Customization of icons on Xiaomi: from standard themes to custom packs

Icons on Xiaomi smartphones are not just graphic elements, but part of the visual language of the MIUI interface, which can dramatically change the perception of the device. Even the basic firmware offers dozens of options for design, but not all users know how to maximize this potential. In this article, we will discuss not only the standard ways to change icons through the Themes, but also advanced methods: installing third-party launchers, manually changing through ADB, and solving typical problems like “lost” icons or lack of animations.

Xiaomi’s feature is that even budget models (like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5) support deep customization of icons, from changing their shape to dynamic effects when clicked. However, after upgrading to MIUI 15, some menus have moved, and individual functions (like editing icons through Settings → Screen) are now hidden behind additional gestures, we will show where to look for these options in 2026 and how to circumvent restrictions if your model does not support one or another feature out of the box.

Standard ways to change icons through MIUI

The easiest way to change your icons to Xiaomi is to use the built-in Themes app, which is available on all devices with MIUI 12 and up, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark.

• 📱 Open the Topics app (brush icon on desktop).
• 🎨 Go to the icon tab – here are collected both free and paid packs.
• 🔍 Use a keyword search: “minimalism", "3D", "neon".
• ⬇️ Click Apply after selecting the set you like. The system will automatically update the icons on the desktop and in the application menu.

Note that some themes only change icons, while others affect wallpaper, fonts, and even notification sounds. If you need to change icons only, look for packs marked "Icon Pack" in the description. MIUI 14/15 also introduced the Mixed Icons feature, which allows you to combine icons from different themes (for example, social networks from one pack, and system applications from another).

An important nuance: free themes often have a limited set of icons. If after applying the pack, some icons remained standard, this means that in the chosen theme there is no alternative for these applications, the solution is either to look for a fuller pack or use third-party launchers (we will talk about them later).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with POCO Launcher (e.g, POCO F5) The icon tab in the Topic app may not be available. In this case, go to Settings → Personalization → Icon style.

Installation of custom icons through third-party launchers

If you don’t have enough built-in themes, you can install an alternative launcher – a program that completely replaces the standard MIUI interface.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – supports.apk icon packs, flexible gesture settings and adaptive icons.
• 🎨 Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for Xiaomi, has built-in icon gallery and dynamic effects.
• 🔄 Lawnchair – Lightweight Open Source Launcher, Supports Android 13/14 and adaptive icons.
• 💎 Apex Launcher – allows you to change the shape of icons (circle, birdhouse, drop) and adjust their size.

To install custom icons through the launcher:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. Install your favorite icon pack (such as Whicons, Flight Icons or CandyCons).
3. Click the empty space on the desktop → Settings → Style of icons.
4. Select the package installed in the Icon Pack section.

Backup of current screen settings

Check the compatibility of the launcher with the Android version

Download 2-3 packs of icons for testing

Disable battery optimization for launcher in settings MIUI-->

On devices with MIUI 15, some launchers may conflict with system animations. If icons start to slow down after installation, try turning off transition animation in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then return to Additional Settings → For Developers).

Manual replacement of icons without root through ADB

For advanced users who want to completely replace system icons without installing a launcher, there is a method through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This method works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-15, but requires a PC connection and basic command-line knowledge.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 Pack icons in.png format with resolution 192×192 px (you can download from sites like IconPackStudio).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access via USB.
2. Open the command line in the ADB folder and execute: Adb devices (you should display your device).
3. Download the icons to a folder on your phone (e.g. /sdcard/IconPack/).
4. Use the command to replace (example for the Chrome icon): adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/IconPack/chrome.png /system/app/Chrome/Chrome.apk/res/drawable-xxxhdpi/ Note: the drawable-xxxhdpi path may vary depending on the density of the screen.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause system applications to crash. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have the system partition protected and you need to unlock the bootloader to change the icons.

Optimization of icon display: size, shape, animations

Even after the icons have been changed, you can customize their appearance further, and the following options are available in MIUI:

On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 14 Pro or Redmi) K70 Pro) it is recommended to turn off the shadows under the icons, this will reduce power consumption and improve contrast. If you enable this option, the system will automatically adjust the shape of the icons to the selected style (for example, all icons will become round, even if they were originally square).

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If after changing the size of the icons they became blurry, try to set a value of 100% and use a pack of icons with a resolution of at least 192×192 px.

Solving icon problems on Xiaomi

Sometimes, after a change of icons or a system update, bugs occur, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

• 🔄 Icons are straying from the standard: Reapply the theme in the Themes app. Clear the launcher's cache (Settings) → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache. If you use a third-party launcher, check if its settings have reset.
• ⚠️ Icons don’t change for individual apps: Make sure there’s an alternative for this app in the theme you’ve chosen. Try manually assigning an icon through the launcher (e.g., in Nova Launcher, pinch the icon). → Change. → Edit).
• 🖼️ Icons are displayed blurry or pixelated: Check the resolution of the icon pack (optimally — 192×192 px 256×256 Px. Turn off zooming in screen settings (Settings) → Screen. → Size of elements → 100%).
• 🔳 New icons don't appear after installation: Restart the device. Make sure the icon pack is compatible with your version MIUI. For third-party launchers, check if the theme is selected in the launcher settings.

If the problem persists, try resetting the launcher to the standard settings.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find your launcher (like MIUI Launcher or Nova Launcher).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X6 Pro) after the launcher data is reset, the application folder on the desktop may disappear. To restore it, press the empty space on the screen. → Widgets → Drag the application folder to the desktop.

Hidden Icon Features in MIUI 14/15

MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 have added some hidden icon features that many users don’t know about:

• 🎭 Dynamic icons: On devices with AMOLED (for example, Xiaomi 13T) The icons can change color depending on the wallpaper. To enable this feature, go to Settings. → Screen. → Color palette → Adaptive icons.
• 🔍 Search by icons: Themes app can search for packs not only by name but also by style. For example, type "material you" to find Android 12-style icons+.
• 📦 Grouping of icons by colors: In MIUI 15, you have the option to automatically sort apps by color gamut of icons. → Personalization → Self-sorting.
• 🖌️ Hand-editing icons: Press the icon on your desktop → Change. → Edit the icon. You can crop the icon, add a background or change its shape (not available on all models).

Another useful feature is the animations when you click on icons. There are more of them in MIUI 15: you can now choose not only the standard "magnification", but also effects like "pulsation", "wave" or "flash". The setting is in Settings → Additional → Special Effects → Press animation.

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MIUI 15 has a feature of adaptive icons for third-party applications – now even Telegram or WhatsApp icons can be brought to a single style without manual editing.

Best icon packs for Xiaomi in 2026

The choice of icon pack depends on your preferences: minimalism, 3D-effects, retro style or corporate design.-5 Packages optimized for MIUI 14/15:

To set up these packs:

1. Download the.apk pack file from IconPackStudio or Play Market.
2. Install the file as a regular application.
3. Apply the pack through the launcher settings (see section above).

For POCO Launcher devices (such as the POCO F5 Pro), some packs may not display correctly, in which case it is recommended to use a Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher, which works better with custom icons.

FAQ: Frequent questions about customizing icons on Xiaomi