How to Change the Shape of Badges on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Work (Including Hidden Features)

Xiaomi app icons are the first thing that catches your eye when you unlock the screen. The standard square shape with rounded corners offered by MIUI or the new HyperOS is not popular with everyone. Some prefer strict rectangles, some prefer smooth iOS-style oval icons, and some need fully round icons for a minimalist look. Fortunately, Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi smartphones offer several ways of transformation, including hidden settings and third-party tools.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of changing the shape of icons – from standard themes to manual editing through ADB. You will learn which options work without root rights, and where you will need to install additional launchers. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for new devices on HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), where the logic of settings is different from the usual MIUI 14.

Let's warn you beforehand: not all methods are universal. For example, owners of POCO F5 or Redmi K60 have options that are not available on budget models like Redmi A2. To avoid errors, we have compiled a table of methods compatibility with popular devices, which will help you choose the best way without unnecessary experimentation.

1. MIUI/HyperOS Standard Themes: Fast with Restrictions

The easiest way is to use built-in themes: MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS have customized icon packages pre-installed, but limited options. Here's how it works:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Icons or Icons section (in HyperOS it can be called Styles).
3. Scroll through the list and select the package you like. Pay attention to the preview, where you can see the shape of the icons (square, circle, rounded rectangle, etc.).
4. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

The downside of this is that most themes change not only the shape, but also the color, the style of the icons, and the background of the desktop. If you only want round icons, and the rest should stay as it is, this method will not work. In addition, free themes often come across banner ads.

HyperOS tip: In the new shell, the themes sync with your Xiaomi account. If you have applied settings on one device (e.g., Xiaomi 13T), they will automatically be offered on another (e.g., Redmi Pad SE) if you are logged in under one account. This is convenient, but sometimes leads to style conflicts.

2. customize the form through "Special features" (hidden function)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden option to change the shape of icons through the special features menu. It doesn't work on all devices, but it's worth a try if your smartphone is released after 2021.

1. Go to Settings → Special features → System settings.
2. Scroll down and find the icon form item (on some models it is hidden under the option).
3. Choose one of the options: 🟨 Standard (curved square) 🔵 Round (fully round icons) 🟥 Rectangular (as in the older versions) MIUI) 🟢 Adaptive (the shape is adjusted to wallpaper)

Reset.

This method works on most flagships (Xiaomi 12/13/14, POCO F4/F5), but may not be available on budget models (Redmi 10A, POCO M5). If the icon form item is not on the menu, then your device does not support this function.

⚠️ Note: Some firmwares may have their adaptive icon settings in apps that change form through Special Features, such as Google Play Store or Chrome, displayed as standard rather than as selected. To fix this, you will need to manually enable adaptive icons for each application (see Section 4).

3.Use of third-party launchers: maximum customization

If the built-in methods don't work, third-party launchers give you complete freedom.

• 📱 Nova Launcher supports adaptive icons, shape change, size change, and even shadow.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is an open source launcher that mimics the Pixel Launcher, but with enhanced icon settings.
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – allows you to change shape, add effects and even animations when pressed.
• 🌈 Microsoft Launcher – simple, but with support for round icons and integration with Windows.

Consider the configuration using the example of Nova Launcher (the most flexible option):

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the main one (the system will prompt you to do this when you first start).
2. Press and hold your finger on the desktop → select Settings.
3. Go to the Appearance. → Icon style.
4. Enable the option Adaptive icons and select the form: Circle Square Squircle Rectangle Castom mask (load your template)

Edit

Change the form

Third-party launchers have the advantage of running even on older firmware devices (like the Redmi Note 9 Pro on MIUI 12).However, note that some features (like navigation gestures) may conflict with Xiaomi’s system settings.

4. Manual shape change via ADB (for advanced users)

If you’re ready to dive into the technical details, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) lets you reshape icons at the system level, a technique that works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.

Connect your phone to your PC

Open the command line.

adb shell settings put secure icon_shape_system 1


adb shell settings put secure icon_shape 2

where 2 is the form code:

• 0 - standard (square with rounded)
• 1 - circle
• 2 - Rounded square (Squircle)
• 3 - rectangle
• 4 - oval
• Restart your launcher or phone to make changes effective.

This method allows you to change the shape of the icons even for those applications that usually ignore the launcher settings (for example, Xiaomi system utilities).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If the icons are missing or are not displayed correctly after entering commands, return the standard settings with the command: adb shell settings delete secure icon_shape_system adb shell settings delete secure icon_shape Then restart the device.

5. Applications for changing icons: pros and cons

There are dozens of apps on Google Play that promise to change the shape of icons without root rights.

• 🎨 Icon Pack Studio – creates custom icons, but requires manual replacement for each application.
• 🔄 Icon Changer is a simple icon replacement tool, but doesn’t change shape globally.
• 📦 X Icon Changer – Supports adaptive icons, but only works with individual launchers (e.g. Nova).

The main disadvantage of these apps is that they don't automatically change the shape of all the icons, you have to manually choose a replacement for each application, which takes a long time, and some programs require a premium version to unlock all the features.

Examples of Icon Pack Studio:

1. Install the app and select Create a new icon pack.
2. Download a form template (like round) or create your own.
3. Apply the template to all icons or selectively.
4. Save the pack and activate it in the launcher settings.

It's a way for enthusiasts who want a unique design, but for most users, it's too time-consuming.

💡

If you use Icon Pack Studio, export the created icons to the cloud (like Google Drive).If you reset your phone or reinstall the launcher, you can quickly restore your style.

6. Problems and Solutions: Why the Shape of the Icons Doesn't Change?

Sometimes users find that icons remain the same despite all the manipulations, and consider the reasons and ways to eliminate them:

If none of these methods worked, check the firmware version. On some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A on MIUI 12.5), customization is severely curtailed, in which case the only solution is to install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and fastboot skills.

7. Features for HyperOS: What has changed?

In HyperOS, which replaced MIUI in 2026, the logic behind changing icons is a bit different.

• 🔹 HyperOS doesn’t have a separate item, “Special Features” icon form, but instead it’s tied to the chosen theme.
• 🔹 Responsive icons are now turned on automatically for most apps, but some (such as Mi Home or Xiaomi Cloud) may ignore settings.
• 🔹 HyperOS has Dynamic Icons, which changes shape depending on the time of day or wallpaper. To activate it, go to Settings. → Screen. → Icon styles.

For HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70) it is recommended to:

1. Use built-in dynamic themes.
2. If you need a precise setup, install Nova Launcher (it is fully compatible with HyperOS).
3. Use the same commands to manually change shapes through ADB, but after you type them, be sure to restart the device.

HyperOS also added Material You support (like Android 12+), allowing you to customize the color and shape of icons to fit the wallpaper. To enable this feature, select a theme marked Material You in the Themes app.

FAQ: Frequent questions

💡

For most users, the best option is a combination of built-in themes (for basic customization) and a third-party launcher (for fine-tuning), the ADB method is only suitable if you are confident in your actions and ready for possible failures.