Creating a custom theme for Xiaomi: from idea to installation MIUI

You are tired of the standard topics in MIUI And you want to make your Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphone really unique? Creating your own theme is not only a way to stand out, but also an opportunity to tailor the interface to your needs, from color scheme to animations and sounds. Unlike buying ready-made solutions in the Mi Theme Store, self-development gives full control over every element – from application icons to fonts and wallpaper.

In this article, we will analyze the entire process: from design preparation to the final installation of the theme on the device. You will learn what tools you will need (including the official Mi Theme Editor and alternative solutions), how to work with.mtz files, and what pitfalls can arise when porting themes to different versions. MIUI. Particular attention will be paid to compatibility with the latest firmware based on Android 13/14 and nuances for devices with HyperOS.

What you need to create a Xiaomi theme: tools and requirements

Before you start designing, make sure you have everything you need. Minimum requirements are easier than they seem, but some nuances depend on the version. MIUI and smartphone models.

The main tool is Mi Theme Editor (official software from Xiaomi), but it has limitations: it works only on Windows, requires registration in Mi Account and does not support all interface elements in new firmware versions. MTZ Theme Editor or MIUI Theme Studio offers more freedom, but may require manual editing XML-file.

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (for Mi Theme Editor or macOS/Linux (alternative instruments).
• 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco on MIUI 12–14 HyperOS with unlocked bootloader (for testing).
• 🎨 Graphic Editors: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP or Figma for creating icons and wallpaper.
• 📁 Archivator (7-Zip WinRAR for working with.mtz files.
• 🔧 ADB-tools (optional, for debugging and installing themes manually).

Important: If you plan to distribute your theme, sign up as a developer at the Mi Theme Store.This is not necessary for personal use, but without a developer account, you will not be able to upload themes to the official store.

Step 1: Designing a Theme Design – Where to Start

The first step is not to draw icons, but to create a concept: decide which style you want to embody: minimalism, neon cyberpunk, retro design or something unique. View popular themes in the Mi Theme Store (Top section) and note which elements you like and which you want to change.

Make a list of components that you will customize:

• 📱 Application icons (size) 192×192 px MIUI 12+).
• 🎨 Wallpaper (for locking and main screen, resolution at least) 2160×1920 px).
• 🔤 Fonts (supported formats.ttf and.otf).
• 🎵 Sounds (notifications, alarm clock, unlocking - format.mp3 or.ogg).
• 🖼️ Interface elements: notification panels, switches, buttons.

Critical moment: in MIUI 14 HyperOS has changed the theme structure – some elements (such as animations transition between screens) are now stored in separate.json files. XDA Developers or in telegram channels like @miuithemes.

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Use Flaticon to search for free SVG-Icons – they are easy to adapt to size MIUI Figma or Photoshop.

Step 2: Creating icons and graphic elements

Icons are the face of your theme, and they should be not only beautiful, but also functional: they should read well against dark and light backgrounds, be sized. 192×192 px (for px) MIUI 12–14) and have a transparent background (.png).

Design recommendations:

• 🎯 Single style: If you choose a flat design, stick to it for all icons. 3D, gradients.
• 🌈 Color palette: limit yourself to 3-4 primary colors. Use Coolors to match harmonious combinations.
• 🔍 Testing: Check how icons look on your smartphone screen (especially on your smartphone screen) AMOLED-displays where black is really black).

Templates can be used to speed up the process:

1. Download the MIUI icon template: [link to XDA](https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/miui-icon-template.3824567/)


2. Open in Photoshop/GIMP and place your images in layers.




3. Export each icon to.png with the name corresponding to the application package (e.g. com.android.chrome.png).

If you are not an artist, use the icon generators:

Icon Kitchen (for adaptive icons)

Android Asset Studio (from Google)

- MIUI Icon Changer (Android app but requires root).

Step 3: Working with Mi Theme Editor – Build theme

When the graphic elements are ready, start assembling the theme in Mi Theme Editor. Download it from the official Xiaomi website (link is relevant to the site). 2026 year: MTEditor.zip). Install the program and log in via Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

1. Create a new project: File → New Theme.
2. Choose a basic theme (like Default or Dark Mode) and it will be the basis for your customization.
3. Import your icons: go to the Icons section, click Import and select the folder with.png files.
4. Customize wallpapers: In the Wallpapers section, upload images for the home screen and lock screen.
5. Add fonts and sounds (optional) in the appropriate tabs.
6. Export theme: File → Export, select the.mtz format.

Note: Mi Theme Editor does not support all HyperOS elements.If your theme is designed for new devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 14 or Redmi Note 13), Some parameters will have to be manually edited through editing. description.xml inside the.mtz archive.

Step 4: Installing theme on Xiaomi smartphone

You have to transfer the.mtz file to your smartphone and install it. There are three ways to do this:

Method 1: Mi Theme Editor (official)

If you're logged in, the theme will automatically appear in the "My Topics" section of the Topics app on your smartphone. Update the themes list by swiping down and apply yours.

Method 2: Manual installation via file manager

1. Copy the.mtz file into a folder /sdcard/MIUI/theme/ smartphone.
2. Open the Topics app, go to My My → Import and select your file.
3. After importing the theme will appear in the list of available.

Method 3: Through ADB (for power users)

If the theme doesn’t want to be installed in a standard way (a common problem on HyperOS), use the command:

adb push your theme.mtz /sdcard/MIUI/theme/


adb shell am broadcast -a miui.intent.action.CHANGE_THEME --ez extra_theme_auto_apply true -n com.android.themes/.receiver.ThemeChangeReceiver

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On HyperOS devices before installing themes through ADB I need to get the debugging on. USB and allow access for the computer to the Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times to activate the developer mode).

Attention! ⚠️ On some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global for European devices) third-party themes may be blocked:

• Install MIUI EU ROM (Unofficial firmware with unlocked functions).
• Use Magisk modules like this MIUI Theme Manager.
• Manual patch system files (requires root).

Step 5: Testing and debugging theme

Even if the topic is established, it doesn't guarantee it will work properly.

• 🔍 Icons: Check that all apps have new icons (especially system ones: Settings, Phone, Messages).
• 📱 Wallpaper: Make sure they don’t stretch or trim on the lock screen.
• 🎵 Sounds: Test notifications, alarm clock and unlock sound.
• 🖥️ Interface: Check notification panels, switches in Quick Settings, buttons in Settings.

Typical problems and their solutions:

Attention! ⚠️ If the smartphone starts to brake or overheat after applying the theme, it is likely that the problem is too heavy graphic elements (for example, animations in.gif instead of.webp.

Step 6: Post a theme in the Mi Theme Store (optional)

If you want to share your theme with others, you can upload it to the official Mi Theme Store.

1. Register as a developer at themes.xiaomi.com.
2. Fill out the profile: provide the name, description and examples of the work.
3. Download the.mtz file through the developer panel.
4. Wait for moderation (can take up to 7 days).

Publication requirements:

• 📌 The topic should be unique (not a copy of existing ones).
• 📌 All graphic elements are in high resolution.
• 📌 No watermarks or advertisements.
• 📌 Support for at least 2 languages (English) + one-on-one).

If a theme is approved, you can earn revenue from downloads (Xiaomi pays developers for popular themes), the average price of themes in a store is 1-3 dollars, but free themes can also score millions of installs.

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To increase your chances of approval, add support for dark mode and adaptive icons for tablets (if you plan on compatibility with the Xiaomi Pad).

FAQ: Frequent questions about creating themes for Xiaomi