Creating your own themes for Xiaomi: from idea to smartphone installation

Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco based on the proprietary shell MIUI They allow you to customize the interface deeply, from wallpaper to app icons, but what if the themes you're using on the Theme don't reflect your style? Creating your own theme is a way to stand out, add uniqueness, or even make money selling your work in a store. In this guide, we will discuss the entire process: from design preparation to installing a theme on the device, including bypassing restrictions. MIUI and solving typical errors.

It is important to understand that MIUI It uses its own theme format (.mtz), which includes not only graphic elements, but also configuration files for system components, which means that creating a complete theme will require not only artistic taste, but also basic knowledge of working with archives, XML-file-and-sometimes ADB. But don’t worry: we’ll cover each stage in detail, including simplified methods for beginners.

This article is relevant for devices on MIUI 12-15 (including hyper-based versions) and covers both manual creation of themes through modification of system files, and the use of specialized tools such as: MIUI Theme Editor or MT Manager: If you’ve never done this before, start with simple changes (wallpaper, icons) and then move on to complex elements like animations or system fonts.

What's the subject? MIUI and what it is

Subject in MIUI — This is a file package with the.mtz extension that contains:

• 🎨 Graphic elements: wallpaper, application icons, notification icons, lock screensavers.
• 📝 Configuration files: XML-documents describing colors, fonts, styles of system menus.
• 🔄 Animations: transitions between screens, effects when pressing on elements.
• 📱 System modifications: changing the shape of notification panels, keyboard style, or even sounds.

The.mtz file is essentially repackaged. ZIP-It can be opened by any archiver (e.g., by an archiver, 7-Zip Or WinRAR) and manually edit content, but it's important to keep the folder structure and file names intact to work properly. MIUI They just ignore your changes.

Xiaomi Officially Provides a Tool MIUI Theme Editor (available only for Chinese versions) MIUI), But it's limited in functionality. MT Manager or manual editing through ADB give more freedom, but require caution – incorrect changes can lead to interface failures.

Preparation: tools and requirements

Before you start creating a theme, make sure you have everything you need:

The device Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco on MIUI 12–15

Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS

Archivator (7-Zip, WinRAR)

Image Editor (Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.NET)

Text editor (Notepad)++, VS Code)

Tools: MT manager or MIUI Theme Editor (optional)

The debugging bridge ADB (for advanced change)

Backup of device data

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For most tasks, a basic set of archivers and graphics editors will suffice, but if you plan to change system elements (for example, the style of the notification bar), you will need to:

• 🔧 ADB-Access: Enable Debugging by USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Click 7 times on the version to unlock Developer Settings).
• 📦 MT Manager: file manager with root rights (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 🖥️ MIUI Theme Editor: Official tool (available only on Chinese firmware or via workarounds).

⚠️ Warning: Changing system files without a backup may result in an interface failure or reboot cycle.Before any manipulation, create a backup via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset or use TWRP (if established).

Method 1: Creating a Theme Through MIUI Theme Editor (for beginners)

If your device is running on Chinese firmware MIUI, You can use the built-in MIUI Theme Editor: This is the simplest method, but it has limitations: for example, you can not change system fonts or animations.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app and go to the Theme Editor section (if not, install it). APK from the Chinese forum Xiaomi).
2. Select a basic theme for modification (e.g. standard Default).
3. Edit the elements: 🖼️ Wallpaper: upload your images (resolution at least) 1080×2340 full HD+). 📱 Icons: Replace app icons (recommended size) 192×192 px). 🎨 Colors: Change the accent color palette (affects buttons, notifications).

.mtz

⚠️ Note: Theme editor may not save the changes if you use global firmware (non-China). ROM). In this case, apply the topic through ADB:

adb shell am start -n com.android.themes/.activity.ThemePreviewActivity -d file:///sdcard/Download/your_theme.mtz

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If MIUI Theme Editor is not available, try installing it APK forum XDA Developers or use an alternative – the Hex Editor application for manual editing of.mtz files.

Method 2: Manually create a theme through editing.mtz

To get a complete control of the subject, you'll have to work with the.mtz file structure manually.

Step 1 Download the basic theme

• Open the Themes app and download any free theme (like Default).
• The subject file will be saved in /sdcard/MIUI/theme/.data/ (File name: A random set of characters with the.mtz extension).
• Copy it to a computer and rename it to base_theme.mtz.

Step 2: Unpack and edit the files

• Open up. base_theme.mtz through 7-Zip and extract the contents into the folder.
• Main directories: icon/ — app icons. wallpaper/ — wallpaper. values/ — XML-color-file. drawable/ — graphical elements.
• Replace your files with your own (observe the original names and permissions!).

Step 3: Pack and set the theme

• Archive the folder back to.zip, then rename the extension to.mtz.
• Transfer the file to the device and install through: Theme App (if supported). ADB (see previous section). MT Manager (if there is a root).

Advanced Changes: Animations, Sounds and System Elements

If the basic changes are not enough, you can modify:

• 🎬 Animations: files in drawable/anim/ (xml or.png sprites).
• 🔊 Sound: Replace files in media/audio/ (ogg.mp3).
• 📱 Notification panel: edit values/styles.xml (colours).
• 🖱️ Cursor and allocation: files in drawable/cursor/.

Such changes often require:

1. Unlock the bootloader on the device.
2. Get root rights through Magisk.
3. Use it. MT Manager to replace system files in /system/.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect modification of system files can lead to loss of warranty and locking of the device (especially on models with Anti-Rollback like Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi). K50). Before experimenting, check your model’s compatibility on forums. XDA or 4PDA.

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For safety, always test custom themes on a backup device or through an emulator (e.g., a customized one, MIUI Emulator on PC) before installation on the main smartphone.

Installation of a custom theme without root and ADB

If you do not have root rights or do not want to use ADB, escaping:

Method 1: Through the "Themes" appendix

• Place the.mtz file in the /sdcard/MIUI/theme/ folder.
• Open the Topics app, go to My Topics → Local.
• Choose your theme and apply it.

Method 2: Through third-party launchers

• Install a launcher with themes support (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher).
• Import icons and wallpaper from your.mtz theme manually.
• Customize colors and styles through launcher settings.

Limitation: These methods will not change system elements (notification panel, lock screen), but will allow customization of the main interface.

Typical errors and their solution

When creating and installing themes, users often face problems:

If the theme is partially applied (for example, wallpaper changes, but not icons), check:

• 📁 Folder structure: Compare it to the original theme.
• 🔤 Register of file names: MIUI case sensitive (e.g. Icon.png) ≠ icon.png).
• 📏 Image resolution: icons should be 192×192 px, wallpaper - not less 1080×2340 px.

FAQ: Frequent questions about creating themes for Xiaomi