How to change icons on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways (including hidden ones)

Standard icons on Xiaomi get boring over time — especially if you’ve been using a smartphone for years. Fortunately, the manufacturer offers several ways to change them, from built-in MIUI and HyperOS tools to third-party solutions for advanced users. But not all methods are equally safe: some can cause system failures, if you ignore the nuances.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to change icons on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from the simplest themes to manual editing of system files. Particular attention will be paid to models on HyperOS (2026), where the logic of working with icons has changed. If you want to not just change the appearance, but completely remake the interface for yourself, here you will find step-by-step instructions with all the pitfalls.

⚠️ Change of system icons on Xiaomi can lead to malfunction of some applications. All manipulations you perform at your own risk - especially if it is a question of manual editing of files through the use of the system. ADB root-access.

Before you start, we recommend backing up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup. This will take 5-10 minutes, but save you nerves in the event of a crash.

1. Method: Use of built-in MIUI/HyperOS themes

The easiest and safest method is to change icons through the official Theme app, which works on all Xiaomi devices without any additional manipulation and requires no superuser rights. In HyperOS (since version 1.0), the logic has changed a little, but the essence has remained the same.

To change the icons:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the icon tab in the lower menu.
3. Choose your favorite package from the offered ones (free options are marked with a green tick).
4. Click Apply – the system will automatically update the icons on the desktop and in the application menu.

✅ Pros of the method:

• 🔄 Does not require rebooting the device.
• 🛡️ Completely safe – themes are moderated by Xiaomi.
• 🎨 There are thousands of free and paid options (from minimalist to anime style).

❌ Cons:

• 🔒 Not all icons change – system applications (like Settings or Phone) often remain standard.
• 💰 The best packs of icons paid (cost from 50 to 300 rubles).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI/HyperOS topic may be thrown off.

If you don't find the right package in the standard directory, try downloading the theme manually.

1. Download the.mtz theme file from a trusted source (e.g., the official Xiaomi Themes website).
2. Move the file to the MIUI/theme folder on the internal drive.
3. In the Topics app, click on the profile icon → My Topics → Import.

💡

Before downloading themes from third-party sites, check reviews – some packs may contain ads or malicious code, and use official sources or trusted forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers.

Method: Installation of a third-party launcher

If the built-in themes don't work, you can completely replace the MIUI/HyperOS shell with an alternative launcher, which will not only change the icons, but also customize animations, gestures and even hide unnecessary applications.

• 📱 Nova Launcher – flexible configuration of icons, folders and transitions.
• 🎨 Action Launcher – Support for adaptive icons and smart search.
• ⚡ Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher (suitable for weak devices).
• 🖼️ Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration and cloud features.

To install the launcher and change the icons:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and select it as the default launcher (the system will prompt you to do this when you first start).
3. In the launcher settings, find the Icons or Themes section.
4. Choose a pack of icons (many launchers support downloading third-party packs from the Play Market).

🔹 Example: Nova Launcher:

1. Long press on the desktop → Settings.
2. Go to the Appearance. → Icon style.
3. Select a pack from a list (such as Whicons or CandyCons).
4. Change the icons and update them automatically.

Download APK from the official website (not from third-party sources)|

Check compatibility with the Android version (minimum Android 8.0) |

Create a backup of the current desktop settings|

Disable battery optimization for launcher (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Optimizing the battery)-->

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher) may conflict with HyperOS gestures. If swipes stop working after installation to return or open menus, return the standard launcher to Settings → Annexes → By default. → Launcher.

3. Method: Manually modifying icons via ADB (without root)

For advanced users who want to change individual icons (for example, only for Settings or Cameras), there is a method through ADB. It does not require root rights, but involves working with the command line. This method only works on MIUI 12-14 and partially on HyperOS, but can break system applications if used incorrectly.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Developer mode enabled on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 times).
• 🔌 USB-cable.
• 📁 A set of icons in.png format with resolution 192×192 pixel.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging over USB (Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Download system icons for backup: adb pull /system/media/theme/default/icons/
4. Replace the icons in the folder with your own (save the original file names!).
5. Download the modified icons back: adb push your daddy with icons/ /system/media/theme/default/icons/
6. Reboot the device: adb reboot

⚠️ Note: If after rebooting system applications (for example, Camera or Phone) stopped opening, then you have replaced critical files. In this case, only resetting to factory settings or flashing through Fastboot will help.

4. Method: Changing icons with root rights

If you have root access (e.g., through Magisk), you can edit system files directly, which gives you maximum freedom, but also maximum risk. MIUI HyperOS, but it requires caution.

📌 Essential tools:

• 🔧 Root Explorer (such as Solid Explorer or Root Explorer) FX File Explorer).
• 🖼️ Set of icons in.png format (resolution) 192×192 or 256×256).
• 📱 Backup of the system (required!).

Instructions:

1. Open Root Explorer and go to /system/media/theme/default/icons/
2. Copy the original icons into a separate folder (for example, on the SD-map).
3. Replace your files with your own (names must match!).
4. Set 644 (rw-r----) rights for new files.
5. Reset the device.

🔹 Where to find the names of icon files?

Each icon corresponds to an app package, such as:

• com.android.settings.png - Settings.
• com.android.contacts.png - Contacts.
• com.miui.calculator.png - Calculator.

The full list can be obtained through the command:

adb shell pm list packages -f

💡

Changing system files with root access can lead to a device breeze (complete failure).Always check backups and don't edit files in /system/bin or /system/lib folders - this is almost guaranteed to bring the phone down.

5. Method: Using apps to replace icons

If you only need to change icons for individual apps (like WhatsApp or Instagram), you can use specialized utilities. They work without root, but require the installation of an additional launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).

📲 Popular applications:

🔹 How to change the icon with Icon Changer:

1. Install Nova Launcher and make it the default launcher.
2. Download Icon Changer from Google Play.
3. Open the app and select Change the icon.
4. Find the right app in the list.
5. Choose a new icon from the gallery or downloaded pack.
6. Save the changes – a shortcut with a new icon will appear on the desktop.

❌ Limitations of method:

• 🔄 When you update the application, the icon may be reset.
• 📱 Not all launchers support custom icons (e.g., standard launchers). MIUI Launcher will not allow you to change the system icons).
• 🖼️ The quality of the icons depends on the original image (artifacts may appear when stretched).

6. Method: Resetting icons to standard

If after experimenting with themes or launchers, icons start to glittle (for example, they show in low resolution or do not match applications), they can be returned to the factory settings.

🔹 If you change themes:

1. Open the Topic app.
2. Go to My subjects. → Current theme.
3. Click Reset or select the default standard theme.

🔹 If you've used ADB root:

1. Return the original icons from the backup (see Section 3 or 4).
2. Reset the device.
3. If the icons are still incorrect, reset the cache: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

🔹 If the launcher was installed:

1. Return the standard launcher to Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher.
2. Remove the third-party launcher (unless you plan to use it).
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the icons are displayed as white squares - this is a sign of damage to the cache, will help a complete reset through Settings → The phone. → Reset settings. All data will be deleted!

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you change your icons to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and we've collected the most common and ways to fix them.

🔸 Problem: Icons don’t change after the topic is applied.

🔹 Decision:

• Check if the theme supports your version of MIUI/HyperOS (some packs only work on certain firmware).
• Update the Themes app via Google Play.
• Clear the cache of the Settings application → Applications → Themes → Storage → Clear the cache.

🔸 Problem: After replacement through ADB phone out.

🔹 Decision:

• Download to Fastboot Mode (press Power + Vol Down when you turn on).
• Flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
• If there is no backup, contact the service center.

🔸 Problem: Launcher brakes after installing custom icons.

🔹 Decision:

• Turn off animations in the launcher settings.
• Clear the launcher cache (Settings → Applications → Nova Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache).
• Try another icon pack (some high-resolution packs can slow down weak devices).

💡

If after the changes the phone started to warm or quickly discharge - most likely a problem in the background of the running launcher or conflict topics. Check battery consumption in Settings → Battery → Battery use and, if necessary, return the standard settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions