How to make a transparent curtain on Xiaomi: full instructions

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer users many ways to customize the interface. One of the most popular requests among owners of these devices is to change the appearance of system elements, in particular, notification curtains. Many users want to see not just a standard white or black background, but a transparent curtain that allows you to view content under notifications. This makes the interface more lively and personalized. However, standard means of the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, this feature is often hidden or absent completely.

In this article, we will look at all the available implementations, and we will look at both the built-in features of the system, which are often ignored, and third-party applications that require more in-depth intervention. It is important to understand that the level of access to system files directly affects the result. Some methods require root rights, while others work through debugging over USB. The choice of the particular method depends on your smartphone model and the version of the operating system.

Before you start taking action, you need to back up important data. Any manipulation of system settings or installation of modified components carries minimal risk. Also, consider that different versions of firmware (Chinese, global, EEA) may have different algorithms of actions. Next, we will describe each step in detail so that you can safely transform your gadget.

Built-in MIUI and HyperOS capabilities

The first thing to do is check your device's native settings. Xiaomi engineers periodically implement transparency features in various interface elements, but they are often hidden in themes. The standard shell does not always allow you to directly change the curtain transparency setting through the settings menu. However, using the Themes app can make a difference without the need to install additional software.

You'll need to go to a pre-installed app and search for keywords. Often designers create entire packages that only change the system icons and curtain. Once you load that the system changes, the curtain becomes semi-transparent or completely transparent depending on the designer's implementation, which is the safest method, because it doesn't violate the integrity of system files.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party themes from unofficial sources or through modified theme store clients, the system may block downloads due to signature verification.

If the standard theme store doesn't work, you should look at lock screen settings. Some versions of MIUI 13 and MIUI 14 have the ability to customize the style of widgets, which indirectly affects the perception of transparency of the interface. Go to settings, select the lock screen and experiment with styles. Sometimes just changing the font or style of the watch makes the notification area visually easier.

• 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the Profile section».
• 🔍 Enter the search for “Transparent”, “Clear” UI» or "Minimal».
• 📥 Download the theme and apply only the System or Notification component».
• ⚙️ Check the result in the notification curtain and control center.

Use of third-party launchers and applications

When built-in tools are scarce, third-party apps come to the rescue. The most effective way to make the curtain truly transparent and functional is to use specialized utilities. The leader in this niche is already the Notification Shades app, which allows you to completely replace the standard notification bar with a customized one that supports any degree of transparency.

The way these applications work is to create a layer on top of the system, and once installed, you'll be asked to provide the necessary permissions, including access to notifications and the right to display on top of other windows. Without these permissions, the program won't be able to intercept the jump from above. In the application settings, you can choose a ready-made transparency preset or manually configure it with a slider.

It's worth noting that using these applications can consume extra battery power. The background process constantly monitors the user's actions to show the custom curtain in time. On powerful Snapdragon processors, this is almost invisible, but on budget models of the older Redmi Note series, you can see a micro-freeze when you open.

Transparency widgets are an alternative to heavy applications, and they don't replace the curtain completely, but they add transparent elements to the desktop that mimic its functionality. However, if your goal is to replace the system panel, full-fledged replacement apps are the only option without root rights.

Advanced customization through ADB

For users who don’t want to install unnecessary apps but have minimal technical skills, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable, which allows you to send commands directly to the Android system, bypassing the graphical interface of settings, and can activate hidden flags or change transparency parameters if they are hidden by developers.

To get started, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to the settings, find the MIUI version and click on it 7 times. Then a new section will appear in the menu called "Additional" or "Extended settings", where you need to enable "Debugging by USB." Connect the phone to your computer and start the ADB console.

adb shell settings put global notification_shade_transparency 1

The command above is exemplary, as specific keys depend on the firmware version. Often you need to use commands to change the density of the DPI or specific parameters of window rendering. If you are not sure about the command, you should use graphical shells for ADB, such as ADB AppControl, where many hidden settings are displayed in the form of checkboxes.

⚠️ Note: Introduce incorrect commands through ADB This can cause a cyclic reboot of the device (bootloop). If after applying the settings, the phone stopped responding, load into Safe Mode and reset the changes.

The advantage of ADB is that it doesn't require superuser rights, and all changes are made to the current session or saved to the user's system settings, but it doesn't modify the system partition, which means simply resetting the settings back to factory settings will get it back to normal, which is a good bug insurance policy.

Modification of system files (Root access)

The most powerful (freedom of action) is the Root user, and the superuser rights that Magisk allows you to make changes directly to the SystemUI system files, and it's the file that is responsible for rendering the status bar, the notification curtain, and the control center, and by changing it, you can achieve the perfect transparency that other methods don't have.

For editing system files, file managers with root support are most often used, for example, MT Manager or Root Explorer. You'll need to find the file. framework-res.apk or miui-system-ui.apk directory /system/framework/ or /system/product/overlay/. Inside. APK-The file must be searched for resources responsible for the background color of the curtain (usually this is the XML file 9-patch picture).

The process of modification requires care. Once the code or resources are changed, the file must be collected back, signed and replaced, retaining the access rights (usually 644). Any error in the XML syntax or APK structure will cause the interface to not boot. Therefore, having a working Recovery (TWRP) and a backup of the system before work begins is a must.

There are also ready-made modules for Magisk that automatically make the necessary changes. Modules like Transparent Navigation Bar or MIUI Mods often contain options for a transparent curtain, which takes a couple of minutes to install and does not require manual code editing, making this the preferred option for most users with an unlocked bootloader.

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Before replacing any system file, be sure to copy its original version to a folder on the internal drive, which will quickly restore the phone to work in the event of a failure.

Solving compatibility issues

Xiaomi smartphone owners often find that methods that work on one model do not work on another, due to the severe fragmentation of shell versions. For example, on the global version of MIUI 12.5, the file structure may differ from the Chinese version of MIUI 13. If transparency does not appear, check the exact model of the device and the Android version.

A common problem is application conflict: if you have multiple programs installed to change the interface, they can block each other. Leave only one active solution. MIUI antivirus systems can block applications that change system windows, considering them suspicious. Add the selected application to the battery optimization exceptions and to the list of reliable ones.

Newer HyperOS devices have become more secure, and SELinux Enforcing can prevent modifications to system partitions even with root rights, unless the file context is changed, requiring flashing the device to the unlocked bootloader version and possibly disabling AVB 2.0 verification.

⚠️ Note: On Locked Bootloader devices, system file modification is not possible, and attempts to circumvent this restriction may result in a complete lockdown of the device by the Mi Account.

If after all the manipulations, the curtain has become transparent, but the text of the notifications merges with the background, you need to change the contrast. In the settings of the theme or substitute application, find the option "Shadow of text" or "Contour" and turn it on, which will ensure that the information is readable on any, even the brightest background of the desktop.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The most stable way to get a transparent curtain without risk to the system is to use specialized replacement apps from Google Play, rather than modifying system files.