How to put round icons on Xiaomi: 5 working ways with pictures

Round icons on Xiaomi are not just a matter of aesthetics, but a way to make the smartphone interface more modern and convenient. Many MIUI users face a problem: standard square icons look outdated against the background of streamlined designs of iOS or Pixel Launcher. Fortunately, you can change the shape of icons on Redmi, POCO or Xiaomi 13/14 in several ways, from simple themes to manual editing of system files.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including formal and informal solutions, how to install round icons through theme settings, third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, and ADB for advanced users. We will focus on the nuances of working on MIUI 14/15 and the potential risks of changing system parameters. If you want your Xiaomi to look like a Google Pixel or iPhone, read on.

1. Method: Official MIUI themes with round icons

The safest and easiest method is to use built-in MIUI themes, which already include round icons. Xiaomi regularly adds new designs to the official theme store, and many of them support the streamlined shape of icons.

To find the right topic:

📱 Open the Themes app on the main screen.
🔍 In the search bar, enter the query: "round icons" or "round icons".
🎨 View the results – look for topics marked “Icons” or “Icon Pack".
📥 Click Apply to set your favorite theme.

Note that not all themes change all icons, some only affect system applications. If after applying the theme, some icons remain square, try a different design or use alternative methods from this article.

📊 What kind of launcher are you using on Xiaomi?

Standard MIUI

Nova Launcher

HyperOS Launcher

Other

2. Method: Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If the built-in themes don't work, the best option is to install an alternative launcher, apps like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Lawnchair allow you to flexibly customize the shape of the icons, including round versions, the main advantage of this method is complete control over the appearance without changing system files.

Instructions for Nova Launcher (the most popular option):

Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
Set the launcher as the main one (at the first start, a proposal will appear).
Press your finger in the free seat of the main screen → select Settings.
Go to the Appearance. → Icon style.
Choose Round or Adaptive (if available).
For additional icon packs, download Nova Google Companion or plugins like Whicons.

Warning: Some icon packs in Nova Launcher may conflict with MIUI system icons. If the icons become blurry or incomplete after application, try:

🔄 Update the launcher and plugins to the latest version.
🗑️ Clear the application cache in Settings → Annexes → Nova Launcher → Memory.
🔧 In the launcher settings, disable the option "Scale icons".

Download APK from the official website (not from third-party sources)|

Check compatibility with the Android version (MIUI 14/15)|

Backup of the current screen settings |

Disable battery optimization for launcher in settings MIUI-->

3. Method: ADB-commands for forced inclusion of round icons

For advanced users willing to work with ADB, there is a way to force round icons on the system level, a method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-15, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

Warning: improper use of ADB can cause interface failures, and we recommend backing up the data before starting.

Steps to include round icons through ADB:

Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put secure icon_shape 1

Reboot the device. The icons should be round.

If the command fails, try an alternative option:

adb shell settings put secure icon_shape_system 1

Possible values for icon_shape:

Meaning	Icon shape	Support for MIUI
0	Square (by default)	All versions.
1	Round.	MIUI 12–15
2	Rounded squares (Squircle)	MIUI 14+
3	Rectangular with shadow	Experimental

What to do if ADB is not working?

If the icons have not changed after you enter the command, check: 1. USB connection (try another cable or port). 2. ADB version (update via adb --version). 3. Root rights (some commands require increased privileges). 4. Compatibility with your Xiaomi model (some devices, such as POCO F5, may require a different setting).

4. Method: Manual editing of system files (for experienced)

This method is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights, and allows you to manually replace the icon files in the system folders, but it risks damaging the firmware. Use it at your own risk.

Instructions:

Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
Go to /system/product/overlay/ or /vendor/overlay/ (the path may vary depending on the model).
Find files with the.apk or.overlay extension associated with icons (e.g. IconShapeRound.apk).
Download a modified file with round icons (for example, from the XDA Developers forum) and replace the original one with them.
Change the access rights to 644 (r-w-r-----).
Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly replacing system files can lead to "bootloop" ( looped boot). TWRP Or OrangeFox.

If the icons have not changed after replacing the files, check:

📂 Correctness of the file path (on some devices, the folder may be called) miui/overlay).
🔄 Compatibility of the modified file with your version MIUI.
🔧 Conflicts with other overlays (disable them via ADB Adb shell cmd overlay list).

5. Method: Use of icon packs (Icon Packs)

If you don't want to change your launcher or go through system files, you can install a package of icons from Google Play, many of which are round-shaped and compatible with the standard MIUI launcher.

🎨 Whicons are minimalist round icons in the style of Google.
🍭 CandyCons – bright and streamlined icons.
🔄 Delta – adaptive icons with support for dark theme.
🌌 Flux – round icons with a glowing effect.

How to apply the icon pack:

Download your favorite pack from Google Play.
Open the icon pack app and select Apply.
If you use a standard MIUI launcher, some icons may not change, in which case install Nova Launcher or Action Launcher.

Tip: Before buying a paid icon pack, check it is compatible with your Xiaomi model.Some packs are optimized for Samsung or Pixel only and may not display correctly.

💡

If after installing the icon pack, some icons remained square, try in the launcher settings to enable the option “Close icons” or “Adaptive icons”.

6. Method: Configure via HyperOS (for new devices)

If you have a Xiaomi smartphone based on HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the process of installing round icons is slightly different. In the new shell there are additional customization options, but some of the features are hidden deeper.

How to include round icons in HyperOS:

Go to Settings → Design → Style of icons.
Choose Round or Adaptive (if available).
If you don’t have an option, try using a theme with round icons through themes → My themes → Icons.
For advanced settings, use ADB with the command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable-xml --package com.android.theme.icon.round

HyperOS also supports dynamic icons that change color depending on the wallpaper, to activate this feature:

🖼️ Set up live wallpaper from the Topic section → Wallpaper. → Dynamic.
🔄 Enable the option "Adaptive colors of icons" in the design settings.

⚠️ Note: On some HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 Ultra), round icons may conflict with Xiaomi’s branded widgets. If the weather or calendar widgets are missing after changing the icon shape, reset the launcher settings to Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To help you decide, we have compiled a comparative table of all ways to install round icons on Xiaomi:

Method	Difficulty	Required. root/ADB	Compatibility	Risks.
Official MIUI themes	⭐ (simple)	❌ No.	All devices.	Minimum
Third-party launchers	⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road)	❌ No.	All devices.	Widget conflicts
ADB-team	⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)	✅ Yes (ADB)	MIUI 12–15	Interface failures
Manual editing	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)	✅ Yeah)	Depends on the model.	Bootloop
Paca icons	⭐ (simple)	❌ No.	All devices.	Not all icons change.

Selection recommendations:

🆕 If you have a new HyperOS device, try the official settings first.
🛠️ For older models (Redmi Note 8, Mi 9) it is better to use Nova Launcher.
🔧 If you are an experienced user and are willing to take risks — ADB Or manual editing will give maximum customization.

💡

On devices with MIUI 15 and HyperOS, round icons can automatically apply dynamic wallpaper colors, a feature called the "Monet Engine" and only works on Android 13+.

FAQ: Frequent questions about round icons on Xiaomi

❓ Why not all icons have become round after applying the theme?

This is because the topics MIUI Often only system icons (e.g., Phone, Messages) are changed, and third-party app icons remain square.Solution: Use a launcher with icon pack support (e.g., Nova Launcher). Set up a separate pack of icons from Google Play. ADB-form-changer.

❓ Can I return the icons after the changes?

Yes, for this: If you've used a theme, apply the standard theme to the settings. ADB — Enter adb shell settings put secure icon_shape 0. If you've edited system files, return the original files from the backup. On launchers like Nova, just select the square form in the settings.

❓ Will there be round icons on the lock screen?

No, the shape of the icons on the MIUI lock screen is independent of the launcher settings or themes. It is determined by the system and usually remains square. To change it, you will need to: Set a third-party lock screen (for example, Always On Edge). Use the Xposed Framework with the Lockscreen Customizer module (requires root).

❓ Why After Updating MIUI The icons have become square again?

Updating the system resets some settings, including settings ADB To return round icons: Repeat the command adb shell settings put secure icon_shape 1. If you've used manual file editing, check if the update has overwritten your changes. For launchers (like Nova), just re-apply the icon settings. To avoid future problems, create a script to automatically apply the settings after the update.

❓ Does this method work for POCO and Black Shark?

Yes, but with reservations: POCO Launcher (on devices) POCO) Supports round icons through launcher settings (Settings) → Black Shark (gaming smartphones) may require a Nova Launcher, as their shell JOYUI customized. ADB-Teams work on most devices POCO (for example, POCO F5), But not guaranteed on Black Shark.