Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize the interface, but the standard shell MIUI does not always allow you to change individual elements in the way that other manufacturers do. Especially relevant question for the model Redmi Note 8, which, with a great screen and performance, has a standard set of graphic elements. Replacing icons is the easiest way to make the menu unique and easy to visually find the right programs.
There are several proven ways to do this, from using built-in tools to installing dedicated launchers. Each method has its own characteristics, advantages and limitations that must be considered before starting a system modification. In this guide, we will discuss all the options available in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your needs.
It is worth noting that the process does not require root rights and is safe to guarantee the device if you act according to the instructions. However, as with any interference with system settings, it is important to carefully monitor the actions so as not to disrupt the launcher or get confused in the theme files.
Use of the built-in “Themes” application
The easiest and safest way to change the look of shortcuts is to use the official MIUI Themes store.This method does not require installing additional software and is fully integrated into the Android system on your device. To start, open the Themes app, which is installed on the Redmi Note 8 by default.
In the top search, type in a query related to the style you like, or just select the Icon tab. Here's a huge catalog where you can find social media, gaming and system utilities packages. The choice is large, and you can often find free high-quality options.
- 🔍 Open the “Themes” app on your desktop.
- 📂 Go to the “Icons” section or use the search.
- 📥 Download your favorite pack and click "Apply».
Once you have applied the theme, the system will automatically replace the standard graphic elements with new ones. If you want to replace the icon for only one particular application, and not the entire package, the process may vary depending on the version of MIUI. In some cases, you need to go to the theme settings and select “Icon Customization”, where you can manually specify which shortcut to replace with which image.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, there is a risk of downloading malware. Use only proven resources or an official Xiaomi store.
Application of third-party launchers
If the standard MIUI launcher seems too limited, an alternative shell is a great solution. The most popular and stable options for the Redmi Note 8 are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher, which allow you to change the icons for each application individually without unnecessary complexity.
Once you install the launcher from Google Play Market, you need to assign it to the primary launcher. To do this, go to your phone's settings, find the Apps section and select Default. In Desktop, specify the launcher installed. Now you can (press your finger) on any icon on your desktop and select the option "Change" or "Edit."
The advantage of third-party launchers is that you can change not only the images, but also their size, signature font, desktop grid and transition animation, which makes the Xiaomi interface into a fully customized environment.
☑️ Preparation for launcher installation
It is important to understand that when using a third-party launcher, some MIUI features, such as gestures or deep integration with the system, may work differently or require additional customization, but for the task of changing icons, this is the most effective tool.
Creating shortcuts through the “Tags” app
For those who don’t want to change the entire launcher or install heavy themes, there’s an easy way to create new shortcuts with modified icons, using special utilities like the Shortcut Maker app or built-in widget creation features, which allows you to replace the icon of a particular application with any picture from your gallery.
The process is this: you open the utility, you select the application you want to change, then you specify the source of the image for the new icon. This can be a photo from a gallery, a downloaded icon pack, or even an emoji. Once you set up, you create a new shortcut on your desktop.
- 🖼️ Download the shortcut application (for example, Shortcut Maker).
- 📱 Select the target application from the list of installed.
- 🎨 Upload the desired image for the icon.
- ✅ Click "Create a shortcut" to place on the screen.
The thing about this method is that you actually create a new shortcut that leads to the same application, and you can't change the old icon in the app menu (in the curtain with all the programs) in this way, it will remain standard, but on the desktop you will have exactly the image you chose.
What to do if a label is not created?
Editing topics through MT Manager (for advanced)
For users who want to get the most out of the file system, there is a method of editing the theme files directly, which requires installing file managers with advanced features such as MT Manager or ZArchiver, which can open the.mtz theme file and replace the icon images inside the archive.
First, you need to find and download a theme that you like, but you need to replace one or more icons. The theme file is usually in the MIUI/theme folder. When you open the archive, you will see folders with resources. You need to find icon images (often in.png format) and replace them with your own, saving the original file name.
Caution is important: when replacing files inside system themes, you can damage the structure of the archive, which will lead to incorrect display of the interface or “fly out” of the theme. Always back up the original file before editing.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Image format | PNG with transparency | Use square images 192x192 px |
| File name | Must match the original. | Do not change the titles, only the contents |
| Location. | Folder icons inside the theme archive | Make a backup before replacing |
After replacing images, the theme file must be saved and applied through the standard Themes app, which gives you complete control over the graphics, but requires carefulness and a basic understanding of the structure of Android files.
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When editing themes, always check the size of the icons. The optimal resolution for the Redmi Note 8 is 192x192 pixels. Larger images may not display correctly or take up extra space in the cache.
Compatibility problems and their solution
When trying to change icons on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 users may face a number of technical difficulties, most often problems associated with aggressive optimization of the MIUI battery, which “kills” the processes of third-party launchers or applications for creating shortcuts, as a result, after rebooting the phone, all the changed icons can return to the standard look.
To avoid this, add the apps you use to the power saving exception list. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance, find your application (launcher or shortcut builder) and select No Limits mode, which will allow the process to run in the background constantly.
Another common problem is that there are no changes to the menu of all applications. As mentioned earlier, most methods only change the shortcuts on the desktop. The menu of all applications (App Drawer) in MIUI is rigidly tied to the system theme. To change the icons there, you need to apply the whole theme, not individual packages.
⚠️ Warning: If the navigation gestures (swipes) stop working after installing the third-party launcher, try switching to controlling the three buttons in the screen settings, installing the launcher, and then returning the gestures. Sometimes you need to re-tuning the senses
Reinstatement of the standard view
If you get bored with the exterior experiments or the new design is inconvenient, it is not difficult to return everything back. For those used through a standard application, just go to the user profile in the Themes app, select the Topics section and click on the classic theme "Classic" or "No restrictions" (depending on the version of MIUI).
If you use a third-party launcher, simply delete it or return the Desktop Desktop to System Launcher in your phone settings. All your data and applications will remain in place, only the visual shell will change.
For shortcuts created through utilities, just remove them from the desktop with a long press, like a regular application. The original icons in the application menu are not affected and remain unchanged.
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Changing icons to Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a safe process that does not require root rights, but requires careful choice of sources of themes and settings for energy saving for stable operation.