How to make a new curtain on Xiaomi: styles, settings and customization

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize the interface, making it more modern or functional. The standard notification panel provided by the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS can seem boring, especially if you are used to fresh design solutions or want to add unique widgets. The process of changing the appearance of the “curtain” does not require deep technical knowledge, but involves careful attention to the details of system configuration.

There are several ways to do this, from built-in design themes to customized applications that completely replace the system notification interface. Customization allows you not only to change the visual style, but also to add new features such as advanced music management, weather or quick access to frequently used applications. It is important to understand that the use of third-party launchers or panels can affect the power consumption of the device.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the methods available, from the safest and most regular to the more advanced options for power users. You’ll learn how to activate hidden features, where to look for quality themes, and which apps have proven themselves best in 2026-2026. Xiaomi provides flexible enough tools for those willing to spend a little time learning settings.

Built-in personalization capabilities for MIUI and HyperOS

The first step to changing the look of the curtain should be to learn the standard features of your version of the operating system. Xiaomi engineers regularly update the shell design code, adding new locking styles and control panels. In recent versions of HyperOS, it has become possible to change the style of the watch and widgets on the lock screen, which is visually closely related to the overall aesthetic of the notification curtain.

To access the basic settings, go to Settings → Lock screen. Here you will find design options that can dramatically change the experience of the interface. For example, turning on Classic Style or switching to a minimalist design can create a sense of novelty without installing additional software.

⚠️ Warning: Using too heavy live wallpaper in combination with a lot of widgets on the lock screen can lead to increased battery consumption and micro-latency when opening the notification panel.

And the standard Themes app, which hides thousands of designs by both the company and independent artists, is changing not only icons, but also system controls, including volume sliders and a quick action bar, and search keywords like “Clean UI,” “iOS style,” or “Minimal” to find them.

Using the Themes app to change the curtain style

Themes is the most powerful tool in the industry to change the look of a smartphone, and it allows you to replace system resources, including the graphics of the notification panel. However, not all themes change the curtain completely; some only affect the app icons. To find a truly comprehensive design, you need to pay attention to the theme preview before installing.

The installation process is simple: open the app, go to the Profile tab (bottom right) and select Topics. Search for a query that matches your desired style, such as "Android 14 panel" or "Transparent status bar." After downloading the theme, click "Apply." The system can request a reboot or simply blink the screen, applying changes instantly.

It is important to note that global firmware versions can limit the theme catalog to Chinese versions. If you can't find the right theme, try changing the region in your smartphone settings to India or Nepal, which often opens up access to an extended directory without having to flash the device. Once you install the desired design, return the region back.

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Before applying a new theme, take a screenshot of your current desktop and curtain, which will help you get back to your familiar look faster if the new design is uncomfortable in everyday use.

Installing third-party notification panels through apps

If standard tools aren't enough, Google Play's specialized apps come to the rescue, replacing the system curtain entirely, with the leaders in this niche being apps like Power Shade, Control Center, or Shade Notification, which enable functionality that is not available in stock firmware, such as copying text from a notification with a single touch or an advanced media player.

Once you install an app, you'll need to give it a number of critical permissions. Android will be very alert to the risks, because it can access all of your notifications, and it's necessary to display them in the custom interface. Without permission to "access notifications" and "over other windows," the program won't work.

Let’s consider the algorithm of actions on the example of a typical panel installer:

• 📱 Download the selected application from the official Google Play store.
• 🔓 Provide all requested permissions, including access to storage to save settings.
• ⚙️ Turn on the “Start at boot” function to keep the panel running after the phone is restarted.
• 🎨 Set up transparency, background blur and element size to your taste.

It should be noted that third-party panels may conflict with some system functions, such as Pocket Mode or navigation gestures, in which case you have to compromise in settings or disable individual functions of the substitute application.

Customize transparency and blur effects

One of the most popular features in customization is the transparency and bluer interface, which makes smartphone use more enjoyable. In standard MIUI settings, this option is often hidden or limited, but curtain replacement apps give you complete control over these parameters.

In most of these apps, you'll find "Background Blur" and "Opacity" sliders in the settings. The optimal value for opacity is 85-90%, which preserves text readability but allows the background wallpaper to shine through the panel. Blurring is better set to averages so as not to put too much strain on the GPU every time you open the menu.

When experimenting with colors, keep in mind contrast. If you use a dark theme, make sure the text of notifications stays light and clearly visible. Some apps allow you to set different profiles for day and night, which is a very useful feature for eye comfort.

Solving compatibility and productivity issues

Custom curtain installation is an interference with the system that doesn't always go smoothly. The most common problem is to de-synchronize the actual number of notifications and what the new panel shows. There are also cases where the curtain "flys out" or blocks the navigation buttons, in which case the first thing you need to check the energy saving settings.

MIUI aggressively kills background processes to save charge. To keep your new curtain stable, find it in the application list, go to Battery Consumption and select No Limits mode. It is also recommended to lock the application in memory by locking it in the list of recent tasks (usually by swiping down the application window in the running program menu).

⚠️ Warning: If after installing the new notification panel, the phone starts to heat up very hot in standby mode, immediately delete the application. Constant activation of the fingerprint sensor or screen for widgets to work can cause thermal trottling.

Another important aspect is compatibility with the Android version. Apps developed for Android 11-12 may not display correctly on Android 13-14 due to changes in the system notification code. Always check the date of the last app update in the store: if the developer has not updated the software for more than a year, the risk of bugs is extremely high.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Curtain Customization

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The best way to get a new curtain on Xiaomi is a combination of a quality theme from the official store and competent setting of permissions for the system. Use third-party applications only if the standard features are categorically lacking.