Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a desire to personalize their gadget, and the first step to uniqueness is to replace standard app icons. MIUI shell or the new HyperOS provide powerful tools for this, but beginners can find it difficult to understand the hidden settings. Standard graphics set can seem boring, and beautiful packages downloaded from the network are not always installed with the simple press of a button.
The process of changing visual style depends on the version of the operating system and the region for which the phone is released. In some cases, standard methods work faultlessly, in others, additional manipulation of access rights or the use of third-party software is required. Customization of the interface is not just decoration, but a way to make interaction with the device more intuitive and pleasant to the eye.
In this article, weโll take a look at all the known ways to replace graphics, from the built-in theme store to advanced adb techniques. Youโll learn why some icons donโt change automatically and how to get around system limitations. Get ready to turn your Xiaomi into a unique device that will stand out from hundreds of others.
Using the built-in Themes app to change style
The easiest and safest way to change the look of your desktop is to use the regular Themes app, which is the official developer tool that guarantees the stability of the system, and the catalog includes thousands of ready-made sets, including not only icons, but also wallpaper, sounds and system fonts.
To get started, launch the app and go to Profile (usually the human icon in the lower right corner) and select Themes and click on the pencil icon or the Setting button, and you will see a list of all the installed applications, where you can manually select a graphical element for each program.
However, not all themes support full graphics replacement. Some authors leave standard icons for system applications to avoid disrupting the design integrity. If you want to achieve a 100% replacement, look for themes marked "Designer" or check the screenshots in the description before downloading.
- ๐จ Open the Topics app and select the Profile tabยป.
- ๐๏ธ Click on the โThemesโ icon and select โSetting upยป.
- ๐ฑ Select the app you want to change the icon for.
- ๐พ Click on โApplyโ to save the changes.
It's important to understand that applying a new theme can temporarily increase the workload on the processor when the interface is first started, and the system redraws all the elements in a few seconds, and once the procedure is complete, the interface will run normally without delay.
Editing existing topics via Mi Dashboard
If standard functionality isn't enough, you can use a more advanced tool, Mi Dashboard or theme developer mode, which allows you to make changes to already installed packages by replacing individual image files, which requires more care, as you work with system design files.
To access advanced features, you need to activate the developer mode in the Themes app, usually by tapping the profile avatar five times or through a hidden settings menu. After activation, it is possible to import.mtz files and edit their contents, replacing the standard ones. PNG-pictures of themselves.
Where to find icon files in the theme?
When replacing manually, it is important to respect the size and format of the original files. If you insert an image with the wrong resolution, it can stretch or crop, which will spoil the appearance of the desktop. The optimal format is considered a PNG with a transparent background and a size of 192x192 pixels or higher.
โ ๏ธ Note: Making changes to system theme files may cause the interface to display incorrectly.Be sure to back up the original theme file before editing.
Using this method gives you complete freedom of creativity, you can combine elements from different sets to create your own unique style, the main thing is not to overdo the number of heavy topics that are simultaneously running, so as not to waste RAM.
Application of third-party launchers for full customization
When the MIUI shell is scarce, third-party launchers come to the rescue, replacing the desktop, control panel and app menus, with Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Smart Launcher being the most popular solutions.
Installing a third-party launcher allows you to apply any icon packages from the Google Play Market that may not be compatible with Xiaomiโs standard interface.You get access to thousands of free and paid sets, as well as the ability to fine-tune the size, shape and signatures of each icon.
โ๏ธ Installation of a third-party launcher
However, this method has its nuances: Third-party launchers can consume more battery life, as they are constantly active in the background, and some HyperOS features, such as widgets or control gestures, may not work properly or require additional permissions.
| Launcher | RAM consumption | Flexibility of setting | Compatibility with MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Average. | Very high. | Good. |
| Microsoft Launcher | High. | Medium | Medium |
| Smart Launcher 6 | Low. | Tall. | Great. |
| Niagara Launcher | Minimum | Low (minimalism) | Great. |
To install the launcher download APK-You can find the file or the app in the store. After you first start, the system will suggest you select the default home screen app. Select the launcher installed and confirm the action. Now you can download any icon packets and apply them in a couple of clicks.
Manual replacement of icons through file manager
For advanced users, there is a method of directly replacing image files in system folders, which requires root rights or the use of special file managers with access to the system partition, such as MT Manager or Root Explorer.
The method is to find the file responsible for displaying a particular application and replace it with a custom one. /system/media/theme/default inside APK-Before starting the procedure, make a full backup of data.
adb pull /system/media/theme/default icons_backup/This is the riskiest method, but it gives you absolute control over the look and feel. You can change the icon of any application, even system, that is usually hidden from modification. However, an error in the file name or format can lead to a bootloop (cyclic reboot) of the device.
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Use the Icon Pack Studio app to create your own icons in a single style, allowing you to create a unique set that no one else has.
If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to refrain from direct editing of system files. Modern versions of Android and HyperOS have strict system integrity checks, and interfering with the system partition can block the possibility of receiving official updates in the future.
Solving problems with the use of icons
Often users are faced with a situation where after installing the theme icons do not change or display incorrectly. This may be due to the cache of the system or conflict of application versions. First of all, it is recommended to clear the cache of the application Themes and System UI.
To do this, go to Settings โ Apps โ All apps, find the right app and choose Clear Cache. Donโt confuse it with the Clean All button, as this will remove your downloaded themes and settings. After cleaning, restart the device and try to apply the theme again.
โ ๏ธ Warning: If the phone starts to slow down after the icon change, try reducing the number of widgets on the desktop. GPU, And their excess can cause lags.
Another common problem is the emergence of standard Google icons instead of custom ones, which happens if the theme does not contain graphics for a particular application, in which case the system automatically pulls up a standard image from the Android storage, and the only way to solve the problem is to find a topic with a fuller set or create your own.
The impact of customization on the performance of the device
Many users are wondering how replacing icons affects the speed of a smartphone. Using static images (PNG, JPG) has little impact on performance, but using live icons or themes with complex animations can increase battery consumption.
Third-party launchers, unlike standard themes, operate as separate applications and require a separate process in RAM. On devices with RAM less than 4 GB, this can lead to more frequent closure of background applications. On flagship models with 8 GB of memory and above, the difference is almost invisible.
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The optimal balance between beauty and speed is to use static themes from the official store without heavy animations.
For maximum performance, it is recommended to use light themes and avoid installing a large number of widgets with constant data updates (weather, news, currency rates) on a single screen.This will reduce the load on the processor and prolong the battery life of your Xiaomi.
In conclusion, it's worth noting that experimenting with the appearance is a great way to better understand the capabilities of your gadget, the main thing is to approach the process intelligently, make backups and choose proven sources of topics, then your smartphone will always be pleasing to the eye and work steadily.