How to change icons in the curtain Xiaomi: all the ways for MIUI 12-14

The notification curtain on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a quick-setting panel, but a real device control center. But not everyone knows that the icons at the top of the screen can not only be rearranged, but completely replaced with those that are used more often. And some do not even suspect that MIUI hides additional switches that are not in the standard set!

If you're tired of having unnecessary labels in the curtain (like Reading Mode or Battery Ultra-Savings) and the most important ones, like Hot Spot or Plane Mode, have to be searched for, this article is for you. We'll take a look at all the ways to customize the notification panel, including the hidden MIUI 14 features that aren't documented in the official instructions, and we'll also tell you how to get it back if something goes wrong.

Why is Xiaomi’s curtain missing the right icons?

Many users are faced with the fact that the quick settings panel lacks important switches - for example, NFS, Developer Mode or Blocking SIM-The reason is because Xiaomi has a policy of hiding some of the features so that it doesn't overload the interface for ordinary users, but that doesn't mean that they can't be returned!

Here are the main reasons why the badges are missing:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: In old assemblies (up to) MIUI 12) part of the switches were not available without root rights.
• 🔧 Regional restrictions: Global firmware (Global) ROM) Some features are disabled by default (for example, dual applications).
• 🛠️ Manufacturer Customization: On Devices POCO Black Shark or Black Shark icon sets may differ from the standard Redmi.
• 🔒 Security Limitations: Functions like Debugging USB or bootloader unlocks are hidden so users don’t accidentally turn on dangerous modes.

Fortunately, you can get around almost all of these limitations without root rights -- you just need to know the right sequence, and if you're using MIUI 14, you have another secret way, which we'll talk about at the end of this article.

Method 1: Standard Permutation of Icons (without root)

The easiest method that works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices is to manually rearrange icons through the edit menu. It requires no additional rights and takes less than a minute.

Here's how to do it:

1. Open the notification curtain by swiping your finger from top to bottom across the screen.
2. Click on the Pencil icon (Edit) in the lower right corner of the panel.
3. In the menu you will see two blocks: 🔝 Active icons (the ones that are displayed in the curtain now). 🔄 Available icons (those that can be added).

Press the icon you want and drag it to the top block. To remove the unnecessary, move it down.

"Done."

Note that this menu does not display all possible switches, only those that Xiaomi considers “safe” for ordinary users. To access hidden features, read the next section.

Method 2: Unlock hidden icons through the “Laboratory”

If the icons that are available are not available (e.g. Developer Mode or SIM Lock), it can be unlocked through the hidden Feature Lab menu, which works on MIUI 12-14, but requires developer mode activation.

Follow the instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Enter the Mi Account password if needed.

For developers

Functions laboratory

Special facilities

Show all icons in the notification panel

Reboot the phone.

After rebooting, additional icons will appear in the curtain editing menu, among them may be:

• 🔌 Debugging by USB (useful ADB-team).
• 📡 Lockdown SIM-cards (protection against theft).
• 🔄 Autosynchronization (for accounts) Google/Mi).
• 🛡️ Application protection (fast access to lock).

Method 3: Using ADB to control the curtain

If previous methods didn’t work and you need full control of the notification panel, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the phone to your computer, but allows you to add any system switches, including those that are usually hidden.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB smartphone.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Enter the command to unlock all icons: adb shell settings put global settings_provider_model false
4. Reboot the phone.
5. After the reboot, open the curtain editing - now there will be all possible switches, including system switches.

⚠️ Attention! Some icons (such as the Engineering Menu Mode or the Equipment Test) can cause your phone to run in an unstable way.

adb shell cmd statusbar reset

This will bring everything back to factory parameters without losing data.-->

Table: What icons can be added to the curtain Xiaomi

Below is a table with the most useful icons you can add to the notification panel and their purpose. Please note: availability depends on the phone model and version of MIUI.

If the table doesn’t have the icon you want, try looking for it in the edit menu after using Method 2 or 3. For example, some devices have unique switches like Game Turbo (for Black Shark) or Second Space (for MIUI China ROM).

Problem Solving: What to do if the icons are not saved?

Sometimes, after editing the curtain, users find that the changes are not saved, the icons are reset or the panel starts to glitches. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

• 🔄 Badges Reset After Rebooting: Reason: Conflict with Optimizer MIUI. Solution: Open Settings → Annexes → Application management. Find an optimizer. MIUI And turn off the auto-start for it.

You can't drag the badge into the active area.

Reason: firmware restriction. Solution:

• Update MIUI to the latest version.
• Use ADB as described in Method 3.

The badge is there, but it doesn't work when pressed

Cause: System failure. Solution:

adb shell pm clear com.android.systemui

This command will reset the interface settings without losing data.

⚠️ If after manipulating the curtain, the phone starts to brake or fly out in Safe Mode, reset the interface settings: adb shell cmd overlay reset This will return all visual elements to the factory settings.

The Secret Way for MIUI 14: Customization through Themes

The latest versions of MIUI 14 offer a unique opportunity to change not only the icon set, but also their appearance through the Theme app, allowing for example, replacing standard icons with minimalist, color or even animated ones.

How it works:

1. Open the Topic app (usually preinstalled).
2. Go to the Notifications Curtain section (may be called the Control Panel).
3. Choose your favorite style from the ones you like (for example, iOS, Material You or Minimalism).
4. Press Apply.

Limitations of this method:

• ✅ It only works on MIUI 14 and newer.
• ❌ Not all themes support icon change (premium options only).
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI style may be thrown off.

If you don’t like the options, you can download additional themes from the Mi Theme Store (not available in all regions).

1. In the Topic app, click on the Download icon (cloud with arrow).
2. In the search, type Notification Panel or Quick Settings.
3. Choose and install your favorite theme.

💡

Changing the style of the curtain through "Themes" is the only official way to change the design of icons without root rights. However, this only works on MIUI 14 and requires an Internet connection to download themes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi curtain