Changing the visual style of a smartphone is one of the most affordable ways to make a device unique and reflective of your personality. Poco X3 owners often face the desire to update the standard, somewhat utilitarian MIUI interface to give the gadget a fresh look. Changing icons does not require superuser rights or complex programming, since the Android system provides enough flexible tools to do this.
There are several proven methods to replace standard application graphics with more aesthetic suites: You can use built-in shells, third-party launchers or specialized deep customization utilities. It is important to understand that each method has its own characteristics for the performance and stability of the operating system.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, so you can choose the best option for yourself. We will look at the nuances of working with the theme, installing third-party shells and using specific tools like Shortcut Maker. This will allow you to completely transform the desktop of your Poco X3 NFC or Poco X3 Pro.
Use of the built-in Themes application
The safest and most native way to change the look of the interface is to use the pre-installed Themes app. In the MIUI shell on which Poco is based, this tool is integrated at a deep level, ensuring that there is no conflict with system processes. Here you can find thousands of ready-made kits created by both designers and the user community.
To get started, you need to launch the app and go to the search tab. Type keywords like "iOS icons," "Minimalist" or "Neon" to find the appropriate style. Once you select the theme, you can often use not the entire package, but only a set of icons, if the the theme author provided this option when creating a profile. Press the "Download" button and then "Apply".
⚠️ Note: Some themes may change not only icons, but also system fonts or notification sounds. Read the description carefully before installing, so as not to change unnecessary system settings.
If the standard theme store in your area is not working properly or has limited choice, you can try changing the region in your smartphone settings. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Region and select India or Indonesia. This action often opens up access to an expanded content directory that may not be available when choosing a region "Russia" or "Ukraine".
After applying the changes, the system may require a restart or simply update the desktop. If the new icons do not appear immediately, try clearing the cache of the Themes application through the application management menu, which will help to reset possible graphic caching errors.
Installation of third-party launchers
A more radical but highly effective method is to install an alternative shell, or launcher. The standard POCO Launcher launcher is quite functional, but third-party solutions like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher provide much more opportunities to fine-tune every detail of the interface.
Once you have installed the selected launcher from the Google Play Store, the system will suggest making it the default one. You can now download any icon pack separately and apply it to the new launcher settings, which allows you to combine shells and graphic sets in any proportion.
The main advantages of using third-party launchers:
- 🚀 Complete customization of the desktop grid and icon size without restrictions MIUI.
- 🎨 Support for thousands of third-party icon packages from the Play Market.
- ⚡ Often smoother animation and optimization for older models.
- 🔧 The ability to create your own gestures and hidden menus.
However, it is worth considering that third-party launchers can consume more RAM than the standard solution. X3 And with its RAM capacity, it's not usually critical, but the background processes can be more active. MIUI, such as wallpaper carousel or specific gestures may stop working or require additional adjustments.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
Application of icon packages through third-party utilities
If you don't want to change the launcher or globally touch the theme system, you can use specialized aggregator applications. Shortcut Maker is one of the most popular tools for this task, and it allows you to replace the icons of any application, even if they do not support changing graphics with standard means.
The way these tools work is to create a shell shortcut, so you pick the target application, assign it a new image from the icon package you've installed or from your gallery, and create a new label on your desktop, and the old label is removed or hidden, and you can use any PNG images as icons.
The replacement process is as follows:
- Install the Shortcut Maker app and the desired icon pack.
- Launch the utility and select the "Apps" section.
- Find the desired app in the list and click on its current icon.
- In the menu that opens, select “Icon Packs” and select a new style.
- Click "Create Shortcut" to place the updated icon on the desktop.
⚠️ Note: When using the shortcut method, notifications from applications may arrive at a new label with a delay or not display the counter (badge) at all, since the system perceives this as a separate object.
This method is ideal for spot replacement of 5-10 of the most important icons that are out of style, and it is extremely time-consuming and inappropriate for everyday use to completely replace all 100+ apps manually through Shortcut Maker.
Setting up the size and grid of the desktop
Visual perception of icons depends on their size and location on the screen. In the Poco X3 with its diagonal and resolution, it is important to adjust the grid correctly to make the interface look harmonious. Standard settings allow you to vary the number of cells, which affects the density of the elements.
To change the grid settings, press and hold your finger on an empty part of your desktop, then select Settings. Here you will see sliders or options for columns and rows. Increasing the number of cells (for example, to 5x6 or 6x6) will make the icons themselves smaller, but will allow you to host more applications without creating unnecessary folders.
Comparison of grid options for different tasks:
| Type of grid | Size of icons | Capacity | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 5 | Big ones. | Low. | For users with poor vision |
| 5 x 6 | Average. | Medium | The optimal balance for most |
| 6 x 6 | Small ones. | Tall. | For maximum number of widgets |
| 5 x 5 | Medium-large | Medium | The classic Android look |
Also available in desktop settings is the option to resize icons as a percentage, and moving the slider can create the perfect ratio where the graphics don't look pixelated, but also don't take up half a screen, especially when using heavy graphics packages with detailed images.
Secret setting of hidden icons
Creating your own icons from images
For users who want to be completely unique, you can create icons from their own photos or downloaded pictures, which can be a favorite team logo, a minimalist symbol or even a pet photo. Standard MIUI tools allow you to change the icon only for contacts, but applications will again require the help of third-party tools.
Using the previously mentioned Shortcut Maker or similar applications like X Icon Changer, you can download any image from the gallery. It is important that the image is square and has a sufficiently high resolution (at least 512x512 pixels), otherwise on the Poco X3 screen with its pixel density, the icon will look blurry.
When creating custom icons, pay attention to the file format. The best way to use a PNG with a transparent background is to make the icon harmoniously fit into any wallpaper color. If you use JPG, a white square can appear around the image, which will spoil the visual style.
The process of creating looks like this:
- 🖼️ Find or draw a suitable image.
- ✂️ Cut it to a square 1:1 format.
- 📂 Save it to a separate "Icons" folder for order.
- 🛠️ Use the icon change utility by selecting the source "Gallery".
Frequent problems and their solution
In the process of customization, Poco X3 users may face a number of typical problems: often after updating the MIUI system, all the theme settings are reset to factory ones, this is the normal behavior of the security system, and the only way to return the style is to re-apply the theme or launcher.
Another common problem is desynchronization of notification counters: After changing the icon to an app (such as Telegram or WhatsApp), the red circle with the number may stop showing. To fix this, in the launcher settings, find Badges or Notification Counters and force them to turn on for a specific application.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid installing themes from unverified sources (APK-forum files, as they may contain malicious code or cause a cyclic interface reboot (bootloop).
If the interface is unstable, lagging or crashing, try resetting the launcher. For a standard launcher, this is done through Settings → Apps → All apps → POCO Launcher → Clear. For third-party users, through their own settings or reinstallation.
💡
Before you switch icons, take a screenshot of the current location of the apps, which will help you quickly restore your navigation if the new style is uncomfortable.
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Combining methods (themes + launcher + manual editing) gives the best visual result, but takes time to set up.