Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the desire to update the visual component of the device without changing the gadget itself. A particularly popular query is how Xiaomi makes the iPhone 11 Pro Max to get a familiar and aesthetic interface of Apple’s company, thanks to the flexibility of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, which allow you to deeply customize the system without obtaining root rights.
The transformation process does not require any technical knowledge or flashing the device, which could lead to loss of warranty. All the necessary actions are performed by regular system tools and downloading special themes from the official store, you can change the lock screen, application icons, control center and even system fonts, achieving striking similarities with iOS.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each step of your smartphone transformation, and we will look at installing launchers, customizing specific interface elements, and answering questions about the safety of such changes, and be prepared for your Redmi or Poco to become visually indistinguishable from Apple’s flagship.
Preparation of the device and creation of a backup copy
While setting up topics is a safe procedure, any system failure or accidental deletion of important files can lead to trouble, and it is recommended to back up your contacts, photos and settings in the Google Drive cloud service or locally on your computer.
Make sure your device has the latest available OS version installed. Xiaomi developers are constantly improving the theme engine, and newer versions of MIUI or HyperOS are better able to support complex animations and widgets specific to iOS. Check for updates in the settings menu to avoid compatibility conflicts.
Clean up the internal memory of the device from excess debris. High-detailed themes, live wallpaper and additional widgets can take up a significant amount of disk space. Release at least 2-3 GB will ensure smooth operation of animations and prevent possible slowdown of the interface after installing heavy graphic elements.
⚠️ Warning: Before you start installing third-party themes, be sure to check that the Themes app is updated to the latest version through the GetApps store. Older versions may not display new iOS interface elements correctly.
You also need to disable battery optimization for the Themes and Wallpaper app, which will prevent the processes that render the new interface from being forced to stop by the background system, and you can do this in the application settings section by finding the corresponding items in the installed program list.
☑️ Preparation of the smartphone
Installation of the launcher and the basic iOS interface
The first and most important step is to replace the standard desktop, and to do so, we’ll need a third-party launcher that completely mimics the logic of iOS. There are many options available in the official Xiaomi theme store or Google Play, but the most stable ones are Launcher iOS 16 and C Launcher.
Once you download and install the application, you need to give it all the permissions you want. Android will warn you that the launcher can track activities, but for the interface emulation to work properly, activate the launcher as the main one through the system settings.
Now you need to configure the desktop grid. In the new launcher settings, select 4x5 or 5x6 to get the icons as close as possible to the original. It is also important to enable the Freeze feature of the icons so that they cannot be moved outside the designated areas, as is implemented in the iPhone.
- 📲 Download Launcher iOS 16 from a reliable source.
- ⚙️ Assign it as the default launcher in the system settings.
- 🔒 Block the possibility of changing the launcher through security settings.
- 🎨 Choose an Abstract style wallpaper or gradient specific to Apple.
Don't forget to set up the dock bar at the bottom of the screen. In the original iOS, it has a characteristic rounded transparent base. In the launcher settings, turn on the docking docking blue effect to maximize realism.
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For complete similarity, set the weather and date widget at the top of the screen, as is customary in Cupertino, and choose a minimalist font.
Transformation of the lock screen and widgets
The lock screen is the first thing a user sees. The newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS have a built-in "Always On Display" feature that can be adapted to the style of the iPhone. However, for a full copy, it is better to use specialized themes that change the entire lock screen.
Search the themes store for the “Lock Screen” section and search for “iOS 16” or “iPhone Lock.” Select a theme with high scores and lots of downloads. After you use it, you will get a screen with a large watch, date and swipe unlockable, fully copying Face ID behavior (visually).
Pay special attention to widgets. Xiaomi does not work in the same way as iOS, but third-party widgets allow you to bypass this limitation. Install widgets for music, activity and weather. It is important to choose the right size: the iPhone 11 Pro Max features large rectangular and square blocks.
| Element | Original iOS | Analogue in Xiaomi | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| The clock | Large print from San Francisco | The watch widget in the theme | Low. |
| Weather. | Dynamic background | Mi Weather widget (iOS style) | Medium |
| Music. | album cover | Widget player | Low. |
| Battery | The exact percentage in the corner | Status bar (requires topics) | Tall. |
To implement the functionality of widgets on the desktop, use the application “Widgets” from third-party developers, available in Google Play. It allows you to create copies of iOS 14/15/16 widgets, which are then added to the desktop of your launcher.
Setting up the control center and notification curtain
One of the most notable differences between Android and iOS is the organization of notification curtains and control center, in apples they are separated: swipe on the top right opens control, on the left - notifications. In Xiaomi, this can be implemented through themes.
In the theme store, find the System or Control Center category. Look for themes with names like “iOS Control Center” or “iPhone Status Bar,” and the application of such theme completely changes the design of the drop-down menu, adding characteristic volume and brightness sliders, as well as round toggles buttons.
Notice the behavior of sliders. In the original, they have a specific animation of resizing when pressed. Some advanced MIUI themes can emulate this behavior. If the standard theme doesn't work, you can use modules, but that already requires more in-depth intervention.
⚠️ Note: When installing control center themes, some standard Xiaomi features, such as screen recording or screenshot with three fingers, may be lost.
The theme will also be required to set up the notification curtain, and make sure that the theme package is comprehensive and changes both elements (notifications and management). Disparate themes can conflict with each other, causing SystemUI system interface crashes.
Replacement of icons and system fonts
App icons are the face of the operating system.The standard Android set is very different from the rounded, detailed iOS icons. Fortunately, the Xiaomi theme store offers thousands of Apple-style icon sets.
When searching for a theme, type in the search bar “iOS Icons” or “iPhone Icons.” Select a theme that contains icons for all major apps: WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube, Camera, Gallery. The theme will replace the standard icons with stylized iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The font plays a critical role in the perception of the interface. Apple uses the San Francisco font. To install it on Xiaomi, download the font file (usually in.mtz format) and apply through the Topics app -> Profile -> Fonts. If the standard font does not change, you will need the zFont 3 application.
- 🎨 Download the set of icons iOS 16 Icon Pack.
- 🔤 Install the San Francisco font via zFont or theme store.
- 📱 Apply icons for all installed applications manually.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply all changes.
Once you have set the font, check the text in different applications. Some fonts may not support Cyrillic or have too little line spacing. You can adjust the size and boldness of the text in the font settings to achieve the perfect readability balance.
What to do if the icons are not used?
Final configuration and hidden functions
After applying all the visual changes, you need to do the final polishing: remove the standard Xiaomi apps from the home screen, which are unparalleled in iOS, or hide them in folders. Leave only the minimum necessary, as is customary in Apple's philosophy.
Configure the controls. There is no home button in iOS, all control is built on swipes. In Xiaomi settings (Settings → Desktop), make sure that gestures are enabled and navigation buttons are hidden. This will add even more realism.
Pay attention to the sounds. Replace the standard keyboard, lock screen and notification sounds with iOS sounds. Files can be found online or download pre-made sound packages for Xiaomi. Dialing and messaging sounds are what creates a complete immersion.
Don’t forget Dynamic Island. If your Xiaomi camera is in the corner, you can install a theme that visually hides the cutout or turns it into a Dynamic Island-like experience with working widgets, which requires installing special plugins for the launcher.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing topics from unknown authors with suspicious permissions. Some modified themes may contain malicious code that steals personal data.
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The main secret of success is not just to put a topic, but to change all elements in a complex way: from the font to the sounds of the system, creating a single ecosystem.
Possible problems and solutions
You may encounter a number of technical difficulties in the transformation process, and it often happens that after a heavy theme is installed, the phone starts to work slower, and in this case, it is worth reducing the number of live wallpapers and widgets on the desktop.
Another common problem is the incorrect display of fonts in some applications, especially in banking applications, because custom font may not be supported by the application, and the solution is to temporarily return the standard font through the Themes app.
If the launcher is constantly flying out or dropping to a standard one, check the power saving settings. MIUI is very aggressive in killing background processes. Add the launcher to exceptions and boot.