Smartphone personalization is not just about changing wallpapers, it's about deeply customizing the interface to suit your habits. Xiaomi device owners are in a winning position, as the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide tremendous opportunities to change the appearance of the system without obtaining root rights. You can completely transform icons, fonts and even transition animation, turning a budget model into a premium gadget.
Many users are limited to standard settings, unaware of hidden customization functions. Changing the desktop allows you to increase productivity by bringing the right widgets to the forefront, or simply to please the eye with a unique design. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to modify the screen, from built-in tools to install third-party launchers.
It’s worth noting that the algorithms for some elements may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS. However, the basic principles remain unchanged for most modern models, whether it’s the Redmi Note series or the flagship Xiaomi.
Using the built-in Themes app for global change
The easiest and safest way to change the system is to use the official Theme app, which is pre-installed on all the company's devices, and allows you to change not only wallpaper, but also system fonts, notification sounds, application icons and even the style of the notification curtain, and you just need to find the corresponding application in the Tools folder or search for it.
Inside the store, there's a huge catalog of both free and paid designs. When choosing a theme, look for a preview that shows exactly how the desktop and settings menu will change. Some topics include screen unlock animations and unique watch widgets, which creates a sense of using a completely different device.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, there is a risk of receiving banner ads in the interface or disrupting the stability of the system.
After downloading the selected design, click the "Apply" button, and the system will suggest selecting the components for installation: you can apply the theme in its entirety or choose only wallpaper and icons, which is especially convenient if you like the design of buttons from one theme and fonts from another.
- 🎨 Open the “Themes” app and go to the “Profile” tab».
- 📂 Click on the “Themes” icon at the top of the screen to access the library.
- 🔍 Search for keywords like “Minimal,” “iOS style,” or “Cyberpunk».
- ⬇️ Download your favorite option and click "Apply».
This is a security limitation of HyperOS that prevents critical changes to system files, but the visual effect of changing the theme remains the most powerful tool in the user’s arsenal.
Configuring widgets and desktop grid
The functionality of the screen depends on how well the widgets are placed. In modern versions of the Xiaomi shell, widgets have become interactive and more informative. To add a new element, make a long press on an empty section of the screen or pinch the screen with two fingers, then select the widgets item in the bottom menu.
The system offers two types of widgets: classic (from apps) and new (from Xiaomi), new widgets with modern design, rounded corners and the ability to adjust the size more flexible. You can stretch them by changing from a compact display of time to a large calendar with notes, which makes the desktop more informative.
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Use the Notes widget on your desktop for quick access to your shopping list or tasks without opening the app itself.
To change the app grid, go to the screen settings by long-pressing on an empty area and select Settings. Here you can change the number of icons in a row and column. Increasing the density of icons allows you to place more applications on one screen, but can make the interface overloaded and less convenient to control with one hand.
| Type of widget | Functional | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Clock and Date | Time mapping, alarm clock. | Low. |
| Weather. | Temperature, forecast, humidity | Medium (requires GPS) |
| Stepper | Counting steps, calories | Low. |
| News | Event tape, headlines | High (permanent internet) |
Do not overuse the number of active widgets, especially those that require a constant connection to the Internet or geolocation. This can lead to accelerated battery discharge and slowing the interface when scrolling through the screens. The optimal is the presence of 3-5 commonly used widgets on the home screen.
Changing App Icons Manually
If you don't need a global theme, but you want to replace specific icons, the system allows you to do this selectively, which is useful when the standard design of the app icon is out of style or when you want to create your own color scheme. To do this, go to the desktop editing menu and select the icon.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a list of all the apps you've installed, and if you click on a particular icon, you can replace it with any other one that's available on the system or downloaded through the store, and you can also change the signature under the icon, which is convenient for hiding the name of the app or renaming folders.
How do you create your icon?
Automatic icon selection is also available, and theme settings can include an option that tries to replace all apps’ standard icons with stylized versions from an active theme, and if there is no stylized version for any application, the system will leave the original or use a template stub, depending on the settings.
- 📱 Click the empty space on the screen to call the menu.
- ⚙️ Select Settings in the lower right corner.
- 🖼️ Go to the section More -> Change the icons.
- ✅ Select the app and a new icon from the list.
It should be noted that when you update the application through Google Play or GetApps, the custom icon can be reset to the standard, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure. This is a feature of the Android operating system, which prioritizes the resources of the updated application.
Installation of a third-party launcher for complete freedom
When the shell is not enough, third-party launchers come to the rescue, and these are apps that completely replace the desktop interface, the app menu, and often even the notification curtain. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Smart Launcher give you complete control over every pixel of the screen.
After installing the launcher from the Play Market store, the system will suggest choosing it by default. However, on Xiaomi smartphones, there is a nuance: to ensure that the launcher works correctly and does not close the energy saving system, you need to provide it with extended permissions. Without this, the desktop can periodically “fly” to the standard one.
☑️ Setting up rights for launcher
In the third-party launcher settings, you can change everything: the height of the dock, the transparency of the background, the control gestures (for example, a double tap to lock), and even hide the Google search bar, which makes the smartphone a unique tool that is sharpened to your ergonomic preferences.
⚠️ Note: Some third-party launcher features, such as changing icons in the settings menu or animating app folding, may not work properly on newer versions of Android due to security limitations.
Special attention should be paid to the configuration of gestures. Many modern launchers allow you to configure swipes to application icons. For example, a swipe up the phone icon can immediately open a specific contact, and a swipe sideways on the Camera can start scanner mode. QR-This greatly speeds up interaction with the device.
Set up fonts and text size
Visual perception of information depends not only on pictures, but also on typography. Xiaomi settings (Settings -> Screen -> Text Size) can adjust not only the scale of the font, but also its boldness. Increased fatness makes text more readable in bright sun, and changing the size helps users with reduced vision.
The Theme Store offers hundreds of free fonts, from handwritten to strict office fonts. Installing a new font changes the way text is displayed across the system: in messages, browser, settings and supported apps. It's an easy way to refresh the interface without changing wallpaper and icons.
However, be careful with exotic fonts, some of which may not support Cyrillic or special characters, which will display "squares" or question marks instead of text. Always check the font preview in Russian before installing.
- ✍️ Open the “Themes” app and go to profile.
- 🔤 Select the category "Fonts».
- 👁️ Click on the font to view the text preview.
- ⬇️ Download and apply the selected option.
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The combination of contrasting font and the correct size of the text reduces eye fatigue with prolonged use of the smartphone.
Newer versions of HyperOS offer the ability to customize fonts for individual elements of the system in more detail, so you can keep the system font standard for readability, but change the font in the watch widgets to a more decorative one, creating an interesting visual accent on the desktop.
Resetting and returning to the standard
If you've had some setup experiments that have caused chaos on your desktop or the system is starting to run unsteady, you can always go back to the original state. The easiest way to do this is by changing the default launcher back to the standard one in your system settings. To do this, go to Settings -> Applications -> Application Management -> Three dots in the corner -> Default Apps.
If the problem lies in the depth of the interface settings, you may need to clean the Themes or System Launcher app data, which will bring all icons, widgets and grids back to the factory look, but will not delete your personal files, photos or contacts. This is a secure procedure that often solves problems with the "glutty" interface.
As a last resort, if the changes were made at a deep system level (for example, through ADB or root rights), you may need to completely reset your phone settings. So always back up your important data to the cloud or your computer before any drastic changes.
How to reset the launcher settings without losing data?
Why did the theme fly off after the firmware update?
Can I make transparent folders on the desktop?
To sum up, changing the desktop on Xiaomi is a creative process that allows you to adapt the device to any need. Whether it's minimalist for work or vivid personalization for the soul, the tools MIUI and HyperOS provide everything you need. Experiment, but remember the balance between beauty and performance.