Creating your own theme for Xiaomi Redmi: from idea to installation

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on the shell MIUI They allow you to customize the interface deeply, from wallpaper to system icons, but what if you have themes that are off the table? → The solution is simple: create your own theme from scratch, and it takes patience and attention to detail, but the result is worth the effort — a unique design that no one else has.

In this guide, we’ll take you all the way from preparing graphic elements to packing a theme into.mtz format and installing it on your device. You don’t need programming skills, but you need a basic knowledge of working with graphic editors (for example, Photoshop or free graphics). GIMP). We will focus on compatibility with the latest versions. MIUI 14/15, where the requirements for the structure of the topics have changed.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Model of your Redmi: Themes for Redmi Note 12 and Redmi 10 are created the same way, but may differ in support of certain elements (for example, animations).
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: In Settings → The phone should be listed. MIUI 12 or newer (for older versions, the process is different).
• 🎨 Availability of raw materials: prepare design sketches or inspirational pictures – this will save time during the graphics creation stage.

1. What is 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, system notification icons, lock screensavers.
• 🎨 Color schemes: palettes for menus, notification panels, keyboards.
• 🔊 Sounds: ringtones of calls, notifications, alarm clock signals (optional).
• 📜 Configuration files: description.xml (Topics metadata) and preview.png (preview).

It's important to understand that not all elements are mandatory, for example, you can create a theme with only wallpaper and icons, leaving the system sounds and fonts as default, but the fuller the package, the more harmonious the interface will look.

⚠️ Attention: Topics for MIUI 14/15 You must have preview.png file resolution 1080×1920 — Otherwise, they won't show up in the theme selection menu. MIUI permit required 720×1280.

2. Tool preparation: what will be needed

To create a theme, you will need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux (mtz packing).
• 🎨 Graphic Editor: Adobe Photoshop, GIMP or Figma (to create icons and wallpapers).
• 📦 Archivator: 7-Zip WinRAR (for working with theme files).
• 📱 Redmi smartphone with unlocked bootloader (if you plan to test the theme before publication).
• 🔧 MIUI Theme Editor (optional) – official software from Xiaomi to simplify the creation of themes.

If you are a beginner, start with MIUI Theme Editor – the program automatically generates templates for icons and wallpapers, and also checks the structure of the package for errors").

For experienced users, manual theme assembly is fine.

• 📁.psd icon templates (can be found on forums) XDA Developers or 4PDA).
• 🔍 Hex editor (e.g. HxD) for editing configuration files.
• 📊 Documentation. MIUI Theme structure (the current version is here).

⚠️ Attention: When in use MIUI Theme Editor Make sure the version of the program matches the version MIUI It's on your smartphone, like an editor for you. MIUI 12 will not be able to properly package the theme for MIUI 15.

3. Theme design: where to start

Before you start creating graphics, decide on the concept of the topic:

• 🌈 Style: minimalism, neon, retro, dark/light themes.
• 🎯 Target audience: gamers, anime lovers, business users.
• 🔄 Unique elements: animated icons, dynamic wallpaper, custom fonts.

We recommend starting with a sketch on paper or in Figma.

• 📏 The screen resolution of your Redmi (for example, 2400×1080 For the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
• 🎨 Color gamut: use no more than 3-4 primary colors for harmony.
• 🔍 Details: transparency of icons, notification style, control panel design.

💡

Use the Coolors tool to make a color palette, and it automatically generates combinations that look good on your body. AMOLED-redmi screen.

Example of the design project structure:

📁 My subject/




├── 📁 Icons/




│   ├── chrome.png




│   ├── gallery.png




│   └── ...




├── 📁 Wallpaper/




│   ├── lockscreen.jpg




│   └── homescreen.jpg




├── 📁 Colors/




│   └── colors.xml




└── preview.png

4. Creation of graphic elements

The most time-consuming stage is the preparation of the graphics.

• 🖼️ Resolution: Must match your Redmi screen. 1080×2340 (ratio 9:20).
• 🎨 Format:.jpg (for photo) or.png (for illustrations with transparency).
• 📏 File weight: no more than 5 MB for wallpaper and 1 MB for icons.

For icons, use templates from MIUI Theme Editor or Create Yours in Photoshop:

• 🔹 Size: 192×192 px (for round icons) or 144×144 px (for square).
• 🔄 Format:.png with transparent background.
• 🎯 Style: All icons should be in the same style (e.g. flat or shadowed).

Created wallpaper for locking and the main screen|

Icons have the same style and size|

The color scheme is preserved in colors.xml|

Preview.png complies with the resolution 1080×1920-->

To speed up the process, you can use ready-made icon sets from sites like Flaticon, but be sure to check the license for commercial use.

⚠️ Note: Icons for system applications (com.android.settings, com.miui.home) must be present in the package.

5. Packing the theme in.mtz format

When all files are ready, they must be stored in the.mtz archive.

1. Create a folder with your theme title (such as MyRedmiTheme).
2. Put all graphics files and configurations in it (see the structure above).
3. Add the file. description.xml with metadata topics (example below).
4. Archive the folder to.zip format, then rename the extension to.mtz.

Example of contents description.xml:

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


<theme>




<name>My Redmi Theme</name>




<author>Your Name</author>




<version>1.0</version>




<compatibility>MIUI14,MIUI15</compatibility>




<preview>preview.png</preview>




</theme>

Use the correctness of the archive MIUI Theme Editor or online validator Xiaomi Themes Validator.

6.Install theme on Xiaomi Redmi

The.mtz file can be installed in two ways:

Method 1: Through the theme menu (without root)

1. Copy the.mtz file into your phone’s memory (for example, into the Download folder).
2. Open the Topics application → Profile → Import.
3. Select your file and wait for the theme to apply.

Method 2: Through MIUI Theme Editor (with debugging by USB)

1. Connect Redmi to your PC and enable Debugging USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times on the version, then return to the optional version. → For developers).
2. V MIUI Select Upload to Device and specify the path to.mtz.
3. Restart the phone – the theme will appear in the list of available.

⚠️ Note: If icons are missing after installing the theme or wallpaper is not displayed, check the paths to files in the.mtz archive. A frequent error is the wrong folder name (for example, Wallpaper instead of wallpaper).

7.Publishing the topic in the official store

If you want to share your theme with others, you can publish it in the official Xiaomi theme store.

1. Register as a developer on the Mi Developer Platform.
2. Upload the.mtz file to the Theme Submission section.
3. Fill out the description in English and Chinese (you can use an interpreter).
4. Wait for moderation (usually takes 3-7 days).

Publication requirements:

• 📌 The topic should be unique (not a copy of existing ones).
• 🖼️ All graphic elements are in high resolution.
• 📜 File. description.xml It should contain the correct metadata.
• 🚫 Prohibited watermarks, advertising, content 18+.

💡

Publication in the official store gives access to download statistics and user reviews, but requires compliance with strict Xiaomi rules.

Once approved, the theme will be available to millions of users. MIUI. Authors of popular themes can earn on the sale of premium versions or donations.

8. Solving common problems

When creating and installing themes, there are often errors.

Problem 1: The topic does not appear in the list after importation

• 🔹 Reason: no preview.png or incorrect resolution.
• 🔧 Solution: Check that the preview.png file lies at the root of the archive and is sized 1080×1920.

Problem 2: The icons haven't changed.

• 🔹 Reason: Incorrect icon file names (e.g. settings.png instead of com.android.settings.png).
• 🔧 Solution: Use the official list of application package names.

Problem 3: Error "Incompatible version" MIUI"

• 🔹 Reason: In description.xml Incorrect compatibility is indicated.
• 🔧 Solution: change the line <compatibility>MIUI14</compatibility> current-age.

FAQ: Frequent questions