Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the desire to personalize their device’s interface. Standard icons can get crummy, or the installed theme simply doesn’t like the visual performance of the elements. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide ample opportunities for customizing the appearance without the need for superuser rights.
The procedure for replacing graphics can seem confusing due to localization and hidden system settings. However, if you follow a certain algorithm of actions, you can easily adapt the desktop to your tastes. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to change icons, from built-in tools to using third-party launchers.
Before we get into action, it’s worth noting that the success of an operation often depends on the version of the operating system and the account region. Some features may not be available in global firmware compared to the Chinese versions.
Use of the built-in “Themes” application
The easiest and safest way to change the look of icons is to use the official Themes store, which is pre-installed on all the company's devices and contains millions of design options. To get started, open the program and go to the profiles or search section.
In the search bar, type in a query like "iOS icons" or "Minimalist" to find the right packages. Importantly, some themes only change icons, leaving wallpaper and widgets as standard. The theme description usually indicates which components it touches.
Once you have selected your favorite option, click Download and then Apply. The system will tell you to choose which wallpaper, lock screen or icons to change, and select only icons if you want to keep the rest of the interface unchanged.
- 🎨 Open the “Themes” app on your desktop.
- 🔍 Enter the style name in the search bar.
- ⬇️ Click Download and wait for the file to install.
- ✅ Select the “Apply” option and only select “Icons».
Note that official themes may not cover all of your installed applications. For programs that are not included in the theme developer kit, the system will automatically leave standard images or prompt you to manually select them from the gallery, if this feature is supported by the MIUI version.
⚠️ Note: When downloading themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, there is a risk of malware infection of the device. Use only the verified Topics app».
Set up an individual package of icons
If you like the finished theme in part, the system allows you to create your own mix. The icon pack feature allows you to replace standard images with any other ones available in established themes. This is ideal for those who like to collect a unique interface in bits.
To access this feature, go to the Themes app, click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner, and select Settings. In the menu that opens, look for the Icon Package section, and here you will see a list of all the apps that have alternative images available.
Click on any app in the list to see all the available options for displaying it from downloaded themes. You can combine styles: for example, do messages in the style of iOS, and the camera in the style of Material Design. Once you select all the elements, the changes will take effect instantly.
☑️ Pre-replacement checks
Some users prefer to reset all icon settings to factory ones if the experiments go too far. For this, the same Icon Package menu has a reset button or the option to select a theme “Classic” (Default), which will return all icons to their original state.
Replacement of icons through the Gallery
A unique feature of the shell MIUI It allows you to install any image from the gallery as an application icon, and it allows you to use your own drawings, photos or downloads from the Internet. PNG-transparent-background.
To make this happen, first find or create a suitable image, it should be square, and it should have a transparent background for better visual perception, save the picture to the gallery of the smartphone.
Then open the image, click on the menu (three dots), and select the option “Install as.” In the action list that appears, find and select “Application icon.” The system will prompt you to choose which application to assign this graphic element.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| File format | PNG | Maintaining transparency |
| Permission | 1080x1080 px | Optimal for FHD+ screens |
| Color model | sRGB | Standard for mobile devices |
| File size | Up to 2MB | For quick loading |
This method is especially useful when you need to highlight a specific application or create a thematic set that is not in the theme store. However, manually replacing icons for all programs on the desktop will be quite time consuming.
Use of third-party launchers
When the standard shell is not enough, third-party launchers come to the rescue, and applications like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Smart Launcher provide much deeper control over the interface’s appearance.
Once installed, it will become the default main screen, and the new launcher’s settings usually have a “Look” or “Icons” section where you can apply entire packages downloaded from Google Play, which gives you access to thousands of free sets.
The advantage of using third-party solutions is the ability to fine-tune the size, shape and even animation of icons. You can make all icons round, square or in the form of rounded squares, regardless of system constraints.
⚠️ Warning: Installing a third-party launcher may affect the operation of some system gestures and widgets MIUI. In rare cases, conflicts with the function "Second space" are possible».
To return to the standard interface, just go to the system settings, find the Desktop section, and select the default launcher System Launcher, which will return all settings and widgets to their original state.
Problems in the application of topics and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the theme loads, but the icons do not change, or after application, a black screen appears, most often this is due to a version conflict or damage to the cache of the Themes application.
The first step to solve the problem should be to clean the application data. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find “Themes” and select “Clean Data.” This will not delete your downloaded themes, but reset the program settings.
If the problem persists, try changing the region in your smartphone settings. Some themes are only available for specific countries. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Region and select, for example, India or Singapore, then restart the device.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone after installing the theme.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the “Themes” and “Security” app».
- 🌏 Change the region in the system settings.
- 📲 Update the Themes app through the built-in store.
If the interface is gone after the theme is applied and the phone is not responsive to touch, try restarting the device by holding the power button. If this does not help, you may need to enter Recovery Mode to reset the settings, but this is an extreme measure.