How to change the icons of applications on Android Xiaomi on your own

The standard MIUI or HyperOS shell interface is recognizable in style, but over time, the monotony can get boring. Users often look for ways to personalize their smartphone, starting with the most noticeable element - the appearance of the desktop. Replacing standard app icons with their own images or stylized sets is the fastest way to make the device unique and unlike friends' gadgets.

Unlike pure Android, Xiaomi has its own GUI features. Simple customization is not always available and depends on the firmware version and region. However, there are several proven methods to get around the limitations, from using an embedded theme store to installing third-party launchers. In this article, we will discuss each method in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your model.

It is important to understand that the customization process can vary depending on which version of the shell you have – MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 or the latest HyperOS. Some methods require minimal preparation, for example, creating a folder on the internal drive, while others involve installing additional software. Regardless of the chosen path, you will get full control over the visual design of your device.

Use of the official “Themes” annex

The easiest and safest way to change the look of icons is to use a regular tool from developers. Themes is pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones. It contains a huge catalog of free and paid designs, where graphic elements of the applications have already been replaced with stylized versions.

To find the right set, open the app and go to the Topics section. You can search for queries like Minimal, iOS style or Neon. After you choose the theme you like, you don't have to use it completely. Click on the Setup button, then select Signs. Here you will see a list of all the apps that have alternative graphics in the topic, you can select only the programs you want and apply the changes.

However, there is a limitation to this method: you can’t upload your own picture from the gallery unless it’s built into the theme by the author, you depend on the imagination of the content creators, and in some regions (such as Russia or India), the theme catalog can be limited or error-prone due to server constraints.

• 🎨 A huge selection of ready-made styles without risk to the system.
• 🔄 The ability to change only individual icons, not the whole theme.
• ⚠️ Inability to use your own photos without third-party software.
• 🌍 Dependence on the availability of theme servers in your region.

Installation of third-party launchers for complete freedom

If the built-in features don't suit you, the best solution is to install an alternative shell, a launcher, which completely replaces the desktop, notification panel and settings menu. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allow you to assign any images from your gallery to application shortcuts.

The replacement process in launchers is usually intuitive. Once you install and configure the new default launcher, find the application you want on your desktop. Hold your finger on its icon until the context menu appears, and select Change or Edit. In the window that opens, you can select a new image from your phone's memory. Some launchers even allow you to create icon packs and apply them en masse.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers on newer versions of Android (12, 13, 14) you may experience problems with animations or gestures. The system may force the return of the standard launcher after a reboot, requiring reconfirmation of the selection.

Launchers also provide access to advanced desktop grid settings, icon sizes and fonts, making them a powerful tool not only for changing graphics but also for improving ergonomics, but also for the fact that they consume more RAM, which on budget models can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications.

Manual replacement through file manager (Foldering method)

For advanced users who don't want to put any extra apps, there's a method of manually swapping through system directories, which works on many versions of MIUI without root rights, but requires care, and the idea is to create a special folder structure where the system uploads user images instead of the standard ones.

First, you need to find the original image of the icon you want to replace, or download the finished set in PNG format. Then open any file manager (for example, the built-in Explorer or MIXplorer). You need to go to the root directory of internal memory and create (or find) a folder called MIUI. Inside it, create a theme folder, and inside it – a folder com.android.thememanager (the name may vary depending on the firmware version, sometimes you need a content folder).

A simpler option, working on some builds, involves creating an icons folder at the root of memory or along the path of Android/data/com.miui.home/files/icons. Images with names corresponding to application packages (for example, com.whatsapp.png) are copied there. After copying, you need to restart the device or clear the cache of the Themes and System Interface application.

Create your own theme through Mi Theme Editor

The official and most flexible way to set your icons is to create your own theme, which is done using Mi Theme Editor, which allows you to package your images into the correct.mtz format and set them as a system theme, and it gives you a native-substitution effect without having to keep a third-party launcher running.

The process begins by unpacking any existing theme (the.mtz file is renamed.zip and unpacked). Inside, you will find the icons folder where all graphic elements lie. Replace the desired files with your images, observing the original resolution (usually 192x192 or 256x256 pixels) and the PNG format. It is important to save the file names if you want to replace a particular application, or change the describe.xml file if you add new ones.

Once you change the graphics, you need to pack the folder back into ZIP and then rename it to MTZ. The resulting file is transferred to the phone. To install it, open the Themes app, go to the profile (human icon), click on the settings icon (cogs), and select Import theme. Find your file and apply it. This method ensures that the icons remain even after the reboot and work natively.

• 💻 Requires PC and basic skills in working with archives.
• ✨ Full native integration without loss of productivity.
• 📂 The ability to create a unique design for each application.
• 🛠 The need to reassemble the theme with each system update.

⚠️ Note: When editing system theme files, always back up the original file. describe.xml. Syntax error XML This can cause the theme to fail or the desktop to work incorrectly.

Using widgets and shortcuts to circumvent restrictions

If deep system tampering seems too difficult, you can use a clever shortcut by creating shortcuts, which doesn't change the app icon on the menu, but allows you to create a new button on your desktop with any picture that will run the desired program.

This is a widget design application, like Shortcut Maker or XIconchanger. Install one of these, select the app you want to change, and as an image, specify any photo from the gallery. You can even choose a frame from a video or a video. GIF-Once created, the shortcut is placed on the desktop, and the standard icon is better hidden in a folder or removed from the home page so that there are no duplicates.

This is ideal for creating aesthetic workplaces with minimalist designs, where all icons are in the same style or are black and white silhouettes. It does not require super-user rights and works stably on any version of Android. The only drawback is that the icon in the All Apps menu will remain standard, since only the label on the desktop changes.

💡

Use collage-creating apps to make unique backgrounds for shortcuts, such as combining a social media logo with your favorite color or texture before installing it via Shortcut Maker.

Compatibility problems and standard refurbishment

In the process of experimenting with icons, users often encounter artifacts: icons can become black squares, lose transparency or stop displaying notification counters (badges). This is especially true for applications using adaptive icons introduced in Android 8.0 and higher. Xiaomi’s system sometimes incorrectly scales user graphics, cropping the edges.

If you notice that the phone is slowing down or the interface is lagging after installing the theme, try clearing the theme and system UI app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the system components of the interface and click Clean. If the problem is in a third-party launcher, removing it will return everything to its normal, but the desktop settings will be reset.

To return to factory status, you just need to apply a standard theme “Classic” or “No Limits” in the theme application. This action will reset all graphical modifications. If you used the manual file swap method, you may need to delete the created folders or even reset the launcher settings through the recovery menu if the system stopped loading due to a critical error in the theme files (although this is rare).

💡

The most stable way to get your icons on Xiaomi is to create your own theme through Mi Theme Editor.This guarantees native work, no lags and save changes after the reboot, as opposed to temporary shortcuts.