Redmi smartphone owners often want to personalize their device, making it not only functional but also visually unique. The Redmi 9T, which uses the MIUI shell, offers ample room for change in appearance, but standard methods may not be obvious to beginners. Changing icons is the easiest way to refresh the experience without the need for deep reprogramming of the system.
The process of replacing graphics elements can vary depending on the version of the operating system and regional firmware. In some cases, users need access to advanced theme settings, in others, the use of third-party software. Understanding the MIUI architecture will avoid errors and maintain the stability of the gadget.
In this article, we will take a look at all the customization options available, from built-in features to advanced system file editing techniques, how to securely install new icon packages and what to do if standard tools don’t deliver the desired result.
Use of the built-in “Themes” application
The main tool for visual transformation of the smartphone is the pre-installed application Themes, which is where the official library of graphic elements, tested for compatibility with your device, is stored. To start work, you need to launch the program and log in to your Mi Account, if your region requires it.
There's a separate section inside the app store dedicated to icons, and when you go to the icon category, you'll see lots of free and paid sets, and when you pick a package, pay attention to the preview to make sure the style matches your expectations.
Once you download the selected set, the system will suggest you apply it immediately, but installing the entire package can change both the wallpaper and the notification sounds, and changing only the application icons requires you to act more selectively through the component management menu.
- 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the user profile.
- 📂 Select the Icons section and download the set you like.
- ⚙️ Click Apply but do not confirm that all elements have changed.
- ✅ In the menu that appears, select only the item “Icons” and confirm the action.
Selective replacement of icons for specific applications
Often, there is a situation where a user wants to change the appearance of only one or two applications, such as a messenger or a social network, leaving the rest system. MIUI allows you to do this through the management menu of installed themes without downloading entire packages.
To do this, go to the Profile section of the theme app and select the Icons. This shows all downloaded sets. Click on the gear icon or the setting button next to the active set to open the edit menu. In this mode, you can manually select which program will match which icon.
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If the standard theme store does not allow you to choose a specific icon for the application, try first to apply the theme in its entirety, and then replace individual elements with standard ones in the theme settings.
It is important to note that not all applications support dynamic icon change; some system services may ignore theme commands while maintaining their original look, a limitation that is due to the way the launcher operates.
⚠️ Note: When replacing icons through third-party themes, keep an eye on the font size below them. Some sets can make captions unreadable or move them outside the icon area.
Third-party launchers for full customization
If standard MIUI is not enough, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher, programs like Nova Launcher or Smart Launcher give you complete control over every pixel of the desktop, and they allow you to change not only the images, but also the grid, animations and icon behavior.
Once installed, this launcher from the Google Play Store will become the default screen, and in the new interface settings, you can find the "Icon Library" or "Icon Style" section, and you can download any APK or ZIP packages downloaded from the Internet.
The main advantage of this method is that it is independent of Xiaomi system updates. Even if MIUI changes its security policy, the third-party launcher will continue to work steadily, and you will be able to create your own sets by combining images from different sources.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
It’s worth remembering that using heavy launchers on budget devices can require more RAM resources. On the Redmi 9T model with its configuration, this usually does not cause problems, but background processes can consume battery power more actively.
Comparison of methods of changing schedules
The choice of how to replace icons depends on your goals and technical skills. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered before starting a system modification.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Flexibility of setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annex “Themes” | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| Third-party launcher | Medium | Tall. | Maximum |
| Editing by APK | Tall. | Low. | Complete. |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the optimal balance is the use of embedded tools or launchers. Deep intervention in application code is rare and carries risks.
If you plan to experiment with design often, the launcher will be the best choice. For those who appreciate the stability and originality of the interface, it is better to limit yourself to an official theme store.
Problems in the application of topics and their solution
When trying to install a theme from another region (for example, Indian or global on Chinese firmware), users often encounter an error: “Theme is not compatible with the current device” This is a restriction of the regional binding of the Mi Account.
To get around this, you can use the region change feature in your phone settings without using a VPN. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Region and select the country that matches the desired theme (for example, India or Indonesia).
What if the icons become white squares?
Another common problem is that icons are desynchronized after a system update, and MIUI can reset all changes to factory ones, in which case you need to re-apply the selected set through the user profile.
⚠️ Note: Do not download themes from unverified forum sources if they require installation APK-Files with suspicious permissions, which can lead to personal data leakage or malware infection of the device.
The impact of customization on productivity
Many users are wondering if changing icons affects the speed of a smartphone. Standard themes are optimized by developers and have little or no impact on CPU performance. They only replace static images in the interface.
That changes when you use live icons or heavy launchers with lots of animations, and then the load on the graphics accelerator increases. On the Redmi 9T, which has a Snapdragon 662 processor, too much animation can lead to micro-twitches as you scroll through desktops.
High-resolution static icon sets (PNG or WebP) are recommended, which provide clarity on a 1080×2460 pixel screen without consuming excess battery life.
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The best way to change icons is to use official themes from the Mi store, as they guarantee maximum compatibility and do not affect the autonomy of the device.