How to make another curtain on Xiaomi: full instructions

The Android operating system interface in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS from Xiaomi is famous for its functionality, but the standard appearance of the system elements sooner or later ceases to please the eye. Many users, when buying a new smartphone, immediately think about how to personalize the device to their tastes. One of the most noticeable elements of the interface with which we interact daily is the notification panel and quick settings, popularly called the “curtain”.

Changing the design of this element can dramatically change the perception of the entire interface, making it more modern, concise or, conversely, bright and rich. Standard features of the system are often limited, but the Xiaomi ecosystem provides many tools for deep modification. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to change the appearance of the curtain, from built-in themes to advanced methods of installing third-party launchers.

You don't have to be a programmer or root-rights to get an impressive result, but we're going to look at safe methods that don't violate the warranty, but still get the visual effect you want. It's important to understand that each method has its own compatibility features with Android versions and specific device models.

Built-in thematics capabilities through the “Themes” app

The easiest and safest way to change the look of the notification curtain is to use the official Theme app, which is preinstalled on every Xiaomi device. The company has created a huge library of designs, where changing the curtain often comes complete with new icons and wallpaper. To find the right option, you need to open the application and use the search or categories.

The Themes app search bar recommends you type in queries related to your desired style, such as “iOS”, “Minimal”, “Black” or “Neon.” Many authors create themes that only change system elements without affecting desktop wallpaper. After selecting a theme, pay attention to the preview: it usually shows what the control panel will look like.

However, it is worth considering that not all themes apply fully. In modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS, when installing a theme, you can select components, and check only the necessary elements, leaving, for example, standard wallpaper, but changing the control panel and lock screen.

• 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the Profile section (the person in the corner).
• 🎨 Click on the “Settings” button (cogs) and select “Designing».
• 🎨 Make sure the “Apply theme to system modules” option is enabled if it is available in your version.
• 🎨 When installing a new theme, carefully read the description, the author could indicate compatibility with your model.

If the standard theme store in your region is limited or does not offer the desired variety, you can try changing the region in the smartphone settings. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Region and selection, for example, India or Indonesia, can open access to other sets of themes. Once you set the desired design, the region can be returned back, although in some cases the themes may stop updating.

Use of third-party launchers and system modifiers

When built-in tools are scarce, third-party launcher apps and customization utilities come to the rescue. Launchers replace the desktop, but many of them, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, have limited ability to change the notification curtains. Deep modification requires more specific tools.

One popular solution is to use design applications that create a layer on top of the system interface, programs like Control Center — iOS Style or analogues — completely replace the standard quick setup panel with custom, and they emulate the functionality of the curtain, intercepting system calls and displaying their interface.

⚠️ Warning: Installing applications that replace the system curtain requires broad permissions, including notification access and display over other windows.This can lead to increased battery consumption and occasional interface lags on weak devices.

For users looking for stability, module applications that work in conjunction with system settings without completely replacing the interface are a great option, allowing you to change the transparency, the location of the brightness and sound sliders, and the color range of buttons.

When choosing third-party software, pay attention to the date of the last update by the developer. If the application has not been updated for more than a year, there is a high probability that it does not work correctly with new versions of Android 13 or Android 14. Version mismatch may lead to the fact that the curtain will “fly out” or not display battery status.

Customization of the style of the control panel in HyperOS and MIUI 14

With the release of the HyperOS shell and updated versions of MIUI 14, Xiaomi has introduced new personalization capabilities that were previously only available through third-party software. Now users can legally change the style of the control center, switching between the classic look and style, reminiscent of iOS.

To access these settings, you need to go to the Settings menu → Notifications and Control Center → Control Center Style. There are two main options: Classic and New. The classic version is a single notification and switch tape that is lowered from top to bottom. The new style separates notifications and control buttons, calling the last swipe on the top right.

Choosing a "New" style automatically changes the visual design of the buttons, making them more rounded and adding animation when pressed. This is the most stable way to get a "different" curtain, since it is fully integrated into the system and does not cause conflicts.

It is important to note that depending on the firmware region (Global, China, EEA), menu item names may vary slightly. If you do not find the specified path, search for settings by typing in the "Control Center" or "Control Center" query. It is also worth checking for system updates, as this feature may not be available in older builds.

Editing system files and advanced customization

For advanced users who don't like standard options, there is a method of editing the theme system files, which allows you to embed design elements from any theme, even if they are not installed entirely. XML-Configuration within the System Theme.

To implement this method, you will need a file manager with access to system partitions (e.g., a file manager, MT Manager or Root Explorer) and the theme itself in.mtz format. The process involves unpacking the theme, searching for files responsible for rendering the curtain (usually this is the case with the.mtz file). control_center or notification_panel), and replace.

The path to systemic themes often looks like this:


/data/system/theme/current




or




/data/system/theme/data/com.android.thememanager

After replacing files, you need to restart the device or restart the SystemUI process. Be extremely careful: error in syntax XML-file or damage to graphics resources can result in a bootloop or black screen.Always back up the original files before making changes.

⚠️ Warning: Modifying system files can compromise system integrity and lead to denial of warranty service, a method recommended only for devices you would risk experimenting with and requires a full backup of data.

There are also special modules for LSPosed (a framework that does not require full flashing, but requires an unlocked bootloader), such as XiaomiEu Tools or GravityBox. They allow you to change the parameters of system elements through the GUI, including curtain height, background transparency and animation, without manually editing the code.

Solution: The curtain doesn't change or disappears

In customization, users often face problems when the theme is dropped after a reboot or interface elements are not displayed correctly. One common reason is aggressive battery optimization in MIUI, which kills the theme theme or third-party launchers.

To prevent a theme from being reset, you need to go to the Topic app settings (or launcher you are using), go to the Battery section and select No Limits mode. It is also recommended to lock the application in memory by locking it in the list of running tasks (swipe down the application window).

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If the theme has lost icons or the text is unreadable, try the Themes app to go to profile → click on the brush icon → select Restore by default. This will return the standard elements, and then you can try to apply the theme again.

Another problem is that the resolution is incompatible, and if you use a theme created for a smartphone with a different aspect ratio, the curtain elements can go off the screen or stretch, and in such cases, using the Substratum app (requires special rights) or searching for a theme marked "Universal" or "Global" helps.

If the curtain starts to twitch or brake when you open, try reducing the number of widgets in the control center. Also check if the "High Performance" mode is turned on in the battery settings, which sometimes conflicts with the interface animations. Resetting the theme settings to the factory often solves the problem of graphic artifacts.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Customization

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The most reliable way to get a unique curtain without risk to the system is to use official themes from the Xiaomi store in conjunction with the new style of the Control Center.

To sum up, there are many ways to change the curtain on Xiaomi devices, from simple menu settings to complex file modifications, it depends on your skills and willingness to experiment. Start with the official themes, and if the result doesn't work out, gradually move on to more sophisticated customization methods.