Modern Xiaomi smartphones, powered by MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users a huge amount of personalization. One of the most notable ways to change the look of a device is to replace standard graphical interface elements. Often, stock icons can seem boring, out of the color scheme or simply not match the aesthetic preferences of the owner.
The replacement procedure does not require super-user rights (root) and is performed by regular system tools or third-party launchers. This is a safe operation that will not damage data or violate the warranty. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from built-in themes to advanced customization tools.
Before we get into action, it’s worth noting that the success of the operation depends on the version of the operating system and the firmware region.Global versions of Android may have some limitations compared to Chinese builds, but workarounds exist for all models, whether it’s the Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi 14.
Use of the built-in “Themes” application
The easiest and most reliable way to change your visual style is to use a pre-installed system application, which contains millions of designs created by both official designers and the community, and to access the directory, you need to run the Themes app on your desktop.
Inside the store, you can search for not only full designs, but also individual icon packages. In the search bar, type in "Icons" or "Icons" to filter the results. After selecting the set you like, click the download button, and then Apply. The system automatically replaces the graphics for all supported applications.
⚠️ Note: Some topics may be paid or advertised. carefully check the description before downloading to avoid installing unwanted content.
It's important to understand that the theme is not just about icons, but also about notifications, lock screens and sounds, and if you want to change only graphics, this method might be redundant, so you'd better use Mix or third-party launchers.
Configure via MIUI and HyperOS system launcher
Xiaomi’s regular launcher has hidden features that allow you to flexibly customize the look without installing additional software. In recent versions of HyperOS, the functionality has become even deeper. Go to Settings, select the Desktop section and find the More or Additional item.
There's often a resize option available, and more importantly, the ability to choose the style of icons. In some regions (for example, India or China), there's a built-in icon store right in the settings. For global versions, this feature may be hidden, but it can be activated through an engineering menu or special codes.
- 🔍 Open the desktop settings through a long press on an empty area.
- 📁 Select “Add widgets” or “Edit” if available.
- 🎨 Look for the icon style section for quick change of shape (circle, square, rounded square).
It is worth noting that the standard launcher does not allow you to manually assign a specific picture to a specific application without using themes.This is an Android security limitation that Xiaomi observes in the basic configuration.
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If you don’t have the right options in your desktop settings, try changing the region in the “Additional” menu to “India” or “Indonesia” – this will often unlock hidden personalization features.
Installation of third-party launchers for maximum control
If standard tools don't meet your needs, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher, which completely replaces the desktop interface, giving you access to thousands of settings. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, and Microsoft Launcher.
Once you install this application, the system will suggest you make it the default launcher. You can agree to this. Now, if you go to the new launcher settings, you'll find the Look & Feel or Icon Style section, and you can select any icon package you have installed from the Play Market or you can customize each shortcut manually.
| Launcher | Difficulty | Flexibility | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Medium | Maximum | Low. |
| Lawnchair | Low. | Tall. | Minimum |
| Smart Launcher | Low. | Medium | Average. |
Using a third-party launcher gives you full control over animations, gestures and desktop grid. However, it is worth considering that some heavy launchers may consume more RAM, which on low-end models of Redmi or POCO can lead to more aggressive closure of background applications.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
Manual replacement through assistive apps (XIcon, Shortcut Maker)
For those who want to keep Xiaomi’s native launcher, but change the icons selectively, there are special helper utilities that work by creating a new shell shortcut that leads to the original application but looks different, and popular tools are XIcon, Shortcut Maker and Custom Icons.
The process is this: you open the utility, you select the target application from the list, then you select an image from a gallery or a set of icons. Once confirmed, a new shortcut appears on the desktop, and you can remove the old icon or move it to a folder so that your eyes don't horn.
⚠️ Note: When you remove the assistant app, the shortcuts created through it may stop working or disappear. Do not remove the utility if you want to save custom icons.
This is ideal for creating unique folders or highlighting important applications, such as making the messenger icon red to make it look good, and the main disadvantage is having to create a shortcut for each application separately, which takes time when you first set it up.
Why are icons dropped after the theme update?
Creating your own icons from images
If the set doesn't suit you, Android lets you use any image from the gallery as an icon, so you don't need any complicated editors, you just need to have a PNG image on your phone (preferably with a transparent background) or JPG.
Use the Shortcut Maker app. From the menu, select Apps, find the program you want, click on the current icon, and select Gallery. Upload your image. You can zoom in, add filters, or change shape right inside the editor, and it allows you to create a truly unique design that no one else has.
When creating your own graphic elements, it is important to observe the proportions — 512x512 If the picture is too small, it will become blurry, and if it is too big, it can take up extra space in the cache of the system.
- 🖼️ Prepare a high-quality image without excessive background.
- 📐 Use square proportions for better compatibility.
- 💾 Save the original images in a separate folder in case of reinstalling the launcher.
Solving and restoring the standard
Users may experience problems in experimenting with the interface, such as icons that may not display correctly, have a white background, or disappear after a reboot, often because of a conflict between the installed theme and a third-party launcher.
If you notice that the system is slower or shortcuts are behaving strangely, try resetting the launcher settings. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find your launcher and select Clear Data. This will return the desktop to its original state, but save the installed applications.
⚠️ Warning: Clearing the launcher data will remove all created folders, widgets and shortcut locations.Make sure you remember which apps were important to quickly restore the structure.
It is also due to the fact that some Xiaomi system applications (such as “Security” or “Conductor”) are protected from replacing the icon with third-party methods, in such cases only using the full theme, which takes precedence over system restrictions, or using Root rights, which is an advanced and risky method, helps.
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The most stable way to change icons without losing performance is to use lightweight launchers like Lawnchair in conjunction with proven icon packages from Google Play.