Creating your own design theme for a smartphone is an exciting process that allows you to turn a standard interface. MIUI For owners of Redmi Note 7 this question is especially relevant, as the device has a great AMOLED-similar IPS-The standard theme store offers thousands of options, but none of them will give you complete control over every detail of the interface, unlike a self-created project.
You don't have to be a professional programmer or designer to get started. The basic theme structure is a set of images and a set of images. XML-files that the system reads when using. MTZ Tools is the main tool we will use, it greatly simplifies the process of packaging and signing files. In this article, we will discuss all the stages from the preparation of the workplace to the final installation of the finished product on your gadget.
Before you start taking action, it's important to understand that modifying system elements requires care. A code error or an incorrect image size can cause the interface to display incorrectly. However, if you follow the instructions and back up, the risk is minimal. Let's dive into Xiaomi's customization world and create something really special.
Tool preparation and work environment
The first step is to install the software you need on your computer, and because the theme process requires you to work with the file system in the archive, mobile applications are not suitable here. You will need a Windows PC, because the main software is sharpened for this platform. Download and install the latest version of MTZ Tools from the official developer site or trusted forums.
In addition to specialized software, you will need graphic editors. Adobe Photoshop or its free GIMP analogue is ideal for working with icons and wallpaper. If you plan to create vector graphics or complex fonts, Adobe Illustrator will be useful. Also make sure that you have a 7-Zip or WinRAR archiver installed to unpack the source theme files.
☑️ Readiness for work
It is also important to prepare the smartphone itself. While creating themes does not always require superuser rights, having an unlocked bootloader may be necessary for deep modification of system fonts or bootloader. To start, it is enough to turn on USB debugging in the developer menu. Go to Settings → About phone and seven times click on the build number to activate the hidden menu.
⚠️ Warning: Before you start any experiment with system files, make sure to back up your critical data. Although creating themes rarely causes a device to fail, the human factor has not been eliminated.
Project structure and basic files
Any MIUI theme is a rebranded.mtz archive that contains a very specific folder structure inside, and to avoid creating a project from scratch, professionals recommend taking a ready-made, simple theme from the store and decompiling it, which allows you to see how the file paths are organized and what names the key elements should bear.
Inside the archive you will find folders icons, images, sounds and configuration files. description.xml It's the passport of your topic, and it contains the title, the author, the version, and the preview, and it's based on the data from that file that the theme will be displayed in the store. theme.xml Responsible for linking resources to system interface elements.
Importance XML-marking
Let's take a look at the main directories you're going to work with most of the time: icons store all the app icons, images store graphics for settings, calls and messages, and fonts have font files, and understanding the logic of resource allocation is key to successful design.
- 🎨 Icons: Here's where they're stored PNG-Application icon files, usually in resolution 192x192 pixel.
- 🖼️ Images: graphical interface elements, status bar backgrounds, volume controls.
- 🔊 Sounds: system notifications, calls and lock sounds in the format MP3 or OGG.
- 📝 Description: Text files with metadata describing the theme parameters for the system.
Working with icons and graphic elements
The most prominent part of any theme is app icons. Redmi Note 7 uses high pixel density, so all graphic elements must be in high resolution to avoid looking blurry. The standard size for icons in MIUI is 192x192 pixels, but it's always best to check with the original files of the underlying theme you use as a template.
When drawing icons, try to stick to the same style. If you chose Flat Design, avoid gradients and shadows. If it's Neumorphism, pay attention to light and volume. The mismatch of styles between different applications within the same theme creates visual noise and spoils the work experience. Use the guides in the graphics editor to center the image inside the square.
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Save the source icons in vector format (SVG) or in maximum resolution. This will allow you to easily adapt the theme for other Xiaomi models with different screen resolutions in the future without loss of quality.
Keep in mind transparency. The icon background must be transparent (PNG format with alpha channel), otherwise your icons will look like square patches on different desktop wallpapers, except when you specifically design a theme with an opaque background for specific wallpapers.
The replacement process is simple: you export the icon from the project, edit it in the graphics editor, save it with the same name and return it to the theme archive. MTZ Tools will automatically update the preview if you are working in editor mode. Make sure that the file names match letter by letter, including the character register, as the system is sensitive to this parameter.
Setting up the lock screen and status bar
The Lockscreen is the first thing a user sees. In MIUI, it has a complex structure that includes hours, dates, notifications and widgets. To edit a watch, you'll need images of numbers from 0 to 9, as well as separators. Often theme creators use pre-made sets of numbers or draw them in the same style as icons.
The status bar at the top of the screen is also customizable, and you can change the color of the network, battery, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi indicators. It's important to consider that these elements must be readable against any background, and white or black monochrome images with transparency are usually used.
| Element | File format | Recommended authorization | Archives location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock figures | PNG | 60x80 px (each) | lockscreen/clock_digits |
| Battery icon | PNG | 24x24 px | images/statusbar_battery |
| Wi-Fi icon | PNG | 24x24 px | images/statusbar_wifi |
| Lockscrin background | JPG/PNG | 1080x2340 px | images/lockscreen_wallpaper |
When setting up your watch, look for a configuration file that determines the position of each digit. If you change the font or size of the digits, you may need to adjust their coordinates so that time does not “go” beyond the edges of the screen or overlap with the camera cutout (although there is no cutout in the Redmi Note 7, in other models this is critical).
Audience and soundtrack
The theme is not just visual, it's also sound. Sound effects create atmosphere and make interface interactions more enjoyable. In the sounds folder, you can replace Xiaomi's standard tunes with your own. These can be keyboard sounds, lock screens, charge devices or notifications.
When selecting audio files, be moderate. The sound should not be too loud or sharp, as the user will hear it repeatedly. The optimal duration of system sounds is 0.5 to 1.5 seconds. MP3 or OGG format is preferred because of good compression and quality.
Don't forget the music of the call. Although users often put their own tracks, having a default ringtone in the theme is a good tone. Choose a tune that fits well with the visual style of your theme. Cyberpunk style is suitable for synthetic sounds, for nature - the sounds of water or birds.
⚠️ Note: Do not use copyrighted music (copyrighted) if you plan to publish a theme in an official theme store.
Build, Sign and Install Theme
When all the resources are replaced and configured, there comes a moment of truth: assembling the project. MTZ Tools is automated. Press the "Build" or "Compile" button, and the program will assemble all the files into a single structure, check the integrity. XML-files and create a final archive.
The critical step is to sign a theme. MIUI requires that all the themes you install be signed with a digital certificate. MTZ Tools has a built-in feature to create a signature key. You'll need to come up with a username and password. Remember or save that data in a safe place, because every time you update a theme, you'll need to enter that password to re-sign.
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Without a digital signature, MIUI will block the theme from being modified or malicious. Always sign the project before installing it.
Once you have successfully built and signed, you will get a file with the.mtz extension. Flip it to your Redmi Note 7. Open the Themes app to install, go to the profile (human icon) and select Import. Find your file and apply the theme. If something went wrong, the system will prompt you to return the standard theme in 5 seconds.
The debugging process can take time. If the theme doesn't work or looks weird, check the logs or try to apply the theme piece by piece (wallpaper only, icons only) to identify the problem file. Often the error lies in a bit image or a syntax error in XML.