How to change icons on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all the ways from standard themes to custom launchers

Why Redmi 8 can’t just replace icons like iPhones and what to do

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 often face a paradoxical situation: Android smartphone with a shell MIUI offers a lot of options for customization, but changing the icons of the application is not as easy as on the same iPhone. It's all about the architecture of MIUI - the shell blocks direct replacement of icons without additional tools, even if you use a standard launcher. This is done for the sake of system stability, but for users accustomed to the flexibility of Android, such a restriction seems counterintuitive.

There are three ways to change your icons to Redmi 8:

• 🎨 Use built-in themes MIUI (The safest method, but with limited choice).
• 📱 Install a third-party launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) that supports icon packages.
• 🔧 Manual editing through ADB file manager with root rights (for experienced users).

It's important to understand that on Redmi 8 with MIUI 11 and below, some of the ways you can do this may require unlocking the bootloader or the superuser rights. If your smartphone is running MIUI 12+ or Android 10+, some of the restrictions are removed by the updated API. Next, we'll go through each method in detail, from the simplest to the most complex.

Method 1: Change icons through MIUI themes (no root and launchers)

The most obvious and safe way to do this is to use the built-in MIUI theme store, which requires no additional apps and works even on a clean smartphone without the bootloader unlocked, but has two significant downsides:

• ⚠️ The choice of icons is limited to what Xiaomi offers (many themes are paid or require registration with Mi Account).
• ⚠️ Not individual icons, but entire themes that change wallpaper, fonts and animations are used.

To change icons through themes:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the icon tab (if it is not, update the application through Google Play).
3. Select your favorite icon package and click Apply.
4. Confirm the changes in the pop-up window.

If the icon tab is missing, your version of MIUI does not support separate icon changes, in which case you will have to install a full theme, which will affect the entire interface, the alternative is to use third-party launchers (about them below).

Update the "Themes" app to the latest version

Backup current settings in Settings → About Phone → Backup

Connect to Wi-Fi – Many themes weigh 100+MB

Sign up for Mi Account if you want to download paid themes-->

Method 2: Third-party launchers – Nova Launcher, Apex and others

If the built-in MIUI themes aren't enough, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher.The most popular options for Redmi 8 are:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports icon packages (.apk or.zip), flexible gesture settings and adaptive icons.
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – a lightweight launcher with the ability to change the size of icons and hide the tags of applications.
• 🎭 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, but limited customization of icons.
• 🖼️ Action Launcher – unique icon covers and adaptive themes.

Instructions for setting up Nova Launcher (the most versatile option):

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play and install it as the default launcher (the system will prompt you to do so when you first start).
2. Press your finger on the free space of the desktop → Settings → Style of icons.
3. Select the Icon Package and specify the path to the downloaded file (e.g. Linebit.apk).
4. If you don’t have the right package, download it from Google Play (search for “icon pack”).

Where do I get my icon packs? Best sources:

• 🛒 Google Play: Icon pack for nova launcher".
• 🌐 IconPackStudio – a service for creating your icons.
• 📥 XDA Developers – a forum with free packages from the community.

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Before installing the launcher, check its compatibility with your version of Android. For example, Nova Launcher 8.x requires Android 11+, and for Redmi 8 on MIUI 12 (Android 10) version 7.x will suit.

Method 3: Manually modifying icons via ADB (for experienced)

If you are willing to take risks and have experience with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can replace the icons directly in the system files.

• 🔌 Included mode Debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Additional settings → For developers).
• 💻 Installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB PC-only.
• 🛡️ Backup of the system (risk of damaging files and getting a brick").

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and authorize debugging (adb devices should show your device).
2. Download the icon package in.png format (resolution 192×192 pixels, format without compression).
3. Use the command to replace the icon (example for com.android.contacts): adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/Download/new_contact_icon.png /system/app/Contacts/Contacts.apk/res/drawable-xxhdpi/
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect replacement of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).If the phone does not turn on after rebooting - try resetting via Fastboot (fastboot erase userdata).

An alternative is to use a file manager with root rights (like Root Explorer), but this requires an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed.

How to compare the ways: which to choose for Redmi 8

To make the choice easier, we have brought all methods into a table with pros and cons:

For most Redmi 8 users, the best solution is the combination of Nova Launcher. + This option does not require root rights, gives maximum flexibility and is reversible (you can return the standard launcher at any time). ADB You should only consider if you are confident in your skills or ready for potential challenges.

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If your Redmi 8 runs MIUI 12.5+, try updating the Themes app first – new versions have support for individual icon packages without completely changing the theme.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your icons to Redmi 8, you'll see some common mistakes.

1. Icons don't change after you apply the theme. Reason: launcher cache. Solution: go to Settings → Apps → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear cache.
2. Third-party icons look blurry. The reason is a resolution discrepancy. For Redmi 8 (pixel density 270 PPI), the optimal icon size is 192×192 px.
3. Nova Launcher doesn't see the icon pack. Reason: the package is installed, but not activated. Solution: in the launcher settings, select Icon Style → Icon Package and manually specify the one you want.
4. After the icon change, the app tags disappeared, and the reason is that the icon package is special. Solution: In the launcher settings, turn on the option to Show Application Names.

⚠️ Warning: If after installing a third-party launcher, you start to lag, check the animation settings. → Additionally. → For developers, turn off Windows animation and transition animation (select No animation).

If none of these things worked, try resetting the launcher to the factory.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find your launcher (like Nova Launcher) and click Warehouse.
3. Choose Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions