How to Create Themes for Xiaomi: From Design to Installation MIUI

Creating your own themes for Xiaomi smartphones is a fascinating way to personalize the interface MIUI Unlike standard topics from the Themes (formerly Topics for the Topics) MIUI), Custom solutions allow you to have complete control over colors, icons, animations, and even sounds, but the process requires not only creativity, but also technical knowledge, from working with graphic editors to modifying system files.

In this article, we'll take you all the way from design preparation to final installation of the theme on your device, and you'll learn what tools you'll need to help you avoid common themes mistakes. MIUI 14/15 with support for dynamic icons and dark mode, as well as how to circumvent the limitations of the official theme store. POCO, including models based on HyperOS.

1.Preparation: What is needed to create topics

Before you start designing, assemble the necessary set of tools and files, without which the process of creating a theme will be impossible or very limited.

Here's the minimum set:

• 🎨 Graphic Editor: Adobe Photoshop (paid) or GIMP (Free) for icons and background images, alternatively Figma for vector graphics.
• 📂 Templates. MIUI: formal PSD-Xiaomi templates (available on forums) XDA Developers or MIUI They contain layers for all interface elements.
• 💻 Code Editor: Visual Studio Code or Notepad++ editable XML-theme files and manifestos.
• 📱 Test device: Xiaomi smartphone with unlocked bootloader (for debugging) or emulator MIUI Android Studio.
• 🔧 Packaging tools: MTZ Theme Editor (obsolete but working) MIUI Theme Editor (new, with HyperOS support).

A basic understanding of the structure of topics will also be required. MIUI. Each theme is an archive with the.mtz extension containing:

• 🖼️ Icon folder – application icons and system icons.
• 🎨 Wallpaper folder – wallpaper for desktop and lock.
• 📜 Style folder — XML-files with colors, fonts and element styles.
• 🔊 Media folder – the sounds of notifications, alarms and system events.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to publish a theme in the official Theme Store, please note that Xiaomi prohibits the use of brand logos (such as Apple or Samsung) in icons. You can not copy the design of existing themes - this will lead to the blocking of your account.

2. Theme design: where to start

The first stage is to develop a concept. Decide what the style of your topic will be:

• 🌓 Dark/light: MIUI It automatically adapts themes to the system mode, but you can create separate versions.
• 🎭 Minimalism vs. Detail: Minimalist themes (e.g. Pixel Experience) are easier to create, but less unique.
• 🖌️ Manual drawing vs. generation: icons can be drawn from scratch or modified standard through Icon Pack Studio.

Start with a sketch on paper or in Figma.

• Color palette (use Coolors to match harmonious colors).
• The shape of the icons (round, square, rounded – as in iOS).
• Wallpaper style (gradients, abstraction, photographs).

For inspiration, explore popular themes in the Themes store or on sites like MIUI Themes, pay attention:

• 🔹 Contrast: The text must be readable against any background.
• 🔹 Uniformity: icons of the same style (for example, all with or without shadows).
• 🔹 Adaptability: Theme should look good on screens with resolution from 720p before 4K.

3. Creation of icons and graphic elements

Icons are the most time-consuming element of the theme. MIUI At least 3 versions of each icon are required:

• 📱 108x108 px for the desktop.
• 📋 144x144 px - for the application menu.
• ⚙️ 192x192 px – for settings and notifications.

Recommendations for the establishment of:

1. Use vector formats (.svg or.ai) for scalability.
2. Keep the background transparency (.png format).
3. Stick to one style: for example, all icons with rounded corners radius 24px.
4. For dynamic icons (support with the MIUI 12) create separate layers for light and dark themes.

If drawing icons from scratch is difficult, use the templates:

• 📁 Download. PSD-pattern MIUI layered for all standard icons.
• 🎨 Modify them in Photoshop, changing colors, shapes and effects.
• 🔍 Check that all icons have the same padding (removal from the edges).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi blocks themes where app icons (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) contain brand logos. Replace them with abstract characters or create unique icons.

3 versions of each icon were created (108x108, 144x144, 192x192)

All icons in format PNG transparently

Uniform style (shape, shadows, colors)

Verified readability on a dark and light background

Brand logos removed (prohibited by the rules) MIUI)-->

4. Work with XML styles

The visual part of the topic is determined not only by graphics, but also by XML-It's in the style folder:

• 🎨 Colors: background, text, accent (for example, colorPrimary).
• 🔤 Fonts: family, size, mark (fat, italics).
• 📏 Retractions and dimensions: height of panels, radius of curvature of buttons.

Main files:

For editing XML It's easy to use Android Studio, which highlights the syntax and checks for errors. MIUI, Just modify them. For example, if you remove a line from colorPrimary, the theme won't be validated.

Example of modification colors.xml dark-themed:

<resources>


<color name="background_dark">#121212</color>




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




<color name="accent_color">#BB86FC</color>




</resources>

💡

Use the Material Design Color Tool to check the contrast of text elements. MIUI requires a ratio of at least 4.5:1 to be available.

5. Packaging the theme in MTZ-format

When all graphics and text elements are ready, they need to be packaged into a.mtz file. MIUI. For that:

Method 1: Through MIUI Theme Editor (recommended)

1. Download. MIUI Theme Editor with GitHub (check the relevance of the version!).
2. Import a theme folder (the structure should match the template).
3. Fill in metadata: name, version, author, supported devices.
4. Export to.mtz.

Method 2: Hand-held packaging (for experienced)

1. Squeeze the theme folder in ZIP-archive.
2. Rename the extension from.zip to.mtz.
3. Check the integrity through MTZ Validator (available on forums) XDA).

Please note the structure of the archive:

theme_name.mtz


├── description.xml (metadata)




├── preview.png (preview for the store)




├── icon/ (icons)




├── wallpaper/ (wallpaper)




├── style/ XML- Styles




└── media/ (sounds)

⚠️ Note: If the theme weighs more than 50MB, it will not be uploaded to the official store. Optimize graphics via TinyPNG or reduce the number of wallpapers.

💡

Always test the theme on a real device before publishing. Emulators may not show errors with animations or fonts.

6. Installation and testing of the topic

The.mtz file can be installed in two ways:

Method 1: Through the "Themes" appendix

1. Copy the.mtz file into a folder MIUI/theme internal.
2. Open the Topics app → Profile → My subjects. → Import.
3. Select your file and apply the theme.

Method 2: Through ADB (debug)

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


adb shell am start -n com.android.themes/.activity.ThemeImportActivity

When testing, check:

• 🔹 Correctness of the display of icons (whether there are croppings or blurring).
• 🔹 Clear text on all screens (settings, notifications, keyboard).
• 🔹 Animation work (transitions between screens, unlocking).
• 🔹 Compatibility with dark/light mode.

If the topic does not apply, check:

• 📌 Version MIUI (Some features do not work on older versions).
• 📌 Archive integrity (unpack.mtz and make sure all files are in place).
• 📌 Access rights (some firmwares need to allow installation of topics from unknown sources in Settings) → Special facilities → Topics).

7. Posting the topic in the store MIUI

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

1. Register as a developer on zhuti.xiaomi.com (you will need a Chinese phone number or help with services like SMS-Activate).
2. Download the.mtz file through the developer panel.
3. Fill in the description in Chinese and English (use Google Translate carefully - moderators check the quality of the translation).
4. Specify a category (e.g. Minimalism, AMOLED) tagged.
5. Wait for moderation (from 3 days to 2 weeks).

Publication requirements:

• 📌 The theme should support the last 3 versions MIUI.
• 📌 At least 80% of icons must be unique (not copied from other themes).
• 📌 Political symbols, violence or content are prohibited 18+.
• 📌 Preview (preview.png) should be the size 1080x1920 px.

If the topic didn't go through moderation, you'll get a reasoned email.

• 🚫 Use of brand logos in icons.
• 🚫 Incorrect colors (for example, white text on a light background).
• 🚫 Lack of support for the dark regime.

Once approved, the theme will be available in the store, and you can earn revenue from sales (Xiaomi takes 30% commission). $50 $500 a month.

8. Alternative means of distribution

If publishing in the official store is too complicated or your topic has not been moderated, there are alternatives:

1. Forums and communities

• 🌍 XDA Developers - section MIUI Themes.
• 🇷🇺 MIUI Russia – Russian-speaking community.
• 📱 Telegram channels, like, MIUI Themes Collection.

2. Third-party theme stores

• 🛒 Play Store: Apps like this MIUI Themes Store (unofficial).
• 🌐 APKMirror: Some topics are spread as APK.

3. Social media

• 📷 Instagram and Pinterest for visual presentation.
• 🐦 Twitter/X — update-in.

When distributed through third-party sources:

• 🔐 Always check files for viruses (use VirusTotal).
• 📜 Give me the version. MIUI, topical.
• 🔄 Update the theme when new versions of the firmware are released.

💡

Unofficial topics may contain malicious code. Always check the source and read reviews before installing.

FAQ: Frequent questions on creating topics