Xiaomi’s current smartphones, including the popular Redmi Note 9, provide users with a wide range of customization options. The standard MIUI shell offers a variety of built-in tools, but often owners want to make their gadget unique by changing the visual style. Replacing standard graphic elements is the easiest and most effective way to personalize a device without obtaining root rights.
The process of changing graphics may seem confusing due to the features of the MIUI menu, but it is quite logical if you know where to look for the right settings. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from the built-in theme store to installing third-party launchers, you will learn how to safely change the appearance of the desktop and avoid common errors.
Before we make any changes, it’s worth noting that the visual component of the system does not affect processor performance or application speed. However, incorrectly selected themes may require additional access rights or lead to incorrect display of widgets, so it’s important to follow the instructions and understand what changes you are making to the system.
Use of the built-in “Themes” application
The most reliable and regular way to change the appearance of the interface on Redmi Note 9 is to use the pre-installed application “Themes”, which is designed specifically for the MIUI shell and ensures the compatibility of all elements, including the lock screen, system fonts and, of course, application icons. To start work, you need to launch the application, which is usually located in the Tools folder on the home screen.
Inside the store, there's a huge catalog of free and paid designs. To find exactly what you need, use the search or the Top tab. Once you pick a theme, don't rush to use it in its entirety. Often users are only interested in a set of icons, and the rest of the design (for example, the lock screen) may not be suitable, in which case you can use a selective installation.
💡
Before installing a new theme, be sure to view its full screen preview to make sure the icon colors fit your style and don’t blend in with the wallpaper.
When previewing a theme, look at the Customize Theme button or similar menu item, and you can choose which components will be changed. If you only need new icons, uncheck Wallpaper and Lock Screen, which will keep your background and update the graphic design of the programs.
- 🎨 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
- 🔍 Find your favorite design through search or categories.
- 📥 Click the “Download” button and then “Apply».
- ⚙️ Use the “Tune Theme” function to selectively install elements.
Note that some topics may only be available for specific regions. If the search does not yield results, try changing the region in your phone settings. Go to Settings → Additional Settings → Region and select, for example, India or Indonesia, where the directory is often wider. After changing the region, reboot the Themes app.
Manual replacement of icons through the editing menu
The MIUI shell on the Redmi Note 9 allows you to replace individual app icons manually, even without installing the whole theme. This is convenient if you are annoyed by the design of only one or two shortcuts, and the rest of the interface is fine.
Make a long tap (press and hold) on any free space on the screen or on the icon of the application you want to change. In the menu that appears, select "Change" or "Edit." In some versions of MIUI, you need to click on the gear icon in the upper corner to open the desktop settings.
In the menu that opens, look for the icons section, and here you will see a list of all the apps installed, and if you click on a particular application, you can select an alternative icon from the built-in library or from previously downloaded themes, which allows you to create your own unique mix of different styles.
☑️ Pre-replacement checks
It's important to understand that manual replacement only works within the system's available resources. You can't upload a random image from the gallery without using third-party software. However, the combination of several downloaded themes allows you to create a truly unique look. Just download different themes, change the icons of the desired applications, and then delete the themes themselves - the icons will remain in place.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Screen editing | Long tap on the screen | Opening the widget menu and settings |
| Changing the icon | Settings → Icons | Choosing an alternative image |
| Resetting design | Topics → Profile → My Topics | Return to the standard view |
| Searching for | Themes app → Search | Finding new styles |
Application of third-party launchers
If the built-in MIUI capabilities aren’t enough, or if you want to install icons from APK files, the best solution is a third-party launcher. Launcher is an alternative shell that completely replaces the desktop, notification bar and application menu. The most popular and stable options for the Redmi Note 9 are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Smart Launcher.
Once you have installed the launcher from Google Play, you'll want to configure it as your primary interface, and you'll agree that it's going to replace the standard interface, and the advantage of this software is that it allows you to assign any image from the gallery to an app label, and you can download a PNG icon pack or use a custom typer application.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers on Xiaomi, you may experience gesture problems. In some cases, gestures may not work properly and you will have to switch to button navigation in the screen settings.
To install custom icons in Nova Launcher (as an example of the most popular option), you need to press the app icon, select Edit, then click on the icon image and select Gallery or Icon Apps. This gives you complete freedom of creativity. You can download thousands of free icon packs in the Play Market, which are automatically applied through the launcher.
Compatibility of gestures
Installation of icons from APK files
For advanced users who want to install a specific icon pack that is not available in the Xiaomi theme store, there is a direct installation method. Icon files are often distributed in APK format. Once downloaded from a reliable source, it should be installed as a regular application.
However, it is easy to install APK-The file is not enough. In order for the icons to work, they need to be activated. On the Redmi Note 9, you can do this through the Themes app. Go to the user profile (the human icon in the lower right corner), select My Themes, and find the Icons section. If the installed pack is compatible, it will appear in the list available for use.
If you don't get automatic, use an aggregator app like X Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker. These tools create shell shortcuts that mask standard icons for your chosen style, a workaround that works on any version of Android without root rights.
- 📂 Download the icon file (APK) proven.
- 📲 Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
- 🔄 Launch the icon aggregator app or go to “Themes».
- ✅ Apply the new pack through the interface settings menu.
You should be careful when downloading. APK-Always check your downloads with antivirus software built into the system or installed separately.Security of data on your smartphone is more important than beautiful design.
Set up the grid and element size
After changing icons, you often need a desktop grid to make the new design look harmonious, and MIUI has built-in tools to change the size of the icons and the number of items on the screen, especially if the new icons are in unusual proportions or too detailed.
To resize, go to Settings → Desktop. Here you will find the Size slider. By zooming in, you make the icons bigger, which can improve readability but reduce the number of visible elements. By reducing the size, you can fit more apps on a single screen.
💡
The optimal size of icons depends on the screen resolution and your vision; experiment with the slider until you find a balance between capacity and readability.
You can also use a grid setting on this menu, and you can choose a format like 4x5 or 5x6. When you change the icons to more complex and detailed ones, it's recommended to use a grid with fewer columns to avoid visual noise. Simple, minimalist icons, on the contrary, look good on a dense grid.
Possible problems and solutions
During customization, Redmi Note 9 users may face a number of common problems, most often due to icons not being applied, becoming white squares or disappearing after a reboot, and understanding the causes of these failures will help quickly return the system to work.
One of the common reasons is aggressive battery optimization in MIUI. The system can kill the launcher or application process of topics, considering them background and unnecessary. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings, find the application used (launcher or themes) and set the "No restrictions" mode.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to slow down after the icon change or artifacts appear on the screen, return the standard theme immediately.This may indicate a conflict of software versions or damage to system graphics files.
If the icons are gone, try clearing the theme app cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes → Memory → Clean. Don’t worry, your downloaded themes won’t be deleted, only the temporary cache will reset, which often solves display problems.
In some cases, a simple GUI restart helps. Press the power button and select Reboot. If the problem persists, check for system updates in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Update to the latest version may contain mapping errors corrections.