Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones are famous for their personalization capabilities, but the standard MIUI shell or the new HyperOS sometimes offer non-obvious ways to manage interface elements. Users often wonder how to change the look of the desktop to make it unique or just more usable.The process of installing, changing or replacing icons can vary depending on the operating system version and regional firmware.
In this article, we'll take a look at all the ways that graphical interfaces can be manipulated, and you'll learn to not only change standard icons to themes, but also to adjust their size, grid layout, and hide unnecessary applications from prying eyes. Deeply customizing the visual part of the system is the key to creating a truly personalized device that reflects your style.
Before we make any changes, it’s important to understand that the MIUI shell has its own security features that can limit the installation of third-party launchers without additional settings. However, embedded tools provide a fairly wide range of functionality for most tasks. We’ll look at both regular methods that do not require root rights, and advanced methods for power users.
Standard display settings and grids
The first step in desktop customization is to adjust the grid and the size of the elements. The system allows you to change the density of the widgets and shortcuts, which directly affects how many applications will fit on a single screen. To access these parameters, you need to pinch the empty space on the desktop or pinch your fingers to go into editing mode.
In the menu that opens, select Settings (cog icon) and you will find the Grid option where you can select a configuration, such as 4x6 or 5x6, which automatically recalculates the size of the icons, making them larger or smaller depending on the resolution you choose.
Also available on this menu is the option to resize the icons themselves, which adjusts the scale of graphic elements relative to the grid cell, which is a useful feature for those who prefer minimalism or, conversely, large, well-read characters.
It is worth noting that changing the grid can lead to the displacement of already installed widgets.
⚠️ Note: After changing the grid configuration, check the operability of the watch and weather widgets, as they may require recalibration to display correctly.
Replacement of icons through the Topics app
The most popular and safe way to change the look of applications is to use the built-in Themes Store, an official tool from Xiaomi that allows you to apply complex design changes without risking system stability.
To get started, open the Themes app on your device. At the bottom of the screen, find the Profile tab. From the menu that opens, select the Icons section. Here is a catalog of available sets that you can download and apply.
The installation process is simple: select the pack you like, click Download and then Apply. The system will automatically replace the standard graphic elements with new ones. If you want to replace the icon only for a particular application, click on the menu button (three dots) in the Icons section and select Select the icons for applications.
💡
Use a search for the word “iOS” or “Minimal” in the Tools store to find popular styles that transform the interface as much as possible.
In such cases, new programs will have standard icons, and a complete replacement of icons is only possible if the theme writer specifically created graphics for a particular application that is installed on your phone.
Use of third-party launchers
For users who lack the functionality of a standard shell, installing a third-party launcher is a great solution. Applications like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher provide unlimited options for customizing the appearance of each individual icon.
Once you install a launcher from Google Play, you need permissions to do so, and MIUI can request permission to display on top of other apps and access to control your phone, and without those permissions, the launcher can't replace your standard desktop.
To change the icon of a particular application in a third-party launcher, you usually need to pinch the shortcut on the desktop, select the Edit item (or the pencil icon), and then click on the image of the icon itself. A gallery will open where you can select a picture from the phone's memory or from a set downloaded from the Internet.
☑️ Installation of a third-party launcher
Using third-party launchers gives maximum flexibility, but can consume more battery resources.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI when using a third-party launcher, the swipe down for the search or widget menu may not work, requiring additional settings through ADB.
Hiding applications and creating folders
Often, by “installing an icon,” users mean removing the excess from view. Xiaomi has a built-in app hide feature that allows you to remove the shortcut from the desktop, leaving the program accessible through a special input.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Apps → Hide Apps. Turn on the switch and select the programs you want to hide. After that, their icons will disappear from desktops and from the menu of all applications.
To open hidden applications, you need to run the Themes app (or Security, depending on the firmware version), go to the profile and select Hidden apps, or use a special gesture in the menu of all applications (usually fingers spreading to the sides).
| Method of organization | Difficulty | Impact on the battery | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard folders | Low. | No. | Basic |
| Hiding applications | Medium | No. | Limited. |
| Third-party launcher | Tall. | Moderate. | Maximum |
| Tham's shop | Low. | No. | Tall. |
Another way to organize icons is to create folders, just drag and drop one icon onto another to create a container, and you can rename folders, change background colors, and even delete them if there are no apps left in them.
Solving the Problems of Lack of Icons
Sometimes users are faced with a situation when after updating the system or installing an application, its icon does not appear on the desktop, a common problem in new versions of MIUI and HyperOS, where by default new shortcuts may not be created automatically.
To fix this, go to Settings → Desktop. Find Add Shortcuts to Desktop and make sure it's activated. If it's already on, try switching it off, restarting the phone and turning it on again.
In some cases, the icon may be “broken” or not displayed due to the system cache. Clearing the theme app cache or System Launcher often helps restore normal graphics display.
How do you clear the launcher's cache?
If the problem is with a particular application, try removing it and reinstalling it, and if you re-install it, the system will force a new label to be created using the current graphics shell resources.
Advanced customization through ADB
For power users who want to change system icons that don’t change with standard methods, there is a way to debug via USB and a computer. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to make changes to system files, but you need to be careful.
First, you need to activate the developer mode. → About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item Version MIUI (or OS). Then in the advanced settings, turn on the debugging by USB.
By connecting the phone to a computer, you can use commands to change the screen density (DPI), which will visually change the size of all the icons in the system.
adb shell wm density 400Where 400 is the density value. The standard value for most Xiaomi smartphones is about 440-480 dpi. Decreasing the number will make the elements smaller, magnifying them larger.
⚠️ Note: Do not set extremely low or high values DPI, as this can make the interface unreadable and require resetting the phone settings to recover.
This method is global and affects the entire system, including settings and third-party applications.
💡
Using ADB gives maximum control, but carries risks: any incorrect action can lead to unstable operation of the interface or the need to flash the device.