How to change the shape of the icons on Xiaomi: changing the style of the interface

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often strive to maximize device personalization. The standard MIUI or HyperOS interface offers many tweaks, but the basic look of app icons can seem boring or familiar. Changing the shape of icons is the fastest way to visually transform the desktop without deep interference with the system.

There are several proven methods to achieve the desired result: you can use the built-in theme store, which offers hundreds of options for design, or connect third-party launchers for advanced features, each method has its own features, advantages and limitations, which you need to know about before starting a modification.

In this article, we'll go into all the algorithms available, look at the regular tools that are secure and do not require superuser rights, and talk about more advanced customization methods that will help make your device's interface truly unique and unlike stock.

Use of the built-in Themes application

The easiest and safest way to change the look of icons is to use the pre-installed Theme app, which is part of the Mi Account ecosystem and allows you to use ready-made visual packages. You don't need to be a technician to use this feature, since the entire process is automated.

However, some themes change not only icons, but also wallpaper, widgets and sounds. If your goal is purely icon shape, you'll have to search for specific packages or apply them selectively. The system allows you to combine elements of different designs, which gives you some flexibility in setting.

• 🎨 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the query “Icons” or “Icons».
• ⬇️ Select the set you like and click the “Download” button».
• ✅ After downloading, click “Apply” and select the “Icons” option».

It's important to understand that it can take a few seconds to apply the theme, and at that point, the screen can blink or go out, which is the normal behavior of the system when you redraw the GUI, and you don't have to panic and try to reboot the device during this process.

⚠️ Note: When downloading themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, there is a risk of getting malware. Use only the proven Themes app or the official GetApps store.

Setting up the style of icons in the system menu

The new MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and HyperOS firmware features a built-in form change feature without installing whole themes, which allows you to quickly switch between a standard look and a unified style, where all icons are reduced to one geometric figure.

You don't need to download any additional files to access these settings. All the necessary algorithms are already sewn into the system shell, which is especially convenient for users who appreciate the cleanliness of the interface and don't want to clog the device's memory with unnecessary graphics packages.

To activate this feature, you need to go to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the software version, but the logic remains the same. Look for the section that deals with the appearance of the desktop or system jewelry.

Settings → Wallpaper and personalization → Icons

In the menu that opens, you'll see previews of different shapes, and the system will offer a choice of different options, from classic squares to circles to rounded rectangles, and the choice is applied instantly to all supported applications.

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If the standard forms do not suit you, try to install a theme that contains only a set of icons, and then use only this component in the “Themes” menu, returning the wallpaper to its place.

Application of third-party launchers

If you don't have enough of Xiaomi's standard shell, third-party launchers will come to the rescue, special desktop replacement apps that completely change the logic of interface interaction, with the most popular members of this class being Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher.

Installing a third-party launcher gives you access to thousands of free icon packages on Google Play. You can change the grid size, add gestures and, of course, install any icon shape available on Android. This gives you maximum creative freedom.

However, this method has its nuances: third-party launchers can consume more battery and RAM resources, and on some models with aggressive battery optimization, MIUI can force the launcher to close, returning the standard interface.

• 📲 Download the selected launcher from Google Play Market.
• 🔐 Provide all requested permissions at the first launch.
• ⚙️ In the launcher settings, find the “Icon Pack” or “Icon Pack” section».
• 📥 Download your favorite icon pack and apply it.

To keep the third-party interface running, you need to prevent the system from closing it in the background, and this is done through the application management menu, where you need to remove restrictions on background activity and auto-start.

⚠️ Note: When installing a launcher, the system can alert you to potential security risks. This is standard Android procedure to warn you of a default app change.

Working with icon packages and installing them

The process of installing the icon packages themselves deserves special attention. There are several graphics resource formats in the Android ecosystem, most often packages running through third-party launchers and.mtz system themes.

The.mtz format is native to Xiaomi devices, which can be installed directly through the Themes app using the Import feature, allowing you to use designs that are not in the official directory, such as those taken from forums or specialized sites.

To install a.mtz file, you need to put it in the device's memory. Then, in the Themes app, you need to go to the user profile and select the appropriate file, and the system will check the integrity of the data and suggest applying the design.

When downloading themes from the Internet, pay attention to the version of MIUI they are intended for. Themes created for older versions (for example, MIUI 10) may not display correctly or cause crashes in new shells.

Addressing the challenges of implementing change

Users often find that after applying a new form of icons, some of them remain unchanged, because application developers use different methods of rendering the interface, and some programs rigidly specify their graphics, ignoring the system settings.

In such cases, manual brute force of icons helps: on the desktop, you need to pinch your finger on the icon, select "Change" (if this option is available in the current launcher), and select an image from a gallery or other package, it is a time-consuming process, but it gives 100% result.

Another common problem is the desynchronization of notification counters: After changing the shape of the icons, the message numbers may stop showing or shift to the side, often by restarting the device or re-create the app shortcut.

• 🔄 Perform a full reboot of the smartphone.
• 🗑️ Remove the problem label from the desktop.
• ➕ Add the app widget again from the menu of all programs.
• 🧹 Clear the launcher cache through system settings.

If you use custom themes, make sure they don’t conflict with the current firmware version. Theme developers don’t always have time to update their creations to newer versions of Android and MIUI.

The impact of customization on productivity

Many users wonder if the constant change of icons and the use of heavy launchers affects the speed of the smartphone, the answer depends on the characteristics of the particular device and the optimization of the installed graphics.

Static icon images consume little or no CPU resources once they are loaded into memory, but live icons that change in real time or have complex animations can increase battery consumption, especially on devices with AMOLED screens and older processors.

Using third-party launchers with multiple widgets and effects can lead to micro-latency when scrolling through desktops. If you notice a drop in FPS or twitching interface, it’s worth going back to the standard launcher or simplifying the design.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing themes marked "Beta" or "Test" on the main device. These may contain code errors that lead to a cyclic system restart (bootloop).

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The optimal balance between beauty and performance is achieved by using static high-resolution icon packages and minimizing the number of active widgets on the desktop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)