How to change the launcher to Xiaomi: the full guide

Changing the standard shell on the device is the first step to personalization that makes the smartphone truly yours. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the desire to replace the standard MIUI Launcher with a more functional counterpart like Nova or Microsoft Launcher. However, the Chinese giant’s ecosystem is known for its rigid limitations that can turn a simple process into a real quest.

The challenge is not installing the app from Google Play itself, but forcing the system to return to its native interface after a certain time. HyperOS and earlier versions of MIUI actively resist change, requiring the user to take special actions to consolidate the result. In this article, we will examine not only the standard path, but also the bypasses of locks.

You don’t have to be an expert in Android development to change the look of a gadget.We’ll look at proven methods that work in 2026, including working with the company. ADB-Prepare for some steps to require attention, but the result is worth it.

Why to change the standard launcher and what it gives

Xiaomi’s standard shell is functional, but often looks overloaded and less responsive than its lightweight counterparts. Third-party launchers offer deep customization of desktop grid, transition animations and search bar behavior, something the stock solution is starkly lacking.

Aside from aesthetics, optimizing resource consumption is important: Heavy shells like MIUI or HyperOS can consume a significant amount of RAM, which is especially critical for budget smartphones. Lightweight launchers can extend battery life and speed up interface response by removing unnecessary background processes.

Another important aspect is integration with Google services and cross-platform, with many users moving to other vendor ecosystems to share a common experience on a tablet and phone, and synchronizing settings and app layouts between devices is only possible when using third-party software.

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Before installing a new launcher, take screenshots of the current location of the widgets to quickly recreate the usual desktop structure.

Choosing the right alternative for MIUI and HyperOS

The market offers dozens of options, but not all of them are equally good friends with Xiaomi’s aggressive memory management system. For many years, Nova Launcher has been the leader, which is famous for its stability and a huge number of settings.

For users who value minimalism and pure Android experience, Lawnchair is ideal.This open-source project mimics the Pixel interface by providing smooth animations and a smart Google search bar. It is less resource-conscious and less likely to conflict with system processes.

Business users should pay attention to Microsoft Launcher. It offers excellent integration with office applications, news feed and the ability to sync with the PC. It is important to note that some launchers may not work properly with the navigation gestures of the system, so the choice should be informed.

When choosing Android version and the type of shell installed, some older versions of launchers may not work well on new HyperOS devices, and always check compatibility in the description of the application in the Google Play Store.

Step-by-step instructions for installing a new interface

The process of installing a third-party application is standard for the Android platform, but Xiaomi devices have their own nuances. APK-file or find the application in the official Google Play store. After downloading, the system automatically prompts you to open the file or complete the installation.

When you've finished the installation, don't rush to the desktop. The system can immediately suggest you select an app for the home screen. If that doesn't happen, manually go to the settings. Open Settings, then find the Application section and select Application Management.

In the application management menu, find the launcher you just installed, you'll need to go to the Other Permits subsection and issue all the rights you request, especially access to the display over other windows. Without this step, widgets and folders may be disrupted.

⚠️ Warning: If you don't set up the launcher as the primary one right away, the system will force you back to the standard interface in 10 seconds.

Next comes the most important step, which is to assign the application by default. In the same settings menu, find the default App (sometimes hidden in the three-dot menu in the upper right corner). Select Desktop or Launcher and specify the application installed. Now the system will run it at start.

The solution is called MIUI Launcher Package Not Found.

Many users face the annoying error of saying that the launcher packet is not found and resetting settings. This is a MIUI security mechanism that checks the integrity of system components. To get around this, you need to perform additional configuration through the developer menu.

First, activate Developer Mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on MIUI Version or OS Version. After the message “You became a developer” appears, go back to the main settings menu and select Additional Settings → For Developers.

In the developer's settings list, find the item related to MIUI optimization. It can be called Enable MIUI optimization. Try disabling this setting. The system will alert you to the risks and require you to enter a confirmation code that will appear on the screen. Enter the code and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling optimization MIUI It can change the order of items in the settings menu and affect the operation of some system functions, such as cleaning memory.

After that, reassign the third-party launcher to the primary.If the problem persists, try clearing the standard launcher's cache through the app menu by selecting MIUI Launcher → Clear → Clear Everything. This will reset its settings and allow the new program to gain a foothold.

Adjustment through ADB: an advanced method

If standard methods don’t help and the system constantly returns the stock interface, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer through USB-It allows you to force the system launcher to shut down.

Connect your phone to your PC in USB debugging mode. Open the command line on your computer and type in a command to search for launcher packages. Usually the system package is called com.miui.home. We need to turn it off so that the system is forced to use an alternative.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.home

Executing this command will instantly disable the standard interface. The desktop app selection should appear on the smartphone screen. Select your new launcher and press Always. Now the standard launcher is deactivated at the user level and will not be able to start.

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Using ADB is the most reliable way to make the system forget about the existence of a standard launcher, but it requires caution.

To get things back to normal if something goes wrong, use the adb shell pm enable com.miui.home command to restore the system component, a technique that is particularly effective on HyperOS devices where locks have been tightened.

Possible problems and ways to address them

Even after successful installation, you may encounter artifacts, often showing widgets incorrectly or not having an animation to fold applications, and this is solved in the launcher settings, where you need to choose the right version of the animation API or enable emulation of the system behavior.

Another common problem is that gestures fail, and swipe from the bottom up may not open the search or be delayed, and in these cases, rebooting the device after all the settings helps, and also make sure that the battery settings for the new launcher select "No restrictions" so that the system does not kill its process.

• 📱 Check if Full Screen mode is enabled in the display settings, as some launchers conflict with button navigation.
• 🔋 Make sure that the function "Memory Expansion" does not cause conflicts, on some models it interferes with the work of heavy shells.
• 🔄 Update Google Play Services as many widgets and search features depend on the relevance of this component.

If the launcher is slow, try reducing the number of widgets on your desktop or turning off live wallpaper. Optimizing graphics in the launcher settings itself can also significantly improve performance on older devices.