How to change the app icons on Xiaomi Redmi 7A

Modern smartphones have long ceased to be just a means of communication, turning into personal digital assistants, the appearance of which directly affects the enjoyment of use. The owner of the budget but reliable Xiaomi Redmi 7A often faces the desire to personalize the interface, going beyond the standard design of MIUI. Changing graphic elements is the easiest and safest way to refresh the perception of the gadget without resorting to complex technical manipulations with firmware.

The process of replacing standard icons with custom images is accessible to every user and does not require deep knowledge of programming or special access rights. Android, the underlying shell of MIUI, allows you to flexibly manage visual design through built-in tools or third-party applications. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from simple themes to advanced manual configuration through special editors.

Use of the built-in Themes application

The most obvious and standard way to change visual style is to use the Themes app preinstalled. Xiaomi has created a huge platform where users share their creations, including full icon packages. To get started, you need to launch the application, which is usually located in the Tools folder or on the home screen, and go to the Themes tab.

In the search bar, you should type in the "Icons" or "Icons" query to filter out the results and find the graphics packages, not the full themes. After choosing the set you like, click "Download" and then "Apply". The system will tell you to choose which items will be changed: wallpaper, app icons or system fonts. It is important to note that some paid themes may not be available without changing the region in the phone settings.

If you want to use only the icons from the downloaded theme, leaving the wallpaper and sounds as standard, you should select "Tune theme" or similar from the application menu. Here you can check all items except "App icons" This will allow you to combine elements from different sources, creating a unique mix that will look great on the Redmi 7A screen.

Note that not all applications can receive new icons automatically. System programs and some third-party utilities may remain with a standard design if the theme author does not provide them in their package.

Installation of third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI capabilities seem limited, an alternative shell known as launcher is a great solution, replacing the desktop, control panel and app menu completely, giving access to thousands of pre-made icon sets through the Google Play Store. Popular options are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher.

Once the launcher is installed, the system will suggest selecting the default primary interface. The new launcher's settings usually have a "Look" or "Icon Style" section where you can select the finished package or download your own. The advantage of this method is that most third-party launchers have built-in databases that automatically match thousands of applications with beautiful icons.

However, using a third-party launcher on Xiaomi can lead to some features in the work, for example, control gestures without buttons, or swipes on icons to call a quick menu, and the MIUI energy saving system can aggressively unload the launcher from memory, which will lead to the return of the standard interface after rebooting.

⚠️ Warning: When installing a third-party launcher, be sure to go into the battery settings and allow the application to run in the background without restrictions, otherwise the desktop may be reset.

For stable operation, it is recommended to disable animations in the developer settings or use lighter versions of launchers, since Redmi 7A is equipped with an entry-level processor, and heavy graphics shells can slow down the device.

Manual replacement with Shortcut Maker

For those who want to get the perfect result and replace the icons of specific applications that are not supported by themes, there is a powerful tool called the Shortcut Maker app. This method allows you to create an app shortcut with any picture from the gallery, preserving the functionality of the original, which is the most flexible, but also more time-consuming way.

You first need to download and install the app from the Google Play store. After you start, select the "Apps" item in the main menu, find the desired program in the list and click on it. In the shortcut editing window that opens, click on the icon image to select the source of the new picture: a gallery, another icon package or emoji.

Once you select the image and confirm the name, you'll see a new label on your desktop, and the old icon won't go anywhere, so you can just delete it or move it to a folder to keep your eyes peeled. The key here is that you create a new shortcut, rather than changing the original application file, which guarantees the security of the system.

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Use PNG images with a transparent background to create shortcuts – this will provide a neat look and no white bezels around the icon.

It takes patience if you decide to design the whole screen this way, but the result is worth it. You can create a single style using, for example, black and white silhouettes or bright neon contours that will be unique to your device.

Preparation of graphic materials

Before starting a mass replacement, it’s worth taking care of the quality of the original images. The Redmi 7A screen has a resolution of 720×1560 pixels, and the pixel density is about 295 ppi. This means that standard icons in themes are usually 192×192 or 256×256 pixels. Using smaller images will lead to “soaps” and artifacts.

You can find high-quality packs on specialized resources like XDA Developers or in Telegram channels dedicated to customization of Android. Look for kits marked "Adaptive Icons", as they are best scaled to the different shapes (circle, square, rounded square) that MIUI supports.

If you plan to create icons yourself in graphic editors, follow the simple rules:

• 🎨 Use a square canvas with a side size multiple of 64 (e.g., 256 or 512 pixels).
• 🖼️ Save files in format PNG Support for a transparent channel (alpha channel).
• 📐 Leave the slacks on the edges (nearly) 10-15%), So that the icon is not cut off when scaling the system.

It’s better to store the images in a separate folder in the gallery so you can quickly find them during the setup process, which will save you time and nerves, especially if you decide to redesign dozens of apps.

Set up the grid and size of the icons

Once new icons are installed, there is often a problem of mismatching the size or grid of the desktop. The standard MIUI grid may not be perfect for the chosen style, making the icons too small or, conversely, bulky. To change the settings, go to Settings → Desktop.

You can change the number of rows and columns here. For Redmi 7A with its screen diagonal, the optimal format is often 4x6 or 5x6, which allows you to place more elements without losing readability. Also, some versions of the firmware have an icon size setting, although it is often locked and depends on the chosen theme.

If you use a third-party launcher, the grid settings are in Launcher Settings → Desktop → Grid. You can also adjust the indentations between icons and their size relative to the grid cell, which gives you even more freedom in the design.

Remember that changing the pixel density (DPI) through an engineering menu or ADB can make the interface more compact, but it requires caution.

Comparison of customization methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have compiled a comparative table of basic methods, each with its pros and cons depending on your goals and technical skills.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the optimal balance between simplicity and result is the use of the Theme application in combination with manual refinement through Shortcut Maker for selected applications. Launchers should be installed only if the MIUI shell is categorically not satisfied with you.

Manually replacing files inside system APKs (the last point in the table) is highly discouraged on modern versions of Android due to integrity verification and encryption. Trying to do so on Redmi 7A without unlocking the bootloader and SuperUser rights will only lead to a waste of time.

⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to rename or delete system icon files in root folders without having a backup and understanding the structure of the Linux file system.

Possible problems and solutions

You may encounter a number of common problems in customization, such as when you use the theme, icons become black squares or disappear altogether, often when Android versions conflict or your icon package is incompatible with your MIUI version.

Another common problem is the unsynchronization of notification counters, and once you replace the icon through a third-party app, the red circle with the number of unread messages can stop showing, and this can only be solved by returning to the standard icon or finding a specialized plugin for the launcher.

Also worth mentioning is the problem with app updates. When you manually replace shortcuts through Shortcut Maker, updating the main app on Google Play doesn't affect the shortcut you created. You don't need to do anything extra, the new shortcut will continue to run the updated version of the program, as it leads to the same batch ID.

If you notice that the battery is running out faster, check the power consumption statistics. The most likely culprit is a constantly active widget or a "heavy" launcher, in which case you should go back to the standard MIUI interface, which is optimized by Xiaomi engineers specifically for the hardware of your device.

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The optimal customization for the Redmi 7A is the use of light static themes from the official store without complex live wallpaper and heavy widgets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)