How to change the type of shortcuts on Xiaomi smartphones: 7 ways to customize

Introduction: Why change the shortcuts on Xiaomi?

The app shortcuts on Xiaomi's screen are not just functional elements, but part of your smartphone's visual style. MIUI It can be boring or uncomfortable, especially if you're used to a different design. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides a number of ways to change it, from simple customization to deep customization.

In this article, we will discuss all current methods: from built-in tools. MIUI 14/15 You will learn how to change the size of icons, apply icon packages, hide labels and even create a unique style with the help of Xiaomi Themes. 14.

Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or installing additional applications, and we will mark these points separately so that you can choose the option that is safe for you.

Method 1: Resize icons through MIUI settings

The easiest way to transform the appearance of shortcuts is to resize them. MIUI Suitable for all modern devices: from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 13T Pro.

To change the size of the icons:

1. Open the settings → Screen
2. Select the Size of Screen Elements
3. Move the size of the icons to the left (reduce) or to the right (increase)
4. Click Ready in the upper right corner

Note that this method changes the size of all icons on the home screen and in the app menu. If you only need to configure individual shortcuts, other methods will be required (see the launcher section).

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On devices with MIUI 15 (like Xiaomi 14 Ultra) has an option called Adaptive Icons, which automatically adjusts the size of icons to the screen resolution, and you can turn it off in the same settings if you don't like the standard look.

Method 2: Using themes from Xiaomi Themes

The official Xiaomi Themes app (formerly Themes) completely transforms the look of the system, including app icons. The theme store has thousands of free and paid packages that change not only shortcuts, but also wallpaper, fonts, animations.

How to install a new theme with icons:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (brush icon on the home screen)
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter “icons” or “icons"
• 🎨 Choose your favorite theme (pay attention to the rating and number of downloads)
• 📥 Click Apply – the system will automatically replace the icons

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Does not require root rights or unlock the bootloader
• ✅ All changes are reversible in one click
• ✅ New collections are added regularly (including those based on popular games and movies)

However, there are limitations: not all themes support full icon replacement. Some packages only change wallpaper and fonts, leaving standard icons. Before installing, read the description of the theme - it usually indicates what elements it affects.

Method 3: Using third-party launchers

If built-in capabilities MIUI It's not enough, you can install an alternative launcher, it's a special application that completely replaces the standard interface of the system:

To install icon packages through the launcher:

1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play
2. Download your favorite Icon Pack (such as Whicons, Delta, or CandyCons)
3. In the launcher settings, find the "Icons" or "Icon Pack" section.
4. Select the installed package and apply the changes

Backup of the current screen settings |

Check the compatibility of the launcher with the version MIUI|

Download APK from the official website (if not in the Play Market)|

Disable battery optimization for launcher-->

On devices with MIUI 14+ Some launchers may conflict with system services. If you have lags or gestures that don't work after installation, try turning off the function. MIUI Optimization in the settings for developers (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 times).

Method 4: Replace the icons manually through ADB (advanced)

This method is suitable for experienced users who are ready to work with the ADB-It allows you to replace system icons with custom ones without installing a launcher. Importantly, incorrect commands can cause a system to crash — back up before you start.

Step-by-step:

1. Install. ADB Tools on your computer and connect your phone in debugging mode (Settings) → For developers → Debugging by USB)
2. Download the icon package in.png format with resolution 192×192 pixel
3. Put the icon files in the folder /data/local/icons on the phone (may need root)
4. Run the command to replace (example for the Settings icon): adb shell su -c "cp /data/local/icons/settings.png /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ic_launcher_settings.png"
5. Reset the device

This method requires knowledge of the structure of system folders MIUI For beginners, we recommend using launchers or themes, which are safer and easier to set up.

Method 5: Hiding Names Under Icons

Many Xiaomi users want to remove text signatures from shortcuts to make the screen look cleaner, and there are several ways to do this:

Method 1: through the settings MIUI (It doesn’t work on all versions):

1. Hold your finger to the free space on the main screen.
2. Select Screen Settings (cog icon)
3. Find the option to Show app names and turn it off.

Method 2: via Nova launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher and make it the default launcher
2. Go to the Nova Settings → Badges → Badge style
3. Select No Labels in the "Application Labels" section

Method 3: assisted ADB (for MIUI 12-14):

adb shell settings put secure icon_labels 0

To return signatures, run the same command with 1 instead of 0.

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Hiding icon names can make navigation difficult if you have many similar icons (such as multiple messengers or games). 1-2 day before leaving it permanently.

Method 6: Creating custom icons by hand

If you want a unique design, you can create your own icons and apply them through special applications.

• 🎨 Image Editor (Photoshop, GIMP Mobile apps like PicsArt)
• 📱 Icon replacement app (such as Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker)
• 📏 Icon template for MIUI (can be found on the forums XDA Developers)

Step-by-step process:

1. Create an icon size 192×192 pixels in.png format with transparent background
2. Install the Icon Changer app from Google Play
3. Select the application you want to change the icon for
4. Download your icon file and save the changes
5. A new label will appear on the home screen – the old one can be removed.

Limitations of this method:

• ⚠️ When updating the application, a custom icon can be reset
• ⚠️ Not all system applications support replacement
• ⚠️ On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) need to be switched off MIUI Optimization

Method 7: Using widgets instead of standard icons

An alternative approach is to replace app shortcuts with interactive widgets, which not only changes the look, but also adds additional functionality, such as a weather widget instead of an app icon or a music management widget.

How to add widgets to the main screen:

1. Hold your finger to the free space on the screen.
2. Select Widgets from the bottom menu
3. Scroll through the list and select the desired widget (e.g., Watch, Weather, Shortcuts)
4. Drag it to the main screen and adjust the size.

For advanced customization, you can use:

• 📊 KWGT — script-enabled widget designer
• 🎨 UCCW — Create unique clocks and indicators
• 📱 Another Widget – Minimalistic widgets in the style of iOS

The advantage of widgets is that they can display dynamic information directly on the home screen: temperature, battery level, notifications from messengers, but they consume more power than conventional icons.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change the shortcuts to Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If the system is unstable after the changes, try:

1. Clear the launcher cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Clear the cache)
2. Return the standard theme in the Topics app
3. Reset the screen settings (Settings) → Screen. → Resetting screen settings)

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Before you experiment with customization, back up your current screen state, either by taking a picture of the main screen or using the Home Backup app from the Play Market.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions