How to change the icons on the Xiaomi phone: full instructions

The visual component of the smartphone interface plays a key role in the daily interaction of the user with the device. Standard icons preinstalled in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS can seem boring or do not fit into the chosen style of desktop design. Fortunately, the Android operating system and Xiaomi branded add-ons provide ample opportunities for deep customization of the appearance.

Changing graphics not only personalizes the gadget, but also improves visual navigation by making important apps more visible. There are several proven ways to change icons on a Xiaomi phone, from simple built-in tools to advanced techniques for power users. The choice of a particular method depends on the degree of change desired and the version of the operating system installed.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the algorithms available, learn about the intricacies of the theme manager, the benefits of third-party launchers and the nuances of manual file swaps. It is important to understand that some methods require minimal preparation, while others are available immediately after unpacking the device.

Use of the built-in “Themes” application

The easiest and safest way to transform the look and feel of the interface is to use the Themes app, which is pre-installed on all the brand’s smartphones, which allows you to download pre-made design packages created by both the company and independent designers, and you need to open the app and go to the appropriate section to get started.

Inside the store, you can search for icons or icons, which allows you to filter out thousands of design options. You can choose (a comprehensive theme) or a separate package only for application icons. Once you download and use the package, the system automatically replaces the standard graphics with a new one in all menus and on the desktop.

⚠️ Note: Some themes may be paid or advertised. carefully check the download conditions before activation to avoid accidental debits.

Importantly, applying a complex theme can change not only icons, but also system fonts, wallpaper and sounds. If you only need new app graphics, look for packages marked “Icons only” or “Icons only”, which will keep the system’s style familiar by updating only the visual range of shortcuts.

To manage the existing design elements, you should go to the user profile inside the application, which stores the download history, which allows you to quickly return to the previous version of the design if the new version does not suit. Regular updates to the Themes application through Google Play or GetApps provide access to the latest customization features.

Application of third-party launchers

If built-in capabilities aren’t enough, third-party shells known as launchers come to the rescue, separate apps that completely replace the standard desktop and app menu, giving access to advanced customization functionality. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, and Microsoft Launcher.

Installing this software opens up thousands of free icon packages in the Google Play Store. Once you install the launcher and downloaded icon package, you need to go to the new shell settings. Usually the path looks like Settings → Appearance → Icon Style, where you can select the downloaded pack.

The main advantage of using third-party launchers is the flexibility of settings. You can change the size of the grid, animation transitions and even create unique shapes for each shortcut. However, it is worth considering that third-party shells can consume more battery life compared to the standard launcher POCO Launcher or MIUI Home.

Some launchers allow you to assign customized icons to specific applications, ignoring the overall style of the package. This is useful if a particular program is out of the overall design concept. To activate this feature, you usually need to press the shortcut and select the "Edit" item.

Manual replacement of icons through the theme editor

For advanced users who want to create a unique design from scratch, there is a method of manual replacement through the theme editor. This approach requires installing a special application MT Manager or using the built-in (if available in the region) Theme Editor.

The process begins with backing up the current active theme, then you need to find the icons folder in the theme file structure where the.png graphics are stored. By replacing the desired images with your own (saving the original file name and resolution), you can gain full control over the visuals.

After modifying the files, you need to collect the theme back to.mtz and install it through the Themes app from local storage, a method that requires care because an error in the file structure can lead to incorrect display of interface elements or theme “melding” to a standard one.

Customization of individual appearance for applications

Modern versions of MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS have a feature that allows you to change icons selectively, without using whole themes. This is especially true when the user wants to highlight several important applications or, conversely, hide them, making them less visible.

To change a specific shortcut, you need to go to the desktop editing mode (usually this is done with a long tap on an empty area or a pinch with two fingers). Next, select the desired application, click on it again or select the item “Change the icon” in the menu that appears.

The system will suggest selecting an image from the built-in icon gallery or uploading your own photo from the gallery, an ideal method for creating Frequently Used folders with unique designs or for masking applications with sensitive content as system utilities.

⚠️ Note: When using your own photos as icons, make sure the image is square proportion, otherwise the system will automatically trim the edges, which can spoil the composition.

Remember that when you update your app, your icon may return to the standard view, so you have to repeat the customization procedure, and some launchers may ignore the customization set by the system interface, prioritizing their own display rules.

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Save the original icon files before replacing. If the new design gets bored, you can quickly get it back to normal by simply renaming the files back or restoring them from the theme backup.

Use widgets instead of standard shortcuts

An alternative and very stylish way to change the visual experience of the desktop is to use widgets, instead of standard square or round icons, you can install transparent shortcut widgets that look like part of the wallpaper, a popular trend in iOS design, available on Android.

This approach will require widget applications such as Widgetsmith (similar to Android: KWGT, Color Widgets), which allow you to create a widget of any size and shape, assign it a click action (launch the application) and set any picture as the background of the widget.

Once you create a widget, it is placed on the desktop and the standard app icon is hidden (removed from the desktop, but remains in the application menu). By combining various widgets, watches and calendars, you can create a unique information dashboard, completely abandoning the usual icons.

This method takes longer to set up initially, but the results are most dramatic: the user gains full control over the size, shape and location of each element on the screen, which is impossible to achieve with standard customization tools.

Frequent problems and their solution

Users may face a number of technical difficulties in customization, and it is common for icons to change in all applications once a theme is installed, because theme developers do not always have time to draw graphics for new versions of popular programs or rare system utilities.

Another common problem is desynchronization after a system update: Large Android or MIUI updates can reset the launcher settings or damage the structure of the modified theme, in which case it is recommended to wait for the update of the theme from the author or temporarily return to the standard design.

If icons start to show incorrectly (black square, white sheet), try clearing the Themes app cache and System UI. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find what you want and click Clear Cache. Rebooting the device also often solves small graphical glitches.

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Stability is more important than visual effects, and if the phone starts to slow down after a heavy theme is installed, it’s best to drop it in favor of a more streamlined launcher.

In rare cases, antivirus programs or built-in MIUI protection can block the installation of themes from unknown sources. If you download.mtz files from third-party resources, make sure they are safe. If you have installation errors, check whether the restriction on installing applications from unknown sources is worth limiting in the security settings.

Comparison of customization methods

To choose the best way, you need to weigh the pros and cons. For ordinary users who appreciate stability, the best choice will be built-in themes. Enthusiasts willing to spend time setting up will appreciate the capabilities of widgets and launchers. Below is a summary table for quick comparison.

Regardless of the path you take, customization is a great way to make your device truly your own. Experiment with colors, shapes and styles, but always leave the possibility of a quick rollback of change. Remember that user-friendliness should not suffer from unnecessary visual complexity.