Personalizing the smartphone interface is one of the most enjoyable ways to make a device truly your own. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the desire to change the standard visual style, which can seem too familiar or boring. The MIUI shell and its new version of HyperOS provide powerful built-in customization tools, but not all users know how to use them correctly.
In this article, we will explore all the available ways to replace graphical interface elements, from official themes to advanced methods using third-party launchers, learn how to safely change the appearance of a system without disrupting its stability, and which tools are best suited for deep tuning.
The process of changing graphics can range from a few clicks to more complex manipulations that require careful attention, and we will look at each method in detail so that you can choose the best option for your smartphone model and operating system version.
Use of the built-in Themes application
The easiest and safest way to change your app icons on Xiaomi is to use the official Themes app, which doesn’t require any additional software to be installed and ensures compatibility with your firmware version. The theme store contains millions of custom and author designs that change not only icons, but also system fonts, sounds and wallpapers.
To get started, you need to open the Themes app on your desktop, and if you've removed it before, you can find it in the Tools folder or download it again through GetApps. The store interface should go to the Profile tab (usually the person icon in the lower right corner), and then select Themes, which displays all installed or previously downloaded designs.
- 🎨 Click on the “Set up theme” button under active design.
- 📱 Select the “Icons” option from the list of items available for replacement.
- 🔄 In the list that opens, find the desired application and replace its standard icon with any other of the proposed sets.
It is important to note that in some regions of the global firmware versions, functionality may be limited. If you do not see the “Tune Theme” button, try changing the region in your smartphone settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region and select, for example, India or Russia. After changing the region, reboot the “Themes” app.
⚠️ Note: When you change region, the available apps in the GetApps store may change and you may see promotional offers specific to the selected country. Remember to return the original region after you have completed the setup, if this is necessary for the correct operation of local services.
Using official themes helps keep the system stable, but if you want to change the icon of a particular application to a unique image that is not in the store, you can't do it with standard means.
Setup through third-party launchers
If the built-in HyperOS or MIUI shell capabilities seem limited to you, an alternative launcher is a great solution: these are special applications that completely replace the desktop, control panel and often the icon system. The most popular options are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Lawnchair.
Once you install the launcher from Google Play, the system will prompt you to select the default one, so to change the icon of a particular application in Nova Launcher, for example, you need to pinch your finger on the icon on the desktop and select "Edit." From the menu that opens, you can select a new icon from the built-in library or download your image from the gallery.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Your Louncher] → PermissionsBe sure to give the new launcher all the necessary permissions, including access to storage so that it can have your images for icons. It is also recommended to turn off battery optimization for this application so that the animations run smoothly.
☑️ Checking the launcher settings
The main advantage of third-party launchers is complete independence from the manufacturer's limitations. You can create folders with a unique design, change the desktop grid and use icon packages downloaded separately. However, it is worth remembering that some MIUI features, such as control gestures or widget cards, may not work correctly or require additional customization.
Application of icon packs (Icon Packs)
For those who want to keep their native MIUI launcher but change the style of the icons completely, there are special packages. Unlike those that do not change the system sounds or wallpaper, but only affect the graphical designations of applications. Installing such packages often requires the use of third-party tools, since MIUI does not always support them natively.
One of the popular methods is to use an XIconthemer app or analogue, and these snails allow you to pull a packet of icons onto the system, and the process is this: download. APK-an icon pack file (the format often has the.mtz extension or it’s a regular application), then launch the theme and apply the changes.
| Package name | Style. | Number of icons | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whicons | Minimalism (white) | 1200+ | Tall. |
| LineX | Linear (black) | 2500+ | Medium |
| CandyCons | Flat (colored) | 3000+ | Tall. |
| Flight | Gradient | 1800+ | Medium |
When using third-party icon packages, it is important to keep an eye on them. App developers are constantly changing Package Names, so older versions of icon packages may not recognize new versions of applications, leaving them with standard icons.
Where to download safe icon packages?
Manual Replacement through File Manager
For advanced users who want to replace the icon with their own image without installing launchers, there is a manual replacement method that requires root rights or use special tools to create shortcuts, since direct replacement of system files in Android is protected.
The safest way to do that without root rights is to create a shortcut. You can use shortcut design apps like Shortcut Maker. In this app, you select the target app, upload any image from the gallery as an icon, and create a new shortcut on your desktop.
The old icon will remain on the app menu, but your custom icon will show off on the desktop, ideal for creating themed folders or minimalist design, and you can remove the created shortcut with a regular long press, just like the standard application.
⚠️ Note: Direct replacement of system icon files in the folder /system/media/theme/default Without a backup and understanding of the structure of Android, it can lead to a “bootloop” (cyclic reboot) or the disappearance of icons.
If you still decide to make a deep modification, make sure that the image format meets the requirements: PNG with a transparent background and square aspect ratio. The optimal size is 192x192 pixels or 512x512 for high-resolution screens.
Solving problems with updating icons
Often, users are faced with a situation where, after updating the system or the application itself, the icon returns to its standard appearance. This is the normal behavior of Android security, which checks the integrity of resources. In the shell of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the protection mechanisms have become even stricter.
To minimize setting resets, try not to update the theme on the fly if you have made a lot of manual changes to it, wait until all apps are updated and then re-apply the theme or icon pack, and clearing the theme app cache helps.
- 🧹 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 🔍 Find the Topics app (or Themes) in the list»).
- 🗑️ Click Clear and select Clear Cache (not data unless you want to lose downloads).
In some cases, the problem is that if you're using an old icon package on fresh Android 13/14, it may not work properly. Look for updated versions of the packages that are marked as compatible with the latest versions of MIUI.
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If the icon signature is missing after changing the theme, try the Themes app to go to Profile → Settings and turn on/off the signature display option. Sometimes you need to double switch to apply the effect.
The impact of customization on productivity
Many users are wondering whether the abundance of themes and icons affects the speed of a smartphone? Replacing static icons has little to no effect on the performance of the device. However, using “live” icons that change in real time (for example, showing the weather or battery power directly on the icon) can consume additional battery power and CPU resources.
Heavy launchers with lots of animations can cause micro-freezes on Xiaomi’s budget models, such as the entry-level Redmi Note series, and in such cases, static icon packages and lightweight launcher versions are recommended.
Memory optimization also plays a role. If you don't have enough RAM, the system can more often unload the theme process from memory, which leads to a short-term return of standard icons when you open the menu. Close unused applications in the background to keep customization stable.
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Static icons do not affect the speed of the smartphone, but live widgets and heavy launchers can increase battery consumption by 5-10%.