How to change the icon VK to Xiomi: a complete guide to customization

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often strive for a complete customization of the interface, and standard graphic elements of applications quickly fail to satisfy aesthetic requirements. Especially in social networks, which are used daily, where the visual component plays a huge role in the perception of the system. Change the appearance of the VK icon in several ways without resorting to complex manipulation of system files or obtaining root rights.

The modern MIUI shell and its successor HyperOS provide powerful built-in themes that allow you to replace system-level graphics. However, if standard features are not enough, third-party launchers and specialized shortcut utilities come to the rescue. In this article, we will take a look at all the methods available, from simple substitutions through the theme store to advanced customization through Shortcut Maker.

Before we make any changes, it's worth noting that customization doesn't affect the functionality of the app itself. Your correspondence, notifications, and settings will remain intact, only the graphical display on the desktop will change, and it's important to understand the difference between a complete theme that changes the entire interface and a spot replacement of individual elements, which will be discussed later.

Use of the built-in MIUI and HyperOS theme store

The easiest and safest way to change the VKontakte icon is to use the official Themes app, which is pre-installed on all the company’s devices, which does not require additional software installation and guarantees the stability of the system.

In the search box, type in "VK icons" or "VK icons." You'll see a lot of sets created by community designers. Some are free, others require payment or Premium status. Choose your favorite set and click "Download." After download, go to the profile (the person icon at the bottom right) and select "Themes" section.

Find the downloaded icon set and click "Apply." The system will prompt you to choose what to change: lock screen, wallpaper or icons. Select "Icons" and confirm the action. Now the VK icon will match the selected style.

⚠️ Note: Using some third-party themes can change not only the icons, but also the system fonts or menu colors. If you don't like the theme after applying, go back to the Topics app» → Profile → Themes and select the standard Classic theme to reset settings.

Note that the theme store works in conjunction with the Mi Account, so you may need to log in to download paid items, and the region of the account sometimes affects the availability of certain content, so in rare cases, some sets may not be available.

Creating custom shortcuts through Shortcut Maker

If the store’s built-in capabilities seem limited, Shortcut Maker is a powerful tool that allows you to create app shortcuts with any picture from the gallery, ideal for those who want to see unique images, minimalist logos or even photos on the desktop.

You first need to download and install the app from the Google Play Store. After you start, select "Apps" in the main menu. Find VK (or VKontakte) in the list and click on it. In the shortcut editing window that opens, click on the current icon image to replace it.

You'll be asked to choose the source of the image: gallery, built-in icon sets or download from the network. Choose the desired image, crop it if necessary and click "Create a shortcut." A new icon will appear on the desktop that leads to the VK app.

• 🎨 Flexibility: The ability to use any images from your gallery as an icon.
• ⚙️ You can change not only the picture, but also the name of the shortcut, hiding the original name of the application.
• 📱 Compatibility: Works on all versions of Android, including the latest HyperOS and older versions MIUI.

It’s important to understand the technical nuance: the shortcut created in this way is technically a separate object on the desktop. If you delete the Shortcut Maker application, the shortcuts created may stop working or disappear, so it’s best to leave the utility in the device’s memory.

Replacement of icons with third-party launchers

A radical but effective way to completely transform the interface is to install an alternative launcher. The standard shell of MIUI Launcher has limitations that remove programs like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher. They allow you to change icons batch-wise or for each application separately.

Once you have installed a launcher (like Nova Launcher), the system will suggest you make it the main one. Accept this action. Now, to change the VC icon, you need to pinch your finger on the app icon and select Edit. From the menu that opens, select Icon and specify a new graphics file.

The advantage of launchers is to support entire icon packages (Icon Packs), you can download from the Play Market a set in the style of iOS, Material You or Cyberpunk and apply it with a single click, which automatically replaces the graphics for all supported applications, including VKontakte.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party launchers can consume more RAM than the standard Xiaomi launcher. 2-3 GB of RAM this can lead to more frequent unloading of background applications.

Some launchers offer paid versions (Prime) that give you access to additional gestures and animation settings. For a basic replacement of the icon, free functionality is usually enough, but you should be ready to advertise in the settings of the free versions.

Comparison of methods of customization of the interface

To make it easier for you to choose the best option, we have prepared a summary table that compares the methods we have reviewed by key parameters, each method has its advantages depending on what is more important to you: stability, beauty or functionality.

Embedded themes are good for integration, but they're limited to a directory. Third-party launchers give you maximum freedom, but they're addictive. Shortcut applications are the middle ground for spot changes without redesigning the entire system.

Note the last line of the table: there are advanced methods of editing.mtz themes manually, but they require in-depth knowledge and are not recommended for ordinary users due to the risk of disrupting the interface.

Solution: the icon is not changed or reset

Often users are faced with a situation where after all the manipulations, the VK icon remains the same or returns to its original appearance after a reboot, this can be due to aggressive battery optimization in MIUI, which kills the processes responsible for displaying custom graphics.

To avoid resetting, you need to go to the battery settings and find the application that is responsible for the change (for example, Shortcut Maker or selected launcher). In the "Energy Saving" section, select "No Limits" mode, which will allow the system to keep the process active all the time.

Another reason is the system cache. If you have applied a theme but there is no change, try clearing the theme cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Themes → Memory → Clear. After that, repeat the application of the theme.

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Before large-scale customization, take a screenshot of the current desktop layout, which will help quickly restore the location of widgets and folders if a new launcher or theme disrupts your settings.

Also make sure the app has the necessary permissions. Modern versions of Android require explicit permission to create desktop shortcuts, which is requested when you first start utilities to replace icons.

The impact of customization on Xiaomi performance

Many people wonder how much replacement of standard elements affects the performance of the smartphone. Replacing a static icon through the theme store has little or no effect on performance, since it is just a set of graphics files that the system downloads as needed.

The situation is different with live icons or heavy launchers, if you use dynamic wallpaper or animation icons, battery consumption can increase by 5-10%, and the processor and graphics core will work more actively, drawing animations each frame.

For owners of budget models of the Redmi or Poco series with entry-level processors, it is recommended to use static icon sets. This will keep the interface smooth and will not create an unnecessary load on RAM, which is often not enough in public sector employees.

⚠️ Note: Do not install themes and icons from unverified sources (forums, Telegram channels) if they require the installation of a separate source. APK-This can cause the device to be infected with an ad virus.

The optimal balance between beauty and speed is to use a built-in theme store with proven ratings or lightweight launchers like Niagara Launcher that are focused on minimalism.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Icon change is a cosmetic procedure that does not require root rights and is safe to guarantee the device if you use regular tools or proven software from the Play Market.