Owners of budget but robust smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 6A often seek to personalize their device to make its interface unique and unlike the standard shell. The standard set of graphic elements offered by the manufacturer can seem boring or too simple, especially if you want to stand out among friends. Changing icons is the easiest and most effective way to radically transform the look of your desktop without the need for superuser rights or complex firmware reflashing.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to replace standard application icons with custom images, use specialized launchers and work with built-in MIUI tools. You will learn how to bypass the limitations of the system and embed any graphic files in the menu structure, turning your gadget into a work of digital art.
Before we get started, it’s worth noting that the process can vary depending on the version of Android operating system installed and the MIUI shell. However, the basic principles remain the same for most Redmi devices.
Using the built-in Themes app to change style
The easiest and safest method that doesn’t require additional software is to use the Themes app (or Themes) preinstalled on every Xiaomi smartphone. The store’s catalog offers thousands of free and paid designs that change not only icons, but also system fonts, lock wallpapers and notification sounds.
To get started, open the Themes app on your Redmi 6A and go to Profile or click on the person icon in the lower right corner. Here you are interested in Subjects, where you can search. Enter “Icons” or “Icons” to find packages that change only graphic elements without affecting the rest of the system interface.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party regions (e.g. India or Indonesia), the functionality may differ from the global version. Some themes may not apply completely without changing the region in the phone settings.
Once you select your favorite set, click Download and then Apply. The system will automatically replace the standard icons with new ones. If you want to return everything as it was, just go to your profile download history and select the Classic or Defult theme to reset the changes.
Installation of third-party launchers for deep customization
If the built-in MIUI feels limited, the best solution is to install an alternative shell known as a launcher, which completely replaces the desktop, control panel and application menu, giving access to hundreds of customization options that are not available in stock firmware.
Popular options for Redmi 6A are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Smart Launcher. Once downloaded from Google Play Market and installed, the system will request permission to use this application as the main one.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher – provides maximum flexibility in setting the grid size, animations and icon behavior.
- 🎨 Microsoft Launcher – perfectly integrates with Microsoft services and offers beautiful daily wallpaper.
- ⚡ Smart Launcher – automatically sorts applications by category and has built-in support for many icon packages.
It is important to understand that when using a third-party launcher, some functions MIUI, These are things like swipes to call menus or hidden gestures that may not work properly or require additional customization in the feature menu. 6A Often benefits from this replacement.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
Manual replacement of icons through the creation of labels
For those who want to replace just one or more specific applications without changing the entire interface, there is a method of creating shortcuts, which allows you to use any images from your gallery as icons, creating a unique visual range.
You'll need an app to create widgets or shortcuts, like Shortcut Maker or X Icon Changer. Once installed, open the program, select the app from the list, and click on the current icon. A gallery will open where you can select any saved image or download a new one from the Internet.
Once you select the image, the system will suggest adding the shortcut to your desktop. Please note that this will be a shortcut, not a replacement for the system file. The original application will remain on the menu with the old icon, and a copy of it with the new image will appear on the desktop.
The path to image search: /storage/emulated/0/Pictures/IconsThis is ideal for creating themed folders or highlighting the most important applications, for example, you can make a phone icon in the form of a retro tube, and a messenger icon in the style of a logo from the 80s, the main thing is that the original image has a square or round shape for the best display.
Application of icon packs (Icon Packs)
Icon packs are specialized graphics sets designed by designers to harmonize the visual style of hundreds of popular apps, but instead they don’t change system fonts or wallpaper, but focus solely on program icons.
Most modern launchers support installing such packages. Search the Play Market for an “Icon Pack” and download your favorite set. After installation, open your launcher settings, look for “Look and Feel” or “Look and Feel” and then select “Icon Style”.
| Package name | Number of icons | Style. | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whicons | 1200+ | White, minimalism | Tall. |
| LineX | 4500+ | Linear, neon. | Medium |
| Candy Consolidated | 6000+ | Bright, flat. | Tall. |
| Pix Material You | 2000+ | Google Material | Tall. |
Not all apps can automatically adopt a new style. In such cases, icon package settings often include a “Mix & Match” or “Request Icons” feature that allows you to manually match an icon from a package to a specific application, even if the author of the package did not originally intend this.
What to do if the icon is not used?
Setting up the size and grid of the desktop
When icons are changed, they often appear too small or bulky against the new wallpaper. For a perfect visual experience, you need to adjust the desktop grid correctly. On Redmi 6A, with its screen diagonal, this is especially true.
Press your finger on the empty desktop and select Settings (cogs). Here you will find the options Grid or Grid Size. It is recommended to choose the 5x6 or 4x6 configuration for comfortable use with one hand, which allows the icons to be large enough, but not occupy the entire screen.
You can also change the size of the signatures under the icons, or hide them altogether, if the new icon design is self-contained and clear without textual explanations, creating the clean interface effect popular in modern versions of Android.
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Keep the balance: don't make the icons too small, otherwise they'll be hard to get by with your finger.The optimal size for the Redmi 6A is about 60-70 pixels wide.
Solving problems and optimizing work
Users may encounter a number of technical difficulties in customization, such as when a heavy theme is installed, the phone may start to run slower, as the Redmi 6A is an entry-level device with limited processor resources.
If you notice lags or twitching interfaces, try turning off live wallpaper and complex transition animations. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Developer (if enabled) and reduce the animation to 0.5x. This will greatly speed up the system response.
- 🐌 Brake the interface – use static wallpaper instead of video and discard widgets with constant updates.
- 🔋 Battery goes down quickly – some topics have poor optimization, check the consumption in statistics and remove the problematic topic.
- 📉 Icons are missing after the reboot – it may have been deleted or damaged, try applying a standard theme and installing a new one.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing themes and launchers from unverified sources (APK-This can lead to malware infection or leakage of personal data. Use only the official Google Play store or a verified directory. MIUI Themes.
Remember that over-customization can take up a significant amount of internal memory. Regularly check the storage and delete unused icon packs that you downloaded "to try." For the Redmi 6A with its modest amount of internal memory, this is critical.
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Optimal customization for the Redmi 6A is a balance between beauty and performance. Use lightweight static themes and minimalist icon packs to keep the processor off load.