The MIUI interface and its newer version of HyperOS offer users a lot of personalization, but standard settings don’t always satisfy the needs of advanced users. Often, the standard translucent notification panel is too bright or merges with bright wallpapers to interfere with the perception of information. Darkening the curtain is not just an aesthetic choice, but also a way to reduce eye strain when using a smartphone in the dark.
Unfortunately, Xiaomi developers didn't bring a simple transparency slider into the basic settings menu, which is driven by a desire to keep the visual style unified, but there are workarounds. You don't need superuser rights or sophisticated programming to get the desired effect. In most cases, it's enough to customize the theme or use the built-in access features.
In this article, we will look at all the current methods of dimming the interface, from simple settings to the use of specialized tools. You will learn how to change the background to a solid black color, how to set up automatic switching of topics and what hidden parameters can help in solving this problem. Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to make using your smartphone as comfortable as possible.
Standard display and reading settings
Before we go to radical measures, it’s worth checking the basic display settings, which can indirectly affect the perception of the curtain. There is a mode in the MIUI shell designed specifically for comfortable reading that changes the color gamut and contrast of interface elements. Activation of this mode often makes the background of notifications more matte and less bright.
To access these options, you need to go to Settings → Screen → Reading Mode. You can choose between Paper or Classic, which will change the shade of the background in the system windows. However, it is worth noting that this method does not make the curtain completely black, but only changes its tone. For many users, this is not enough, especially if maximum contrast is required.
Another important element is the dark theme. Unlike other manufacturers, Xiaomi implements the dark mode quite aggressively, turning many system elements into black or dark gray. If you have a dark theme on but the curtain remains light, check the settings of a particular theme in the Themes app. Some skins ignore the system requirement for dimming.
⚠️ Warning: Forced inclusion of a dark theme for all applications through the developer settings can lead to incorrect display of some interface elements, making text unreadable.
You should also pay attention to brightness and autobrightness settings. Sometimes the problem is not the background color, but the excessive brightness of the display, which makes even a translucent curtain seem too light. Using the DC Dimming feature (if available on your model) can reduce flickering and make black deeper.
Use of the "Themes" application to change the background of the curtain
The most effective and safe way to change the appearance of the notification curtain is to install a third-party theme. The MIUI Themes store contains thousands of design options, where authors modify system resources, including the background of the notification panel and the control center, and this is the only regular method that allows you to get a solid black background without using third-party software.
The process of finding the right theme takes time, because the preview in the store does not always accurately display the view of the curtain. You need to pay attention to screenshots in the description of the topic or set the topics by trial and error. The key word to search can be "Black", "Dark" or "OLED." Once the the the the theme is installed, the background curtain will become matte or completely black, depending on the author's design.
It's important to understand that applying a theme changes not only the curtain, but also icons, fonts and widgets. If you like your current style but only want a black curtain, you can go for a trick. Set the theme with the right background, then in the theme settings (Settings → Themes → Profile) try to use only the System or Screen Lock components, leaving the old icons.
- 🎨 Open the Themes app on the main screen.
- 🔍 Search for “Black status bar” or “Dark notification".
- 📥 Download and apply the topic, checking the result.
- ⚙️ If necessary, reset the icons to standard through the profile of the theme.
Some themes may not work properly with new versions of HyperOS, causing artifacts in the control center, in which case it is recommended to look for themes marked as compatible with your version of Android.
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Before installing a new theme, always back up the current theme in your profile so you can quickly roll back in case of display errors.
Set up transparency through third-party launchers
If replacing a global theme seems too radical, an alternative launcher might be considered. While launchers primarily manage the desktop, some, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, have advanced settings for system panels, especially in paid versions (Prime), which allow you to adjust the transparency of the dock bar and, in some cases, affect the perception of the curtain.
However, be realistic: standard launchers rarely have direct access to the system resource. status_bar_expanded.xml, So often, "launcher setting" means installing a special plugin or using the shell features that the launcher simply activates. In the context of Xiaomi, the use of modules is more effective, but this will be discussed below.
However, some launchers allow you to create your own curtain widgets. You can install a black background widget on your desktop or over other windows (if the launcher supports floating windows), mimicking a darkened panel. This is not a full curtain, but can serve as a temporary solution for certain use cases.
When choosing a launcher, pay attention to its compatibility with your version of Android. Unsupported launchers can cause lags when opening the curtain or display notifications incorrectly. Always check user reviews with a similar smartphone model before installing.
| The name of the launcher | Possibility of changing the background of the curtain | Resource consumption | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Louncer | Only through theme. | Low. | Low. |
| Nova Launcher | Limited (widgets) | Average. | Medium |
| Microsoft Launcher | No (only wallpaper) | High. | Low. |
| Smart Launcher | Partial (automation) | Average. | Tall. |
☑️ Checking the compatibility of the launcher
Radical methods: Root rights and system files
For users who are willing to go beyond standard settings, there is a method of editing system files, which allows you to make the curtain completely black or change the degree of transparency at the code level, but this method requires obtaining root rights, which voids the warranty and carries risks to the security of the device.
The essence of the method is to edit the file framework-res.apk specific XML-directory /system/framework/. You'll need a file manager with access to a system partition, like Root Explorer or MiXplorer. You'll need to find the file that handles the interface resources and change the background color of the curtain from translucent to solid black (color code #000000).
The process is this: once you get root permissions through Magisk, you make a full backup of the system. APK (for example, MT Manager) open the system framework, find the resource status_bar_expanded You change the settings, and when you save the changes and reboot the device, the curtain becomes opaque.
⚠️ Note: Editing system files can lead to a "bottleup" (infinite reboot).Make sure you have access to Recovery Mode to restore the system in case of an error.
An alternative to manual editing is to use Magisk modules such as "Substratum" (requires caution) or custom tweakers for MIUI. These modules automatically make the necessary changes to system resources, bypassing manual digging in the code. This is safer, but still requires an unlocked bootloader.
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Automation of darkening through MacroDroid
If you don't want to change the theme or get into system files, you can use automation apps like MacroDroid or Tasker. Although they can't directly change the transparency of the system curtain (since it's a secure Android element), they can simulate screen dimming or switch themes on a schedule, which creates a darkening effect at the right time.
You can set up a macro, "If it's between 22:00 and 7:00, turn on the dark theme," so you have a light interface during the day, and at night the curtain will automatically turn dark due to a change of theme, which is a compromise, but very convenient option that does not require constant intervention.
To adjust the macro in MacroDroid, add the "Time of the Day" trigger, the "Theme" action (choose dark) and the "Screen on" limitation. The app will track the time and switch the design on the fly. Some users also use this bundle to reduce the brightness of the screen below the system minimum, which, combined with a dark theme, gives a great effect.
- 📱 Download and install the MacroDroid app.
- ⏲️ Create a new macro with a time trigger.
- 🌑 Add the "Change theme" to the dark.
- ▶️ Save the macro and check its performance.
It is important to give the application the necessary permissions to change system settings. Without these rights, automation will not work, and it is also worth considering that frequent change of themes can be a little bit loading the processor, although on modern Xiaomi devices this is not noticeable.
Features of work in HyperOS and new versions of MIUI
With the release of the HyperOS shell (based on Android 14), Xiaomi's customization policy has changed, the system has become more closed, and many old methods of dimming through simple themes have stopped working or are not working properly. The notification control center has been completely redesigned, and now it is more integrated with the overall design.
Newer versions tend to use a glass-blur effect that cannot be completely removed by standard means. Darkening is now more often achieved by dynamic colors (Material You), which adjust to the wallpaper. If you put black wallpaper, the system itself will suggest darkening the interface elements.
Users of the new Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 series devices are encouraged to experiment with wallpaper and built-in styles in the Settings → Wallpaper and personalization menu first. Here you can choose the Basic or Material style, where there are options with a dark accent. This is the most stable way for owners of fresh software.
⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices, a global theme change through third-party stores can cause icons to desynchronize in the settings menu.Be prepared for visual dissonance.
Newer versions also improve Always-On Display and locking, and curtain dimming is often associated with the overall dark mode of the system. Make sure that the screen settings activate Adaptive Dark Mode, which force darkening applications that do not support a dark theme, which can indirectly affect the curtain.
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In HyperOS, the most effective way to dim is by combining black wallpaper, an adaptive dark mode enabled, and a matched system theme, rather than editing files.