Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder how to make their device interface as similar as possible to the reference Android, which is shown in the Google Pixel. the standard shell MIUI or the new HyperOS, of course, is functional, but its visual style and logic are markedly different from the “pure” Android. Many users miss the conciseness, smooth animations and smart widgets that are the hallmark of the Pixel phones.
Fortunately, the modern Android ecosystem allows you to customize the system quite deeply without the need to obtain superuser rights (root).Installing a Google Pixel theme on Xiaomi is a process that involves not only changing the wallpaper, but also replacing the launcher, system fonts, icons and even sound schemes. In this article, we will examine all the nuances of transforming your Xiaomi Redmi or Poco into a device indistinguishable from Google’s flagship.
Before you start doing something, it's important to understand that fully copying an interface requires a holistic approach. Just downloading one picture won't be enough. You'll need a set of customized applications and configuration files. But the result is worth it: you'll get a fresh, minimalist interface that works faster than the standard one and looks stylish.
Preparing the system for deep customization
The first step to transforming a smartphone should be to prepare the file system and obtain the necessary permissions. Xiaomi’s standard security settings can prevent the installation of third-party launchers or the use of themes from unofficial sources.
First, go to Settings. → About the phone and click seven times in a row on the line Version MIUI (or OS), until you notice that you've become a developer, and then in the expanded settings menu, look for "Developers" and we're interested in the option here. USB-debugging, which is desirable to include, although for a basic change of the topic it may not be necessary, but it is useful for advanced methods.
⚠️ Note: Before making any changes to the system, we strongly advise you to create a full backup of important data. Although the methods described are safe, an accidental failure when installing system fonts or launchers can lead to unstable operation of the interface.
You must then allow third-party applications to be installed. APK-The system will suggest you go to the settings and give permission to a specific browser or file manager. Do not ignore these requests, as without them the installation process of Pixel Launcher will not be possible.
☑️ Xiaomi Preparing for Pixel Theme Installation
Selecting and installing the right launcher
The heart of any Android interface is the launcher, which is responsible for displaying the desktop, the dock bar at the bottom, swipes and app organization. To make Xiaomi look like the Pixel, the standard launcher System Launcher needs to be replaced with a Google launcher. There are several quality options that perfectly mimic the behavior of stock Android.
The most popular solution is Launcher 12 or a specialized version of Pixel Launcher, adapted for work on any device. These apps don't just change icons, they embed the famous Google Discover bar when swiped to the right, and they also add a left panel with widgets. APK-file downloaded from a trusted source, as the original launcher is often not available to third-party devices in Play Market.
After installation and first start, the system will ask which application to use as default for the main screen. Choose a new launcher and press "Always." If you do not do this, after the restart, the phone will return to the standard view of MIUI. It is also important to adjust the screen grid. For maximum similarity with the Pixel, it is recommended to set the grid 4x5 or 5x5, make the indentations minimal, and increase the font size in the launcher settings to the value of "Large".
- 📲 Launcher 12/13: Paid, but most accurate clone with support for widgets and animations.
- 🚀 Pixel Launcher (Mod): Free modified version that requires installation via APK.
- 🎨 Nova Launcher: A powerful tool that, when properly set up fonts and icons, also gives the Pixel effect.
- 🔍 Google Feed: A separate plugin required to run the news feed to the left of the desktop.
Remember to go to the launcher settings and turn off the extra effects if they are present. For example, MIUI often includes a wallpaper carousel on the lock screen, which may conflict with the new settings. It is better to turn it off via Settings → Wallpaper → Wallpaper carousel.
Working with themes through the Themes app
Xiaomi has a powerful built-in tool called Themes, which allows you to change not only wallpaper, but also system fonts, sounds and style of settings menu. To simulate Pixel, we don't need third-party themes from the catalog, which are often overloaded with ads. MTZ-files created by specifically enthusiasts to simulate the Google interface.
Find and download a theme with a title like “Pixel Experience” or “Stock Android UI” in.mtz. After downloading the file, open the Themes app, go to the profile (human icon) and select “Local.” This will show the downloaded file. Click on it and select “Apply.” The system will suggest selecting components to install: be sure to tick “System icons,” “Wallpaperboard,” “lock screen” and “System.”
⚠️ Note: Using system themes on Xiaomi may cause some interface elements (such as notification curtain or volume menu) to display incorrectly. If you notice strong artifacts, only use icons and wallpaper, leaving system elements as standard.
Special attention should be paid to fonts. Pixel uses the font Google Sans. In the standard set Xiaomi does not have it, but it can be implemented through the theme or by installing a separate font file through the menu "Fonts" in the application Themes, which will give the text throughout the system (in settings, contacts, call) the same recognizable look.
If the interface is slower or crashes after applying the theme, try clearing the theme app cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Topics → Clean. Sometimes rebooting to Safe Mode and exiting it helps, which resets the GUI cache.
What to do if the theme goes off after rebooting?
Configuring widgets and interface elements
The visual style of the Google Pixel is not only icons, but also unique widgets. Big watches, weather, Google Photos and calendar have a specific design with rounded corners and a translucent background. On Xiaomi, the standard widgets look different, so they need to be replaced.
To do this, you can use the official Google app and Google LLC widgets. Hold your finger on an empty desktop, select "Widgets" and search for the Google section. There you will find a Material You-style watch that automatically adjusts the color to the wallpaper.
The control panel is an important element. In MIUI, it's divided into a notification curtain and a separate button block on the right. In the Pixel, everything is in one curtain. To get closer to that, in the launcher settings (if it supports) or through special modules, you can try to combine these elements, but it's often easier to get used to MIUI logic by leaving the visual style of the Pixel.
| Element | MIUI/HyperOS Standard | Google Pixel style style | How to change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icons | Rounded squares | Rounded (Teardrop) | Theme MTZ + Launcher |
| font | MiSans / Roboto | Google Sans | Installation of font in the annex Topics |
| Search panel | Downstairs. | Down (or in the widget) | Launcher settings |
| Appendix menu | Horizontal scrolling | Vertical scrolling | Pixel launcher selection |
Don’t forget to set up “Always on Display» (AOD). In Pixel, it is minimalistic and shows the time and date in large font. In Xiaomi, you can find stylish themes through the app. AOD-Pixel-style themes that will look very organic on the AMOLED-Redmi and Xiaomi screens.
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Use the Color Scheme feature in the launcher or system settings to automatically match the interface colors for the wallpaper, as Material You does in Android 12 and above.
Solving compatibility and bug problems
The process of turning Xiaomi into Pixel does not always go smoothly. The MIUI shell aggressively optimizes the work of background processes, which can lead to a launcher or widgets disappearing. If you encounter a desktop reboot periodically (“blinks”), you need to lock the launcher in memory.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps, find your new launcher (like Pixel Launcher). Go to Auto Start and turn it on. Also, under Battery (or Power Consumption), select No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from killing the launcher process to save energy.
Another common problem is incorrect display of icons in system menus (for example, in settings or task manager) that are not affected by the topic. This is normal, since Xiaomi system applications take priority. Full replacement of system icons in all menus is possible only if there are Root rights and use of Magisk modules, which is not recommended for ordinary users due to the risk of loss of warranty.
- 🛑 Launcher departures: Clear the launcher's cache and reboot the phone.
- 🔋 Fast discharge: Check if a heavy weather widget is running in the background; turn off live wallpaper if there is one.
- 📱 Swipes do not work: Check navigation settings in Settings → Additional settings → Full screen mode.
If the fingerprint on the lock screen stopped working after installing the theme, try changing the lock screen theme to the standard one or selecting another MTZ theme, as some modifications of the lock screen conflict with the scanner drivers.
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The stability of the custom interface depends on 90 percent of the power saving settings for the launcher, so remember to keep the application in memory.