Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smartphone often think about personalizing the device to make it unique and more convenient for daily use. One of the most noticeable elements of the interface of the MIUI operating system is the top notification panel, which is popularly called “curtain”, changing its appearance allows not only to improve aesthetic perception, but also to add functional widgets that speed up access to settings.
The process of transforming a standard interface can range from a simple theme change to a deep modification of system files that requires superuser rights. In this guide, we will look at safe and effective ways to change the curtain on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 using built-in tools and proven applications. You will learn what methods are suitable for your version of firmware and how to avoid common customization errors.
It is worth noting that the standard MIUI shell has limited features to change the appearance without third-party software. However, the correct use of thematics and third-party launchers allows you to achieve impressive results. Next, we will discuss in detail each method available so that you can choose the most suitable option for your use case.
Standard methods of changing the topic through the “Themes” app
The easiest and safest way to change the look of the notification panel is to use the official Themes app preinstalled on every Xiaomi device, a method that doesn’t require root rights and minimizes the risk of system errors or smartphone malfunctions, with a huge library of designs created by both official designers and independent artists from around the world.
To get started, you need to run an app and search for keywords, and you need to type in queries like “Notification Bar,” “Control Center,” or simply the name of your desired style, like “iOS style” or “Black,” and then click “Download” and then “Apply,” and automatically replace the icons, wallpaper, and most importantly, the notification curtain design.
- 🎨 Tag Search: Use System tags or «UI» Finding themes that change system elements, not just wallpaper.
- 🔄 Preview: Always check the screenshots in the description before installing to make sure the curtain is actually changing.
- 🌍 Region of the store: changing the region in the profile settings (for example, India or Indonesia) opens up more topics.
It's important to understand that not all themes change the curtain completely. Some may only affect app icons or lock screens. So, careful examination of screenshots in the topic description is a must. If the curtain remains the same after applying the theme, then this design file does not affect this particular element of the MIUI interface.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, there is a risk of malicious code being introduced. Only use the proven Themes app inside the system.
Use of third-party applications for customization
If the built-in features of the store are not enough, specialized applications from Google Play come to the rescue. Programs like Notification Shade or Control Center iOS 14/15 allow you to completely replace the standard control panel with a custom, simulating the interface of other operating systems or offering advanced functionality.
The way these applications work is to create a layer on top of the system interface, and once you have installed and given the permissions you need (notification access, overlay over other windows), it intercepts the top-down swipe and displays its own panel, which gives you a lot of room to adjust the transparency, the size of the brightness sliders, and the location of the buttons.
However, this approach has its own peculiarities: Third-party panels can consume more battery power, as they are constantly active in the background to track swipes, and they can conflict with some navigation gestures or other applications that have priority display.
- 📉 Battery Optimization: In the phone settings, add the selected application to the power saving mode exceptions.
- ⚙️ Configure permissions: make sure the app is given the right to “Display on top of other apps».
- 🚫 Conflicts: Do not install two curtain replacement apps at the same time, this will lead to unstable operation.
When choosing an app, pay attention to user reviews for the Redmi Note 7. Screen resolution and side resolution can affect the correct display of elements. Some developers specifically adapt their products to popular models, which guarantees better compatibility.
Configure the control center in MIUI 12 and later
With the release of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, Xiaomi has introduced a new style of control center, separating the notification curtain and the quick settings panel. This change has been revolutionary for many users, allowing more convenient management of media and network connection. The owner of the Redmi Note 7, who received the update, can switch between the old and the new style.
To activate a new style, you need to go to the settings menu. The path usually looks like: Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Control Center. Here you can choose the option “New version” or “Classic version.” The new version offers larger sliders, split into two tabs and improved animation.
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If the Control Center option is not on the menu, try updating the Security and Themes app through the built-in app store to the latest version.
The new control center can edit the location of the tiles. (long press) on the icon in the quick settings panel allows you to drag and drop them, change order or hide unused functions. This makes managing the Redmi Note 7 more personalized without installing additional software.
| Function | Classical style | New Style (MIUI 12+) |
|---|---|---|
| Location. | All in the same curtain. | Divided: notifications on the left, settings on the right |
| Slideers | Little ones up there. | Large, isolated in separate blocks |
| Managing music | Mini player in notifications | A separate widget in the control center |
| Animation. | Standard. | Improved, with blurring effect |
It's worth noting that the new style may look unusual in the early days of use. However, after a short period of adaptation, most users note increased ergonomics. If you don't like the separation, you can always go back to the classic version in the same settings menu.
Application of modified system fonts
A less obvious but effective way to change the visual perception of the curtain is to install special fonts. Although the font primarily affects the text, in MIUI, some interface elements, including switch icons and dividers in the curtain, may depend on the typeface style chosen or the theme that comes with it.
To use the font, go to the Themes app and select the font tab (the A icon) and you can find thousands of options. Some fonts are paired with modified system icons, which indirectly affects the appearance of the notification panel. Once you load the font, click Apply and restart the device.
Secret codes for themes
It is important to monitor the readability of the text. too pretentious fonts can be poorly read in the background of notifications, especially if the background of the curtain is light or has low contrast. IPS-screen with good viewing angles, but font readability remains a priority for comfortable use.
- 👁️ Readability: Choose fonts with clear character boundaries for small notifications.
- 🎨 Integrated: Look for fonts that include an icon pack (Icon Pack).
- 💾 Reserve: Before installing system fonts, make sure you have a standard font in case you need to reset.
This method is more about fine-tuning than radical interface change, but when combined with a well-chosen theme, it can produce a unique result that other users do not.
Deep modification through Substratum and Root rights
For advanced users who want to gain full control over the look of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, there is a method using the rights of the superuser (Root) and the overlay manager Substratum.This allows you to change individual elements of the interface, including the background of the curtain, the color of the sliders and icons, with pixel-precision, regardless of the version of MIUI.
The root rights process begins with unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool on the computer, and then unlocking it, installs custom recaps (such as TWRP) that run the Magisk package through, and then you can install deep theme modules.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights cancels the warranty on the device and can lead to a breakage ("brick") if you do not do the right thing!
Using Substratum requires installing a special plugin for MIUI. Once the theme engine is activated, you can download overlays that redraw system resources. You can make the curtain completely transparent, change the background color to any shade or add a gradient that is not available in standard settings.
The main risk of this method is the ability to get a cyclic reboot if the selected overlay is incompatible with your firmware version, so it is critical to have access to Recovery mode to roll back changes before applying any changes through Substratum.
☑️ Checklist before Root-modification
Solving and eliminating bugs
During customization, Redmi Note 7 users may face various problems, such as missing notification icons or stopping the brightness slider after installing a new theme, often by cleaning the theme app cache or rebooting the interface.
If the curtain stops opening or is not displayed correctly (black screen instead of panel), try to go to Safe Mode. To do this, press the off button, and when the off icon appears on the screen, press and hold it. In Safe Mode, third-party themes are turned off, which allows you to delete the problem file.
Another common problem is to desynchronize the time or date in the curtain after changing the theme, which is treated by resetting the date and time settings to automatic, and it's also worth checking if the Do Not Disturb mode is on, which can hide some icons in the status bar.
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Most visual bugs after changing the theme are eliminated by simply restarting the device or resetting the theme to a standard “Classic” through the Theme app.
In case no methods help, and the interface is unstable, it is worth considering the possibility of a complete reset of the phone settings. Before that, be sure to save all the important data to external media or to the cloud storage.