How to make the curtain Xiaomi transparent: a guide to customization

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often aim to personalize their device’s interface by making it unique and visually appealing. The standard MIUI shell or the new HyperOS offer a lot of features, but some features, such as the transparency of the notification curtain, are hidden from the average user.

However, the desire to change the appearance of the system is understandable, because the transparent curtain gives the interface a lightness and modernity, and you can realize this effect in several ways, from using embedded themes to using third-party modules for advanced users. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, their pros and cons, and the risks associated with changing system files.

It’s worth noting that the transparency and options available depend heavily on the version of the operatic system and the model of your gadget. On older versions of Android and MIUI, the possibilities were wider, whereas modern versions of HyperOS have stricter security restrictions, but even in such conditions, enthusiasts find workarounds to achieve the desired visual style.

Use of built-in design themes

The safest and easiest way to change the look of the notification curtain is to use the official Theme app. Developers from around the world create designs that completely replace system icons, fonts and, importantly for us, interface elements, including the notification bar.

To start, you need to open a standard Themes app on your device. In the search box, type in keywords such as "transparent", "glass", "clear" or "transparent curtain." The selection algorithms often work in English, so using English queries can give a more extensive result.

Carefully study the preview of the theme before installation. Often in the description or screenshots you can see exactly what the curtain looks like. Some themes only change the background, making it translucent, while others add a blur effect (blur), which looks more aesthetically pleasing on modern screens.

Once you have selected the appropriate design, click Download and then Apply. The system may suggest a reboot or simply apply changes instantly. If the result does not suit you, you can always go back to the standard "No Limits" or "Classic" theme in the theme app settings.

Setting up the blur effect in HyperOS and MIUI 14

In newer firmware versions like MIUI 14 and HyperOS, Xiaomi has introduced native support for the background blur effect in the notification curtain. It's not full transparency in the classical sense, but visually it looks very modern and fits with design trends.

To activate or customize this effect, go to the Settings menu. Find the section related to Screen or Wallpaper and personalization. The path may vary depending on the regional version of the firmware (Global, China, EEA).

In some cases, you need to activate additional options through the developer menu. To do this, click on the build number seven times in the About Phone section, then go to Advanced Settings → For Developers. Look for items related to UI or visual effects.

⚠️ Attention: Including experimental features in the developer menu can lead to unstable interface operation or increased battery consumption. Change settings only if you understand their purpose.

And the transparency effect is often influenced by the wallpaper you choose, and it automatically analyzes the image on your desktop and selects the level of blur for the curtain, and you can try to set up bright, contrasting wallpapers, which will enhance the visual effect of depth.

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Use live wallpaper with smooth gradients so that the blur effect in the curtain manifests itself most beautifully and dynamically changes during interaction.

Application of third-party launchers

If the built-in tools don’t work, you can use an alternative launcher, and applications like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or specialized Android shells allow you to get deeper into the visual style of the system.

However, it is worth understanding the limitation: most third-party launchers only operate the desktop and docking bar. the Control Center in MIUI is a system component that launchers often cannot change without root rights.

However, there are launchers that claim to support customization of system elements. Once installed, the launcher must be designated as the default one. This is done through Settings → Applications → Application Management → By default.

For advanced users, there is a bundle of launchers with plagiar ones. For example, using Nova Launcher paired with plugins for the control panel allows you to create the illusion of complete transparency, although technically it will be a separate layer on top of the standard curtain.

Modification of system files (Root rights)

For those who want to have absolute control over the look, there is a root-rights method, the most powerful, but also the most risky, that requires unlocking the bootloader and setting the superuser rights through Magisk.

The method is to directly replace the system's graphics resources, and the files that render the curtain are in the system partition, and you'll need file managers with root access, like MT Manager or Root Explorer.

The process is as follows:

1. Get root access through Magisk.

2. Search for the system apk file that is responsible for SystemUI or Control Center.

3. file decompilation, search for image resources (png/webp) responsible for the background curtain.

4. Replace the standard background with a fully transparent image or image with the desired level of the alpha channel.

5. Compilation and signature of the file, followed by its replacement in the system.

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/new_control_center.apk /system/priv-app/ControlCenter/ControlCenter.apk




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect modification of the SystemUI file will result in bootloop (cyclic reboot).The phone will stop turning on and you will need to flash through Fastboot with complete data cleanup.

There are ready-made modules for Magisk that automate this process, called the Transparent Status Bar or MIUI Transparent Notification, and installing this module through the Magisk Manager app changes files automatically when you boot the system.

Comparison of customization methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have compiled a comparison table that will help you assess the risks and labor costs of each method.

As you can see from the table, the best choice for the average user is the official themes, which provide a balance between the appearance and stability of the device, and the Root methods are suitable only for test devices or experienced modders.

Also, consider that after updating the firmware, all manual changes to system files will be lost, and in the worst case, lead to version conflict and errors. Themes from the store are updated by developers or require manual reinstallation, which is safer.

Frequent problems and their solution

In the process of customization, users may face a number of common problems, such as when the theme is installed, the curtain becomes transparent, but the text is no longer readable, due to low contrast.

To solve this problem, try changing the wallpaper to darker or lighter, depending on the color of the font, and in the theme settings, there is often an option “Clock style” or “Color of text”, which should be changed manually.

Another common problem is the appearance of artifacts or “broken” pixels in the curtain area after installing the root module, which indicates that the graphic resources of your version of MIUI are incompatible with the module.

• 📱 Check out the Android version: Resources for Android 11 Not suitable for Android 13/14.
• 🔄 Backup: Before any changes, keep a copy of the original files.
• 🚫 Avoid conflicts: Do not install multiple modules that change SystemUI at the same time.

If the phone starts to run slower after installing a heavy theme with lots of animations, just delete it. The transparency and blur effects require GPU resources, and on budget models, this can affect the smoothness of the interface.

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System stability is always more important than visual effects, and if customization causes lags or heat, it's best to go back to standard design.