Creating your own theme for Xiaomi: from idea to installation

The theme of Xiaomi’s smartphone design is not just background images and icons, it’s a full-fledged visual style that changes the perception of the interface. MIUI From settings menus to unlock animations. Many users install pre-built themes from the Theme (the default app), but what if you want something unique? You can create your theme for Xiaomi even without a deep knowledge of design — enough patience and the right tools.

In this article, we will look at the entire process, from design layouts to testing and publishing a theme, and learn what programs to use to edit interface elements, how to package a theme into.mtz format and install it on your device. And if you plan to share your creation with others, we will tell you how to upload the theme to the official store. MIUI Theme Store (with all moderation requirements in mind).

Important: the process of creating themes for Xiaomi requires attention to detail. For example, the wrong resolution of icons or the absence of mandatory elements (for example, a lockscreen for the lock screen) will lead to the theme either not installing or will appear cluttered. But don’t worry, we will analyze each step in detail to avoid typical errors.

1. What you need to create a theme on Xiaomi

Before you start designing, prepare everything you need. Here's the minimum set of tools and knowledge:

• 📱 Xiaomi device based on the MIUI 12/13/14 (The newer version, the more possibilities for themes. Any smartphone from Redmi Note will do. 10 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux The average laptop has enough power, so that the software doesn't slow down».
• 🎨 Graphic editors: Adobe Photoshop or GIMP (for image editing) Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape (for vector icons) Figma or Canva (for prototyping layouts)
• 📂 The official templates from Xiaomi can be downloaded here (they include folder structure and file examples).
• 🔧 Packaging tools: MIUI Theme Editor (official software for creating themes) 7-Zip WinRAR (for working with archives)

If you're new to design, don't start with complex elements. Start with simple changes: replace background images, change color schemes, or add your icons for standard applications (Phone, Messages, Camera).

⚠️ Attention: Topics for MIUI They're strictly tied to screen resolution. If you're creating a theme on a Redmi Note. 12 Pro+ (permit 1080×2400), It may not be displayed correctly on POCO F5 (1080×2400, But a different softkey bar. Always test the theme on multiple devices.

2. Theme Structure: Which Files and Folders Are Required

The theme for Xiaomi is an archive with an.mtz extension, which has a strict folder structure inside it, and if you skip one of the mandatory elements, the theme won't be validated. Here's the basic structure:

miui/


├── description.xml #Metadata topics (title, author, version)




├── preview/ # Preview for theme store




│ ├── preview_1.jpg




│ └── preview_2.jpg




├── wallpaper/ # Wallpaper




│ ├── lockscreen.jpg # Lock screen




│ └── homescreen.jpg # Main screen




├── icon/ # App icons




│ ├── com.android.phone.png




│ ├── com.android.mms.png




│ └──...




├── font/ # Fonts (optional)




│ └── custom.ttf




└── style/ # Color schemes and styles




├── colors.xml




└── styles.xml

Pay attention to the file. description.xml — This is your subject's passport:

• Unique. theme_id (For example, com.example.mytheme)
• Theme version (version)="1.0")
• Supported screen resolutions (<screen>1080x2400</screen>)
• Author and contacts (if you plan to post in the store)

To simplify the work, use the official MIUI Theme Editor.The program will automatically create a pattern of structure and help generate description.xml. You can download it on the Xiaomi website (registration is required in the MIUI Theme Designer Program).

3. Design of theme elements: from wallpaper to icons

The most creative part is creating visual elements, and there are no hard rules, but there are guidelines that will help your topic look professional.

Wallpaper (wallpaper)

• 🖼️ Permission: minimum 1080×2400 pixels (for modern smartphones). 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3 need 1440×3200.
• 🎨 Format: JPG or PNG (No compression of artifacts. For transparency, only PNG-24.
• 🔄 Two mandatory files: lockscreen.jpg – lock screen (take into account the location of time, date and notifications) homescreen.jpg – home screen (the area for icons should be free)

Icons (icon)

Icons are the most laborious thing you'll need to do. PNG-Images for each standard and third-party application:

• 📱 192×192 px - standard for MIUI (scale automatically)
• 🖌️ Style: the same for all icons (e.g. minimalism, 3D, Use Adobe Illustrator for vector layouts.
• 🔍 File names must be the same as package_name applications (e.g. com.android.phone.png for "Phone»).

Tip: if you do not want to draw icons from scratch, take as a basis free sets with Flaticon or Icons8, Then adapt them to your theme style.

Color schemes (style/colors.xml)

File. colors.xml It defines the interface palette: the color of the notification panels, the background elements, the text:

<resources>


<color name="miui_color_primary">#FF5722</color> <!-- Primary color -->




<color name="miui_color_secondary">#FF9800</color>




<color name="miui_color_background">#FFFFFF</color>




<color name="miui_color_text_primary">#212121</color>




</resources>

Use Coolors or Adobe Color to match harmonious colors. Avoid too bright shades - they tire the eyes with prolonged use.

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To check how your color scheme looks in practice, apply it temporarily through Settings. → Screen. → Colors (if your version) MIUI customize).

4. Packing the theme in.mtz format

When all files are ready, you need to pack them into a.mtz archive.

Method 1: Through MIUI Theme Editor

1. Open the program and import the theme folder (File) → Import Theme).
2. Check the structure: the editor will highlight the missing mandatory files.
3. Press File. → Export as MTZ and keep the archive.

Method 2: Hand-held packaging

1. Download MTZ-Builder (open source tool).
2. Place the miui folder in the root directory of the program.
3. Run the script. build.bat (Windows or build.sh (macOS/Linux).
4. The finished theme.mtz file will appear in the output folder.

Before packaging it is necessary:

All required folders (wallpaper, icon, style) are in place

File. description.xml well-filled

Wallpaper corresponds to the resolution of target devices

Icons have the right names (package_name.png)

Color scheme in colors.xml contains no errors

-->

⚠️ Note: If the package error occurs "Invalid theme structure", check: No Cyrillic characters in file/folder names. Correct paths in the file description.xml (for example, <preview>preview/preview_1.jpg</preview> File resolution: wallpaper should not exceed 5 MB, icons — 200 KB each.

5. Install theme on Xiaomi device

The finished.mtz file can be installed in two ways: through the standard Theme application or manually through the ADB (if the topic does not pass validation).

Method 1: Through the "Themes" app

1. Copy theme.mtz file into your phone’s memory (for example, into your Download folder).
2. Open the Topics app → Profile → My subjects. → Imports.
3. Select your file and wait for the installation.
4. Apply the theme through My themes → Local.

Method 2: ADB (for experienced users)

If the theme is not installed through the application (for example, due to version inconsistency) MIUI), use ADB:

adb push theme.mtz /sdcard/MIUI/theme/


adb shell am broadcast -a miui.intent.action.CHANGE_THEME --es theme /sdcard/MIUI/theme/theme.mtz

After completing the commands, restart the device.

If the topic is not applied or displayed incorrectly:

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If the theme is not applied to devices with MIUI 14, but it works MIUI 12, problem description.xml. Add support for new screen resolutions to this file.

Publication of the topic in MIUI Theme Store

If you want to share your topic with other users, you can publish it in the official store. MIUI Theme Store:

1. Register for a Designer Program for themes.mi.com/designer.
2. Download the.mtz archive through the designer panel.
3. Fill in the information about the topic: Title (maximum) 20 Symbols) Description (before the symbols) 200 Category (e.g., Minimalism, Dark Theme) Screenshots (minimum) 3 stuff, permission 1080×1920)

Send it to moderation. The test period is 3 to 7 days.

Requirements for topics for publication:

• 📌 Unique: Themes must not copy existing ones (checked by Xiaomi algorithms).
• 🖼️ Quality: Wallpaper and icons - no artifacts, correct resolution.
• 📱 Compatibility: Supports at least 3 screen resolutions.
• 🚫 Prohibited Content: No Brand Logos, Political Symbols, Violence.

Once approved, the theme will be available in the store, and you can track the number of downloads in your personal account. For popular themes, Xiaomi pays bonuses (from 1000 downloads – about 5-10 downloads).$ domestically).

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To increase the chances of approval, add hashtags in English and Chinese to your topic description (e.g. #DarkTheme #). MIUI Theme Store is the right way to classify your work.

7 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced designers have trouble creating themes for Xiaomi, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

• 🔴 Theme does not apply after installation Reason: No support for screen resolution of your device description.xml. Solution: Add a line <screen>1080x2400</screen> (substitute for your permission).
• 🔴 Icons are displayed in low quality Reason: Source PNG-files are compressed with losses or have a smaller size 192×192 px. Solution: Resave icons in Photoshop with settings: File → Export → Save for Web (PNG-24, 100% quality).
• 🔴 Colors in the settings do not change Reason: Incorrect names of colors in colors.xml (for example, a typo miui_color_primary). Solution: Check the official template.
• 🔴 Theme disappears after rebooting Reason:.mtz file corrupted or installed via ADB Solution: Repackage the theme and install themes through the app.

If you're testing a theme on Xiaomi with custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience), some elements may not work. MIUI Maintains themes best.

8. Alternative methods of customization

If creating a theme from scratch seems too complicated, consider alternative options for customizing the Xiaomi interface:

• 🎨 Icon Pack Studio - creating custom icons without design skills. Whicons - a color scheme-based icon generator.
• 🖥️ Launchers: Nova Launcher - support for icons, gestures and animations. Hyperion Launcher - imitation MIUI high-set.
• 🔧 Magisk modules: MIUI Mix – fine-tuning colors and fonts. MIUI SystemUI Tuner – Changes to the Status Bar and Notification Panel.

These tools allow you to customize Xiaomi without creating a full theme. + Icon Pack can achieve a unique interface in 10 minutes.

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If you only need to change icons, it’s easier to use an Icon Pack instead of a full-fledged theme, which saves time and eliminates compatibility issues.

FAQ: Frequent questions about creating themes on Xiaomi