The modern smartphone is an extension of the owner’s personality, and the interface of MIUI or the new HyperOS provides a huge opportunity for self-expression. The standard “boxed” version of the firmware looks neat, but often seems boring and devoid of individuality, especially when compared to the creations of enthusiasts on social networks.
The customization process on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices is radically different from stock Android or iOS due to the built-in powerful theme engine. the user does not need to be a programmer or get root rights to turn the lock screen into a work of art, and the application grid into a functional dashboard.
In this article, we will explore all the available methods of transformation, from basic grid settings to advanced manipulation of system components, you will learn to hide unnecessary elements, create complex widgets and select color schemes that will not tire your eyes.
Using the built-in theme store and hidden features
The main tool for changing the look is the standard Themes app, but most users only use 10% of its functionality, limiting themselves to installing ready-made skins, which is actually the ability to change fonts, lock screen wallpaper and even system sounds independently.
When looking for a design, you should not only look at previews, but also look at compatibility with your version of Android or HyperOS. Some old themes may not properly display icons of new applications, creating visual noise instead of harmony.
Enter the ##858### combination in the Phone app to activate the hidden mode of debugging themes, and then the search will be available from all over the world, including those exclusive to the Chinese market, which often have more elaborate design and animations.
Always check the effect of the new design on battery consumption in the first hours of use, especially if the theme is animated.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from unverified sources or modified APK-Files may be at risk of system interfaces such as notification curtains or settings menus.
Setting up the grid of icons and hiding unnecessary elements
The first thing that catches your eye when you look at the screen is the organization of the space. The standard 4x5 or 5x6 grid is not for everyone, so the system allows you to flexibly adjust the number of rows and columns, and you need to pinch the empty area on the desktop and select the Settings item where the layout options are available.
One of the most useful features of MIUI is the ability to hide applications, which allows you to remove standard programs like Calculator or Compass, which are rarely used but take up space. Hidden applications are not deleted, but simply moved to a secure folder, accessible through a special gesture or password.
To create a minimalist design, many users leave only widgets on the home screen, hiding all app icons in the App Menu (iOS style) or in the second folder. This requires settings in the Settings → Desktop section, where you need to activate the “No signatures” mode for icons to make them look cleaner.
☑️ Checklist of the ideal desktop
If you prefer a strict style, try disabling icon signatures, which visually expands the space and emphasizes the shape of the app icons, but it is important that the icons are recognizable by color or shape, otherwise it may take longer to find the right program.
Working with widgets and system components
Widgets are the heart of personalization at Xiaomi. Unlike just displaying information, widgets in HyperOS have learned to interact with the user. You can put a music player, a habit tracker or even a mini-game on the screen without opening the main app.
To access the extended list of widgets, you need to pinch an empty space on the table and select "Widgets." Here you should pay attention to the "Components" section, where the system switches are located, and you can bring to the desktop toggles for Bluetooth, flashlight or "Do not disturb" mode of any size and color.
Notes and Calendar widgets are particularly noteworthy, allowing you to edit to-do lists directly from your desktop, which greatly improves productivity, and many third-party apps from Google Play offer widgets that fit perfectly into the MIUI design if you pick up the appropriate color accent.
| Type of widget | Functional | Impact on the battery | Recommended size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clock and Date | Time, alarm clock, events | Low. | 2x2 or 4x2 |
| Weather. | Temperature, forecast, animation | Average. | 4x2 |
| Music. | Track management, cover. | Low. | 4x2 or 2x2 |
| Stepper | Activity statistics | Average. | 2x2 |
Using a large number of live widgets that constantly update data over the Internet can speed up the discharge of the device.
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Use split widgets or decorative lines from the directory to visually group applications on the desktop without creating folders.
Customization of fonts and style of text display
The font sets the tone for the whole interface, and replacing the standard Mi Font with something more readable or futuristic changes the way you see the whole smartphone, and there's a separate "Fonts" section in the theme store, where you can find thousands of options, including handwritten and gothic ones.
When choosing a new typeface, it is critical to pay attention to support for Cyrillic. Many beautiful design fonts display Russian text as squares or replace it with a standard system text, which destroys the overall picture. Always check the preview with Russian text before installing.
In addition to the lettering itself, you can change the size and fat content of the display, and the increase in the boldness (Bold text) often makes the interface more contrasting and easy to read in bright sun, although it can visually “weight” the design.
⚠️ Note: Some exotic fonts may not display correctly in banking apps or instant messengers, making text unreadable. Have a way to quickly return to standard font through safe mode at hand.
For visually impaired users or simply those who prefer large typography, the system allows you to increase the font size regardless of the interface scaling. This can be done in the Settings menu → Screen → Text Size.
Foldering, Transparency and Space Organization
Folders in MIUI have one unique feature: the ability to change the color of the background and, in some versions of the firmware, make it completely transparent. The transparent folder allows you to create the effect of soaring icons, which looks very impressive on dark or detailed wallpaper.
To change the color of a folder, you open it, click on the name, and select a palette. If you want to achieve maximum transparency, sometimes you need to install a special "dummy" theme that replaces the background of the folders with a transparent png file.
Organizing apps by color is a popular trend, and putting red icons in one corner and blue icons in the other creates a gradient on your desktop, and it takes discipline and regular sorting, but the result is impressive.
How to make the folder completely transparent?
Don't forget Second Space or Guest Mode, if you want to separate your work and personal apps visually without creating chaos on one screen, it's a separate environment with its own wallpaper and a set of programs.
Lock screen: depth, widgets and style
The lock screen is the first thing you see when you pick up your phone. HyperOS has the ability to add widgets directly to the lock screen, similar to iOS. Watches, weather, steps or battery status can be displayed large and informative.
The function "Wallpaper with the effect of depth" allows time to partially overlap with objects in the photo (for example, a silhouette of a person or a building), creating a beautiful image. 3D-And to do that, it uses object-selection algorithms, and the best way to do this is to have a clear-cut image on a monochromatic background.
Also available is the “Always on screen” function» (AOD), It's a display that displays information when the display is dead. OLED-Xiaomi smartphone screens it looks bright and does not consume much energy, as only individual pixels burn.
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The combination of personalized watches, deep wallpaper and minimalistic widgets on the lock screen creates a “wow effect” and increases usability without unlocking.
In the lock screen settings, you can also disable unnecessary notifications to keep the design private and clean. Leave only important messengers, hiding the content of messages from prying eyes.
Advanced methods: launchers and third-party applications
If MIUI isn't enough, third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, Niagara or Smart Launcher come to the rescue, allowing you to change everything: folding animations, gestures, grids of any density, and even the behavior of the search bar.
To create unique icons that aren't in theme stores, Shortcut Maker is used, which allows you to shortcut any app with any picture from the gallery and any name, and is the perfect tool for creating themed desktops, such as cyberpunk or retro.
However, using third-party launchers on Xiaomi has its own nuances: the system can aggressively unload them from memory, which leads to reset animations or the appearance of a standard shell when returning to the desktop, you need to manually configure autostart and no battery limitations for the selected launcher.
⚠️ Note: Installing a third-party launcher may lead to a navigation gesture conflict (reverse swipes), in which case it is recommended to temporarily switch to classic three-button management or use special gesture patches.
By combining the capabilities of embedded themes and the power of third-party launchers, you can achieve a result that will be indistinguishable from the interfaces of flagship devices of other brands or even operating systems of the future.