Personalization of the interface is the first thing that the new owner of the smartphone Xiaomi is striving for. The standard appearance of the shell MIUI or HyperOS can seem boring, especially if you are used to unique visual solutions. Changing the color range of icons allows you not only to stand out, but also to make the control of the device more intuitive and pleasant for the eyes. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to transform the desktop.
The process of changing icons on Redmi and Poco devices does not require root rights or deep knowledge of programming. The system provides built-in tools, and the theme store offers millions of design options. However, there are nuances that depend on the version of the operating system and the region for which the device is released, and we will consider both standard methods and advanced options through third-party applications.
Before you start the active phase of design change, you need to figure out what you want to end up with: Are you interested in a complete change of style or just a correction of individual elements? The answer to this question will determine the choice of method, and then we will go from simple theme tweaks to complex customization through launchers.
Use of the built-in MIUI theme store
The easiest and safest way to change the look is to use the standard Themes app, which is a system tool that is pre-installed on all the brand's smartphones, and here are thousands of ready-made solutions, where the icons are already matched by the designer in a single style, you don't have to choose each icon separately, just choose the set you like.
To get started, open the Topics app on the home screen. At the bottom of the interface, find the Profile tab or the person icon, then go to My Pages and select Topics. If you want to find something new, search for keywords like Neon, Black, or Minimal. After selecting the topic, click Download and then Apply.
⚠️ Note: Some themes in the official store may be paid or contain advertising. carefully check the description before downloading to avoid hidden subscriptions.
It's important to note that the application of the theme affects not only icons, but also settings menus, notification curtains and system sounds. If you only like the style of the icons and don't want to change the rest, this method may be redundant, in which case it is worth considering selective installation of components or the use of launchers, which will be discussed below.
Selective replacement of icons through the Topics app
The MIUI shell functionality allows for flexibility, so you can set one theme for the system as a whole, but replace the icon set with another one from a completely different source, so you can create a unique mix, like the system menus stay light, and the icons turn black and contrast.
To implement this function, follow the following steps:
- 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the Profile section».
- 📂 Select the "Icons" item in the list of installed components.
- 🔍 Click on the search icon (magnifying glass) in the upper right corner.
- ⬇️ Download your favorite icon pack without using it immediately.
- ✅ Return to the Icons menu and click on the downloaded set, then Apply».
This approach allows you to combine styles. You can download five different sets of icons and change them according to your mood without touching the wallpaper or widgets. This is especially convenient if you change the wallpaper often and want the interface to harmonize with the background. The system remembers the last combinations used, which makes it easier to switch.
☑️ Preparation for customization
Using third-party launchers for complete freedom
If Xiaomi’s standard tools seem limited, third-party launchers come to the rescue, these are shell apps that completely replace the desktop, the most popular of which are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, and Microsoft Launcher, which provide detailed control over the size, shape, and color of each icon.
Once you install the launcher from Google Play, the system will ask you to select the default app for the home screen. Select the launcher installed. Now you can download the icon pack separately. In the launcher settings, find the "Look & Feel" or "Look" section, then "Icon Style" or "Icon Style" section. There you can select the ready-made pack or adjust the color manually if the launcher supports Adaptive Icons.
| Launcher | Difficulty setting up | Package support | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
| Lawnchair | Low. | Medium | Very low. |
| Smart Launcher | Low. | Tall. | Average. |
| Microsoft Launcher | Low. | Medium | Average. |
Using a third-party launcher can change the way gestures work, for example, swipes to open app menus may work differently than in a standard shell, and some Xiaomi system widgets may not display correctly or require additional permissions, but the visual freedom you get often outweighs these minor inconveniences.
What to do if the icons do not change?
Configuring monochrome mode and digital balance
Sometimes the desire to change the color of icons is not dictated by aesthetics, but by the need to reduce visual noise, and for this purpose, Android and MIUI have a mode called Digital Well-being or Monochrome Mode, which makes the entire interface, including icons, black and white, which helps to reduce distraction by the bright colors of notifications.
You can activate this mode through the Settings → Digital Well-being → Sleep Mode or through the Quick Access Panel. Some versions of the firmware have a Color Correction feature in the Advanced Settings → Special Options section. You can invert colors or make them completely gray, and it radically changes the way the interface is perceived, making it rigorous and minimalistic.
This is software-based, doesn't require additional files, and is ideal for those who want to temporarily unload the brain from bright spots on the screen, but it's hard to tell the difference between apps by color, and you only have to navigate by the shape of the icons.
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Useful tip: For a quick switch between color and black and white, add the appropriate widget or shortcut to the notification curtain through the “Button Editing” section.
Creating your own icons through third-party apps
For users who want absolute uniqueness, there are design apps like X Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker that let you take any picture from a gallery and assign it to an icon for a particular application. You can create a set of icons in Photoshop or download ready-made ones. PNG-transparent-background.
The process of creating an individual style looks like this:
- 🖼️ Download the image-base for the icon.
- 🛠️ Open an icon change app (e.g. X Icon Changer).
- 📱 Select the app you want to change from the list.
- 📸 Upload the prepared image or take a photo.
- ➕ Click on “Create” or “Add” to make the shortcut appear on the desktop.
The downside of this method is that you create a shell shortcut, and the original app stays on the menu, and a copy of it shows up on the desktop with a new picture, and if you delete the original, the label will stop working, and if you update the app, the icon will fly off and you will have to repeat the procedure, which is a time-consuming but most creative way.
⚠️ Note: When using icon change applications, permission is required to “Map on top of other windows.” Without this right, shortcuts will not be created correctly.
Frequent problems and their solution when changing topics
In customization, users often encounter artifacts, icons that can become white squares, lose transparency, or display in low resolution, due to a conflict between the Android version, the HyperOS shell, and the format of the icons themselves, most often solved by updating the Theme app or resetting the launcher settings.
If the icons are missing after the theme change or the text becomes unreadable, check the font settings. Sometimes the theme changes the system font to incompatible. Return the standard MIUI font through the screen settings. Also make sure that the theme settings include the option “Android 10+ Compatibility” (if your version has one).
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Key Conclusion: Most icon display problems are solved by cleaning the Themes app’s cache or restarting the device after applying changes.
In conclusion, changing the color of your icons on Xiaomi is a safe and fun process. Start with the official themes to understand your preferences, and then experiment with third-party launchers for deep customization. Don't be afraid to try new styles, because you can bring everything back in one click.