How to change the application menu of Xiaomi: full instructions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality, but the standard shell MIUI (or HyperOS) is not suitable for all users. Often owners are annoyed by pre-installed advertising, the specific location of the icons or the inability to flexible customize the desktop. It is in these situations that the question arises how to change the application menu on Xiaomi to get a unique and convenient interface that is not like stock.

The process of replacing the launcher (as the desktop management program is technically called) on devices of this brand has its own peculiarities. Unlike pure Android, MIUI actively resists third-party solutions, imposing its own rules for managing gestures and buttons. However, knowing a few secrets, you can bypass these restrictions and install any launcher from Google Play.

In this article, we will detail the algorithm that will allow you to safely replace the standard menu. You will learn which programs are best for replacement, how to adjust navigation gestures and what to do if the system forcibly returns the old interface. The key is to properly configure access rights and disable MIUI optimization for stable operation of the new menu.

Why Change the Standard Launcher to Xiaomi

The standard shell from the manufacturer often looks overloaded and contains many elements that users do not use. Replacing the app menu is the first step to personalizing the gadget, allowing you to turn a faceless device into a unique tool. New launchers offer advanced widgets, different application search logic and the ability to create complex automation scenarios.

One of the main reasons for migration is the desire to get rid of intrusive advertising in system applications such as Explorer or Music. Third-party launchers completely ignore MIUI advertising modules, providing a clean and fast interface, and many of them consume less resources, which positively affects the autonomy of the device.

⚠️ Warning: Be sure to back up important data before installing a new launcher. Although the process is safe, experimenting with system settings always carries minimal risk of configuration failure.

Also worth noting is the functionality for people with disabilities: Third-party menus often have improved font readability, contrasting themes and simplified navigation, making the smartphone more accessible to older people. You can choose an interface where large icons will be arranged in alphabetical order, eliminating confusion.

Choosing the Right Alternative for MIUI

The Android customization market is huge, but not all launchers are working properly with Xiaomi’s aggressive energy saving policies. Some programs may crash or display widgets incorrectly. So it’s important to choose proven solutions that are highly rated on the Google Play store and regularly updated.

Nova Launcher is a universal tool that allows you to change literally every pixel on the screen, from swipe animations to folder behavior, and is perfect for those who like to dig into settings and create unique designs.

• 🚀 Microsoft Launcher is a great choice for integration with the Windows ecosystem, allowing you to stream notifications and photos on your PC.
• 🎨 Smart Launcher 6 – automatically sorts applications into categories, which is convenient for those who do not like order in the menu.
• ⚡ Lawnchair – Lightweight and fast launcher that mimics the Pixel interface, perfect for weak devices.
• 🛡️ Niagara Launcher is a minimalist, list-like interface designed to focus on the main thing.

For users who value visuals, Niagara or Smart Launcher is an interesting option, offering a completely different experience by removing unnecessary status strings and leaving only content, which helps reduce digital stress and less distraction from notifications.

Step-by-step installation of a new application menu

The process of installing a third-party launcher on Xiaomi is not much different from installing a regular application, but has a critical final stage. APK-file or find the program in the official application store. After downloading, the system automatically prompts you to install an updated version or a new application.

When you're done, don't rush to open the app. Android should "see" the new component. Go to your phone's settings and find the desktop section. The path may be different on different firmware versions, so be careful when you look for the right item.

When the launcher is installed, press the Home button (square or circle at the bottom of the screen). The system will ask which application to use for this default action. Choose a new launcher and press Always. If you don't, after a while the phone will return to the standard POCO Launcher or MIUI menu.

⚠️ Note: Some versions of HyperOS may have the default launcher selection point hidden, in which case you need to clear the standard launcher data through the application settings to reset priority.

Configure access rights and disable optimization

This is the most important section of the instruction manual, without which the new launcher will not work stably. MIUI's aggressive energy saving mechanism constantly kills background processes, considering the third-party menu as an unnecessary power user. To prevent constant returns to the standard interface, you need to manually configure permissions.

First of all, you need to find the Applications section in the settings and go to Application Management. You need to find your new launcher in the list, you need to allow auto-start, work in the background and remove battery restrictions, and without these actions, the system will force the application to close.

Then there's a more complicated procedure, which is turning off MIUI optimization. You have to press the build number seven times in the About Phone section to activate the developer mode. Then, in the advanced settings, find the "Enable MIUI optimization" item and turn it off. The phone will warn you of the risks, but it's necessary for the launcher to work.

It's also recommended that you lock the application in memory, open a list of running applications, click on the lock next to the launcher, or select "Stick" to signal to the system that the process is important and should not be completed when you clear the memory.

Solving problems with gestures and navigation

One of the most common problems when changing menus to Xiaomi is the gesture conflict. Standard MIUI navigation often stops working or works with a delay after installing a third-party launcher.

Most of the time, the solution is to switch the navigation type. Go to the screen settings and select Full Screen Mode. Here, try switching from gestures to the classic three buttons. For many launchers like Nova, this is the only stable option.

If you don't want to use buttons, you can try installing special plugins or modules that return gestures, but this requires additional assistant apps that emulate system swipes, which can slightly increase battery consumption.

Keep in mind that when you use navigation buttons, you lose some of the screen space, but you get a guarantee that the launcher will not crash.

Frequent errors and ways to fix them

Even if all instructions are followed, users may encounter artifacts, such as icons that may be displayed incorrectly, too small, or have a black background, by installing an icon package that is usually offered by the launcher itself when it first launches.

Another common problem is that widgets don’t add to the desktop or disappear immediately, in which case you need to check the display permissions on top of other windows, and make sure that the battery settings for widgets are also removed, as they often go in conjunction with the launcher.

If the phone starts to run slower after changing menus, it may be that the launcher chosen is too heavy for your CPU. Try turning off animations in the launcher settings itself or upgrade to a lighter version, such as Lawnchair.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install two active launchers with widgets at the same time, this can cause a conflict of system resources and lead to a cyclic reboot of the interface (bootloop).

💡

Use the Backup feature inside the launcher settings to save your theme and icon settings. When you reinstall the system, you can restore your design in a couple of minutes.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Correct setting of access rights and disabling optimization is the key to stable operation of any third-party launcher on Xiaomi devices.