How to Make Icons Transparent on Xiaomi: Everything from Simple to Complex

Transparent icons on Xiaomi desktop are not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the visual experience of the interface. When app icons merge with the background, the screen looks minimalist and the emphasis shifts to wallpaper or widgets. However, standard MIUI settings do not allow you to change the transparency of the icons in one click – you will have to use workarounds.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven methods, from the simplest (without ROOT) to the most advanced (with modification of system files), you will learn which methods work on MIUI 14 and which will work for older versions of the shell, and we will compare the results of each method and warn against typical errors that can lead to failures in the launcher.

If you’ve never changed Xiaomi’s system settings, start with the first two ways: they’re safe and reversible. For experienced users ready to experiment, we’ve prepared instructions using ADB and custom themes. And at the end of the article, you’ll find answers to frequent questions, including model-specific compatibility (Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

1. Method: Use of built-in MIUI themes (without ROOT)

The safest way to do this is to use pre-made themes from the official MIUI Themes store, many of which offer semi-transparent or fully transparent icons without risk to the system.

Step 1. Open the Themes app (Brush icon) on your Xiaomi.

Step 2: In the search box, type in English: "transparent icons" or "semi-transparent." Russian-language queries often yield fewer results.

Step 3. Browse through the available themes -- look for the ones where you can see in the preview that the icons merge with the background. Popular options are "Transparent Dark," "Glass Morphism," or "Minimalist Pro."

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Note: Some themes only change transparency for standard icons (e.g. Settings, Phone) but do not affect third-party app icons. To apply the effect to all icons, you will need additional customization in the Personalization → App icons section.

• ✅ Pros: Not required ROOT, reversibly, free of charge.
• ❌ Cons: Limited choice of transparency (most often) 30-50%), Not all icons change.
• ⚙️ Compatibility: Works on all devices with MIUI 12+ (including Redmi 10, POCO X5).

2. Method: Launchers from third-party developers

If the built-in themes don’t provide the required level of transparency, install an alternative launcher.

1. Nova Launcher (the paid version allows you to configure the transparency of icons through Settings → Badges → Adaptive icons).
2. Lawnchair (free, supports transparency settings through Icon Pack modules)
3. Hyperion Launcher (optimized for MIUI, has built-in packages of transparent icons).

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Press the finger free space on the desktop → Settings.
3. Go to Appearance → Badges → Badge Package and select “Adaptive Icons”.
4. Activate the Transparency option and set the level (from 10% to 90%).

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Useful tip: Nova Launcher allows you to apply transparency selectively to folders or widgets. To do this, hold your finger on the element → Change the icon → Effects.

3. Method: ADB-commands to change system parameters

This method is suitable for users who do not want to install ROOT, but are ready to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to change the transparency of icons at the level of system settings MIUI, but requires care.

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Attention: Incorrect use of ADB can cause the launcher to crash. Before executing commands, back up your data via Settings → About Phone → Backup.

Steps:

1. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global icon_transparency 0.5 where 0.5 — level of transparency (from 0.1 before 0.9).
3. Reboot the launcher with the command: adb shell am force-stop com.miui.home

Important: On some devices (e.g., Xiaomi 12 Pro with MIUI 14), this parameter is reset after rebooting. To fix the changes, you will need to create a task in Automation (Automation in MIUI application) to re-apply the command.

USB| debugging activated

ADB drivers installed on PC|

Data backup |

Verified version. MIUI (12+)|-->

4. Method: Castomic packs of icons with transparency

If you want full transparency for all icons, install a dedicated icon package.The best options for Xiaomi are:

• 🎨 "Transparent Icons Pack (Google Play) – Supports adaptive icons.
• 🖼️ "Whicons – Minimalist white icons with adjustable transparency.
• 🌌 "Delta Icons – more than 5,000 transparent icons for popular apps.

How to apply:

1. Install an icon package from Google Play.
2. Open the launcher settings (Nova, Lawnchair or standard MIUI).
3. Select the Icon Package and activate the downloaded set.
4. For the standard MIUI launcher, go to Topics → Mine → Local → Icon Packages.

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Note: Some icon packages may conflict with MIUI system fonts. If icons are not displayed correctly (with artifacts) after application, reset the font settings in Settings → Screen → Font.

5. Method: Modification of system files (requires ROOT)

This is the most radical method, which gives full control over the appearance of the icons, but is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and ROOT rights. We will look at two approaches: editing launcher files and installing patches through Magisk.

Method 1: Editing framework-res.apk

1. Download MT Manager or Root Explorer from 4PDA.
2. Go to /system/framework/framework-res.apk.
3. Extract the file, find the drawable folder in it and edit it. PNG-icons (e.g. icons, ic_launcher_foreground.png) Photoshop GIMP, transparency.
4. Collect the file back and replace the original one (don’t forget to backup!).

Method 2: Magisk Transparent Icons MIUI Module

1. Install Magisk Manager and download the module here (repository link).
2. Reboot to Recovery and slick ZIP-module.
3. After the reboot, the transparency of the icons will be applied automatically.

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Key takeaway: Magisk is safer than manual editing of system files, as the module can be turned off at any time without consequences. OTA-update.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To help you decide, we have put all the methods in one table, taking into account the complexity, risks and results:

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Expert advice: If you only want transparency for folders or widgets, use Nova Launcher with Folder Background setup. For full transparency of all icons, combine ADB + custom icon package.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transparent icons on Xiaomi