How to change icons on Xiaomi Android: from basic settings to customization

A modern Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is not just a means of communication, but a personal space that you want to make unique. The standard MIUI or HyperOS interface looks stylish, but sometimes you want to change the visual style to stand out from the gray mass of identical screens. The easiest and most effective way to personalize is to replace application icons, which radically changes the perception of the system.

Xiaomi’s Android graphics change procedure is flexible and doesn’t require any deep technical knowledge. You can use built-in tools like the Themes app, or go further by installing a third-party launcher for complete freedom of action, and the result is worth it anyway, because visual comfort directly affects the enjoyment of using the gadget.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods, from official and secure to advanced customization methods, how to properly use icon packs, what to do if the standard editor can’t see the application, and what hidden features the system menu hides, starting with the simplest and most popular option available to every device owner.

Before we make any changes, it’s worth noting that downloading new graphics sets will require a stable Wi-Fi connection, which will avoid unnecessary traffic costs, as some thematic packages can weigh a lot, and also make sure that the device has enough free memory to install new design elements.

⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources other than the official Xiaomi store, there is a risk of downloading malicious code.

Using the built-in Themes app to change style

The most obvious and legal way to change the look of the interface is to use the Themes system application. In the MIUI and HyperOS shells, this tool is integrated at a deep level, which allows you to change not only the wallpaper, but also the graphics of system applications, notification curtains and, of course, icons. To get started, find the corresponding application on the desktop or in the Tools folder.

Once you start the app, go to the bottom of the screen where the navigation tabs are located. You're interested in the Profile section. When you click on it, you'll be taken to the management menu of your resources. Here you'll select the Topic item or immediately go to the Icon tab if it's highlighted separately in your firmware version. This is where all downloaded packages are stored.

In the icon catalog, you will see a variety of options, from minimalistic black and white sets to bright and detailed drawings in the style of iOS or Material You. Choose your favorite set and click Download. After downloading, the Apply button will appear. The system will warn you that the current theme will be changed and ask you to confirm the action.

• 🎨 Open the Themes app and go to the Icons section in your profile.
• 📥 Select your favorite pack and click “Download” while waiting for the process to be completed.
• ✅ Click “Apply” and confirm replacement of current graphics elements.
• 🔄 If the changes are not immediately displayed, restart the device through the power menu.

It's important to understand that using a new theme or icon set can affect the appearance of widgets and system windows. Some icon sets only work in conjunction with a specific theme, so when you try to apply them separately, the system may request the installation of accompanying files. This is normal MIUI behavior, ensuring the integrity of the visual style.

If you want to return everything as it was, in the same Profile -> Themes section, select a standard Classic or Default theme and apply it.This action will reset all visual changes to factory settings without losing personal data or app settings.

Application icon editor tool for selective replacement

Oftentimes, you like the icon package 90 percent, but the icon pair is out of style or out of style, and this is where the built-in App Icon Editor comes in, and it allows you to spot-replace graphics for specific programs using images from a gallery or other sets, and it's perfect for creating a unique mix.

To access this tool, you need to go to your smartphone Settings. Search by settings, type in the phrase “App icon editor” or find this item in the Desktop section. In some versions of the firmware, the path may look like Settings → Desktop → Application icon editor. Make sure the switch is activated.

Once activated, you can tap any icon on your desktop (or tap it for a long time until the menu appears and select "Change the icon"). A gallery of available options will open. Here you will see not only the standard system icons, but also icons from all the themes installed. You can select any of them and assign them to the desired application.

⚠️ Note: App Icon Editor may not be available on some global firmware versions without additional manipulation or region change.

And you should really consider using your own images, and if you're a designer or you just find a beautiful PNG image on the Internet without a background, you can upload it through this editor. Click on the + or From Gallery icon in the icon selection menu and specify the path to the file. The system will automatically crop the image to the desired format, but it's better to pre-prepared a square file.

Using this tool gives you the flexibility that standard themes don't have, you can make all social networks red and utilities blue by creating your own color coding, which is especially useful for people with a lot of apps installed, helping you navigate the menu quickly.

It's worth noting that when you update an app, your icon might return to the standard look set by the developer, and you'll have to repeat the replacement procedure, which is an Android security limitation that prevents third-party sources from arbitrarily changing app resources without the user's knowledge.

Advanced Customization through Third-Party Launchers

If you don't have the built-in capabilities of Xiaomi's shell, and you want to completely change the logic of the desktop, animations and menu structure, third-party launchers will come to the rescue. These are special replacement applications for the standard interface. The most popular and stable are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher.

Installing a third-party launcher is the first step to complete freedom, and after you download from Google Play and start up, ask for permission to use this app as the default home screen, and if you agree, you'll see a blank sheet ready for settings, and it's in conjunction with the launchers that the icon packages work most correctly and predictably.

The main advantage of third-party solutions is that they support almost any icon packages available in the Play Market. You don't have to wait for Xiaomi to add support for a popular set. You just install a launcher, then download any icon pack (like LineX, Whicons), and apply it to the launcher settings. Compatibility is almost 100%.

However, the switch to a third-party launcher on Xiaomi devices has its nuances. MIUI system is known for aggressive energy savings, which can “kill” the processes of third-party launchers, causing the home screen to reset to a standard one when switching between applications. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings and allow the launcher to work in the background without restrictions.

Another advantage is that you can customize the shape of the icon regardless of the content, so you can set a single radius of curvature for all applications, even if their original designers made them square, and this creates a sense of order and uniformity that is difficult to achieve with standard tools.

Installation of icon packages from Google Play

There are thousands of free and paid icon sets in the Google Play store. Unlike those in MIUI, which often weigh a lot and contain extra graphics, icon packages are lightweight modules containing only images. The best way to install and apply them is with the Nova Launcher or specialized application managers, such as X Icon Changer.

The installation process is classic: search for “Icon Pack”, sort by ranking and download. Once installed, the packages do not appear in the application menu as normal programs. They are activated either through the launcher settings (Understandings –> Icon Style) or through the application manager, which can confuse an inexperienced user who thinks the file is not working.

When selecting a package, pay attention to the number of icons supported. A good set should contain more than 2000-3000 graphics. If the icons are few, then most of the apps on your screen will remain with standard icons, which will look like a patchwork. Also check the date of the last update: old packages may not have icons for new versions of popular applications.

• 🔍 Type in the search for Play Market the query “icon pack” and sort by popularity.
• 📲 Download the selected package (pay attention to size and rating).
• ⚙️ Open your launcher settings and find the “Icon Style” section».
• 🎨 Select the installed package from the list and apply the changes.

Some developers offer trial versions of their packages, where only a portion of the icons are open.This is a great opportunity to check how the graphics look on your Redmi or POCO screen before you buy the full version.The license is usually tied to a Google account, so you don't need to re-purchase.

⚠️ Attention: When installing a large number of heavy icon packs, the device's memory can fill up faster. Check the storage regularly and delete unused sets.

Creating your own icons and working with PNG

For those who want to achieve absolute uniqueness, there is the possibility of creating icons with their own hands. It's not as difficult as it might seem. You'll need a graphics editor (like Canva, PicsArt, or even Photoshop on a PC) and a basic understanding of composition principles. The main rule is that the icon should be readable in a small size.

The optimal size for an Android icon is 192x192 pixels or 512x512 for high resolution. The file format must be PNG with support for a transparent channel (alpha channel). If you use JPG, the icon will have white or black fields, which will spoil the appearance of the desktop. The icon background should be transparent if you do not want to color it over forcibly through the launcher.

Once you create an image, save it to a folder with a clear name, such as "My Icons." Then, using the application icon editor method described above or the functionality of a third-party launcher, assign the image to the desired application. You can create a whole series of icons in a single style, for example, in the form of logos of your favorite movies or characters.

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Use vector graphics (SVG) during the creation phase and then export to PNG. This will allow you to scale the icon to any size without loss of quality and the appearance of “ladders” on the edges.

There are also online icon generators that allow you to download a logo and automatically apply the desired style, shadows and rounding to it, which speeds up the process of creating a personalized set at times. Once you find the right generator, you can quickly arrange the entire main screen in a single key.

Solving problems and resetting settings

Experimenting with the look of the system can cause problems, such as when the theme is applied, the icons become too big or small, or some apps display with a standard Android icon instead of a custom one, most often by clearing the launcher cache or reapplying the theme.

If you notice that the phone started to run slower after installing a "heavy" theme with live icon animation, it's worth going back to static graphics. Animated icons consume processor and battery resources, which on Xiaomi's budget models can be noticeable. Optimization is a key point in the setup.

In case the interface has “collapsed”, artifacts have appeared or the menu has stopped working, you need to reset the launcher settings. For a standard MIUI launcher, the path will be: Settings → Applications → All applications → System launcher → Memory → Clear. Don’t worry, your application data will not be affected, only the location of icons and wallpaper will be reset.

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Resetting launcher settings is a safe procedure that returns the desktop to its original state, eliminating icon display errors and interface getting stuck.

Sometimes the problem is that you have a version conflict. If you upgraded your firmware and the theme is still old, there may be incompatibility, and in these cases, theme developers usually release updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)