How to change the font color on the Xiaomi desktop: all the ways for MIUI 12-14

Xiaomi’s MIUI-based desktop offers users a wide range of customization options, but not all settings are on the surface. Coloring the font is one of those features that is often hidden in the depths of the menu or require the use of additional tools. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the color gamut of text on the home screen, including standard system options, special features settings and third-party solutions.

It’s important to understand that font editing capabilities vary depending on the MIUI version and the smartphone model. For example, on devices with MIUI 14 and Xiaomi 13 Pro, advanced thematic options are available, while on budget devices like Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5 functionality may be limited. We will look at universal methods that work on most devices, and also point out the features for specific versions of firmware.

If you want to not just change the color of the text, but create a harmonious theme, pay attention to the combination of font with wallpaper, icons and system accents. At the end of the article, you will find tips for choosing color palettes and FAQs with answers to typical user questions.

MIUI Standard Settings: Where to Look for Font Parameters

To start with, the obvious is the built-in MIUI shell options. Unfortunately, you can't directly change the color of the desktop font through the standard menu, but there are indirect ways to influence the display of text. The main parameters are hidden in the "Themes" and "Special features" sections.

The first step is to check the current theme. Go to Settings → Themes and choose an active theme. Some official and custom themes from the Mi Themes store offer alternative color schemes for text, including contrasting options to improve readability. For example, the Dark Mode Pro theme automatically adjusts the font color to a dark background, making it light gray or blue.

The second way is to adjust contrast. In Settings → Special features → Improved visibility is the High Contrast option. When activated, system text (including the icons) will become more saturated and the background will become monochromatic, which does not give you complete freedom of color choice, but can solve the problem of poor readability on bright wallpaper.

• 🎨 Topics MIUI: Some topics change the color of the font automatically (for example, dark themes make the text light).
• 🔍 High contrast: increases text saturation, improving visibility on complex backgrounds.
• 📱 Reading mode: in some versions MIUI affects the shade of the system font (gray instead of black).

Using the "Color Filter" mode to change the shade of text

One little-known way to change the color of a desktop font is to activate color filters in special features settings, a tool that is originally designed for visually impaired users (such as colorblind people), but can also be used to customize the interface.

To turn on the filter, go to Settings → Special Options → Color filter. Here are some preset diagrams:

• 🔴 Protanopia/deuteranopia: shifts the shades to the red or green area (the text may turn brown or orange).
• 🔵 Tritanopia: adds a blue tint to all interface elements, including font.
• 🖼️ Shades of Grey: Makes text gray, which is helpful for reducing eye strain.

The main drawback of the method is that the filter is applied to the entire screen, not just the text, but if you want, for example, blue font on the desktop, tritanopia will give a close result, the effect works immediately after activation and does not require rebooting.

⚠️ Warning: Color filters can distort colors in photos and videos. Turn off mode before watching media if accuracy of coloring is important.

Third-party launchers: complete freedom of customization

If built-in MIUI options aren’t enough, consider installing an alternative launcher. Apps like Nova Launcher, Action Launcher or Hyperion Launcher allow you to flexibly customize the desktop look, including the color and font size of icon signatures.

For example, in Nova Launcher, the path to font settings is: Long desktop press → Settings → Appearance → Font icons. Here you can choose:

• 🎨 Text Color: Any shades of palette (including transparency).
• 📏 Font size: 8 to 24 pt.
• 🏷️ Shadow of the text: improves readability on colorful wallpaper.
• 🔤 Font style: bold, italic, underlined.

The advantage of third-party launchers is to keep all the features of MIUI (gestures, quick settings) while simultaneously expanding customization. The disadvantage is the possible increase in battery consumption by 3-5% due to the additional process. Before installing, check the launcher compatibility with your version of Android (on Xiaomi it is usually Android 11-13).

Download APK from the official website (not from third-party sources)|

Create a backup of the current desktop settings|

Check the reviews on compatibility with your Xiaomi | model

Disable battery optimization for launcher in settings-->

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If MIUI gestures are missing after installing the launcher, return them to Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation and select MIUI Gestures.

Manual editing of system files (for advanced users)

For those willing to take risks for a unique design, there is a way to change the color of the font through editing system files, which requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights, as well as knowledge of working with ADB and the Android file system.

Main steps:

1. Download and install Magisk to obtain root rights.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times click on the version bar).
3. Use an ADB or root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer) to navigate to /system/framework/framework-res.apk.
4. Extract the file, find it in it. colors.xml and change the parameters text_color_primary and text_color_secondary.
5. Collect the file back, install it via TWRP and restart the device.

Changing system files can cause your phone to run unstable or crash. Create a full backup using TWRP or Mi Flash Tool before you start.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13 file paths may differ due to changes in firmware structure. XDA Developers or 4PDA for your model.

Adjust the color of the font through ADB-teams (without root)

A less risky, but technically challenging way is to use ADB to change interface settings, which doesn't require root rights, but doesn't work on all versions of MIUI. The idea is to send a command to change the system variables that display text.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB on your PC (download Platform Tools from Google’s website).
2. Connect Xiaomi via USB, activate Debugging via USB and confirm trust in your computer.
3. Open the command line in the folder with ADB Adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled 1 adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer 1.0 Here. 1.0 — filter-value (0.0–1.0 protanopia, 2.0–3.0 tritanopia).
4. Use the filter to disable: adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled 0

This technique mimics the way color filters work, but it allows you to fine-tune the intensity of the effect, for example, 0.5 will give you a slight reddish hue of text, and 2.5 will give you a rich blue. Experiment with numbers to get the desired result.

Problems and Limitations: Why the Color of the Font Has Not Changed

Even if you follow the instructions, you may find that the color of the text remains the same, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to address them:

• 🔄 Cash Systems: After Changes, Clean Cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher (or Systemic Systems) UI).
• 📱 Manufacturer restrictions: on some models (e.g, POCO F4) The font color is tightly tied to the subject. Try changing the theme to the standard one.
• 🔒 Lockdown MIUI: into MIUI 14 for the European region, some customization options are disabled. The solution is to change the firmware region (risky!).
• 🛠️ Launcher Conflict: If you use a third-party launcher, disable it before setting system settings.

Another common problem is wallpaper and text incompatibility, and if the desktop background is too colorful or dark, automatic MIUI algorithms can force the font to change to white/black to improve readability.

• Try wallpaper with a homogeneous background.
• Turn off the option Automatic contrast in the settings of special features.
• Use blur wallpaper (effect works in MIUI 13/14).

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If none of the methods worked, check out the MIUI version on Xiaomi's website. Your model may need a firmware update to unlock additional options.

Tips for choosing color combinations for the desktop

Changing the color of the font is only part of the task. To make your desktop look harmonious, follow the principles of color psychology and design:

• 🖤 Dark topics: for black background, choose light shades of text — #E0E0E0 (grey), #4DD0E1 (blue), #AED581 (mint).
• ⚪ Light themes: dark gray (#424242), blue look good on white background (#1976D2) purple (#7B1FA2).
• 🌈 Contrast accents: if the wallpaper is colored, pick the font from the opposite part of the color wheel (for example, green text on a pink background).

To test readability, use tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to show if there is enough contrast between background and text, and the optimal contrast ratio for comfortable reading is 4.5:1 (WCAG standard for web accessibility).

If you use Always-on Display (AOD), note that not all font colors will display correctly in this mode. For example, on Xiaomi 12T Pro, AOD only supports white, red and orange texts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing font color on Xiaomi