How to change icons on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 desktop: from MIUI themes to custom packages

The standard icons on Xiaomi Redmi 9 quickly get boring – especially if you have been using a smartphone for a long time and want to refresh the interface, MIUI It offers a number of ways to change icons, from built-in tools to third-party solutions, but not all methods are equally convenient: some require a lot of new features. ROOT-others only work with certain launchers, and others can reset settings after updating the system.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to change icons to Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models), compare their pros and cons, and avoid common mistakes. You’ll learn how to use MIUI themes, install custom icon packages via Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher, and even how to manually replace system application icons without losing functionality.

If you're a beginner, start with the first two methods -- they don't require technical skills. ADB And at the end of this article, you'll find answers to some of the common questions: why icons are reset after an update, how to return standard icons, and if you can change the icons in folders.

1.Using the built-in MIUI themes

The easiest way to change icons on Redmi 9 is to use Xiaomi’s built-in theme store.This method does not require installing additional apps and works on all versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14). However, the choice of icons is limited – you can only change the icons that offer official themes.

To apply a new theme:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the icon tab in the lower menu.
3. Select the package you like and click Apply.
4. Confirm the change in the pop-up window.

Note that some themes only change app icons, while others also affect folder style, weather widget view, and even unlock animation. To return standard icons, select a Default theme from the same menu.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ No, he doesn't. ROOT technical skills.
• ✅ Free (there are paid themes, but most are free).
• ✅ Retained after update MIUI.

Cons:

• ❌ Limited selection of icons.
• ❌ Not all system icons change.
• ❌ The theme applies to the entire interface, not just icons.

2. Installation of badge packages through third-party launchers

If built-in themes aren’t enough, use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, Hyperion Launcher or Apex Launcher, which allow you to install custom icon packages from Google Play and flexibly customize their display, a method that is suitable for Redmi 9 on any version of MIUI, including MIUI 14 (Android 12/13).

Step instructions:

1. Install a launcher (we recommend Nova Launcher – it is free and supports most icon packages).
2. Download your favorite icon package from the Play Market (such as Whicons, CandyCons or Delta).
3. Open the launcher settings: press your finger on the desktop → Settings → Style of icons.
4. Select the package installed in the section "Icon Package".
5. Apply changes and restart the launcher (if the icons did not change immediately).

Important: Some icon packages require a paid launcher version (like Nova Launcher Prime) for full support. If the icons are not displayed correctly, try clearing the launcher cache in the application settings.

Download the launcher (Nova/Apex/Hyperion)|Install a package of icons from the Play Market|Assign a default launcher in the settings|Clean the launcher cache after application|Reboot your smartphone (if the icons have not changed)-->

Popular icon packages for Redmi 9:

⚠️ Note: If after applying the icon package, some apps are displayed with standard icons, this means that there is no custom icon for them in the package.Solution: manually assign the icon through the launcher settings (long click on the application). → Change. → Icon).

3. Manual replacement of icons via ADB (no ROOT)

For advanced users who want to change system icons (e.g. Settings, Phone, Camera), the method through ADB (Android Debug Bridge is not required. ROOT-right, but requires a smartphone connection to a PC and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and confirm access via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to copy icons to the system folder: adb push path to your icons /data/local/tmp/icons
4. Assign rights to the folder: adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/icons
5. Move the icons to the system directory (requires confirmation on the phone): adb shell su -c "cp -r /data/local/tmp/icons/* /system/app/[application name]/res/drawable"
6. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system applications to crash. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ You can change the system icons.
• ✅ No, he doesn't. ROOT.
• ✅ Changes persist after launcher reset.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Hard for beginners.
• ❌ Risk of "bricking" in case of error in commands.
• ❌ After updating MIUI Icons can be dropped.

💡

Before replacing icons with ADB, check their resolution – it should match the original files (usually 192×192 pixels for MIUI) if the icon is too large or small, it will appear blurred.

4. Replacement of icons with the help of ROOT-rights

If you have ROOT-You can use Redmi 9 to completely replace your system icons manually, which gives you maximum freedom, but you need to be careful: you can crash the system if you're confident in your skills.

What needs to be done:

1. Get it. ROOT-rights (e.g. through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with ROOT support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
3. Find the folder with the app icons. The paths may be different, but usually this is: /system/app/[name folder appendix]/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ /system/priv-app/[name folder appendix]/res/drawable-xxhdpi/
4. Copy your icons (in.png format) into this folder, replacing the original files. Importantly, the file names must match!
5. Change the rights to new files (must be rw-r--r--, root owner).
6. Reboot your smartphone.

Example: To replace the Settings icon, find the com.android.settings.png file in the app folder and replace it with your image with the same name.

⚠️ Warning: If the app stopped opening after replacing the icons, you have damaged the system files. Solution: return the original icons from backup or reinstall the application through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 name.adb shell cmd package install-existing name.packet

Pluses ROOT-method:

• ✅ Full control over icons (including system).
• ✅ Changes are saved after updates (unless system files are affected).
• ✅ You can use any image, not just the packages from the Play Market.

Cons:

• ❌ Risk of losing the guarantee (ROOT Xiaomi’s official support).
• ❌ It is difficult to roll back changes when making a mistake.
• ❌ Some banking applications may stop working.

5. Use of customization applications (without ROOT)

If you don't want to mess around with ADB or ROOT, but built-in MIUI themes aren't enough, try customized icon apps. They run on top of the standard launcher and let you change icons without making deep changes to the system.

Top.-3 icon-replacement:

• 🎨 Icon Changer is a simple tool for manually assigning icons, allowing you to select images from a gallery or download packages from an app.
• 🖼️ Awesome Icons – offers over 10,000 free icons and automatically selects icons for installed applications, 3D, retro).
• 🔧 X Icon Changer — supports icon packs and allows you to create your own sets. Feature: you can change the icons of folders and weather widgets.

How to use (for example, Icon Changer):

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Select the icon you want to change.
3. Click Change the icon and select a new image from the suggested or your gallery.
4. Confirm the change. A new icon will appear on the desktop.

Limitations of this approach:

• Icons change only on the desktop, and in the application menu remain standard.
• After resetting the launcher or updating MIUI, you will have to assign the icons again.
• Some apps (like Google Play) can block icon changes.

💡

Icon customization apps are the safest way, but it only works on top of a standard launcher. ROOT or ADB will be required to completely replace system icons.

6. Reset icons to standard settings

If after experimenting with icons you want to return everything as it was, you can do it in several ways depending on the method used:

How to return standard icons:

If the icons are not restored, try the following:

1. Clear the launcher cache: Settings → Apps → App management → [your launcher] → Clear the cache.
2. Reboot your smartphone.
3. If you have used ROOT, check the rights to the icon files (should be rw-r-----).

⚠️ Note: If some apps stopped opening after resetting the icons, you have damaged the system files. In this case, only flashing Redmi 9 via Fastboot or Recovery will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing icons on Redmi 9