How to change the style of icons on Xiaomi: from standard themes to custom packs

Why are Xiaomi’s standard icons not good for users?

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or the new HyperOS offer rich customization options, but factory icons often look too bright, out of date or simply do not fit into the overall style of the interface. Many owners of Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 13T find that standard icons seem childish, overloaded with details or simply uncomfortable to perceive. For example, round icons on MIUI 14 can visually “eat” useful space on the screen, and flat icons in HyperOS – seem too minimalistic.

Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several ways to change the style of icons, from simple themes from the official store to deep manual adjustment through ADB or third-party launchers. Importantly, on devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), some methods work differently than on MIUI, due to the changed architecture of the system. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from the simplest to advanced, taking into account the features of different versions of the firmware.

Method 1: Using embedded MIUI/HyperOS themes

The fastest and safest method is to install a finished theme from the official Theme Store, which requires no root rights, works on all devices (including the POCO M6 Pro and Redmi 12C), and allows you to change not only icons, but also fonts, wallpaper, animations. However, it has a limitation: the themes often change the style of icons globally, rather than selectively for individual applications.

How to do this:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search bar, type in a query like “minimalist icons” or “flat icons".
• 🎨 Choose your favorite theme and click Apply. Use the View button to preview.
• ⚙️ If the theme is paid, you will need to pay through Mi Wallet or bank card.

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To return standard icons, go to Settings → Design → Themes and select “Default”.

Disadvantages of the method:

• ❌ Limited selection of free themes.
• ❌ Not all themes correctly display icons of third-party applications (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp may remain unchanged).
• ❌ After updating MIUI/HyperOS Some topics may be dropped.

Method 2: Installation of a third-party launcher

If the built-in themes don't work, you can completely replace the standard launcher with an alternative one, popular options are Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Lawnchair.

• 🎯 Change the shape of icons (circle, rounded square, custom mask).
• 🖌️ Use icon packs from the Play Market (such as Whicons or Fluid).
• 📏 Set the size of the icons and the indentations between them.
• 🔄 Hide the names of applications or change their font.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher in the settings (Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher).
3. Press your finger on the desktop → Settings → Style of icons.
4. Select the icon pack (pre-installing it from the store) or customize the icon mask.

Make sure that the device has enough memory (minimum 200 MB)

Download the launcher APK (if there is no Google Play)

Disable battery optimization for launcher in MIUI settings

Make a backup of the current desktop settings-->

Important for HyperOS: New devices (such as Xiaomi 14 Pro) may experience system gesture conflicts when installing a third-party launcher. To fix this, go to Settings → Display → System Navigation and select Navigation Buttons instead of gestures.

Method 3: Manually modifying icons via ADB (for experienced)

If you need to change icons selectively (for example, only for YouTube or Chrome), you can use the ADB command. This method requires a computer connection and basic knowledge of working with the console, but gives maximum flexibility.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder.
4. Open the command line in this folder and type:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "name packet"

For example, WhatsApp is called com.whatsapp.

1. Download the icon pack in.png format (at least 192×192 px resolution) and place the files in the /sdcard/Pictures/Icons/ folder on your phone.
2. Follow the command to replace the icon (example for WhatsApp):

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "package:com.whatsapp" -e icon_path "/sdcard/Pictures/Icons/whatsapp.png"

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ After updating MIUI/HyperOS change may be reset.
• ⚠️ Not all system applications (such as Settings or Phone) allow you to change icons in this way.
• ⚠️ HyperOS requires additional permission android.permission.CHANGE_COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE, which is only available to rooted devices.

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ADB-It's a method that's good for single changes, but not for massive icon replacement. + icon-pack.

Method 4: Using Magisk modules (root required)

If your device is unlocked and Magisk is installed, you can use the modules for deep customization of icons.

• 🔧 Iconify – allows you to change the icons of system and user applications.
• 🎨 MiuiMOD – expands the possibilities of customization MIUI/HyperOS.
• 🔄 Lawnchair Icon Pack Enabler – enforces icon packs on all apps.

How to install the module:

1. Download a module file (e.g., Iconify-Magisk.zip) from the XDA Developers forum.
2. Open Magisk Manager → Modules → Install from storage.
3. Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
4. Reset the device.

Warning for HyperOS:

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 14 Ultra: Some Magisk modules may conflict with new security MIUI Optimization. Before installation, disable it via the command: adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1 After restarting, check the stability of the work.

Method 5: Manual editing APK-Files (for enthusiasts)

It's the most laborious, but also the most flexible way. It involves unpacking. APK-Application file, manual icon replacement and reverse build required: PC, APKTool program, knowledge of the structure of Android applications and backup of the original APK.

Instructions:

1. Download the APK application (for example, via APKCombo).
2. Unpack it with APKTool: apktool d app.apk -o output_folder
3. Go to the folder. output_folder/res/ Find the icons (usually in the drawable-xxxhdpi/ or mipmap-xxxhdpi/).
4. Replace your icon files (save the original names and formats!).
5. Gather it. APK back: apktool b output_folder -o modified.apk
6. Sign the APK with a uber-apk signer.
7. Install a modified APK on your phone.

Risks of the method:

• 🚨 Wrong assembly. APK It could lead to the collapse of the application.
• 🚨 System applications (e.g. Camera or Gallery) may lose access to certain functions after modification.
• 🚨 On HyperOS Signature Checker APK Enhanced – Modified files may not be installed without disabling MIUI Optimization.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To facilitate the choice, we will bring all the methods in a table taking into account the complexity, requirements and result:

For most users, the best solution is to combine a third-party launcher (Nova Launcher) and a pack of icons, which gives flexibility without losing the guarantee or stability of the system. ADB-method (subject to caution).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your icons to Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes.

⚠️ Warning: If after applying the theme or installing the launcher icons become blurred, check the resolution of the icon pack — 192×192 px for xxxhdpi. smaller resolutions (e.g, 48×48 px) will automatically scale, resulting in loss of quality.

Problem 1: Icons don’t change for some apps.

• 🔹 Make sure the icon pack supports these apps (check the description in the Play Market).
• 🔹 For launchers like Nova, enable the option “Forced use of icon theme” in the settings.
• 🔹 If you have a problem with system applications (like Calls), try it. ADB-method.

Problem 2: After the MIUI/HyperOS update, the icons dropped.

• 🔹 For Themes: Reinstall theme from the Themes Store.
• 🔹 For launchers: check if the default settings have reset (Settings) → Annexes → By default).
• 🔹 For ADB-Changes: Repeat the procedure (the icons are stored in the cache, which is cleared when updated).

Problem 3: HyperOS does not use icon packs.

• 🔹 Install Lawnchair Launcher – it’s better compatible with the new shell.
• 🔹 Turn off optimization. MIUI through ADB (See the section on Magisk).
• 🔹 Check if Security is blocked (Settings) → Memory and applications → Security) installation of third-party launchers.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions