How to change icons on Xiaomi phone: 5 ways to adjust for MIUI 14/15

App icons on Xiaomi are the first thing that catches your eye when unlocking a smartphone. Standard icons in MIUI are not popular with everyone: they may seem too bright, monotonous or simply do not fit into your style. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several ways to change them, from simple change of theme to deep customization through third-party launchers.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of changing icons to Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO steerable MIUI 14/15 (Including global and Chinese firmware versions, you will learn how to use the system’s built-in tools, where to download secure icon packs, and how to avoid common errors when manually replacing them. We will pay special attention to the nuances for models with HyperOS - a new interface that gradually replaces the classic one. MIUI.

Before you start, check the firmware version: Settings path → About phone → MIUI version. This will help avoid confusion with the location of the menu – in different versions, some items may be called differently.

1. Change icons through standard MIUI themes

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in Themes app, with Xiaomi offering thousands of free and paid themes, many of which include unique icon sets. Here's how it works:

• 📱 Open the Topics app** (Brush icon on desktop or in the app menu).
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter a query for the type of minimalism icon, neon icons or pack icons.
• 🎨 Select your favorite theme and click “Apply”** – the system will automatically replace icons, wallpaper and fonts (if included in the package).
• ⚙️ To change only the icons without affecting other elements, go to the section "My» → «Setting theme ** and disabling unnecessary options.

The advantage of this method is that all themes are moderated by Xiaomi, so the risk of running into viruses or incompatible packages is minimal. However, there are also disadvantages: most themes change icons only for system applications (for example, Phone, Messages), and third-party icons (WhatsApp, Telegram) often remain unchanged.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 15 Some themes may require you to connect to your Xiaomi account for download. If you have Chinese firmware, some themes will not be available without the help of the user. VPN.

2.Use of icon packs (Icon Packs) with third-party launchers

If the built-in themes are not enough, you can install an icon pack through Google Play or alternative stores, requiring a side launcher, a program that replaces the standard MIUI.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – flexible and lightweight, supports animations and gestures.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – convenient for fine-tuning icons and folders.
• 🔧 Lawnchair – open source, imitates Pixel Launcher from Google.
• 💎 Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for Xiaomi and supports HyperOS.

Installation instructions:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play (like Nova Launcher).
2. Install your favorite icon package (such as Whicons or Fruity).
3. Click on the empty space on the desktop → “Settings” → “Icon Style” → select the package installed.

Tip: Before buying a paid icon package, check if it supports masking (adaptive icons), which allows you to apply the style to all icons, even those for which there is no separate graphics in the package.

Remove unnecessary widgets from the desktop |

Backup your current settings (in Nova: Backup» → «Save»)|

Check the compatibility of the icon package with your version of Android|

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

3. Manually modify icons through the file manager (for experienced)

This method is suitable for those who want full control over the appearance of the icons, but require root rights or the use of ADB. Without superuser rights, you will be able to replace icons only for individual applications through workarounds.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download a set of icons in.png format (at least 192×192 px resolution). Popular resources: Icon Pack Studio, DeviantArt.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press the version → go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Use an ADB or root-access file manager (e.g., Root Explorer) to replace files in the folder: /data/app/[application packet name]-1/base.apk/res/drawable/ Example: For WhatsApp, the path will be /data/app/com.whatsapp-1/base.apk/....

⚠️ Note: When you manually replace icons without root, there is a risk that after updating the app through Google Play, your changes will reset. To avoid this, turn off auto-update for a particular application or use patchers like Lucky Patcher (at your own risk and at your own risk!).

4. Specifics for HyperOS: What has changed?

The new HyperOS interface, which Xiaomi began implementing in 2026, has made adjustments to the customization process.

• 🔄 HyperOS app “Themes” renamed to “Styles” (Themes) → Styles functionality has remained similar, but some icon packages may not be supported.

For owners of devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70) we recommend:

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In HyperOS, the function “Adaptive icons” appeared – turn it on in the launcher settings so that the icons automatically adjust to the color scheme of the system.

5. Problems and Solutions: Why don't icons change?

Even following the instructions, you may encounter difficulties, and consider common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If you use Chinese firmware (China ROM), some of the functions may be blocked.

• Install global firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (risk of loss of warranty!).
• Use a VPN to access a global theme store.
• Try alternative launchers from Chinese stores (like Coolapk).

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Before changing your firmware, make a full backup via Mi Cloud or TWRP – this is the only way to recover data when you fail to update.

Alternative methods: widgets and deceptions

If you need to change the icon of one or two applications, but you do not want to install the launcher, you can go for a trick:

• 📌 Cheat widgets: Create a shortcut on your desktop through the shortcut widget (clutch your finger on the screen) → «Widgets» → «Next, replace the shortcut icon through the edit menu.

The downside of this approach is that the desktop will have a duplicate icon (original and modified). To hide the original, use folders or launcher functions (in Nova: press the icon → Hide**).

7. Top.-5 Icon Packages for Xiaomi in 2026 year

We tested dozens of packages and selected the best in terms of quality/compatibility/design:

1. Whicons (White Icons) – Minimalist white icons with shadows, perfect for the design of the icon. AMOLED-Plus: supports masking for all applications.
2. Fruity Icons – bright “juicy” icons in the style of iOS. MIUI.
3. Delta Icons is a geometric design with streamlined shapes. Feature: there are animations when pressed (only works with Nova Launcher).
4. Oxy Icons is a flat style with a focus on contrast. Tip: it looks good on dark wallpaper.
5. Lines Icon Pack – icons in the form of lines and contours, plus: minimal battery consumption (due to the simplicity of the graphics).

All of the packages listed are available on Google Play. Check before you buy if there is a free version to test - some packages may conflict with MIUI 15 due to changes in the graphics render.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing icons to Xiaomi