How to change the main screen on Xiaomi: 7 ways to customize

The main screen of Xiaomi is the business card of your device that you see every time you unlock. The standard MIUI interface offers many customization options, but not all users know how to use them most effectively. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic ways to change the appearance (for example, changing the wallpaper), but also the hidden features that will make your Redmi, POCO or Xiaomi unique.

Note that the procedure may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13 or 14) and the device model. However, the basic principles remain the same. If you want to radically transform the interface — for example, install a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher or Hyperion — we will also consider this option, but with a focus on security and compatibility with Xiaomi.

1. Change of wallpaper on the main screen

The easiest way to refresh the look is to change the background image, and MIUI has a few options for this:

• 🖼️ Standard Wallpaper – a collection from Xiaomi, including dynamic and static options.
• 📸 Gallery – any photo or image of you from the Internet (for example, downloaded from Pinterest or WallpapersCraft).
• 🌌 Live wallpaper - animated background pictures (not available on all models).
• 🎨 Gradients and abstractions – a real-time color transition generator.

To change the wallpaper:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select the Wallpaper (or Themes) item → Wallpaper in some versions).
3. Scroll down to My Wallpaper section or select a category (e.g. Nature, Minimalism).
4. Click on your favorite image and select Apply on the home screen or Apply on both screens.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) Dark wallpaper saves battery life. Avoid bright white backgrounds, which increase energy consumption.

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If you want your wallpaper to change automatically, install the Wallpaper Changer app from Google Play and set up a background change schedule (e.g., every hour or when unlocked).

2. Changes in icon style and design themes

MIUI allows you not only to change the wallpaper, but also completely transform the appearance of icons, fonts and even animations, using themes – ready-made design packages that can be downloaded from the official Xiaomi store.

How to apply a new topic:

1. Open the Topic app (brush-shaped icon).
2. Go to the Online tab (you will need an Internet connection).
3. Choose your favorite theme (for example, Dark Mode Pro or iOS Style).
4. Click Apply and confirm the download (some themes are paid).

If you don't like standard icons, you can use third-party icon packages.

• 📲 Install a launcher (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).
• 🎨 Download an icon package (such as Whicons or CandyCons) from Google Play.
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, select the Icon Style → Please indicate the downloaded package.

3. Adding and customizing widgets

Widgets are mini-programs that display information directly on the home screen: weather, calendar, notes, smart home management, etc. In MIUI, they can be added and configured flexibly, but not all users know how to do it correctly.

Instructions for adding a widget:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select Widgets.
3. Scroll through the list and select the one you want (like Weather, Notes, or Google Search).
4. Drag the widget into a vacant space and change its size (if supported).

Some widgets can be customized, for example, in the Weather widget you can:

• 🌡️ Change the units of measurement (Celsius/Fahrenheit).
• 📍 Add a few cities.
• 🎨 Change the display style (minimalistic, detailed).

⚠️ Warning: Widgets consume additional RAM and battery power. If you notice that the smartphone has become slower to run or discharge faster, remove unnecessary widgets (long pressing). → Delete).

4. Hiding apps and folders on the home screen

If there are too many icons on the home screen, it can be arranged by hiding rarely used apps or combining them into folders. MIUI It's just being done:

Folder creation:

1. Drag one app icon to another.
2. Release – a folder with the category name (e.g. Games or Social Networks) will be automatically created.
3. If you wish, rename the folder by clicking on its name.

Hiding applications:

In MIUI, you can hide applications in two ways:

• 🔒 Through the app menu: click and hold the icon → Hide the app (will be hidden only in the menu, but will remain in the settings).
• 🕵️ Through Security: Open Settings → Annexes → Hidden applications and add the necessary ones.

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), hidden apps still appear in search results on the system. To completely remove them from view, use third-party launchers with the “hidden box” function.

5. Customization of transitions and animations

MIUI offers several options for animations when you switch between screens, open apps and return to the home screen, and these settings are hidden in the Additional Settings menu, and many users are unaware of them.

How to change animations:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 5-7 times on the MIUI version until you get a message.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find items: Windows animation (scale 0.5x-10x) Transition animation Duration of animation

No animation.

You can also change the style of transition between desktops:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select Screen Settings → Transition Effect.
3. Choose one of the options: Standard, 3D-rotation, Enlargement or Compression.

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Disabling animations not only speeds up the interface, but also reduces battery consumption by 3-5% (based on tests on Xiaomi 12T and Redmi Note 11 Pro+).

Installation of a third-party launcher

If standard MIUI features don't suit you, you can install a third-party launcher, a program that completely replaces the home screen interface.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher - flexible configuration, support for gestures, folders in the drawer.
• 🎭 Hyperion Launcher – Minimalist design, adaptive icons.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – Integration with Windows, synchronization with PC.
• 📱 Action Launcher – unique widgets, adaptive search.

How to install and configure Nova Launcher:

Download the app from Google Play|Open Nova Launcher after installation|Select "Default" in the window that appears |Go to launcher settings (long-term press → "Settings")|Configure icon grid, gestures and folder style

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After the launcher is installed:

• 🔧 Set up a grid of icons (for example, 5×6 opportunistic 4×5).
• 🖼️ Apply the icon package (download from Play Market and select in the launcher settings).
• 👆 Add gestures (such as swiping up to open a search or double tapping to lock).
• 📦 Create smart folders that automatically sort apps by category.

⚠️ Attention: Some functions MIUI (For example, Dual Apps or Child Mode may not work properly with third-party launchers. Check compatibility on forums before installing, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

7. Resetting the settings of the main screen to the factory

If after experimenting with settings, the main screen began to work unstable (for example, icons disappear, folders do not open or widgets are not updated), you can return the standard MIUI settings without completely resetting the phone.

How to reset the settings of the main screen:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher app (or MIUI Launcher).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action – the main screen will return to the factory settings (wallpaper, icons and widgets will be reset).

If you've used a third-party launcher, you can't reset it.

• Open the launcher settings.
• Find Backup and Reset (or Export/Import)
• Select Settings Reset or reinstall the application.

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Before reset, take screenshots of the current icon arrangement or export the launcher settings (if there is one), which will help quickly restore the familiar look of the main screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's home screen setup