Changing the standard desktop is the first step to personalization, which many owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. Standard shell MIUI or the new HyperOS offer limited customization, while third-party solutions like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair allow you to completely change the visual style and logic of interaction with the device.
Often, users are faced with the fact that after installing a new application, the system does not allow you to assign it to the main one, blocking the Home button or resetting the choice when rebooting. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic algorithm of actions, but also the specific settings necessary for the stable operation of a third-party interface on devices of the Chinese brand, you will learn how to circumvent restrictions and make using a smartphone really comfortable.
It’s worth noting that the procedure may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the specific shell modification. If you have MIUI 12.5 installed, the actions will be the same, and in HyperOS 1.0, the menu items may be called differently. It’s important to carefully monitor each step to avoid a situation where the phone is left without a working interface.
Preparation for the installation of a third-party interface
Before you start making major changes, you need to make sure that your smartphone is ready to install new software. First of all, go to the official Google Play Store or GetApps app store and download the selected launcher. The most popular and stable options at the moment are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Smart Launcher.
Once you download an app, take your time to try to make it the main one. Xiaomi often requires additional permissions to properly work third-party components. Particular attention should be paid to access to contacts, calendar and, critically, permission to display on top of other windows. Without this, widgets and search may not work properly.
It is also recommended to back up important data. While changing the launcher is safe on its own, any manipulation of the system interface settings carries minimal risks. Make sure you have a restore point or sync with Google's cloud in case of unforeseen crashes.
- 📲 Download the installation file of the selected launcher from a verified source.
- 🔐 Check for system updates in the Settings section → The phone.
- 📁 Free up space in memory if there is less than 1 GB of free space.
- 🔋 Make sure that the battery is at least 30% before setting up.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing launchers from unknown sources (APK-This can lead to the device being infected with malware that steals your passwords and personal data.
It’s important to understand that some heavy launchers with an abundance of animations can consume more CPU resources. If your device is in the budget segment, choose lighter versions of applications labeled Lite or Go.
Basic configuration through the system menu
The process of activating a new desktop in the shells of MIUI and HyperOS has its own features, different from pure Android. After installing the application, the system can suggest selecting a launcher at the first press of the home button. If this does not happen, you will need to go to the deep settings of the system manually.
Open the settings menu and find the app section. Depending on the firmware version, the path may look like Apps → Application Management or Apps → Settings. Here we need to find the item hidden in the triple menu or the list of optional options.
In older versions of MIUI, there was often a separate Desktop item in the main settings, and in modern versions, this feature moved to the default menu, so you need to find the default app and select the Desktop or Home app category.
If you can't find the right item, search by settings, type the word "default" or "default" into the search box, and the system will highlight the desired section, a versatile way of navigation that works even when you change the structure of the menu.
Once you select a new launcher, the system will issue a warning that a third-party app may be able to access your data.This is a standard Android security message. Click "OK" or "Accept" to confirm your actions.
Solving the problem with the home button
The most common problem faced by Xiaomi users is the inability to reassign the Home button to a new launcher.You can choose the app in the settings, but when you click on the round button or swipe from the bottom, the system still returns you to the standard MIUI desktop.
This is because the MIUI Launcher system process takes precedence over third-party applications. To get around this limitation, you must first disable or restrict the standard launcher. Go to Settings → Applications → All Apps and find the Work Desktop (the gear icon or the MIUI logo).
In the menu that opens, find the Default Start button and click on Clear Default Settings. If the button is inactive, try first pressing Stop and then again trying to select a new app. In some cases, temporarily disabling notifications for the standard launcher helps.
☑️ Checklist for activation of the Home button
⚠️ Note: Do not remove or disable the fully system launcher MIUI/HyperOS. This can lead to a cyclical reboot of the phone or a black screen, as the system needs a basic interface to work.
If standard methods don't work, you can use the hidden test menu. Type ##6484## (engineering menu) in your phone, but be careful: changing the settings in this section without knowing it can disrupt other functions of the phone. In most cases, it is enough just to clear the cache of the standard launcher.
Specifics of the configuration in HyperOS 1.0 and later
With the release of the HyperOS shell, Xiaomi has significantly changed the architecture of the system, which also affected the management of launchers. In the new OS, the default application selection algorithm has become more strict, but also more transparent to the user.
If the automatic offer doesn’t appear, the path to settings in HyperOS is as follows: Settings → Apps → Settings → App Management → Three dots in the corner → Other settings → Default apps. Here you will see a clear list of categories where you need to select Desktop.
HyperOS has a more aggressive energy-saving mechanism, so that the new launcher doesn't crash or reset to a standard launcher, it needs to prevent battery saving. Find the installed launcher in the application list, go to Energy Saving, and select No Limits mode.
Why does HyperOS launcher reset itself?
Third-party launchers can now interact correctly with Android 14 widgets, but to do so they may need additional permissions to access the clipboard or geo-position, which will need to be provided manually when first launched.
Table of comparison of popular launchers
Choosing the right tool for personalization is a matter of taste, but it's important to consider the specifications of each solution, and different launchers have different effects on the autonomy and performance of the device.
| Name of name | RAM consumption | Flexibility of setting | Best for you. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Average. | Maximum | Experienced users, customization |
| Microsoft Launcher | High. | Medium | Integration with the Windows ecosystem |
| Lawnchair | Low. | Tall. | Fans of pure Android (Pixel) |
| Smart Launcher 6 | Average. | Automatic. | Minimalism and automatic sorting |
As you can see from the table, Nova Launcher remains the gold standard for anyone who wants to change literally every pixel on the screen, but if you want to integrate with your desktop, look at Microsoft products.
For weak devices like the Redmi Go or older Poco models, it is better to choose the lightest options to avoid overloading RAM. Heavy animations can cause "freezes" of the interface on entry-level processors.
Removing common errors
Even after you set up correctly, you may encounter artifacts like missing icons, incorrect font displays, or taskbar hanging, often solved by simply cleaning the new launcher's cache through the application management menu.
If the icons are not displayed correctly (white squares instead of images), you need to install the icon pack (Icon Pack). Most launchers support third-party icon sets from the Play Store. Just download the favorite pack and apply it to the launcher's appearance settings.
If the phone starts to behave unstable after installing the launcher, try resetting it to factory settings (within the launcher app itself, not the entire phone), which will return the grid, font size and animations to their original values, often eliminating software conflicts.
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If the fingerprint unlock on the lock screen stopped working after the launcher change, check the security settings. Some launchers conflict with system biometric methods, requiring the "Improved Recognition" to be disabled in the lock screen settings.
Remember that deep system change always carries risks. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to changing wallpapers and widgets within the standard shell, which is optimized by Xiaomi engineers specifically for your hardware.