UI personalization is one of the greatest strengths of the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone users have the unique ability not only to change the wallpaper, but to completely transform the look of the system. Creating your own theme is a process that requires attention to detail, but the result is worth it. You get full control over icons, fonts, lock screen and system windows.
Many enthusiasts start their journey in design by trying to change the standard look of Android shells. Unlike standard launchers, native theme editor allows you to get deep into the system, which allows you to change even the color of indicators and download animations. However, before you start drawing, you need to understand the structure of files and the logic of the design engine.
In this guide, we will look at everything from installing the necessary software to the final compilation of the project, and it is important to note that the process requires the use of a PC and specific software. Mobile applications are not suitable for this, because the work is done with the source code of resources. XML-markups and graphic editors.
⚠️ Attention: Creating topics for MIUI/HyperOS requires the installation of drivers ADB Make sure your computer has Windows installed, as the official tools work best in this environment.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The first step is to download the official toolkit, the main software is MIUI Theme Editor, a specialized development environment that provides templates and folder structure, and you can download the current version on the official developer forum or in the MIUI community. Without it, you can not create a valid theme file.
In addition to the editor, you will need a graphics editor. For icons and complex graphics, Adobe Photoshop or the free GIMP analog is the best option. For creating vector interface elements such as sliders and buttons, Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape is ideal. It is important that all images are saved in PNG format with transparent channel support.
Also, remember to prepare your smartphone. You need to turn on the developer mode. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the build number MIUI. After that, in the advanced settings, a paragraph For developers will appear, where you need to activate USB-It allows you to test the theme in real time without constantly rebooting.
- 🛠️ MIUI Theme Editor – the main tool for assembling the project.
- 🎨 Graphic editor – for drawing icons and elements UI.
- 📱 Xiaomi Smartphone – with included USB-test-debugging.
- 💻 Drivers. ADB — computer-to-device.
Project structure and main topic files
When you run MIUI Theme Editor, you'll see a complex folder structure, and understanding the purpose of each folder is key to success. The master directory usually contains a description.xml file that contains metadata: the title of the theme, the author, the version and the preview, and it's this file that "represents" your work in the the theme store.
Most of the graphics are in the icons folder. It stores images for all applications. It is important to follow strict naming (file names), otherwise the system will not recognize the icon and leave the standard one. Also critical are the statusbar, lockscreen and framework folders responsible for the top panel, lock screen and system frames, respectively.
Special attention deserves XML-They control the positioning of the elements. clock.xml It determines where the clock numbers are on the lock screen, and by changing the coordinates in the code, you can move the clock to any corner of the screen, which gives you a lot of freedom, but requires precision in syntax.
Secret folders in the structure of the topic
Below is a table of the main directories you will have to work with most often:
| Folder/File | Description of the contents | Difficulty editing |
|---|---|---|
| icons | Application shortcuts images | Low. |
| lockscreen | Graphics and logic of the lock screen | Tall. |
| statusbar | Signal icons, battery, time icons | Medium |
| description.xml | Metadata and preview topics | Low. |
| values | Color schemes and text styles | Medium |
Designing icons and interface elements
Icon creation is the most voluminous phase of work. You have to draw or adapt hundreds of images. MIUI Theme Editor has an automatic generation function, but it often produces mediocre results. Professionals draw key icons (social media, calls, messages) by hand, and the rest generate based on the template, adjusting colors.
If you've chosen Flat design, don't add shadows and gradients. If it's Neumorphism, keep an eye on the lights. The mismatch between the styles of different applications within the same theme is glaring and spoils the overall experience. Use the grid and the guides in the graphics editor to align.
And remember the system elements: volume sliders, switches in settings, notification windows, they're in the framework and system folders, and changing them makes the theme really unique. You can replace the standard gray sliders with bright gradients or animated ones. GIF-images, if the version MIUI It supports it.
💡
Use the Resource Export feature in MIUI Theme Editor to pull original icons from a stock theme. This will save time: you don’t have to draw a form from scratch, you can simply repaint existing elements or overlay your own over a template.
It's important to remember the screen resolution. Although the themes are scalable, it's better to create graphics with a margin. The optimal is to create a layout in 1080x2400 pixels. This will cover most modern Xiaomi smartphones. Small details, such as cursors or small indicators, should be clear and readable.
Setting up the lock screen and widgets
The lockscreen is the face of your theme, and that's what the user sees most. The themes editor has a module for LS. You can change not only the image, but also the behavior of the elements. You can add weather widgets, pedometers or quotes of the day directly to the locked screen.
For advanced users, work with XML-This allows you to create complex animations, for example, time can appear with the effect of a typewriter, and when you unlock the icons can fly to the sides.
Desktop widgets are also customizable, and you can change the transparency of the background, the color of the text, and the rounding of corners of a standard watch widget, calculator, or voice recorder, and you can edit files in the widgets folder, and each application has its own set of resources that you can override.
⚠️ Attention: When creating a complex lock screen, test it to unlock. A common novice error is creating an element that blocks the unlock button or the fingerprint scanning area. The user should not guess where to click to open the phone.
Testing the theme on a real device
Before you share a topic with the world, you have to test it carefully. Connect your smartphone to your PC through a computer. USB-cable. MIUI Theme Editor select your device from the list and click "Apply" button. The theme will be installed on the phone, and you will see the result live.
Go through all the menus. Check the settings, the notification curtain, the multitasking menu. Pay attention to the fonts: if you change the system font, make sure that Cyrillic characters are supported. No letters or "squares" instead of text is a critical mistake that makes the topic unusable.
☑️ Checklist of subject verification
If your theme is a dark mode, check what it looks like when it is turned on. Color inversion must be correct, text must remain readable, and eyes must not tire of contrast. Many forget to check it out, and the theme looks broken at night.
Compilation, packaging and publication in the Mi Store
When all the edits are made and verified, the compilation stage begins. In the editor, click Build or Package. The program will collect all the scattered files into one archive with the.mtz extension. This is a ready-made theme file that can be distributed.
To publish in the official Mi Store (or GetThemes) requires design status. You need to register on the Xiaomi developer portal, fill out a questionnaire and submit a portfolio of 3-5 works. Moderation takes from a few days to weeks. Once approved, you will be able to download themes directly through the program interface.
If you don't want to wait for moderation, you can distribute a.mtz file yourself through forums (like 4PDA or XDA) or messenger channels, and users can manually install this theme through the Topics → Profile → Import menu, which is a great way to get first audiences and feedback.
💡
The official publication gives access to download statistics and user comments inside the store, which is invaluable for the development of the designer's portfolio. However, manual editing through the.mtz file gives complete freedom and no moderation.