How to replace standard icons on Xiaomi: from themes to manual editing of system files

The standard icons on Xiaomi smartphones often look monotonous, especially after years of using the same launcher. The good news is that you can replace them without superuser rights (root) - just know the right tools and sequence of actions. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from the simplest MIUI topics to deep customization through ADB and third-party launchers.

But before you start, consider that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or installing additional software. If you're a beginner, start with the first two ways, they're safe and reversible. Power users can jump right to the ADB or manual.apk file editing sections.

Attention: you perform all manipulations at your own risk. Mistakes with system files can lead to a cyclic restart (bootloop) or reset the device to factory settings. We recommend backing up data through Settings → About Phone → Backup before starting work.

Also remember that after major MIUI or HyperOS updates, some changes may reset, such as custom icons installed through ADB, sometimes disappear after the update, and you will have to reinstall them.

1. Replace icons through MIUI themes (the easiest way)

Xiaomi’s official theme store offers thousands of free and paid icon packages that change the look of not only icons, but also system elements.This method does not require root rights and is suitable for all devices on MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS.

To apply a new theme:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Icons section in the lower menu.
3. Select the package you like and click Apply.
4. Confirm the changes in the pop-up window.

⚠️ Note: Some themes only change application icons, leaving system icons (such as Settings or Phone) unchanged. To replace them, look for themes marked "Full Icon Pack" or "System Icons Included".

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Reverse: You can return standard icons in one click.
• 📱 Security: System files are not affected.
• 🎨 Regular updates: Theme developers often add new icons for popular apps.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Limited choice: not all icons from the package can fit your launcher.
• 💰 Paid themes: the highest quality packages often cost from 50 to 300 rubles.

2. Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Lawnchair, Apex)

If built-in themes aren't enough, install an alternative launcher: popular options are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Apex Launcher, which support icon packages from Google Play and allow you to customize each element separately.

Instructions for setting up (for example, Nova Launcher):

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Download your favorite icon package (such as Whicons, Delta or Fluid).
3. Click the empty space on the main screen → Settings → Appearance → Style of icons.
4. Select the installed icon package.

💡 Useful tip: Nova Launcher can assign different icon packs to individual apps, such as making the YouTube icon round and Telegram square. → Edit → Icon → Select from the package.

Comparison of popular launchers for Xiaomi:

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), the standard launcher can automatically reset after the upgrade. To avoid this, install Nova Launcher as the default launcher in your application settings.

3. Manually modifying icons via ADB (no root)

If you need to replace individual system icons (like the Settings icon or the Camera), you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method, which does not require superuser rights, but requires a connection to a PC.

📌 Checklist before start:

Instructions for replacing icons:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and make sure that ADB recognizes the device (the adb device team must show the serial number).
2. Download the archive with icons in.png format (resolution must match the original, usually 192×192 or 256×256).
3. Use the command to replace the icon (example for Settings): adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system" su -c "cp /sdcard/Download/new_settings_icon.png /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ic_launcher_settings.png" su -c "chmod 644 /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ic_launcher_settings.png" su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system" reboot

⚠️ Warning: An incorrect file path or incorrect icon resolution will cause the icon to disappear or the application to crash. Before replacing, check the original file through the ADB Pull:

adb pull /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ic_launcher_settings.png

🔍 Where to look for system application icons:

• 📱 /system/app/[Name of the annex]/res/drawable-*dpi/ — Standard applications (Settings, Camera).
• 📁 /system/priv-app/[Name of the annex]/res/ — System Services (MiuiSystemUI).
• 🔧 /vendor/overlay/ — Overlay icons (on some firmware).

4. Install custom icons through Magisk (for stitched devices)

If your Xiaomi has Magisk installed, you can use deep customization modules, one of the most popular is Iconify or Icon Pack Studio.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Iconify for Magisk through the module manager.
2. Download the compatible icon package (.zip format for Iconify).
3. Restart the device and apply the theme through the module settings.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 Exact replacement: you can even change the icons in the statusbar.
• 🔄 Flexibility: Support for dynamic icons (adaptive icons).
• 🛠️ Compatibility: works on most firmware, including custom (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).

⚠️ Note: Modules for Magisk may conflict with some features MIUI, for example:

• 🔋 Fast charging may be offline.
• 📡 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth sometimes it's unstable.
• 🔒 Banking applications can block access (due to root detection).

💡 Useful tip: Before installing the module, check its compatibility with your version MIUI/HyperOS forum XDA Developers or in Telegram chat @miuiru.

5.Editing APK-Files (for experienced users)

This method is suitable if you want to completely remake the icons in the system application (for example, in MiuiHome - standard launcher).

• 🖥️ PC with APKTool and Java installed.
• 📂 Backup copy of the original.apk file.
• 🎨 Skills of working with graphic editors (Photoshop, GIMP).

Instructions:

1. Remove MiuiHome.apk from the firmware or copy it from your phone: adb pull /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/MiuiHome.apk
2. Decompile the file via APKTool: apktool d MiuiHome.apk -o miuihome_mod
3. Replace the icons in the folder miuihome_mod/res/drawable-*dpi/.
4. Compile back and sign back: apktool b miuihome_mod -o MiuiHome_mod.apk jarsigner -verbose -sigalg SHA1withRSA -digestalg SHA1 -keystore mykey.keystore MiuiHome_mod.apk alias_name
5. Install a modified.apk via ADB: adb install -r MiuiHome_mod.apk

⚠️ Attention: Wrong census APK-The file may cause the launcher to fail completely, in which case you will need to flash through Fastboot or restore through the launcher. TWRP.

🔧 Where to download the original APK:

• 📥 Xiaomi Firmware Updater – Firmware archives with.apk system.
• 🔍 APKMirror – Separate versions of apps.

6. Reset icons to standard (if something went wrong)

If the icons are not displayed correctly or are lost, then you can return to the original state.

For MIUI's:

1. Open the Topic app.
2. Go to My subjects. → Basic.
3. Press Apply.

For third-party launchers:

• 🔄 Return the standard launcher to Settings → Annexes → By default. → Launcher.
• 🗑️ Remove Custom Launcher and Icon Packages.

For changes via ADB/Magisk:

• 📥 Refuse the original.apk through ADB: adb install -r original_MiuiHome.apk
• 🔧 Disable the module in Magisk Manager and restart the device.

💡 Key takeaway: Always save original files before modification, such as when replacing icons through a new file. ADB Get them backup:

adb pull /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ settings_icons_backup

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing icons with Xiaomi