How to change the icons on the smartphone Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

The app icons on Xiaomi smartphones are the first thing that catches your eye when you unlock the screen. Not everyone likes the standard MIUI design: someone wants bright colors, someone wants minimalism, and someone cares about uniqueness. Fortunately, the system offers several ways to customize, from built-in tools to third-party solutions. But how not to get confused in the settings and not to disrupt the stability of the phone?

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for changing icons on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) relevant to MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14. You will learn how to use themes from the official store, install third-party launchers, apply icon packages through ADB and even create your own icons.

1. Modifying icons through built-in MIUI themes

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the official MIUI Theme Store, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and offers thousands of free and paid themes, including icon packs, and the main advantage of the method is that you don’t need to install third-party apps or get root rights.

To change the icons:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the icon tab in the lower menu.
3. Choose your favorite package (e.g. Minimal UI or Pixel Icons).
4. Click Apply – the system will automatically update the icons on the home screen and in the application menu.

Note that some themes only change icons, while others change the entire interface (wallpaper, fonts, animations). If you only want icons, look for packages marked Icon Pack in the description.

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Check other users’ reviews before using the theme – some icon packages may not display correctly on certain Xiaomi models (e.g., POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12).

2. Use of third-party launchers

If the built-in themes don’t work, you can install an alternative launcher, a program that completely replaces the standard MIUI. Popular options are Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher and Hyperion Launcher, which support icon packages from Google Play and offer flexible settings.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

• 📥 Install a launcher from Google Play.
• 🎨 Download your favorite icon package (such as Whicons or CandyCons).
• 🔧 Open the launcher settings: a long tap on the desktop → Settings → Appearance → Icon style.
• 🖼️ Select the installed icon package.

The advantage of launchers is the ability to fine-tune icons, indentations, animations and even gestures. However, note that some features (such as adaptive icons) may not work correctly on MIUI firmware below version 14.

3. Manually modifying icons via ADB (for experienced)

For advanced users who are ready to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to replace the icons of system applications without root rights. This method requires care, since the wrong commands can lead to interface failures.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home (this will disable the standard MIUI launcher).
3. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova) and apply the icon package.
4. To return a standard launcher, perform: adb shell pm enable com.miui.home

⚠️ Note: Modifying system files through ADB may disrupt MIUI. Before experimenting, back up the data in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4.Creating your own icons

If you want unique icons, you can create them yourself using apps like Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker.

• 🖌️ Replace the icon of any application with your own image (PNG/JPG).
• 🔄 Change the name of the label.
• 🎨 Apply effects (blurring, trimming, shadowing).

Example for Shortcut Maker:

1. Open the app and select Create a shortcut.
2. Find the right app in the list.
3. Click the icon → Gallery and select your image.
4. Save the label on the desktop.

The downside is that the new icons will be shortcuts, not a full replacement. If you remove the shortcut, the original icon will remain in the app menu, and some system applications (such as Settings or Phone) may not support replacement.

Pick up images in PNG format with transparent background |

Install an icon changer app (Icon Changer, Shortcut Maker) |

Make a backup of current labels |

Check compatibility with your version MIUI-->

5 Problems and Solutions: Why Icons Don't Change

Even following the instructions, Xiaomi users sometimes face problems when changing icons.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro after updating to MIUI 15 can cause bugs with icons in folders, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help: → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

6.The Best Icon Packages for Xiaomi in 2026

Choosing an icon package depends on your preferences: minimalism, 3D-We tested dozens of options, and we selected the top ones.-5 Xiaomi:

• 🏆 Minimal O Icon Pack: Monochrome icons with a focus on geometry. AMOLED-screen.
• 🎨 CandyCons are bright, candy icons with a wiring. Supports 5,000.+ applications.
• 🖥️ Whicons are Windows 11-style icons. Looks good on Xiaomi Pad 6.
• 🌌 Delta Icons are dark icons with neon accents. MIUI 15.
• 🍎 iOS 17 Icon Pack - imitation of iPhone icons. Requires a launcher with support for adaptive icons.

Important: Google Play icon packages may conflict with MIUI optimizations, especially on budget models (e.g. Redmi A2+).

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For stable operation of icon packages on Xiaomi, use the launcher Nova Launcher Prime – it supports adaptive icons and has a built-in tool for masking missing icons.

FAQ: Frequent questions about customizing icons on Xiaomi