Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often want to personalize their device as much as possible. However, the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has its limitations, which prevent you from simply changing the name of any shortcut on the desktop.
However, there are proven ways to get around this limitation: You can use third-party launchers, special widgets, or even advanced debugging methods via computer.Renaming the shortcut is the first step to creating a unique interface that will differ from the standard boring grid of icons.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available methods, from the simplest, no need to install additional software, to more complex options for advanced users. Android provides flexible features, and we will show you how to use them on devices of the Chinese brand.
Use of built-in MIUI themes
The most legal and safest way to change the look of icons, and sometimes their signatures, is to use the Themes app. There are thousands of designs in the Xiaomi theme store that completely change the graphical shell of the system, some of which include redesigned system application names or offer alternative styles of shortcuts.
To use this method, open the Themes app on your smartphone. Search for queries like "iOS", "Minimal" or "Custom Labels." Note the preview: if you see a changed app name in the screenshots, then the theme supports this feature. Once you install the theme, the names can change globally for all applications or only for system applications.
⚠️ Attention: Installing third-party themes can cause system fonts and colors to change, sometimes affecting the readability of the interface in other applications.
It is important to understand that this method does not allow you to rename a particular application as you wish (for example, call WhatsApp as “Calculator”). It only changes the display style according to the design of the chosen theme.
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Use the “Preview” function in the store To see how the desktop will change before the actual installation of the design.
Rename through the creation of labels
The most flexible way that anyone without root rights can do is to create new custom name app shortcuts, which doesn't change the name of the app itself in the settings menu, but creates a new icon on the desktop with any text you specify.
To implement this method, you will need a third-party shortcut application, such as Shortcut Maker or similar.
- 📱 Launch the application to create shortcuts and select the section "Applications".
- 🔍 Find the program you want to rename in the list and click on it.
- ✏️ In the “Name” or “Label” field, type the desired name, for example, “Finance” instead of “Bank".
- 🎨 If you wish, replace the icon with any picture from the gallery.
- ✅ Click “Create a shortcut” to place it on your desktop.
You can remove the old shortcut from your desktop, leaving only the new one, renamed, and it is worth remembering that when you remove the main application, the created shortcut will stop working, since it is only a link to the original APK package.
Use of third-party launchers
Replacing the standard launcher is a radical but effective move. By installing an alternative shell like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher, you get full control of the desktop. In most modern launchers, the shortcut renaming feature is built-in by default.
The process is usually as follows: once you install the launcher and assign it to the main one, find the desired application on the desktop. Click on the icon and hold your finger until the context menu appears. Select Edit or Change. In the window that opens, you can enter any new name for the shortcut.
| Launcher | Possibility of renaming | Difficulty setting up | Russification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Complete. | Medium | There is. |
| Microsoft Launcher | Complete. | Low. | There is. |
| Smart Launcher 6 | Limited. | Low. | There is. |
| Niagara Launcher | No. | Low. | There is. |
Using a third-party launcher can affect some MIUI features, such as control gestures or built-in weather widgets, but for customization tasks, it is one of the best solutions.
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Third-party launcher gives maximum freedom of action, but can change the usual logic of the interface Xiaomi.
Method using widgets
Another original way to disguise an app is by using widgets. Many users forget that widgets can serve not only as a display of information, but also as quick links. Some widgets allow you to assign an action when you click by opening a particular application.
You can install a shortcut or link widget from third-party launcher apps or utilities like Widgetsmith (if available) or standard Google widgets. Place a widget on your desktop, select your target app, and give the widget any name, and visually it will look like a re-image icon, especially if you pick up the appropriate background image.
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't require a launcher change. You can combine standard icons and substitute widgets. But there's a downside to it: widgets often take up more space (at least 1x1 or 2x2) than regular icons, which can break the symmetry of the desktop.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning RAM, some widgets may stop updating or require reconfiguration, unlike static shortcuts.
Advanced renaming through ADB
For power users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of changing the name of the package through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to make changes at a deeper level, but requires a connection to the computer and enable debugging over USB.
First, activate Developer Mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on MIUI Version (or OS Version). Then, in the Additional → For Developers menu, turn on Debugging over USB.
adb shell pm list packagesUsing ADB commands, metadata can be manipulated, but directly renaming the system name of an application without modifying an APK file is often impossible on modern versions of Android due to security constraints. Most often, this method is used to hide applications or change their order, rather than simply renaming them. A safer alternative is using tools like Activity Launcher, which allows you to create shortcuts for hidden activities with any name.
Risks of using ADB
Possible problems and solutions
You may encounter a number of challenges in customization, such as when you upgrade your HyperOS system, the launcher settings may reset and you may have to re-create shortcuts, and some banking applications may not display properly through third-party shortcuts for security reasons.
If the new name isn't displayed or is shown cropped, try shortening the text to 10-12 characters.Long titles may not fit in the designated area under the icon, especially on high-pixel density screens.
- 🔄 Reset the launcher settings if the interface is not working properly.
- 🔋 Check the permissions for launcher apps so they can run in the background.
- 📱 Make sure there is enough free space on the desktop for new widgets.
Remember that changing the visual part does not affect the functionality of the application. Your data, logins and settings within the programs will remain unchanged regardless of the name on the icon.