How to change icons on Xiaomi: from standard themes to custom packs (MIUI 14/15)

Changing icons on a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that many users are excited about. The standard design of MIUI is not popular: some want originality, some want minimalism, and some just get bored with monotony. Fortunately, the manufacturer and third-party developers offer several ways to customize, from simple themes to deep changes through ADB.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for replacing icons relevant to MIUI 14/15 (including Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T and other models), learn how to install ready-made themes from the official store, use third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, or even replace icons manually through system files, and also what pitfalls await beginners and how to avoid them.

Important: some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights. If you are not prepared for the risks (loss of warranty, possible "brick" of the device), stick to the first three ways - they are safe and do not violate the rules of Xiaomi.

1. Method: Official MIUI themes (the easiest)

The fastest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI theme change feature. Xiaomi offers thousands of free and paid themes, many of which change not only icons, but also fonts, wallpaper, animations. This method does not require root rights and is suitable even for beginners.

How it works:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search bar, type in a query, such as “minimalist icons,” “iOS icons,” or “pixel icons".
• 🎨 Choose the theme you like and click Apply. The icons will change automatically.
• 💰 Please note: some themes are paid (from 50 to 300 rubles), but there are also free options.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require technical skills.
• ✅ Keeps the Xiaomi guarantee.
• ✅ You can return standard icons in one click.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI To avoid this, save your favorite topic in Favorites (heart icon in upper right corner).

2. Method: Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If you don't have a lot of themes built in, you can install an alternative launcher, popular options like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Lawnchair, which lets you install custom icon packs from the Play Market and fine-tune the look.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Install your favorite icon pack (such as Whicons, Fluxo or CandyCons).
3. Press your finger on the desktop → Settings → Styles of icons.
4. Select the installed pack of icons.

Advantages of launchers:

• 🎛️ Flexible setting: icon size, indentations, gestures.
• 📥 Support for thousands of icon packs from Play Market.
• 🔄 We can return the standard launcher. MIUI anytime.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X5) When you install the launcher, you can lose access to Google Discover (swipe left on the home screen). MIUI.

Backup your current desktop settings |

Check the compatibility of the launcher with the version of Android|

Download 2-3 packs of icons for testing |

Disable battery optimization for launcher (in the application settings)-->

3. Method: Manually changing icons through ADB (for advanced)

If you're ready to experiment, you can replace system application icons through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which doesn't require root rights, but you need basic command-line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 📁 Icon packs in.png format with the correct names (e.g. com.android.contacts.png for the Contacts icon").

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified.
2. Download the icons to a folder on your PC (e.g., C:\icons\).
3. Download the icons to your phone: adb push C:\icons\ /sdcard/Download/icons/
4. Install App Icon Changer from the Play Market and select new icons for each app.

Important: this method only works for user applications (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram), System icons (Settings, Phone) cannot be changed without root.

adb pull /data/app/[package_name]-1/base.apk C:\backup\

This will help restore the icons if something goes wrong.-->

4. Method: Installation of custom firmware (for enthusiasts)

The most radical way is to flash custom firmware like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or ArrowOS, which offer customized icon sets and complete customization freedom, but only for advanced users, as it requires:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
• 🛠️ Custom recaveri installations (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
• 📦 Manual selection and firmware ZIP-firmware.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🆕 Regular updates (as opposed to regular updates) MIUI, where updates are delayed).
• 🎨 Full freedom of customization: icons, fonts, animations.
• 🚀 Best performance (no extra software from Xiaomi).

⚠️ Attention: Custom software firmware voids Xiaomi warranty and may result in a device blink (inoperability). RAM (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) Some custom firmware may work unstablely.

5. Method: Using the Xposed Framework (obsolete but working)

Xposed Framework is a platform for modifying system files without custom software firmware, which can change icons, fonts, and even application behavior, but it is outdated and does not work on all versions of MIUI.

How it works:

1. Install Magisk (root required).
2. Download the Xposed Installer module for your Android version.
3. Install Unicon or Iconify to replace the icons.
4. Reset the device.

Cons of the method:

• ❌ Not working. MIUI 14/15 patchless.
• ❌ Can cause lags and errors in the system.
• ❌ Requires constant updates to modules.

💡

The Xposed Framework is only suitable for older Xiaomi models (until 2020 release) and newer smartphones are better off using launchers or ADBs.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing icons, users encounter common mistakes, and here's how to fix them:

Problem 1: The icons dropped after the MIUI update.

• 🔄 Return the topic through the Topics app (My Topics section).
• 📥 If the topic is off the list, download it again.

Problem 2: The launcher doesn’t use a pack of icons.

• 🔧 Check that the icon pack supports your launcher (for example, Nova Launcher only works with.png packs).
• 📛 Make sure the icon names match the app package (e.g. com.whatsapp.png for WhatsApp).

Problem 3: After the firmware custom software there is no network.

• 📶 Set the right ones. IMEI via Engineer Mode (#4636##).
• 🔄 Reflash the modem module from the original firmware.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions