How to change the launcher to Xiaomi: 3 proven ways and tips for optimization

Standard launcher MIUI or HyperOS on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO Some people want to get rid of ads in system applications, some people don't like design with excessive animations, and some people are just looking for more customization opportunities. Fortunately, you can replace the launcher with Xiaomi without root rights – and we will tell you how to do it correctly, avoiding common mistakes.

In this article, you’ll find current ways to install alternative launchers (including Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, and Smart Launcher), instructions for customizing gestures and widgets, and solving typical problems – from resetting to conflicts with the Internet. MIUI Optimization. All methods tested on firmware. MIUI 14/15 hyperos (2026 year and work on models from Redmi Note 12 Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Why you should change the launcher to Xiaomi

System launcher MIUI/HyperOS There are a number of restrictions that prevent comfortable use:

• 📛 Advertising and unnecessary widgets: even in the latest versions of firmware, there are banners in the search bar or suggestions to install applications from Xiaomi.
• ⚙️ Limited customization: you can not change the size of the icons without third-party tools, there is no support for adaptive icons on some models.
• 👆 Inconvenient gestures: Standard swipes often conflict with the system’s own gestures (e.g., a Quick Ball call or Game Turbo).
• 📱 Performance: launcher MIUI It can be used on budget devices (Redmi). 10A, POCO M5) background-process.

Alternative launchers address these issues, such as Nova Launcher, which allows you to customize every pixel of the screen, while Lawnchair offers a minimalist design with support for dark theme and adaptive icons. In addition, many third-party launchers consume less RAM, which is critical for devices with 3-4 GB of RAM.

Which launcher to choose for Xiaomi: comparison top-5 variant

Before installing it is important to decide on an alternative. We tested 5 popular launchers on Xiaomi 13 Pro (HyperOS) and Redmi Note 11 (MIUI 14) - results in the table below. Note the "Compatibility" column: some launchers may not display widgets correctly MIUI (for example, weather or pedometer).

Poco Launcher officially supported only on series devices POCO. On other models Xiaomi/Redmi It may work unstablely – for example, not displaying notification icons or resetting wallpaper after a reboot.

For most users, the best choice is Nova Launcher (if you need depth of settings) or Lawnchair (if you want lightness and modern design). POCO F5 or POCO X5 Pro, it is worth trying the native Poco Launcher - it integrates better than others with proprietary features like Turbo Mode.

Method 1: Installation of a launcher without root (standard method)

This is the easiest and most secure way to work on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the firmware version. You do not need root rights or unlock the bootloader - just download it. APK-file and follow instructions.

Download APK-File from the official website (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, etc.)|

Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special access rights → Installation of unknown applications|

Backup your current screen settings (via Settings) → System system → Backup)|

Close all background applications to avoid conflicts-->

Step-by-step:

1. Download. APK-file of the selected launcher from the official source: Nova Launcher (developer site) Lawnchair (GitHub or Telegram channel)

⚠️ Warning: Do not install launchers from third-party stores (such as APKMirror or APKPure) unless you are sure of their safety. There have been cases of the spread of modified versions of Nova Launcher with malicious code in 2023.

Install the downloaded file. If the "Installation locked" error appears, go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Settings (cogs) → Install unknown applications and allow installation for your browser or file manager.

After installation, click "Open." The system will prompt you to select the default launcher — select a new one and confirm the action. If the window does not appear, go to Settings. → Annexes → By default. → Launcher and install the desired option.

Reboot the device. This is necessary to ensure that the launcher correctly applies all the settings and avoids icon-picture bugs.

If the launcher is unstable after installation (for example, icons disappear or applications do not open), try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reinstall the launcher by pre-clearing the cache in Settings → Annexes → [The name of the launcher] → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📵 Turn off the function "MIUI Optimization through ADB (instruction).
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, find the item "Reset settings" and execute it.

💡

If navigation gestures stop working after the launcher change (for example, swipe up for return), go to Settings → Display. → Full screen mode and select "Gesturing with buttons" instead of "Full screen gestures".

Method 2: Disconnection MIUI Optimization for stable operation of the launcher

One of the most common problems when changing the launcher to Xiaomi is a conflict with the system function. MIUI Optimization. It's responsible for performance optimization, but it often interferes with third-party launchers, causing them to be able to do so:

• 🔄 Spontaneous wallpaper dumping.
• 📱 Hanging between the desktops when swiping.
• ❌ Incorrect display of widgets (such as weather or calendar).

The solution is to disable MIUI Optimization through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method doesn’t require root, but it will require a computer and a computer. USB-cable.

Instructions for disconnection MIUI Optimization:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb.exe) on your computer.
2. Turn on "Debugging by" USB" on a smartphone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
3. Connect the phone to your computer and type in the command line (or Terminal on the computer). Mac/Linux): adb devices If the device is identified (serial number appears), type: adb shell settings put global settings miui_optimization_disabled 1
4. Reboot your smartphone. Check the launcher, the widget and animation issues should go away.

⚠️ Attention: Disconnection MIUI Optimization can lead to a slight increase in battery consumption (3-5%) and rare bugs with animations in system applications (for example, in the Camera or Gallery:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 0

Method 3: Install a root-rights launcher (for power users)

If you've already unlocked the bootloader and got root access (e.g., through Magisk), you can install the launcher as a system application, which has several advantages:

• 🔒 The launcher will not reset after the update MIUI/HyperOS.
• ⚡ Improves performance (launcher works as a native application).
• 🎨 Full support for all widgets and themes MIUI.

However, there are risks:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• 🔧 Possible conflicts with system updates.
• 🛡️ Malware vulnerability (if root access is incorrectly configured).

Instructions for users with root:

1. Download. APK-The launcher file and rename it to Lawnchair.apk (Or another name if you use another launcher).
2. Using a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) copy the file to a folder. /system/priv-app/.
3. Set up rights. 644 (rw-r--r--) for the file: chmod 644 /system/priv-app/Lawnchair.apk
4. Restart the device. The launcher will become system and will be available in the default application list.

⚠️ Note: If after installing the launcher as a system application, the phone stopped booting (bootloop), try going to the bootloop. TWRP and delete the launcher file from /system/priv-app/. If TWRP No, you will have to refashion the device via Fastboot.

Launcher setting: gestures, icons and widgets

Installing a launcher is half the battle, and to make it work as efficiently as possible, you have to set it up correctly, and let's look at the key parameters with the example of Nova Launcher (similar options are available in other launchers).

1.Gestural and navigation

Standard gestures MIUI They often conflict with the launcher to avoid it:

• 👉 Open the launcher settings → Gestures and entrances.
• 📱 Turn off Swipe Up for Applet (if you use full-screen gestures) MIUI).
• 🔄 Set up Double Touch to lock the screen or start the camera.

2.Icons and adaptive design

So that the icons look uniform:

• 🎨 In the "Look" section, select "Icon Style" → "Adaptive".
• 📏 Set the icon size to 100-110 percent (optimum for resolution screens) FHD+).
• 🖼️ For dark themes, turn on "Adaptive Icons with Dark Background".

3. Widgets and wallpaper

Widgets MIUI (weather, pedometer, calendar, may not be displayed correctly:

• 🔄 Restart the device after adding the widget.
• 📵 In the launcher settings, disable "Overlapping widgets".
• 🖼️ Use the format for the wallpaper. 1440×3040 (ratio-devices 20:9).

💡

If the weather widget is from MIUI It doesn’t work, so you can install an alternative: Overdrop or 1Weather. They integrate better with third-party launchers and support responsive design.

Solving problems after the launcher change

Even when installed correctly, there can be bugs, and we've collected some of the most common problems and ways to fix them.

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the launcher to factory settings (Startcher Settings). → Backup and reset) or install another version (for example, the beta version of Nova Launcher often runs more stable than the one used in the launcher).

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the launcher to Xiaomi