Are you tired of the standard icons on your Xiaomi screen and want to refresh the look of your smartphone? Replacing icons is one of the easiest ways to personalize the interface. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from using built-in MIUI themes to installing third-party launchers and manually changing through ADB. It is important to understand that the capabilities depend on the firmware version and device model – for example, on POCO F5 with MIUI 14, some options are available, and on Redmi Note 12 with HyperOS – others.
Many users mistakenly think that changing icons requires root rights or complex manipulation. In fact, 80 percent of tasks are solved through standard settings or free apps from Google Play. We tested all of them on current devices (2023-2026) and selected only working solutions — without outdated instructions and questionable tips. If you are ready to transform your smartphone, read on!
1.Using the built-in MIUI themes
The fastest and safest way to change icons is to use official themes from Xiaomi. In MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, this is done through the Theme app, which is pre-installed on all devices of the brand.
To apply a new theme:
- 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on the home screen).
- 🔍 In the Icons section, choose your favorite pack - there are hundreds of them, from minimalist to anime style.
- 🎨 Click Apply – Changes will take effect immediately, without rebooting.
- 🔄 If the icons have not changed, go to Settings → Display. → System style and select the theme again.
Important: Some themes only change icons on the home screen, but don't affect icons on the app menu. To apply the changes globally, look for themes marked "Full Icon Pack."
| Type of theme | Changing icons. | Demands the Internet. | Free of charge. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official (MIUI) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (there are payables) |
| Third-party (APK) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅/❌ Depends on the pack. |
| Launchers (Nova, Apex) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Free versions |
| ADB-team | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. |
2. Installation of third-party icon packages
If built-in themes are not enough, you can install custom icon packages from Google Play. This will require a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher), since the standard MIUI launcher does not support external pacas. Popular icon collections: Whicons, CandyCons, Minima.
Installation instructions:
- Download your favorite icon pack from the Play Market (e.g. Pixel Icon Pack).
- Install the launcher (Nova Launcher is recommended for maximum compatibility).
- In the launcher settings, find the Icons section and select the installed pack.
- Change the icons and update them automatically.
⚠️ Note: Some icon packages require payment for the full version. Before buying, check if all apps are supported - free versions often only replace standard icons (calls, messages, browser).
Install Nova Launcher| Download icon pack (e.g. Linebit)| Check compatibility with MIUI| Back up your current settings-->
3. Change icons through ADB (for advanced)
If you're ready to experiment, you can swap your system application icons through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that's good for replacing standard icons (like Settings, Phone, Messages) with custom ones, requiring a computer and enabled USB debugging.
Step-by-step:
- Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).
- Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm hide com.android.theme.icon.pack (replace com.android.theme.icon.pack with your icon pack ID).
- Reset the device.
Critical detail: Incorrect ADB commands can cause system applications to crash. Before experimenting, back up through Settings → My Device → Backup.
What if the icons haven’t changed after ADB?
4.Use of widgets and shortcuts
If you only need to change the icon for one or two apps, it’s easier to create a custom shortcut through the widget. For example, Nova Launcher has an Application Shortcut feature where you can set your own image, which is convenient for frequently used programs (messengers, banking applications).
How it works:
- 📌 Long tap on the main screen → Widgets → Choose Nova Shortcuts.
- 🖼️ Click on the app icon and select Change. → Upload your image (size recommended) 192×192 px).
- 📱 Drag the created shortcut to the main screen.
⚠️ Warning: Shortcut widgets take up more memory than standard icons. If you create them for 20+ applications, this can slow down the animation of the interface on budget models (e.g. Redmi). 10A).
5. Resetting icons to standard
If you want to return the original icons after the experiments, you can do this in two ways:
- Through Themes: Select a standard MIUI Default theme and apply it.
- Through the launcher: in the settings, reset the style of the icons on System.
For a complete reset (if the icons "broken" after ADB):
adb shell pm clear com.miui.homeThis command will restart the MIUI launcher and return all default settings.
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If some icons (such as Google Play) are missing after reset, go to Settings → Applications → App Management and enable their display manually.
Comparison of methods: what to choose?
Which method is right for you depends on the purpose and level of preparation:
- 🎨 For a quick change in design: built-in themes MIUI.
- 🛠️ For full customization: third-party launchers + icon-packs.
- 🔧 To replace system icons: ADB (Only for experienced users).
- 📌 For single applications: shortcut widgets.
On budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M4) Avoid heavy launchers, which can slow down the interface. + 1-2 custom labels.
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On HyperOS devices (2026), some of the icon customization features have been moved to Personalization instead of the classic Theme menu. Update your firmware to access new options.