Creating your theme for Xiaomi: from idea to installation MIUI

Want to make your Xiaomi stand out among millions of other smartphones? Creating your own theme is the best way to personalize your device to your style. MIUI Themes, a custom theme, allows you to control every element of the interface, from app icons to screen lock animations, but how to turn an idea into a working theme that can be installed on any Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphone. POCO?

In this guide, we will take a look at the entire process, from design preparation to final assembly and installation, and learn what tools you will need (and where to download them for free), how to get around the limitations. MIUI For informal topics, and why some interface elements may not change even after applying the theme, and if you've never done design, that's no problem: we'll tell you where to find the templates and how to adapt them to your needs.

Important: The process of creating a theme requires attention to detail. One error in the structure of the files will either not install or the theme will be displayed clumsy. But don't worry: following our instructions, you can avoid errors and get a result that you can be proud of.

What you need to create a Xiaomi theme: tools and requirements

Before you start designing, prepare everything you need. Without the right tools, you'll waste time, like trying to edit manually. XML-Files instead of using specialized programs.

Here is the minimum set you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer on Windows 10/11 You can use it on Linux, but you can have problems with some software.
• 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO version MIUI 12 and above (on older versions, some of the features may not work).
• 🎨 Graphic Editor: Adobe Photoshop (paid) or GIMP/Krita (Figma or Inkscape (vector graphics) are convenient for icons).
• 📂 WinRAR Archivist or 7-Zip to work with.mtz files (Xiaomi themes format).
• 🔧 Programme MIUI Theme Editor (unofficial, but most convenient for assembling themes) XDA Developers.

Also useful:

• 🔍 File Manager with access to root folders (for example, MiXplorer or Solid Explorer) – for manual installation of themes.
• 📡 Stable Internet connection (for template downloads and compatibility checks).
• ⚙️ Knowledge of the basics XML and work with layers in graphic editors (not necessarily, but will simplify the process).

Attention, if your smartphone is working MIUI Global Stable, some themes (e.g. animations) may not be used due to firmware limitations, and you may have to either switch to the new version. MIUI China or custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu), or put up with partial work of the theme.

Step 1: Designing a theme – where to start?

Before you draw icons or choose colors, define the concept of the theme. Without a clear plan, you risk a set of disparate elements that will not harmonize with each other.

Here are the key questions to be answered:

• 🎨 Style: minimalism, neon, retro, dark/light theme, gradients or flat design?
• 🌈 Color palette: the main color + 2-3 additional (e.g. dark blue) + turquoise + Use Coolors to match your combinations.
• 📱 Interface elements: what parts are MIUI You want to change? Icons, wallpaper, fonts, animations, notification panel?
• 🔄 Compatibility: Will the theme be for your device only, or do you plan to share it with others? In the second case, consider screen resolutions (e.g., screen resolutions, FHD+ and AMOLED require different approaches).

Tip: If you're a beginner, start by modifying the finished theme. Download any free theme from the site. MIUI Themes, unpack it and look at the folder structure, which will help you understand which files are responsible for what.

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Use Canva to quickly create layouts, and there are icon and wallpaper templates that can be adapted to fit the design. MIUI.

Example of the structure of the topic:

miui_theme/


├── description.xml #Metadata topics (title, author, version)




├── preview/ # Pictures for Preview in MIUI Themes




│ ├── preview_1.png




│ └── preview_2.png




├── wallpaper/ # Wallpaper




│ ├── lockscreen.jpg




│ └── homescreen.jpg




├── icon/ # App icons




│ ├── com.android.chrome.png




│ └── com.xiaomi.calculator.png




└── style/ # Styles of interface elements




├── colors.xml # Color scheme




└── styles.xml # Dimensions, fonts, indentations

Step 2: Creating graphic elements (icons, wallpapers, widgets)

This is the most creative (and laborious) part of the process, and the quality of the graphics will determine whether your theme will look professional or amateur crafts.

Application icons

Standard size of icons for MIUI — 192×192 pixels (but better done in pixels) 512×512 for high resolution support. Format — PNG transparently.

Where to get the icons:

• 🖼️ Draw yourself in Figma or Adobe Illustrator (vector icons scale without loss of quality).
• 🔍 Download the finished sets with Flaticon or Icons8 (Make sure the license allows commercial use if you plan to distribute the topic).
• 🎨 Use icon generators, such as AppIcon.

Important: icon file names must match the application packages. For example, an icon for Google Chrome should be called com.android.chrome.png. /data/system/package.xml on your smartphone (root access required) or on sites like Android Package Names.

Wallpaper and background images

Recommended permits:

• 📱 For the lock screen: 1080×2340 pixels (for most modern smartphones).
• 🏠 For the home screen: 1080×2160 pixels (consider the area with icons).
• 🔄 For AOD (Always On Display): 1080×1080 pixels, black and white or with a minimum color palette.

Tip: If you are not an artist, use wallpaper generators such as:

• 🌄 WallpapersCraft (ready-made wallpaper with resolution sorting).
• 🎨 Canva Wallpapers (Creating Wallpapers from Templates).
• 🤖 This Artwork Does Not Exist (AI-Generated Abstractions).

Create a folder with icons (192x192 px, PNG)

Prepare wallpaper for locking and home screen

Check the color scheme for contrast

Export all files in the correct permissions-->

Animations and additional elements

For advanced topics, you can add:

• 🎞️ Unlock animations (.zip files with frame sequence).
• 🔔 Notification sounds (.ogg format, up to 3 seconds).
• 📊 Weather, clock, etc. widgets (requires knowledge) XML).

Attention, animations and sounds only work on the MIUI China or custom firmware. Global versions will ignore these elements.

Step 3: Editing XML-files (colors, fonts, styles)

Graphics is only half the story, and in order for a theme to look holistic, you have to adjust the colors, fonts and styles of the interface elements. XML-file style/.

File. colors.xml

Here are given color schemes for:

• 📱 Background of notifications and panels.
• 🔘 Buttons and switches.
• 📝 Text and illumination.

Example of code for a dark topic:

<resources>


<color name="miui_color_primary">#FFBB86FC</color>




<color name="miui_color_primary_dark">#FF3700B3</color>




<color name="miui_color_background">#FF121212</color>




<color name="miui_color_text_primary">#FFFFFFFF</color>




<color name="miui_color_accent">#FF03DAC6</color>




</resources>

File. styles.xml

Here's the setting:

• 📏 Element sizes (e.g., height of notification panel).
• 🔤 Fonts (you can connect custom, but they must be in.ttf format).
• 🖼️ The radius of corners, shadows and other visual effects.

Example of font change:

<style name="miui_text_appearance_headline">


<item name="android:fontFamily">@font/your_custom_font</item>




<item name="android:textSize">18sp</item>




</style>

Attention, not all fonts are supported MIUI. If the text appears clumsy after applying the theme, return the standard font or use proven options (e.g., Roboto or Noto Sans).

Step 4: Build a theme in.mtz format

When all graphics and text files are ready, they need to be packaged in.mtz format, the only one that recognizes the data. MIUI Themes.

For this:

1. Download and install. MIUI Theme Editor (link at the beginning of the article).
2. Create a new project or import an existing theme for editing.
3. Drag your files to the appropriate folders (icons in the file) icon/, wallpaper wallpaper/ etc.).
4. Edit it. description.xml — Specify the title of the theme, version, author and compatible devices.
5. Press Build and save the file with the.mtz extension.

Example of contents description.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>


<theme>




<name>MyCustomTheme</name>




<author>YourName</author>




<version>1.0</version>




<compat>MIUI12,MIUI13,MIUI14</compat>




<description>My first custom design for Xiaomi!</description>




</theme>

Attention, if you don't put your version in the compat MIUI, The theme may not appear in the list of available. To find out your version, go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

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The file.mtz is a regular file. ZIP-If the theme doesn't apply, unpack it and check the folder structure for compliance with the standard. MIUI.

Step 5: Installing theme on Xiaomi smartphone

The finished.mtz file needs to be transferred to the smartphone and installed. There are two ways: through the standard Theme app or manually.

Method 1: Through MIUI Themes (official)

1. Copy the.mtz file into a folder MIUI/theme/ on the internal memory of the smartphone.
2. Open the Topic app.
3. Go to My subjects. → Local.
4. Select your theme and click Apply.

Method 2: Manual installation (if the theme is not displayed)

If the topic does not appear in MIUI Themes, try it:

1. Install a file manager with access to root folders (such as MiXplorer).
2. Move to the /data/system/theme/ (rooting).
3. Create a folder with the name of your theme and copy the unpacked files there.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

Table: Solving problems during installation

Step 6: Optimizing and Disseminating the Theme

If you've created a theme for yourself, that's the point, but if you want to share it with others, you need to refine a few things:

Testing on different devices

Make sure the topic is correctly displayed on:

• 📱 Smartphones with different screen resolutions (FHD+, HD+).
• 🔄 Versions MIUI 12/13/14.
• 🌓 Dark and light theme modes.

Publication in MIUI Themes Store

To upload the theme to the official store:

1. Register as a developer at zhuti.xiaomi.com.
2. Download the.mtz file and fill out the description (in Chinese or English).
3. Wait for moderation (can take up to 7 days).

Alternative distribution sites:

• 🌐 XDA Developers (section of Xiaomi Themes).
• 📱 Telegram channels (e.g, MIUI Customization).
• 💾 File sharing (Google Drive, MEGA) personal exchange.

Attention! Xiaomi blocks pirated content themes (paid-set icons, copyright wallpapers, etc.) Use only legal materials or your own designs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about creating themes for Xiaomi