A modern smartphone is not just a means of communication, but an extension of the owner’s personality. The interface of MIUI or the new HyperOS from Xiaomi offers many customization tools, but often the basic solutions seem boring to users. The desire to personalize the device arises for most owners immediately after purchase. Standard icons may not fit into the chosen style, and then the methods of replacing them come to the rescue.
There are several proven ways to transform the desktop, from using an integrated theme store to installing third-party launchers. Each method has its advantages and limitations. Changing icons not only improves aesthetics, but also improves the ease of navigation around the system. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the options available so you can choose the best one.
It's important to understand that the depth of change depends on the version of the operating system. On new shells, the algorithms may differ from older versions of Android. However, the principle remains the same: the system allows you to replace graphical elements of the interface. Below we will look at step-by-step algorithms for actions for different use cases.
Use of the built-in “Themes” application
The easiest and safest way to change the look of the interface is to use the regular Theme app, which is pre-installed on all the brand devices and does not require super-user rights, and the graphics database is huge, although the availability of specific items varies by region of the account.
To get started, you have to run the app and go to the Icons section, and this is a catalog of kits that have been created by both the official designers and the community, and you can choose a ready-made package and apply it to the entire system, or selectively replace only the right shortcuts, and it takes only a few minutes.
- 🎨 Open the Topics app on the desktop.
- 🔍 Go to the bottom menu and select the icon tab.
- 📥 Click Download on the set you like.
- ✅ Activate the set by pressing the Apply button.
It's worth noting that some kits may be paid or subscription-based, and free options are also available in abundance. If a standard store doesn't show the desired results, you can change the region in the app settings, which often opens up access to exclusive collections from other countries.
Once the new set is in place, the system will automatically replace the graphics for most installed programs, but some applications may retain their original look, requiring manual adjustments or an alternative set of icons that supports the specific software.
Installation of third-party launchers
If the standard shell isn't enough, third-party launchers come to the rescue, shells that completely replace the desktop interface and application menus, and popular solutions like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, or Smart Launcher provide tremendous customization opportunities.
Once you install this app, it becomes the default main screen, and you'll be asked to select it when you first start it up or through the default App settings, and launchers let you change not only the icons, but also the desktop grid, swipe animations, and docking behavior.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
The main advantage of third-party shells is that they support icon packs, so you can download a separate file with a set of graphics and apply it inside the launcher settings, which gives you the freedom to combine different styles, and many launchers can automatically match similar shapes for icons that do not have native support in the selected set.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party launchers may consume more RAM than standard shell. on low-end models with low volume RAM This can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications.
For advanced users, there is a fine-tuning of each individually icon, which can be resized, shaped, shaded, or even shortcuts to run a specific action, a level of control that is not available in standard MIUI settings, making launchers ideal for deep personalization.
Manual Replacement through File Manager
For those who want to create a unique design, there is a method of manually replacing icon files, which requires a file manager with access to system partitions or using special editing utilities for APK. The method is more complex, but gives full control over each pixel.
The method is to replace graphic resources inside the APK-You'll need to find the original icon file, rename your graphics file to match the original name, and replace it. MT manager or APK Editor.
| Parameter | Standard method | Hand-substituted |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Tall. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium/High |
| Flexibility | Limited to catalogue | Total freedom |
| The need for ROOT | Not required | Often required |
Care must be taken when working with system files. Incorrect replacement can cause the icon to disappear or the application to stop running. Always back up the original files before making changes, which will quickly roll back the system to its original state in the event of a failure.
What to do if the icon is lost after replacement?
Customization of icons in HyperOS and MIUI 14
Newer versions of Xiaomi’s shell have brought a change in the interface logic, with HyperOS and MIUI 14 adding Super Icons, which allows widgets to replace standard shortcuts, not just a picture, but an interactive element that displays information without running an application.
To activate this feature, you need to pinch the empty space on the desktop and select Add widgets. In the list, find the desired application and select the Super icon format. The system will offer several options for displaying data. This is the current trend in mobile interface design.
In addition, the new versions have improved the work with custom sets, the system has become smarter to recognize colors and adapt icons to wallpaper. The function of adaptive icons now works more stable, cutting the extra edges of graphics to adhere to a single style, which makes the desktop more neat and visually pleasing.
- 📱 Press your finger on the desktop to call the menu.
- ⚙️ Select the item Add widgets.
- 🎨 Find a section with super app icons.
- 🖌️ Drag the selected widget to a free place.
Users have noted that switching to new shells is addictive; some old customization methods may stop working or not work properly; however, developers are constantly releasing updates to improve compatibility; and it is recommended that you keep the system updated to get new design features.
Working with adaptive icons
Starting with Android 8.0, it has support for adaptive icons. This means that the shape of the icon (circle, square, rounded square) is set by the system, not by the image itself. In Xiaomi’s settings, you can change the shape of all icons immediately through the Settings menu → Wallpaper and personalization → Icons.
If you create icons yourself, you need to consider this fact.The graphic file should have a margin at the edges, as the system can trim corners. The standard canvas size for the adaptive icon is 108x108 pixels, although it will be displayed at 48x48 dp. The central part in diameter of 66x66 pixels is guaranteed to remain visible.
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When creating your own icons, use a PNG format with a transparent background, which will ensure the best display quality on screens at any resolution and prevent white squares from appearing around the image.
For applications that don't support adaptability, the system uses masks. You can choose the type of mask in the theme settings. This allows you to bring old applications to a common denominator with a new design. Experiment with shapes to find the perfect balance between style and app recognition.
Decision and recovery
Experimenting with the interface can cause problems; icons can turn white, disappear, or display incorrectly; most often it involves a system cache or version conflict; the first step should always be to clear the launcher cache or application themes.
If the problem is systemic, you may need to reset the launcher settings, which will return the grid and shortcuts to their original state, but will keep the installed applications. In extreme cases, if the changes were made to the system files, you may need to reset to factory settings.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing a setup reset or flashing, be sure to back up important data.The recovery process can take time and losing photos or contacts will be an unpleasant surprise.
It’s also worth checking for updates to the Themes app. Often bugs are fixed in new versions. If you’re using a third-party launcher, make sure it has the necessary MIUI permissions, especially auto-start and background permissions.
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The most common reason icons disappear is a crowded cache system or conflict between a shell update and an old theme, and cache cleaning solves 90% of these problems.