes it takes a few seconds to apply a new interface configuration. If the buttons are stuck or are not displayed correctly, try to close the curtain and open it again.
☑️ Checking the curtain settings
Changes in background and transparency of curtains
The visuals of the HyperOS interface have changed dramatically to become more airy and lightweight, but many users want to change the transparency or completely change the background of the control panel. Standard system tools can not change the background of the curtains, but there are workarounds.
The degree of blur depends on the wallpaper you have installed on your desktop. If you use a static image with clear boundaries, the curtain will look different than it does on an abstract gradient. The blur effect directly affects the readability of text and icons, so experimenting with wallpaper is the first step to getting the result you want.
More radical changes will require the use of themes. Xiaomi Theme Store offers thousands of options that change not only the appearance of the icons, but also the system windows, including the notification bar. When installing such a theme, pay attention to the screenshots in the description to make sure the style of the curtain suits you.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party themes from unofficial sources or modified APK-There is a risk of disruption of the system stability UI. The curtain may stop opening or disappear completely, which will require resetting the interface settings.
It is also worth mentioning that in some versions of HyperOS, the “Advanced Wallpaper” feature is available, which dynamically changes the system’s color gamut, including the shades of controls, depending on the time of day and the contents of the screen.
Use of widgets in the control panel
One of the key features of the new system is the ability to integrate widgets directly into the control panel, allowing you to get information without unlocking the phone completely and without opening the applications. In HyperOS, widgets can occupy a significant part of the curtain space.
To add a widget, lower the curtain to the end and find the add button (usually + or Edit widgets). Here you can find a list of compatible apps. You can choose a weather widget, pedometer, battery status, or even a quick music start.
The size of the widgets varies. Some take up a single cell, others can be stretched across the entire width of the screen. Optimizing the space is critical: a widget-loaded curtain will be slower to open and close, especially on devices with less RAM.
Interestingly, widgets in Xiaomi can be interactive, such as a music widget that allows you to switch tracks, and a smart home widget that allows you to change the state of the light bulbs, which turns the curtain from a simple notification list into a full-fledged control center.
How to hide widgets for productivity?
Comparison of the functionality of the curtain in different versions
The evolution of the interface from older versions of MIUI to HyperOS has brought not only visual but also functional changes, and understanding these differences helps to better customize the device for yourself. Below is a table comparing the capabilities across the shell generations.
| Function | MIUI 12/13 | MIUI 14 | HyperOS 1.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Button editing | Basic | Expanded | Full customization |
| Widgets in the curtain | No. | Partially. | Full support |
| Opening animations | Standard. | Accelerated | Smooth (120 Hz) |
| Managing music | Separate block | In the curtain. | Integrated widget |
As you can see from the table, HyperOS is betting on service integration, and the curtain is no longer just a list of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switches, becoming an information bar, which requires the user to take a more careful approach to customization, so as not to clutter the interface.
Also worth noting is improvements in notifications, which include the ability to group notifications by app right inside the curtain, making navigation much easier, and notification swipe now offers more actions like “Respond” or “Delay” without opening the app itself.
Advanced Customization through ADB
For those who don't have the standard settings, there is a method of modifying system files through USB debugging, which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and using the command line. Be careful: wrong actions can cause the system interface to fail.
The first step is to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI/HyperOS version several times. Then, in the Advanced Settings menu, turn on “Debugging by USB”.
By connecting your phone to your PC, you can use ADB commands to change settings that are hidden in the regular menu, such as changing the number of lines in the Quick Settings grid or forcing old display styles to be enabled.
adb shell settings put secure qs_tile_layout 4This command, for example, can change the layout of tiles by 4 in a row (if supported by a particular model).However, in HyperOS, the file structure has changed, and many older commands may not work or require root rights.
⚠️ Note: Making changes through ADB-Before starting procedures, be sure to create a full backup of data, as rollback of changes may not be possible without resetting to factory settings.
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Use ADB wireless debugging for convenience. In the USB debugging menu on Xiaomi smartphone, you can enable Wireless debugging, which allows you to connect from your computer via Wi-Fi without having to connect the cable every time.
Addressing common problems
Despite the stability of HyperOS, users may encounter bugs in the work of the notification curtain. Often problems are associated with conflicting design topics or overflowing cache of system applications. If the curtain does not open, freezes or displays with a black screen, try the following steps.
First, clear the cache of the Security app and system UI. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find system processes, and select Clear Cache. This won’t delete your data, but can fix display errors.
The second step is to check for updates. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix interface bugs. If a problem occurs after you install a particular theme, delete it and return it to standard design. Resource conflict is a common cause of graphical shell failures.
In rare cases, resetting special features helps. If you installed curtain modifiers from third-party stores, removing them is a prerequisite for restoring the normal operation of the system.
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Most curtain problems in HyperOS are solved by cleaning the cache of system applications or removing conflicting design themes, less often a complete reset is required.