How to turn Xiaomi into an iPhone: 7 steps to completely transform your smartphone

Are you dreaming of the style of the iPhone, but not ready to part with the powerful hardware and flexibility of Xiaomi? Good news: modern Android smartphones allow you to simulate the appearance and even some of the features of iOS with an accuracy of up to 90%. From screen lock animations to Apple's signature sounds, we'll tell you how to turn your Redmi, POCO or Mi into an almost real iPhone.

This guide will suit MIUI 12-14 and newer versions, and it’s important to understand that there’s no full-fledged iOS replacement, but the combination of themes, launchers and tweaks will create an illusion. We’ll look at both free methods using standard Xiaomi tools and advanced root-access solutions for the most demanding.

Before you start, check: your device must have at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of memory – otherwise the system may slow down due to additional layers of design. Also prepare a backup of the data through Settings → About Phone → Backup, as some manipulations will require resetting.

1. Installation of a launcher with an iOS interface

The basis of the transformation will be the launcher, a program that replaces the standard desktop MIUI.

• 📱 Lawnchair 2 is a lightweight launcher with support for iOS gestures and adaptive icons. The free version is limited to settings, but enough for a basic simulation.
• 🎨 iLauncher – a specialized solution with an exact copy of iOS animations 16/17, including the paralax effect on wallpaper and the company's notification center.
• 🔧 Nova Launcher + Icon Pack for those who want flexibility, allows you to customize even small things like indentations between icons.

For installation:

1. Download. APK-Launcher file from the official website or APKMirror (avoid third-party stores!).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Installation of unknown applications.
3. Install the launcher and select it as the main one in the Home menu when you first start.

Important: After installing the launcher, disable the standard MIUI widgets (weather, steps, calendar) as they visually knock out of the iOS style. To do this, hold your finger on the widget and drag it into the basket.

Download APK from a verified source

Allow installation of unknown applications

Make a backup copy of the current desktop

Disable battery optimization for launcher-->

2. Replacement of standard icons and fonts

Even with the new launcher, Xiaomi app icons will give you your smartphone, and the icon pack and custom fonts will help fix this:

• 🖼️ iOS 17 Icon Pack (Sikebo) is the most accurate pack with support for adaptive icons.
• 📝 San Francisco Font is an Apple font. Install it through the iFont app (requires permission to install fonts in your system settings).
• 🎨 Kvix is an alternative pack with a flat design, close to iOS 14.

Instructions for the use of icons:

1. Install a pack of icons from the Play Market.
2. Open the launcher settings (long press on the desktop → Settings).
3. Select the Icon Themes section and apply the downloaded pack.
4. Individual applications (such as Mi Store or Security) may need to be manually replaced via the option to Change the icon in the context menu.

Critical detail: some Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) do not support replacing icons through packs, the solution is to hide them through the launcher settings and install alternatives from the Play Market (such as VLC or Poweramp).

3. Customize gestures and animations as on iPhone

In iOS, gestures are not just style, they're also convenience, and in MIUI, they can be played with 80 percent accuracy.

• 👆 Return to the home screen: swipe up from the bottom edge (like on the iPhone X and later). → Display. → Full-screen gestures.
• 🔄 Switch between applications: swipe the bottom edge right/left. Set Switch animation for smoothness = 0.5x developer-setting.
• 📱 Notification Center: Swipe down to right (like iOS) is configured via Xiaomi EU ROM or Xposed module for rooted devices.

For advanced users:

adb shell settings put global swipe_up_to_switch_apps_enabled 1


adb shell settings put global swipe_up_gesture_sensitivity 300

These commands (executed via ADB) increase the sensitivity of gestures. For more information on ADB settings, see our hidden commands manual.

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To make the swipe down for notification center gesture work like it does on an iPhone (only from the top right corner), install the MiuiHome Mods module via Magisk. This will require root rights, but will give maximum authenticity.

4. Installation of iOS themes and sounds

MIUI is famous for its theme flexibility, and it can be used to mimic iOS.

To set the themes:

1. Download the theme file with the.mtz extension.
2. Place it in the MIUI/theme folder on the internal drive.
3. Open the Topics app → My subjects. → Imports.
4. Apply the theme and restart the device.

The alarm, alarm and key sounds can be replaced by:

• 🔔 Zedge – Free iOS Sounds (search for “iPhone notification sound").
• 🎵 Ringtones for iPhone – a collection of original tunes Apple.

Warning: Some of the themes from third-party sources contain advertising modules. Before installing, check files via VirusTotal and see reviews on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums.

5. Replacement of standard applications with iOS analogues

Xiaomi system applications (calls, messages, camera) immediately give Android, and can be replaced with analogues with the iOS interface:

For full integration:

1. Disable notifications from standard applications in Settings → Notifications.
2. Configure alternative programs as default apps in Settings → Applications → By default.
3. For ProCam X, download the iPhone 14 Pro color correction profile from the VK community or Telegram channels via mobile photography.

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Replacing system applications is the most notable step in transformation, but some features (such as recording conversations or recording conversations) are also important. SMS-Banking may not work in alternative programs. Always check critical features before making a full transition.

6. Hiding Android Traces: Remove the microphone, indicators and menus

Even with a new theme and launcher, Xiaomi is giving out trifles: the microphone indicator in the statusbar, the Recent Apps menu in its own way, the MIUI icons in the curtain.

• 🔇 Disabling the microphone indicator: adb shell settings put global zen_mode_visual_effects_enabled 0 This command will hide the microphone icon when recording the sound (works on the sound). MIUI 13+).
• 📵 Remove operator icons: use Hide My Applist (requires) ADB).
• 🔄 Recent Apps Animation Replacement: Install MiuiHome Mods via Magisk with iOS-style app switcher option.

For advanced users with root access:

1. Install Magisk and the MiuiSystemUIPlugin module.
2. In the module settings, select the options: Hide the NFC icon in the curtain Replace the switch icons with the iOS style Disable MIUI prompts in the statusbar

Reset the device.

Note: changes through ADB or Magisk may cause system instability. Before experimenting, check for compatibility with your version of MIUI on the XDA forum.

7. Final touches: widgets, wallpaper and trivia

The details make the deception convincing.

• 🖼️ Wallpaper: download the original wallpaper iOS 17 permit 2778×1284 (iPhone 14 Pro Max) and trim under your Xiaomi's permission.Source:WallpapersCraft.
• ⏰ Weather widget: Weather – iOS 17 Style (exact copy of Apple widget with rain/snow animation).
• 📊 Battery Widget Reborn with iOS Style Adjustment (rounded corners, percentage in a circle).
• 🎵 Lock/Unlock Sound: Replace via Settings → Sounds and vibrations → The sound of locking on the iPhone Lock Sound.mp3.

For the complete illusion:

1. Turn off all MIUI sounds in Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → System sounds.
2. Install branded charging wallpapers through the iOS Charge Animation theme (available on Xiaomi EU).
3. Set the vibration as if on the iPhone: short response when pressed via the Vibrator Tuner module.

Unique Lifehack: To simulate the Dynamic Island effect (on iPhone 14 Pro), install the DynamicSpot app and set it to display notifications as a floating pell barrier, even on devices with a camera cutout (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s transformation into iPhone