Today’s Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone users often face the urge to personalize the look and feel of their device. The standard MIUI or HyperOS interface, while functional, can seem monotonous after months of use. One of the most effective ways to change the visual style is to replace standard app icons with unique images. It not only graces the desktop, but also creates a sense of novelty without the need to flash the gadget.
The process of changing graphics on devices of the Chinese manufacturer has its own features, different from pure Android. MIUI shell system strictly controls the appearance of elements, so simple replacement of files in the system folder here will not work without deep intervention. However, there are several proven methods to safely and efficiently implement the desired graphics. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from official themes to advanced third-party solutions.
Before you start, it's important to understand that visuals are just the tip of the iceberg. A properly designed icon style can improve ergonomics and information perception. Customization allows you to highlight important applications, or, conversely, hide rarely used services in the overall color gamut. Let's look at the main tools that will help you do this.
Official MIUI and HyperOS Theme Store
The easiest and safest way to change the look of icons is to use the built-in Themes app, which is an official tool from Xiaomi developers, which is guaranteed to not disrupt the system. There are thousands of designs available in the catalog, many of which are free to download, but it is worth considering that some themes can only change some of the icons, leaving the rest as standard.
To install, you need to open the Themes app on your desktop. In the search box, type in a query like "iOS icons" or "Minimalist black." After selecting a theme, click "Download" and then "Apply." The system will tell you to choose which interface elements you want to change, and you can leave the wallpaper and font the same, using only the icons.
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If after applying the theme, some icons remained standard, try to clear the cache of the Themes application in the settings and apply the design again.
It is important to note that in some regions (such as Russia or India), the theme directory may be limited or changed compared to the Chinese version, in which cases users often change the region in their account settings, but this may affect the performance of some services.
- 🎨 A huge selection of free and paid options for registration in the official store.
- 🛡️ Full security: Themes are checked and do not contain malicious code.
- ⚙️ The ability to use only icons without changing the wallpaper or lock screen.
- 🔄 Automatic update of graphics when new versions of the theme are released.
Use of third-party launchers
If the built-in MIUI shell features don't suit you, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher, which completely replaces the desktop, control panel and app menu. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher give you complete freedom to customize the look, including support for any icon packages from Google Play.
Once the launcher is installed, the system may require you to allow display over other windows and assign it to the default application. In the new launcher settings, find the Style and Design or Icons section, where you can select the icon package installed or download the image from the gallery for a particular application. This gives you maximum flexibility: you can make each icon unique.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers on newer versions of HyperOS, there may be animation limitations or gesture issues. Make sure that the system settings allow alternative desktops to work.
One of the main advantages of third-party launchers is that you can fine-tune the size of the grid, the indentations and the shape of the icons. You can make them round, square or even hide the signatures. For minimalists, this is the perfect option to turn the smartphone interface into something completely unique, not like standard Android.
Applications for changing icons without a launcher
For those who want to keep the MIUI interface native but change the graphics, there are helper tools, applications like Shortcut Maker or X Icon Changer create shell shortcuts, and they don't replace the launcher itself, they just add new links to apps with a changed icon and name to the desktop, which is a compromise, but effective method.
The way these programs work is simple: you pick an app from a list, you upload a picture from a gallery or library of a program, you name it and you confirm it, you get a new shortcut on your desktop, the original app stays on the menu, and the new shortcut is just a door to it, and that can lead to duplication if you don't hide the originals.
☑️ Setting up Shortcut Maker
The main disadvantage of this approach is the loss of native notifications on the label itself. Since it is technically a different shortcut, the badges will not work on it. In addition, when you update the main application, the shortcut may stop working and you will have to create it again. However, for a static and beautiful picture, this is a great solution.
| Method | Difficulty | Impact on notifications | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official themes | Low. | Preserve. | Tall. |
| Third-party launcher | Medium | Depends on the launcher. | Medium |
| Assistant applications | Low. | It's not working. | Tall. |
| Manual replacement (ADB) | Tall. | Preserve. | Low. |
Advanced level: editing through MT Manager
For power users willing to risk stability for the ideal result, there is a method of editing system files, which requires root rights or work through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), the essence of the method is to make changes to the system file framework-res.apk or specific application files. The number one tool here is MT Manager.
The process is as follows: it is necessary to extract the system. APK-file, open it in MT Manager, find resources.arsc or specific images in the folder res/drawable. Then you replace the standard images with your own, following strict size and format requirements. Once the file is modified, the file is signed and returned to the system. Any error can lead to a bootloop).
adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk./
adb push framework-res_mod.apk /system/framework/⚠️ Warning: Editing system files without a backup can turn a smartphone into a "brick."Be sure to make a full data backup and make sure you have access to Recovery mode to roll back changes.
This method is 100% consistent with the desired style, as the source code changes, but with each update of MIUI or HyperOS, all the changes will fly away and the procedure will have to be repeated, so this method is recommended only for enthusiasts who understand the structure of Android.
What if the phone went into a bootloop after editing?
Creating your own icon packages
If the finished solutions don't work, you can create your own icon package. Designers use graphics editors like Adobe Illustrator or Figma. The standard canvas size for an Android icon is 512x512 pixels, although it's recommended to work in 1024x1024 for quality. It's important to maintain a uniform style: the same shape, shadows and color palette.
After drawing all the necessary icons, they must be packed in a special format. APK. There are project templates for Android Studio, where it is enough to substitute your images in the corresponding folders (mdpi, hdpi, xhdpi, etc.) and compile the project. APK-The file can be installed as a regular application, and it will appear in the list of available design themes.
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Creating your own icon package is a time-consuming process that requires design skills and a basic understanding of the structure of Android apps, but the result is worth it.
The package can be distributed to friends or shared online. On Xiaomi devices, such packages are often used through third-party launchers, as the native shell may not pick up the custom APK without additional conversion to.mtz. Conversion requires the use of special tools such as MTZ Editor.
Frequent problems and their solution
In customization, users often face typical problems, such as when a new theme is installed, icons can become blurred, this is due to low resolution of the original images. Always use high-resolution graphics (at least 256x256 pixels). Another problem is desynchronization: icons are there, but the signatures are lost or shifted.
Another common scenario is conflict of versions: Updating HyperOS could break compatibility with old themes or launchers, which helps by clearing the launcher cache or waiting for the icon change app to update itself. If you used the shortcut method, check if the desktop shortcut permissions have reset.
- 📉 Blurred icons: Replace source with larger images.
- 🚫 No shortcuts are created: check permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permit Controller.
- 🔄 Theme Meeting after Update: Wait for the release of a new version of the theme or launcher.
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption: some live icons may consume resources, turn off animations.
Remember that over-customization can visually contaminate the interface, and sometimes it’s better to keep some elements standard to maintain intuitive comprehensibility, and balancing beauty and functionality is key to making Xiaomi’s smartphone more comfortable in the long run.