Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 smartphone often face the desire to personalize the interface of the device, making it more convenient or visually appealing. The standard shell MIUI provides a basic set of tools, but many users want to change the appearance of the control panel and notifications, popularly known as the “curtain”. It is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also ergonomics, because these elements we address dozens of times a day.
It's worth noting that the system limitations of the shell do not allow you to simply take and replace a standard component with an arbitrary one without the use of additional tools. However, there are proven methods that allow you to bypass these limitations or significantly expand the functionality. We will consider both the regular configuration options and the installation of third-party applications that give you complete control over the appearance. Get ready to dive into the world of customization of your gadget.
Features of the MIUI interface on the Redmi Note 7
The MIUI shell, installed on the Redmi Note 7 out of the box, has its own unique operating logic that differs from pure Android.The notification curtain here is divided into two independent areas: the left side where app notifications are located, and the right side where quick access switches are located. This two-tier system may seem unusual after other smartphones, but it allows you to keep the screen less cluttered.
It is important to understand that without obtaining Superuser (Root) rights or deep flashing, you can not directly replace the system files of the interface. Xiaomi's security policy blocks the modification of critical components of the system, which is why most methods of "replacement" are either installing launchers or using special overlay applications that block the standard curtain with their version.
⚠️ Warning: Any manipulation of system files or installation of applications from unknown sources can cause the device to work in an unstable way.Be sure to create a full backup of important data before starting experiments.
The user experience on the Redmi Note 7 is very much dependent on the version of the firmware installed. In global versions of MIUI, some features may differ from Chinese builds. For example, the style of icons in the curtain or the way notifications are grouped can vary. So if you see screenshots with a different interface, it may be related to the firmware region.
Staff settings of the control panel and notifications
Before you start installing third-party software, it makes sense to explore the built-in customization capabilities in detail. Many users don't realize that MIUI allows you to configure information in a fairly flexible way. You need to go to the settings menu by selecting Notifications and status bar, and there are many useful options hidden here.
In this section, you can control the display of app icons, the blinking speed of the indicator, and even hide certain notifications from the eyes of outsiders. You can also adjust the display of frame rates or battery power in real time. These parameters do not change the "design" dramatically, but make the use of the interface more comfortable.
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Use the Hide Content feature in notification settings so that when unlocking your phone, text messages from messengers will not be displayed if someone else is using the screen.
The Switch Editing section is worth a special attention, and by pulling the curtain down to the end and clicking on the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots), you get access to the full list of available toggles.
- 📱 Change the order of the quick access buttons by dragging them with your finger.
- 🚫 Remove rarely used switches to avoid cluttering the screen.
- ➕ Add hidden default features like screen recording or reading mode.
- 🎨 In some themes, the color gamut of the switch buttons themselves is changing.
Remember that the number of visible switches depends on the orientation of the screen and resolution. Redmi Note 7 with its resolution of 2340×1080 fits enough elements, but in portrait mode there may be fewer of them than in landscape.
Using design themes to change style
The safest and most legal way to dramatically change the appearance of the notification curtain on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is to use the Theme app. The official MIUI store has thousands of designs, many of which completely redraw icons, brightness sliders and the background of the control panel.
To find the right design, open the Themes app and search for queries like "Notification," "Control Center" or "iOS style." Pay attention to the preview: often theme writers show what the unlock and curtain will look like. After loading the theme, not only the wallpaper is used, but also the style of the system elements.
But there's a caveat: not all topics change the structure of the curtain. Some only change the icons. To find a theme that changes the layout, you need to look at descriptions or comments. Often users share screenshots of the ones that are installed that help you figure out if it's right for you.
If a standard theme store doesn't work, you can use third-party theme stores, but this requires more caution. Installing themes from unreliable sources can lead to advertising or conflicting system processes. Always check the author's rating before installing.
Third-party applications for curtain customization
When regular funds are scarce, specialized applications from the Google Play Market come to the rescue, creating a layer on top of the standard interface, simulating a notification curtain of another design. One of the most popular solutions is the iOS 15 Control Center app or its counterparts, which turn Android into an iPhone.
These apps require permission to display over other windows and access notifications, and once installed and configured, you'll have access to advanced functionality: widget-style music management, background transparency, icon size adjustment, and a full replacement for the standard curtain.
☑️ Setting up the side curtain
It is worth considering that using such “additions” can consume additional battery power, since the process is constantly hanging in memory, waiting for a swipe. In addition, on the Redmi Note 7 with its Snapdragon 660 processor, heavy animations may not work perfectly smoothly if many applications are running in the background.
⚠️ Note: When installing curtain replacement applications, the system can warn of potential danger.This is the standard Android response to requesting notification permissions. Only allow access to trusted high-rated applications.
Among the popular applications can be distinguished:
- 🔔 Notification Widget – allows you to display notifications in the form of a widget on the desktop, bypassing the standard curtain.
- 🎚️ Quick Settings – adds additional switches that are not in stock MIUI.
- 🎨 Material Notification Shade – Returns the classic Android notification look if the style is different MIUI You don't like it.
Advanced Setup via ADB and Launchers
For those who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of hidden configuration through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), connecting the Redmi Note 7 to a computer, you can send commands that change the system parameters that are not available in the usual menu, for example, force to include old notification styles or change the density of elements.
To work with this method, you need to turn on the Developer Mode (clicking 7 times on the build number in About Phone) and activate Debugging over USB. Then, by connecting the device, you can enter commands to hide certain interface elements or change the behavior of the status bar.
adb shell wm density 400This command, for example, will change the pixel density (DPI), which will visually reduce or increase all interface elements, including the curtain. However, be careful: setting too high values can make the interface unreadable, and you will have to reset the settings through recovery.
List of hidden ADB commands for MIUI
Also worth mentioning is the installation of third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. Although they primarily change the desktop, some have their own notification widgets that can partially replace the functionality of the standard curtain if configured accordingly.
Comparison of methods of customization of the interface
To make it easier for you to choose the right way to change the curtain on your Redmi Note 7, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the risks, complexity and visual effects of each method.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Impact on the battery | Visual effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staffing arrangements | Low. | Tall. | No. | Minimum |
| MIUI themes | Low. | Tall. | No. | High-pitched |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Medium | Moderate. | Maximum |
| ADB team | Tall. | Low (risk of failure) | No. | Technical |
As you can see from the table, for most users, MIUI Themes are the best option. They are safe, easy to install and give excellent visual results. Substitute applications should only be installed if you want specific functionality that is not in the system.
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The middle ground for the Redmi Note 7 is a combination of a quality theme from the official store and fine-tuning the switches in the system menu, which gives a better balance between beauty and stability.