Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their flexibility in the configuration of the interface, but the standard shell MIUI or the new HyperOS does not always meet the needs of advanced users. Often there is a desire to completely transform the visual style, change the location of icons or even the logic of the system. The ability to change the main screen goes far beyond simply changing shortcuts, allowing you to turn the device into a unique tool that reflects your personal style.
Customization can range from simple wallpaper changes to third-party launchers that completely change the navigation structure. It's important to understand that deep system tampering requires caution but opens up huge opportunities. In this article, we'll look at all the available methods, from standard tools to advanced solutions for enthusiasts.
Before you make any radical changes, you have to understand the basic setup that the manufacturer offers, the foundation on which further personalization is built, and ignoring the basic features can lead you to install a heavy application where there is enough built-in functionality.
Basic configuration of the interface through system parameters
Start with built-in tools that don't require any additional software. There are many options hidden in the smartphone settings menu to change the visual experience of the desktop. Go to Settings, then find Wallpaper or Lock and Wallpaper Screen, where you can not only change the static image, but also install live wallpapers that will be animated when unlocked.
The next important step is to adjust the grid and element size. Unlike many other Android smartphones, Xiaomi allows you to flexibly manage the density of the icons. To do this, go to Settings → Desktop. Here you will find the option Grid Size, where you can choose a configuration, for example, 5x6 or 6x6, which allows you to place more applications on one screen without losing readability.
⚠️ Note: When choosing too small a grid (a large number of icons), the text under the applications may become unreadable, and hitting the finger on the desired label will be difficult.
And this section also includes the Unlimited Scrolling feature, which if you activate this mode, the desktop will turn into an endless tape, where all the widgets and folders line up in one long row, which radically changes the logic of using a smartphone, making it similar to iOS or older versions of Android. By disabling this feature, you return the classic structure with separate screen pages.
And the font scale, which has a direct impact on the perception of the home screen, is also important. → Text size can be reduced to make room for content, or it can be increased to make it more readable. Balance between element size and free space is the key to an ergonomic interface.
Using the “Themes” App for Global Change
One of the most powerful tools in Xiaomi’s arsenal is the pre-installed Theme app, which allows you to change the main screen on Xiaomi almost beyond recognition without having superuser rights. Unlike simply changing the wallpaper, installing the theme affects system icons, fonts, notification sounds and even download animations.
To find the right design, open the Themes app and search. You can search for keywords like "iOS," "Minimal," "Cyberpunk" or "Black." After selecting a theme, click Download and then Apply. The system will automatically replace all visual elements with new ones. It's important to note that some themes can only change icons, leaving system windows standard, so always check the preview.
- 🎨 Icons: Complete replacement of graphical style of all applications, including system.
- 🔊 Sounds: Replacing ringing tunes, SMS Systemic events on thematic issues.
- 🔒 Lock screen: Installing a new unlock style with watches and widgets.
- ⚙️ Settings: Some themes change background color in the settings menu and notification curtain.
If you notice that some apps look foreign after installing the theme (they have a standard green or blue circle), this means that there are no graphical replacements for them in the selected package. You can manually replace the icon of a particular application, holding your finger on the shortcut for a long time and selecting Replace the icon in the menu that appears.
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Periodically check the “Updates” section in the Themes app. Developers often release patches that fix icon display bugs for newer versions of Android or MIUI.
Sometimes, after frequent change of designs, garbage accumulates in the cache of the system, which can cause interface lags, it is recommended that after experimenting with a dozen themes, clean through the standard Security application.
Installation of third-party launchers for complete freedom
When the standard shell is not enough, third-party launchers come to the rescue, home screen replacements that take full control of the interface, and installing such software is the most effective way to change the home screen on Xiaomi if you want an experience close to a “pure” Android or a unique widget system.
Popular options are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Smart Launcher. APK-If you have a file or installation from Google Play, the system will request permission to use this application as the main one. → Application management → three-point → Default application → Desktop and select an installed launcher.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
However, Xiaomi users often face limitations: the MIUI/HyperOS shell can force the standard launcher back or prevent the system panels from being removed. To get around this, you often need to activate the developer mode. This requires 7 quick clicks on the MIUI version in the About Phone section. Then in the Additional → For developers, you should find and activate the option to turn off the launcher monitoring by default (the name may vary depending on the version of the software).
⚠️ Warning: Third-party launchers may consume more battery power than the system interface, due to the constant rendering of animations and widgets.
The advantage of third-party solutions is that you can fine-tune gestures, so you can assign a double tap across the screen to launch the camera, swipe up to search, or long tap to call the voice assistant, and that creates personalized navigation that's not available in stock settings.
Configuring widgets and widgets "Tape widgets"
Widgets are not just decoration, but functional elements that allow you to get information without opening applications. Xiaomi shells have its own widget system, which is different from standard Android. To add a widget, make a pinch with two fingers on the home screen or a long press from scratch, then select Widgets.
Special attention should be paid to the Widget Tape (swipe to the left of the first screen). In the desktop settings, you can choose what will appear there: Google Assistant, Mi Widget Tape or nothing. The Mi Tape offers a news aggregator, weather, steps and quick actions. This space can be completely cleaned if you want minimalism, or filled with useful modules.
To add a widget to your desktop, select it from the menu, drag it to the right place and let it go. Many widgets from Xiaomi are variable size. Once placed, click on the widget, then click on the Change Size button (usually looks like a dashed frame with arrows). By stretching the frame, you can turn a small watch into a large information block with calendar and weather.
| Type of widget | Functional | Impact on the battery | Recommended seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock and Date | Showing time, often with weather | Low. | Top of the screen |
| Weather. | Temperature, forecast, humidity | Medium (update) | Any zone. |
| Notes | Quick access to the to-do list | Low. | The bottom of the screen |
| Music. | Player control | Low. | Middle zone |
There are also interactive widgets that allow you to control music, translate text or turn on a flashlight directly from your desktop, and the use of such elements makes the Xiaomi interface truly utilitarian and convenient for everyday tasks.
Organization of space: folders and hiding applications
Chaos on the home screen reduces productivity. Effective folder use is the first step to order. Create a folder by dragging one app to another. Inside the folder, you can change the location of the icons, and add apps by drag and drop. In MIUI, folders can be of different sizes, and in some versions, they support scrolling inside of you without taking up too much space on the screen.
For users who value privacy or just want to get rid of infrequent system applications, there is an Application Hide feature. To use it, open the Security app (green zipper icon), scroll down to Hide apps, and here you can select programs that will disappear from the home screen and from the menu of all apps.
Hidden applications are accessed through a special gesture or code in the standard Phone app (number set), which allows you to keep the main screen clean, leaving access to important but hidden functions only for the owner, and in this section you can set a password to access hidden files and photos.
Secret access code
Another way of organizing is using One-Hand Mode or resizing the font and interface elements in special features, which helps you comfortably manage the large screens of flagship models, making navigation on the main screen more convenient.
Solving and resetting interface settings
When experimenting with themes and launchers, users may encounter problems: icons are missing, the interface freezes, or after updating the firmware all settings have gone off. If the main screen is not behaving correctly, the first thing you can do is clear the cache of the Themes and Desktop application. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the desktop system application (or System Launcher) and click Clear → Clear cache.
If the problem persists, you may need to reset your launcher settings. Important: this will return the icons to factory status by removing all your folders and widgets from your desktop, but will not affect personal files or installed applications. From the Desktop menu, select Clean → Clear Everything (or Reset Settings).
⚠️ Note: Before completely resetting your launcher settings, make sure you remember passwords from important apps if they were saved in widgets or quick accesses, as authorization widgets may reset.
A common problem is to desynchronize icons after updating the system, in which case re-using a standard theme helps. Go to the Themes app, go to the profile (human icon), select Themes, find a Classic or Default theme and apply it, which will restore the system graphic elements.
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Xiaomi’s system launcher is deeply integrated into the shell, so its full reset often solves 90% of the problems with interface freezes and graphic artifacts.