Xiaomi’s MIUI 13 shell offers users a wide range of personalization options, but the standard design of the notification curtain and control center can seem familiar and even boring to experienced enthusiasts. Many smartphone owners are eager to change the appearance of this area of the screen to add uniqueness or improve the ergonomics of using a device with one hand. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to transform the interface, from built-in theme functions to deep system modification.
It should be noted that the concept of “change the curtain” can be interpreted in different ways: some are interested in changing the style of the volume and brightness sliders, others – a complete replacement of the control center with an analogue of Android 12 or iOS, and others – just changing the wallpaper in Always On Display mode. MIUI 13 provides flexible tools for the first two scenarios, but requires a careful approach to security settings when using third-party software. We will consider legal methods that do not require root rights, but give a tangible visual result.
Before you start installing heavy modifications, it is important to understand that standard system tools are often underestimated by users. Basic settings allow you to change the color scheme, fonts and even the location of certain elements, which can be enough to refresh the perception of the interface. However, for radical changes, such as the introduction of new animations or the complete redrawing of icons in the quick access panel, you will have to use specialized themes or launcher applications.
Integrated personalization capabilities of MIUI 13
The first step to changing the look of your Xiaomi should be to learn the standard theme settings. The company has built a powerful theme engine that allows you to change not only wallpaper, but also system fonts, sounds and, importantly for our task, interface element styles. Go to the Themes app on the home screen or in the Tools folder to start looking for the right design. You can enter queries like Control Center or iOS style into the search bar to find themes that change the structure of the control panel.
When choosing a theme, look for a preview that usually shows you what the lock screen and drop-down menu will look like. Some themes only change the icons, leaving the curtain as standard, so it's important to read the developer's description. Once the theme is installed, the system can only suggest certain components, such as "System Style" or "Lock screen," which allows you to combine elements of different designs.
- 🎨 Open the “Themes” app and go to the user profile.
- 🎨 Select the System Style component to apply new fonts and colors.
- 🎨 Check the Lock Screen section to change the appearance of notifications.
- 🎨 Use the Mix function to create your own combination of elements.
If you notice a slowdown or increased battery consumption after installing the design, try rolling back changes or optimizing the theme. MIUI 13 has built-in protection that can block installing themes from unreliable sources, so download content only through the official store.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources (not through the official Theme Store), there is a risk of system applications malfunctioning. Always back up your data before experimenting.
Use of Miui Home app and widgets
One of the most effective ways to change the visual perception of the curtain and desktop is to use the official widgets and Miui Home launcher. Although they do not directly change the code of the notification panel, the correct location of the widgets can visually compensate for the standard design of the curtain, distracting attention or adding functionality. MIUI 13 has been significantly redesigned widget system, which allows you to create unique compositions on the home screen.
To access the widgets, you need to pinch the empty area on your desktop and select the appropriate item in the bottom menu. Here you will find widgets of weather, music, pedometer and quick access to functions that can be placed at the top of the screen, next to the status bar. This creates the illusion of an expanded or modified curtain, since important information is always in front of your eyes.
In addition, some widgets allow you to control music and brightness without opening the full control panel, which is especially convenient for users who want to minimize the number of swipes. By combining transparent widgets and dark wallpaper, you can achieve the effect of “dissolving” the interface, which makes the standard curtain less noticeable and more harmonious.
💡
Use large-sized widgets at the top of the screen to visually hide the standard status bar and create a new interface feel.
And we also have the Advanced Widgets feature, which allows you to change their size and transparency, which gives you an extra layer of customization that you didn't have in previous versions of the shell, and you can experiment with transparency and you can achieve the glass-morphism effect that is popular in today's operating systems.
Third-party applications for control centre replacement
If built-in tools are not enough, third-party apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, replacing Xiaomi’s standard control center entirely. One of the most popular solutions is iOS 14/15’s Control Center app or Android 12 analogs, which emulate the interface of other systems, such programs intercept the system swipe event and display their own window on top of the system.
Installing these applications requires a wide range of permissions, including notification access and the ability to display on top of other windows, so that the curtain can appear at any time and in any application, after installation, you need to go to the phone settings, find the Special Features section and activate the service for the selected application.
| Annex | Style. | Demands a Root. | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control Center iOS | iOS 15/16 | No. | Got it. |
| Quick Settings | Android 12+ | No. | No. |
| Custom Control Center | Your design. | No. | There is. |
| Material You Widgets | Material Design | No. | Partially. |
When using third-party control centers, there is often a problem with displaying the curtain on the lock screen or in full-screen applications. To solve this, in the settings of the replacement application, you need to find the item “Display on the lock screen” and allow access. You may also need to turn off the standard Xiaomi control center, if such an option is provided by the developer of the modification.
☑️ Check before installing a substitute
Modifying system files through the Theme Editor
For advanced users who want to change not just the style, but the structure of the curtain elements without installing heavy applications, there is a method of editing themes through a PC. This will require Miui Theme Editor and a basic understanding of the structure of Android files.
The process begins with decompiling any basic theme or creating a new one from scratch. control_center, Replacing.png files with your own (keeping the original name and size), you can achieve a unique visual style that will work natively and not consume CPU resources in the background.
After making changes, the theme is compiled back into.mtz format and installed on a smartphone. This method requires caution, since incorrect image sizes can lead to a “gotten” layout or the disappearance of controls. MIUI 13 strictly checks the integrity of the themes, so you may need to use the Miui Signature Tool to sign the modified file.
⚠️ Note: Editing system themes can lead to a cyclic bootloop if critical system resources are affected.
The advantage of this method is that it has the complete nativity of the changes, and it will work quickly, without the delays that are typical of third-party emulator apps, and you can create a theme that fits perfectly with your wallpaper using precise color codes and shapes.
Customization of brightness and sound sliders
Special attention should be paid to the brightness and sound sliders, which in MIUI 13 received a vertical orientation and an updated design. Users often want to change their color or shape. This is difficult to do with standard means, but some themes allow you to change the color palette of sliders depending on the chosen wallpaper (the Material You feature, which came from Android 12).
To activate automatic color change of interface elements under the wallpaper, go to Settings → Wallpaper and personalization. Here you can choose a static color or enable dynamic change. This applies not only to sliders, but also to the buttons in the notification curtain, making the interface more whole and pleasant to the eye.
If you want to change the behavior of sliders, such as making adjustment steps smoother or changing the direction of the swipe, without root rights, this is almost impossible. However, there are modules for Magisk (if you have a bootloader unlocked), such as MIUI Extras, which allow you to fine-tune the behavior of system components, including brightness pitch and sensitivity.
Secrets of sound tuning
Problems and solutions in customization
When changing the design of the curtain, users often face typical problems: one of the most common is the conflict between a third-party control center and system navigation gestures; a swipe to open the curtain can be overlaid by a swipe to return or switch applications, this is solved by adjusting the sensitivity of the edges of the screen or temporarily switching to button navigation.
Another problem is status desynchronization. You can turn off Wi-Fi in a third-party curtain, but the status bar icon will remain active. This is treated by restarting the interface service or restarting the device. Also, consider that Android security updates can block older versions of replacement apps, requiring them to be constantly updated.
And the power of Power Saving Mode, in which the system can force the background processes of third-party curtain control applications to shut down, causing the swipe to stop working, so you add the application to the exception list and stick it in memory.
💡
The stability of the custom curtain depends on the correctness of the issued permits and the absence of aggressive optimization of the battery on the part of the system.
In conclusion, replacing the curtain with the Xiaomi MIUI 13 is a creative process that requires a technical understanding of how the system works. From simple themes to complex modifications, everyone can find a balance between aesthetics and functionality.