Creating a custom theme for Xiaomi: from idea to publication in the Mi Theme Store

Xiaomi smartphones based on the company shell MIUI Not only do they allow users to choose from thousands of themes, but they also create their own design solutions, and custom theme design is a way to highlight their gadget, emphasize their individuality, or even make money selling templates in the official Mi Theme Store. However, the process of creating a theme requires not only creativity, but also technical knowledge: from working with graphic editors to understanding the structure of.mtz files.

In this guide, we will take you all the way from idea generation and tool preparation to testing and publishing a topic, you will learn what programs you need to edit icons, wallpaper and system elements, how to properly package files in an archive compatible with the Internet. MIUI, We will pay special attention to the technical requirements of Xiaomi for the topics so that your creation is not rejected during moderation.

Important: The process of creating themes MIUI It's different from launching or widgeting, and it's about visualizing system elements, from fonts to lock animations. If you've never worked with graphic design, start with simple modifications to pre-built themes before you start from scratch.

1.Preparation: Tools and Requirements for Creating Themes

Before you start designing, make sure you have everything you need. Xiaomi has strict requirements for the structure of the themes, so you can’t do without specialized software.

Core programmes and resources:

• 🎨 Adobe Photoshop or GIMP — For editing graphic elements (icons, wallpaper, interface elements). Photoshop is preferred because of the support of plugins for exporting to the desired formats.
• 📂 Mi Theme Editor (official software from Xiaomi) - a utility for packing themes in.mtz format. Download on the official website (developer registration is required).
• 📱 Test device on MIUI 12/13/14 — To check the theme display, it is advisable to use a smartphone with an unlocked bootloader to set the themes manually.
• 📁 Theme templates — Xiaomi provides basic templates with the right folder structure, and you can download them in Mi Theme Editor or forums like this. XDA Developers.

Also prepare:

• 🖼️ Set of icons in format PNG (permit — 192×192 px MIUI 14).
• 🌄 Wallpaper for desktop and lock screen (minimum resolution — 1080×2340 px for modern models).
• 🔤 Fonts in.ttf or.otf format (if you plan to change system fonts).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi blocks themes that contain elements of rival brands (such as Samsung or Apple logos) and also prohibits political symbols, violence or content 18+. Before publishing, check the subject for compliance with the rules of the Mi Theme Store.

2. Theme structure: what files and folders should be in the archive

Theme for MIUI — This is a.mtz file extension, and it has a very strict file hierarchy, and if you break the structure, the theme will either not be installed or it will not be displayed correctly:

An example of the correct description.xml:

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


<theme>




<name>MyCustomTheme</name>




<author>YourName</author>




<version>1.0</version>




<compatibility>




<device resolution="1080x2340"/>




<device resolution="1440x3200"/>




</compatibility>




</theme>

Critical point: if in the section <compatibility> Not specified screen resolution of your device, the theme will not be installed.Clarify the supported permissions for your Xiaomi model on the manufacturer's website.

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Use the tool. MIUI Theme Resolution Checker (available on forums) XDA), Automatically determine supported permissions for your smartphone model.

3. Element design: icons, wallpaper and system components

The most time-consuming part is creating graphics. Start with icons: there should be at least 200 (for basic applications and system functions). If you're not an artist, use ready-made kits from resources like Flaticon or IconFinder, but remember to adapt them to style. MIUI.

Requirements for icons:

• 🎭 Style: Must be the same for all icons (e.g. flat design or 3D).
• 🔍 Permission: 192×192 px MIUI 14, 144×144 px for older versions.
• 🖌️ Background: transparent (PNG-32), artifactless.
• 📌 File Names: Must match the application IDs (e.g. com.android.chrome.png for Google Chrome).

For wallpaper use images with a resolution not lower 1080×2340 Xiaomi recommends avoiding text elements on wallpaper as they may conflict with widgets and icons.If you add animations (for example, for a lock screen), prepare them in format GIF or APNG frame-rate 30 FPS.

System elements that can be customized:

• 📱 Lock screen (watch, unlock slider, notifications).
• 📊 Notification panel (background color, quick settings icons).
• 🔍 Search panel on the desktop.
• 🎵 Music Playback Screen (for the standard Mi Music player).

4.Assemblying theme in Mi Theme Editor

When all the graphic elements are ready, start assembling the theme:

1. Open Mi Theme Editor and create a new project (File) → New Theme).
2. Import files to the appropriate folders (icons in the file) icon/, wallpaper wallpaper/ etc.).
3. Edit it. description.xml: Please specify the title of the theme, version, supported permissions. Use Latin for the file name (e.g., use the file name, MyTheme_v1.mtz).
4. Check the subject for errors (Tools) → Validate Theme. fix the warnings if there are any.
5. Export the theme to.mtz (File) format → Export).

If Mi Theme Editor gives an error in validation, the most common reasons are:

• 🚫 No mandatory files (e.g. preview.png).
• 📏 Incorrect image permissions.
• 🔤 Mistakes in description.xml (Unclosed tags, incorrect symbols).
• 📁 Excess files in the archive (for example,.psd-sources).

Icon File Names are the Same as Package Names|All images in the correct resolution|File. description.xml filled in|The theme preview (preview.png) meets the requirements|Theme tested on the target device-->

5. Testing theme on a Xiaomi device

Before publishing, you need to test the topic on a real device. There are two ways to install it:

Method 1: Mi Theme Editor (for developers)

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC USB (Turn on the debugging. USB developer-setting).
2. In Mi Theme Editor, select Tools → Install to Device.
3. Wait for the installation to be completed and restart the device.

Method 2: Manual installation via file manager

1. Copy the.mtz file into a folder MIUI/theme/ storage.
2. Open the Topics app on your smartphone, go to My Topics → Local.
3. Choose your theme and apply it.

What to check for in testing:

• 🔍 Correctness of display of icons (whether there are sprains or croppings).
• 🎨 Correspondence of wallpaper colors and system elements.
• 📱 The ability of animations (if any).
• 🔤 Readability of fonts (if you have changed them).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi devices (such as the Redmi Note line) may have trouble displaying themes due to manufacturer restrictions. If the theme doesn't apply, try installing it through the device. ADB: adb install /path/to/your/theme.mtz

6.Publishing the theme in Mi Theme Store

If you want to share your theme with other users or make money selling it, publish it in the official Mi Theme Store.

1. Register as a developer on themes.mi.com (you will need to link your Mi Account).
2. Upload the.mtz file through the developer panel, specify: Theme title and description (in English and Chinese), Category (e.g., Minimalism, Dark Theme, Game) Price (free or paid, from $0.99).

Wait for moderation (usually takes 3-7 days).

Publication requirements:

• 📌 The topic should be unique (not a copy of existing ones).
• 🎨 All graphic elements – copyrighted or licensed by Creative Commons.
• 📱 The theme should support at least 3 screen resolutions.
• 🔍 No technical errors (checked automatically).

If the topic is rejected, the Xiaomi email will give you the reason, most often it is:

• 🚫 Copyright infringement (such as using Marvel or Disney logos without permission).
• 📏 Inconsistency of image permissions.
• 🔤 Mistakes in description.xml.

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Before posting, check the topic on devices with different screen resolutions, even if you have specified in the description.xml Support for all permissions, in practice the topic may be displayed incorrectly.

7. Promote and monetize your theme

Posting to the Mi Theme Store is just the first step, so that your topic is noticed:

• 📢 Create a presentation: record a video review of the topic (you can use Screen Recorder) and upload it to YouTube or TikTok with hashtags #MIUI, #XiaomiThemes.
• 🤝 Collaborate with bloggers: many Xiaomi channels are ready to show your topic in reviews for free (for example, TechBurner or Xiaomi Today).
• 💬 Participate in communities: Post a topic on forums XDA Developers, 4PDA or VK/Facebook, dedicated MIUI.
• 📊 Optimize the description: Use keywords in the title and description of the theme (for example, “dark theme for Redmi Note 12”, “minimalist icons” MIUI 14").

If you are planning to monetize the topic:

• 💰 Set the price from $0.99 to $2.99 - More expensive themes sell worse.
• 🎁 Offer a free “light” version of the theme with basic icons, and the full version is paid.
• 📈 Track sales statistics in the Mi Theme Store developer panel and update the theme (e.g. add new icons once a month).

An example of successful monetization: the theme “Neon Dark” from the developer @miuithemes earned more $5,000 Over the year, thanks to regular updates and promotions in social networks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about creating themes for Xiaomi