Personalizing the smartphone interface is not just a fashion nod, but a way to make interaction with the device more intuitive and enjoyable. Owners of Xiaomi devices running on the shells of MIUI or the new HyperOS often face the desire to change the standard visual style, which may seem too familiar or boring. Standard graphic elements preinstalled by the manufacturer are really qualitative, but they do not always reflect the individuality of the user.
The process of replacing graphical designations with Xiaomi is very different from the standard procedure on pure Android and has its own unique features. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from built-in theme tools to advanced third-party solutions, you will learn to create your own sets and safely implement them into the system without losing warranty or stability.
It's important to understand that the visual part of the shell is just the tip of the iceberg, that deep customization not only changes the look, but also optimizes the perception of information on the screen, and that we'll look at technical aspects that are often overlooked, and provide step-by-step algorithms for different use cases.
Use of the built-in “Themes” application
The easiest and safest way to change the visual is to use the standard tools of the system. Themes app is pre-installed on all devices of the brand and has access to system resources, which ensures that all elements of the interface are correctly displayed, and thousands of ready-made solutions created by both officially and the community are collected here.
To get started, you have to run an app and go to the Profiles section or select a specific theme you like. Inside the theme card, there's always a preview button to see exactly what the desktop app icons will look like. Not all themes change only shortcuts; many of them completely transform the notification bar, settings menu, and system sounds.
- 🎨 Open the Themes app and search for “Icons” or “Icons».
- 📥 Select the pack you like and click Download and then Apply.
- ⚙️ If you want to apply only graphics, select the option “Apply only icons” in the preview menu.
It is worth noting that in some regions (e.g. Russia and Europe), the theme store may be restricted or disrupted due to local licensing features, in which case the system may offer a limited set or require a change of region in the account settings, but the basic functionality usually remains available.
⚠️ Note: When downloading third-party themes, read the comments carefully. Some “heavy” themes may consume more RAM, which will lead to a slowdown in the interface on budget models like the Redmi Note series.
Setup through the desktop personalization menu
Newer versions of the HyperOS shell and current MIUI builds offer finer customization without having to download entire themes. The system allows you to combine elements of different styles to create a unique mix. This is especially true for those who like system navigation, but do not like the design of shortcuts.
To access these settings, you need to pinch the empty area on the desktop and select Add widgets or go to the screen settings through the Settings menu. → Wallpaper and personalization, often hiding options to resize the grid and style of signatures, which visually changes the perception of icons.
You can find a section on the Personalization menu that focuses exclusively on system elements. If you upgrade to the latest version of the software, you may have a choice between classic and modern shortcut styles, a basic level of change that does not require additional software.
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Use the Wallpaper widget in the screen settings to quickly switch between light and dark theme design, which automatically adapts the color scheme of icons to the background.
Remember, after you make changes, the system may need to reboot the interface, which is the normal behavior required to redraw the graphics cache, and if the screen blinks or goes out for a second, it's a success.
Application of third-party launchers
If the standard system is not enough, third-party shells known as launchers come to the rescue, programs that completely replace the desktop, application menus and control panel. The most popular solutions are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher, which work perfectly on Xiaomi devices.
Once you install an app like this from Google Play Market and assign it to the default, you get access to advanced look settings, you can resize each icon, add shadows, change the shape of the background, or even make shortcuts transparent, and it gives you almost limitless possibilities for creators.
However, using a third-party launcher has its own technical features: Opening animations can differ from system ones, and some features, such as MIUI gestures or double tapping to turn on the screen, may require additional adjustment or stop working correctly.
| Launcher | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery | Sign support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Tall. | Average. | Partial |
| Lawnchair | Medium | Low. | Complete. |
| Microsoft Launcher | Low. | Average. | Complete. |
| Smart Launcher | Low. | Low. | Limited. |
How do you get back the standard launcher?
Creating customized shortcuts through Shortcuts
For those who want to change the icon for just one particular application, there is an elegant solution that does not require superuser rights. The method is based on creating a shell shortcut that masks the launch of the desired program with a sub-image, and this will require any application to create shortcuts, such as Shortcut Maker or X Icon Changer.
The principle is simple: you create a new shortcut on your desktop, select the target application (which will launch), and upload any image from the gallery as a cover. The system perceives this as a new widget or link, ignoring the standard graphics package of the application.
- 📲 Download the app to create shortcuts from the official store.
- 🖼️ Select the app you want to change the design for and download the picture from your phone’s memory.
- 📍 Click “Create” to place a new shortcut on the home screen.
- 🗑️ Hide the original app icon by moving it to a folder or deleting it from the desktop (the app itself will remain in the menu).
This is ideal for creating minimalist desktops where all applications have the same color or style, and you can download a pack of black and white icons and pull them over any program, achieving a monochrome effect.
⚠️ Note: When you remove a shortcut creator app (like Shortcut Maker), the shortcuts created through it may stop working. Leave the utility in your phone's memory even if you no longer use it.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for customization
Compatibility issues and display bugs
In the process of deep modification of the interface, users often encounter artifacts. AMOLED-Sometimes there is a problem with new icons having a white or black square background instead of a transparent one, which is due to the peculiarities of rendering graphics in the shell. MIUI.
Another common problem is de-synchronization of notification counters (badges) after changing the theme or installing a launcher, the number of unread messages can stop appearing on top of the icon, this is solved by clearing the cache of the Security application or re-applying a standard theme and then returning to the custom one.
If you notice that the phone started to run slower after installing a "heavy" theme, check the use of RAM. Some themes contain live wallpaper and complex animations that load the processor. In such cases, it is better to return to static images or use lightweight versions of launchers.
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The quality of the icons is directly dependent on the resolution of the original image. Use graphics of at least 512x512 pixels to avoid soap on high DPI screens.
Optimization and return to factory settings
Sooner or later, it may be necessary to get things back to the way they were, whether it’s selling the device, handing it over to another user, or simply wanting to refresh the experience. Xiaomi’s system has a simple mechanism for resetting visual settings.
Just open the Themes app, go to the user profile (usually the person icon on the bottom right), select the Themes section and click on the classic Classic or Default theme. Applying a standard theme will automatically reset all icons, fonts and system sounds to factory values.
If you used a third-party launcher, simply delete it or change the Desktop app in the default settings.The system will instantly return the native interface.Don't forget to periodically clear the theme cache if you notice strange interface behavior: Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes → Memory → Clear.
Regular rotation of visual style helps reduce visual fatigue and makes smartphone use more enjoyable. Experiment with combinations, but always keep in mind the balance between beauty and performance of the device.