How to change the control center on Xiaomi: all the ways and subtleties of setting up

Why Change the Control Center to Xiaomi and What It Can Do

The control center (or notification panel) on Xiaomi smartphones is a key interface element that is responsible for quick access to settings, notifications and system functions. By default, it is configured for standard tasks, but many users want to personalize it to their needs: add frequently used switches, remove unnecessary ones, change order or even return the old design from previous versions of MIUI.

With the release of HyperOS and the MIUI 14/15 updates, the logic of the control center has changed: new gestures, changes in the location of elements, and some functions moved to other menus, which caused discontent among some users, especially those who are accustomed to the classic look of the panel. Fortunately, on all modern Xiaomi smartphones (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14), the control center can be configured flexibly โ€“ both through standard settings and using hidden features of the system.

In this article, we will examine:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ How to return the old control center MIUI 12) on new firmware
  • โšก How to Add/Remove Fast Switches and Change Their Order
  • ๐Ÿ‘† How to set up gestures to call the panel (swipe down from different sides of the screen)
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Hidden Control Center Features That 90% of Users Donโ€™t Know About
  • ๐Ÿšจ What to do if the control panel does not open or glitches
๐Ÿ“Š What version? MIUI/HyperOS You're using it?
MIUI 12 or older
MIUI 13/14
HyperOS (MIUI 15)
I don't know my version.

Method 1: Standard configuration through system parameters

The easiest way to change the control center is to use the built-in MIUI/HyperOS settings. This method works on all current Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi, POCO and flagship Xiaomi 13/14 models.

To start setting up:

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Go to the Notification Panel and Status bar.
  3. Select Control Center (in some versions, it may be called Quick Settings).

Here you will see three key sections:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Switch order - allows you to change the location of icons (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, etc.).
  • โž• Add switches โ€“ a list of all available features that can be displayed in the panel.
  • โš™๏ธ Additional settings โ€“ this hides display parameters (for example, whether to show shortcuts on a locked screen).

Add/remove switches (up to 12 pieces)| Change the order of icons by drag and drop |Enable shortcuts on the locked screen |Configure panel transparency (in HyperOS)

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Note that HyperOS now has the ability to configure the separation of the notification panel and the control center, and now swipe down from the upper right corner opens notifications, and from the left, quick settings. This can be disabled in the Gestures โ†’ Control Center section.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the desired switch is not in the list (for example, Read Mode or Game Turbo), try first to enable the corresponding function in the main settings menu - after that it will appear in the control center.

Method 2: Return of the old control center (up to MIUI 12)

Many users nostalgically recall the control center from MIUI 11/12, where the panel was smaller and the switches were in a row. In newer versions of the firmware, this design is hidden, but it can be returned using hidden developer mode or third-party applications.

Instructions for returning the old type:

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer").

Additional โ†’ For Developers

Control panel style

Use old control center

Old style

Reboot your smartphone.

If you donโ€™t have one, try an alternative method using ADB (computer required):

adb shell settings put global use_old_control_center 1
What happens if you turn on the old control center?
The old design will only return for quick customizations, the notification bar will remain new, and some features added to HyperOS (such as quick access to a smart home) may also be missing.

Important: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the old control center may not work correctly - the icons will be cropped or superimposed on each other.

โš ๏ธ Note: after major updates (for example, when switching from the MIUI 14 on HyperOS) old style control panel may reset.Check settings after updates!

Method 3: Customize gestures to call the control center

In MIUI and HyperOS, the control center can be called not only by a standard swipe down, but also by customized gestures, which is especially convenient on large screens (for example, Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 or POCO F5 Pro), where it is difficult to reach the top edge of the screen with one hand.

To tune the gestures:

  1. Open the settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Gestures.
  2. Select Control Center.
  3. Activate the Swipe down from any edge (only works from the top edge by default).
  4. Set the sensitivity of the gesture with a slider.

Important: With third-party launchers, the built-in MIUI control center remains active, just adding an alternate layer on top of it, and you need root rights to replace the panel completely.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before installing an alternative launcher, back up your current settings through Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Backup. Some launchers may reset the layout of the icons on your desktop.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the control center on Xiaomi

Can I bring the control center back from MIUI 10 to Xiaomi 13 with HyperOS?
Partly yes. You can turn on the old style of the panel through ADB, but there is no full backward compatibility - some elements (such as brightness or media player) will be displayed in the new design. Full rollback is only possible on custom firmware like Xiaomi.EU.
Why did some switches in the control center disappear after the update?
This is due to Xiaomiโ€™s policy of optimizing the interface, for example, HyperOS has removed a separate switch for NFC โ€” now it turns on automatically when approaching the terminal. To return old switches, try: Add them through Settings โ†’ Notification Panel โ†’ Add switches. Install a widget on the desktop (for example, for in-car mode).
How to remove ads from the control center on Redmi?
Ads in the notification panel appear on smartphones with global MIUI firmware for India, Russia or Global. To disable: Go to Settings โ†’ Memory โ†’ Cleanup. Turn off the Recommendations option. In Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Special Features โ†’ Notifications turn off Advertising Notifications. If the ad remains, install a patch through Magisk (root rights required).
Can I move the control center to the sidebar, like Samsung?
In standard firmware. MIUI/HyperOS It's not a function, but it can be used: ๐Ÿ“ฑ Edge Gestures (an app from Google Play, allows you to create a swipe from the edge of the screen to call the panel). ๐Ÿ”ง Tasker + AutoNotification plugin to create customized control center on the sidebar. Both options require customization and can conflict with system gestures.
Why does the control center open itself during the games?
It's because of random touches of the edge of the screen: ๐ŸŽฎ Enable Game Mode (Swipe from both sides in the game blocks the panel). ๐Ÿ”ง In gesture settings, reduce the width of the swipe zone for the control center. ๐Ÿ“ฑ Install Gaming Mode from the Mi App Store โ€“ it blocks all system gestures while playing.