How to change the icons of applications on Xiaomi to pictures

Smartphone personalization is not just a way to stand out, it’s also a way to make the device interface truly user-friendly and user-friendly. When you pick up a new Xiaomi with a MIUI shell or a new HyperOS, you’re greeted by a standard set of graphics elements that may seem boring or too familiar. Fortunately, the Android architecture allows you to make profound changes to the look of the system without requiring complex technical manipulations.

Changing standard icons to unique images opens up a lot of creative possibilities for the user: you can create a minimalist desktop, a thematic selection for the color of the case, or simply replace old, boring logos with fresh and bright pictures. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to implement this task, from built-in functions to the use of advanced third-party tools.

It's worth noting that the customization approach on Redmi and POCO devices may vary slightly depending on the operating system version, but the basic principles remain the same across the ecosystem. We'll look at methods that are guaranteed to work on current firmware versions, ensuring that the device will work smoothly after visual changes are made.

Use of the built-in Themes application

The easiest and safest way to diversify the interface is to use a regular tool that is already installed on your device. Themes app (or Themes) is the central hub for managing the visual style of a smartphone. Here you can find thousands of ready-made kits created by both official designers and the community of users.

To get started, you need to start the app and go to the Profile section, which is usually located at the bottom right of the screen. In the menu that opens, you should select the Topic item, which presents a huge catalog of styles. You can use a search by keywords, such as "Minimal", "iOS style" or "Neon", to find the appropriate design. After downloading and applying the the theme, the icons of most applications will change automatically.

But it often happens that the theme does not change the design of all programs, but only popular ones, in which case the system will suggest applying standard icons for other applications or leaving them as they are, and if you want complete unification, you either have to look for a theme with maximum software support, or move to more flexible customization methods, which will be discussed later.

• 🎨 A huge selection of free and paid design styles from around the world.
• ⚡ Quickly implement changes without the need to install additional software.
• 🔄 Ability to preview the theme before its final installation on the device.
• 📱 Automatic adaptation of icons to the screen resolution of your smartphone.

It's important to understand that heavy theme can slightly increase RAM consumption, although on modern Snapdragon or MediaTek processors this is almost invisible. If the interface started to work slower after the theme change, it makes sense to go back to standard design and try the lighter options.

Changing icons through system settings

Newer versions of the HyperOS shell and recent MIUI 14 updates offer the ability to fine-tune icons without installing whole themes, allowing you to change the shape and style of icons of system applications and some installed programs directly through the settings menu, ideal for those who want to maintain performance but want to refresh the look.

To access these settings, go to Settings, then select Wallpaper and personalization. In the menu that opens, look for Badges. Here, the system will offer several options for shape (circle, square, rounded square) and style (color, monochrome). Selecting a specific option will instantly apply changes to all supported applications on the desktop.

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If you haven’t found the “Icons” option in the settings, try updating the Themes app through the built-in Play Market or GetApps store to the latest version.

This feature is especially useful for creating a uniform visual style, where all interface elements become harmonious, but it is worth considering that this method does not allow you to download your own images from the gallery for each application individually.

• 🛠 Native function that does not require third-party software and does not affect stability.
• 🎨 Opportunity to choose the shape of icons to create a unique desktop style.
• ⚙️ Instant application of changes to all system applications at once.

Sometimes, after updating the system, personalization settings can reset to factory values. This is normal behavior, and you will need to re-select the desired style of icons. It is recommended to take screenshots of successful combinations of settings to quickly restore them in the future.

Use of third-party launchers

The most powerful tool to change the look of an Android smartphone is the installation of an alternative launcher.The launcher completely replaces the standard MIUI shell, providing limitless options for customization, including replacing any icon with any image from your gallery. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Smart Launcher.

Once you install the launcher from Google Play and assign it to the default, the process of replacing the icon becomes elementary: just press your finger on the app icon, select Change (or Edit), and then click on the icon image. The system will suggest you choose an image from the gallery or use one of the built-in libraries, so you can turn any shortcut into a photo, logo or arbitrary drawing.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers on Xiaomi, you may experience increased battery consumption or small delays in animations as the system tries to optimize the operation of two interfaces simultaneously.

And some launchers also allow you to create whole packages of icons and apply them en masse, which saves time if you want to change the look of dozens of apps at once, but to create a truly unique design using personal photos, the manual method of editing each shortcut remains unmatched.

Remember, when you remove the launcher, all the custom icon shortcuts you created will disappear and the system will return to its standard appearance, so if you choose to use this method, be prepared for the launcher to remain installed permanently.

Creating shortcuts with pictures through Shortcuts

If you don't want to change the entire interface or install heavy launchers, there's an elegant solution to replace application-specific icons with any picture, using specialized shortcut design applications like Shortcut Maker or X Icon Changer. They create a new shortcut on the desktop that leads to the desired application but looks like the image you choose.

The process is, you run the utility, you select the target app from the list, then you specify the Gallery in the icon section and upload any photo or drawing. Then a new icon appears on the desktop, you can rename it as you like, or leave the name blank for aesthetics, while the original application remains on the menu and continues to work normally.

This is ideal for creating button widgets or thematic folders, such as a camera icon in the form of a lens, a phone in the form of a retro tube using its own graphics files, and the only caveat is that these shortcuts can open a little longer (for a fraction of a second) because of the additional layer of interception of launch.

• 🖼 The ability to use absolutely any image from the gallery as an icon.
• 📲 Does not require root rights and does not interfere with Android system files.
• 🎯 Spot setting: only change the apps that matter to you.

When you remove the designer application, the shortcuts you create will stop working because it is responsible for displaying and running them, so removing the shortcut creator program is not recommended if you want to keep the desktop look customized.

Working with icon packages in APK format

For advanced users who want to maximize graphics, there are dedicated APK icon packages. These sets are installed as regular apps, but they don’t change anything by themselves. Their goal is to provide a library of high-quality images for launchers that support this feature (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).

You can find these packages in official stores or on specialized resources like XDA Developers. Once you install the icon package, you need to go to your launcher settings, find the Style or Look & Feel section, select the Icon Theme item and activate the installed package, which instantly replaces hundreds of standard icons with a single art style.

Path to the Nova Launcher menu: Settings → Appearance → Icon Style → Select a package

Use of the APK-The package ensures that icons will look clear on high-resolution screens, as they are often created by professional designers with all the requirements of the platform guide in mind. However, not all applications can be covered with such a package, and for uncoated you will have to use stubs or manual settings.

⚠️ Attention: Download APK-Icon packet files only from verified sources, and files from dubious sites can contain malicious code, even if they masquerade as harmless graphics sets.

If you’re a frequent design experimenter, it makes sense to assemble a collection of 3-5 of your favorite icon packs, which will allow you to change the mood of your smartphone in a couple of minutes, simply switching themes in the launcher settings without wasting time looking for new solutions.

Solving and restoring the standard

In the process of experimenting with the appearance of a smartphone, users often face typical problems: sometimes icons can “fly” after updating the system, stop displaying correctly or change their size, and you may need to return everything as it was when the new design was tired or uncomfortable in daily use.

If icons are missing or black, try clearing the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find your launcher (or Theme app), select Memory and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with clearing the data, as this will reset all the shortcut settings on the desktop.

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Resetting launcher settings or removing themes returns the standard look of the system, but does not delete your personal data and applications.

To fully return the standard look of Xiaomi, just remove all third-party launchers or in the Themes app go to profile and choose a classic Classic theme or No Theme.The system will automatically restore factory icons for all applications.If you used shortcuts through Shortcut Maker, just remove the created widgets from the desktop.

• 🔄 Resetting launcher cache often solves missing icon issues.
• 🗑 Removing third-party themes brings back factory style MIUI/HyperOS.
• 🛡 Regular updates to the Themes app ensure compatibility with new versions of Android.

Remember that customization is a creative process. Don't be afraid to try different combinations, shapes and colors. A properly chosen visual style can make using a smartphone more enjoyable and productive, turning a standard tool into a personal device that reflects your personality.

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