How to change icons on Xiaomi Poco X3: from standard themes to custom packs

Xiaomi Poco X3 is one of the most popular smartphones among customization enthusiasts due to the flexible MIUI firmware and open options for modifications. Replacing standard icons is the first step to personalizing the device, but not everyone knows that there are many more options here than just installing a theme from the Mi Theme Store. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods from simple (under the power of a beginner) to advanced (require root rights or ADB).

It's important to understand that the methods vary in complexity, risk and end result, for example, using third-party launchers gives you maximum freedom, but can conflict with proprietary MIUI functions, and manual editing of system files without backup boot verevatoloop (obsessive boot).

1. Standard way: Themes from the Mi Theme Store

The safest and most official method is to use the built-in Mi Theme Store, which does not require root rights, does not violate warranty and works on any version of MIUI (including Poco X3 on MIUI 12/13/14). However, the choice of icons is limited here: most of themes change not only icons, but also wallpaper, fonts, animations.

To apply the topic:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search box, type a query, such as “icon pack” or “minimalism icons".
• 🎨 Choose your favorite theme and click Apply (some themes are paid, the price is from 50 to 300 rubles).
• ⚙️ In the theme settings, you can turn off changing wallpaper or fonts, leaving only icons.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Some themes may be dropped. To avoid this, save your favorite theme to Favorites (heart icon in the upper right corner of the theme card). Also note that not all icons of the themes support adaptive size — on Poco X3 permittingly 1080×2400 They may look blurry.

2. Third-party launchers: Nova Launcher, Hyperion, Apex

If built-in themes aren't enough, third-party launchers give full control of the icons. Popular options for the Poco X3:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports.apk-pack icons, flexible layout settings and gestures.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi, retains branded chips (for example, App Vault).
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – lightweight version with minimalist design.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Download your favorite icon pack (such as Whicons, CandyCons, or Minimal O).
3. Press your finger on your desktop → Settings → Style of icons → select the installed pack.
4. For individual icons: Press the app icon → Change → Icon.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI When using third-party launchers, the notification bar may disappear when swiping down on the desktop. To return it, turn off the option "Swipe down for notifications" in the launcher settings and use a swipe from the top edge of the screen.

Make a backup of the desktop (screenshots or export settings)

Check the compatibility of icon pack with screen resolution (1080×2400)

Disable battery optimization for launcher in MIUI settings

Install the latest version of the launcher (beta versions can be glitched)-->

3. ADB-Change system icons without root

For advanced users who don’t want root rights but are willing to work with ADB, there’s a way to replace system icons via the command line, a method that works for Poco X3 on MIUI 12.5+ and requires USB debugging enabled.

Steps:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and execute a command to check the connection: adb devices (the serial number of the device should be displayed).
2. Download the archive with icons in.png format (resolution 108×108 or 192×192 for MIUI).
3. Use the command to replace the icon (example for Settings): adb push new_icon.png /data/local/tmp/ adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system" su -c "cp /data/local/tmp/new_icon.png /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ic_launcher_settings.png" su -c "chmod 644 /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ic_launcher_settings.png" su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system" reboot

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🔄 After updating MIUI Icons will drop.
• 📁 You need to know exactly the paths to system files (they differ in different versions of firmware).
• 🛠️ A team error can lead to the collapse of system applications.

4. Manual editing with root rights

If you have root (for example, through Magisk), you can completely redefine system icons by replacing files in /system. This method gives maximum freedom, but also maximum risks: an incorrect change can lead to soft-brick (system failure without recovery).

Procedure:

1. Install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with root access enabled).
2. Go to the icon folder (e.g. /system/app/Launcher3/res/drawable-xxhdpi/).
3. Copy the original files to the backup (for example, on the SD-map).
4. Replace your files with your icons (names and extensions must match!).
5. Change the rights to 644 (rw-r----).
6. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: On Poco X3 s MIUI 14 And more recently, some system applications (like Security or Mi Share) have checksum checksums checked, so if you change their icons, the application can stop running. /system/addon.d/ Recovery scripts that return standard files after rebooting.

💡

Before replacing the icons of system applications (for example, "Settings" or "Phone") make a partition dump. /system through TWRP. This will allow you to recover the original files if something goes wrong. /system system_backup

5.Use of Xposed Framework (only for MIUI 12 and below)

Xposed Framework is a powerful tool for modifying system components, but on newer versions MIUI (13+) It is not working because of changes in ART-If you have Poco. X3 on MIUI 12 or earlier, you can use the Xposed Icon Changer or GravityBox module.

Instructions:

1. Install Xposed Installer and activate the framework.
2. Download GravityBox [MM] or Icon Changer.
3. In the module settings, select the icon pack or download your own (.png or.zip).
4. Reset the device.

🔹 On Poco. X3 s MIUI 12.5+ Xposed is not working because of the boot section signature check. Alternatively, LSPosed (requires Magisk and special modules, such as MiuiHome Mod).

6. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have put all the methods in a table with key parameters:

For most Poco X3 users, the best option is the Nova Launcher + icon pack. It does not require root, does not reset after updates and gives maximum flexibility. If you want system changes (for example, replacing icons in the notification bar), you will have to use ADB or root.

💡

On MIUI 14 and later, the only stable ways are third-party launchers or themes from the Mi Theme Store. Methods with ADB and root require deep knowledge and backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing icons with Poco X3