How to put a photo on the app icon on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often strive to maximize user experience. MIUI shell and its successor HyperOS provide ample room for change in appearance, but standard methods sometimes seem limiting. Users want to see the images they like on their desktop, not the standard developer logos.

The process of replacing standard graphics with custom photos requires understanding how the system manages themes. Unlike some competitors, you can't just drag a picture from the gallery to a shortcut. The only way to replace an icon is by creating or modifying a theme file (.mtz) or using third-party launchers, which ensures the stability of the interface and prevents conflict of system processes.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can install your photos in place of your icons. You will learn about the built-in themes editor tools, working with third-party applications and nuances that are often overlooked. Deep immersion in settings will allow you to create a unique desktop design.

Preparation for customization of the interface

Before you start replacing graphics, you need to prepare the original materials. You need a high-quality image that you plan to use. The system does not automatically stretch images without loss of quality, so the resolution of the original file is critical. The optimal choice is a square image or a photo with a 1: 1 aspect ratio.

It’s also worth checking the storage space of the device. Although the files themselves weigh a little, the process of creating and installing them may require a temporary buffer. Make sure your Xiaomi runs on the current version of the firmware, as there may be bugs in the work of the theme editor in the old MIUI builds.

It is recommended to create a separate folder in the gallery for all images intended for icons in advance, which will make it easier to navigate when you select a file through system tools. Chaotic file storage can lead to confusion, especially if you plan to change the design of several applications at once.

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Use transparent background (PNG) images for the best visual effect, if your theme supports it, and this will help to preserve the style of other interface elements.

Use of built-in theme editor

The safest and most native way to change the look of shortcuts is to use the Themes app, a system tool that is deeply integrated into the shell. To get started, open the app and go to the Profile section, which is usually indicated by the person icon in the lower right corner.

In the profile menu, find My Themes and select the active theme of the design. Click on the "Configure" (or "Change") button to go into edit mode. Here you will see a list of all the apps installed. Select the one you want to change the graphical notation for, and click on the pencil icon or the replacement button.

The system will suggest you select an image from a gallery, and once you select a photo, you can frame it to fit perfectly into the area, and through this method, you can customize the design selectively without affecting the rest of the system.

• 📱 Open the Topics app and go to the Profile section».
• 🎨 Select “My Topics” and click “Set up” on an active theme.
• 🖼️ Find the right app in the list and replace it through the gallery.
• 💾 Save the changes and apply the theme again.

It's important to understand that once the app itself is updated, its standard icon may return, because the system checks the file sums, and to avoid that, some users back up their themes.

Creating your own theme from scratch

For those who want to be completely independent of standard sets, there is a method to create their own theme, which takes longer, but gives you complete control over every pixel on the screen, you'll need a computer and a basic understanding of Android file structure.

The process starts with retrieving the files of the current theme. With the file manager, find the active theme file and change the extension to access the content. Inside you're interested in the icons folder where all the graphic elements are stored, and that's where you put your photos, renaming them according to the names of the application packages.

Once the files are replaced, you need to pack the theme back and install it through the Themes menu as a local file, which allows you to create entire sets that you can share with friends or use on different Redmi and Poco devices.

⚠️ Warning: When manually editing theme files, always back up the original file. An error in the archive structure may cause the theme to fail or the system interface to become unreadable.

File naming is a critical step: you need to know the exact name of the application package (e.g. com.android.camera) so that the system correctly matches your photo with the desired program, and using the wrong names will lead to the file being ignored.

Application of third-party launchers

If the built-in capabilities seem too complex or limited, third-party launchers come to the rescue, apps like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher let you change icons in a couple of taps, and this is the fastest way to label a photo.

Install the launcher you select from Google Play and make it the default one. After that, click on any icon on your desktop for a long time and select Change. From the menu that opens, you can select Gallery or Photo to download any image from your device.

The advantage of this is that you can not only change the images, but you can also adjust their size, add shadows, change shape and background, but using a third-party launcher can change the logic of gestures and menus.

It is worth noting that some MIUI features, such as wallpaper carousel or specific gestures, may not work properly with third-party shells. Before installing, weigh the pros and cons, given your smartphone usage style.

Working with icon packages in HyperOS

With the release of the HyperOS operating system, Xiaomi slightly changed the architecture of working with visual elements. The principles remained the same, but the location of some menus may have shifted.

When you try to install an old theme created for MIUI 12 or 13, HyperOS can experience display conflicts, and the system can automatically scale icons or apply a standard mask to them, ignoring your attempts to insert photos.

To solve this problem, newer versions of firmware recommend only using themes that are labeled as compatible with HyperOS. Otherwise, when creating your own theme, make sure you use current templates and canvas sizes.

The table above shows the optimal settings for the files being created. Neglecting size recommendations can cause images to appear blurry on modern high-pixel density displays.

Removal and errors

In the process of personalization, users often face typical problems, such as when the theme is installed, the icons may not change immediately, in which case cleaning the cache of the Themes application or simply restarting the device helps, sometimes the system takes time to redraw the interface.

Another common problem is the setup “glue” after the system update, which is Android’s regular behavior, which protects the integrity of system files. To minimize risks, save the source files of the theme in the cloud.

If you’re using a third-party launcher and notice increased battery consumption, try turning off live wallpaper or reducing the number of widgets on your desktop.Third-party shells are sometimes less optimized to work with Xiaomi’s energy-saving algorithms.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install themes from unverified sources, especially if they require extended permissions.This may lead to personal data leakage or advertising software in the system.

And the problem with scale is also worth mentioning, because if you put a picture and it's cropped around the edges, it means that the original image didn't match the proportions. Always use square images or pre-process them in a photo editor.

Frequently asked questions

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UI personalization is a powerful tool, but it requires care. Always save the original files so that you can return to the factory-like system at any time.