Many iOS users who have switched to Android often look for a way to bring back the aesthetics of their new device, and the question of how to make an iPhone from Xiaomi sounds provocative, because technically, you can't turn one operating system into another without deep reprogramming. But if you mean visual transformation of the interface, changing fonts, icons and logic of work, MIUI and HyperOS provide tremendous opportunities for such experiments.
Modern Xiaomi smartphones have a powerful hardware and flexible shell, which allows you to simulate the behavior of iOS with amazing accuracy. You do not need the rights of a superuser (Root) for a basic transformation, just choose the right tools. In this article, we will discuss what elements of the system can be changed to make your Xiaomi is indistinguishable from the flagship of Apple at first glance.
It is worth noting that a complete replacement of the kernel of the system is impossible and dangerous. Attempting to install real iOS firmware on a Xiaomi device will lead to irreversible failure of the device (the “brick”), since the architecture of the processors are completely different, so we will focus on safe methods of visual imitation that will make using the smartphone comfortable and familiar.
The Illusion of iOS: working with launchers
The first and most important step in turning your smartphone into an iPhone is to replace the standard desktop. The standard MIUI launcher is good, but it doesn't follow the logic of iOS. To do that, you need to install a third-party launcher app that completely changes the look of the home screen and the dock bar.
The most popular and well-developed solution is Launcher iOS 17 or its counterparts like C Launcher. Once installed, the icons will become a characteristic rounded shape, and the control menu will become almost identical to Apple.
Some users fear that third-party launchers may slow down the device. On modern Xiaomi models with Snapdragon or Dimensity processors, the performance difference will be invisible. However, it is worth considering that animations may differ from native ones, since Android and iOS use different principles of rendering graphics.
- 📱 Download a proven launcher from Google Play or a trusted source (APKPure, 4PDA).
- ⚙️ In the launcher settings, enable the option “Hide the search bar” for the cleanliness of the interface.
- 🎨 Choose an iOS-style icon package to replace the standard angular Android icons.
- 🔒 Set up the screen lock to look like Lock Screen.
⚠️ Note: Some antivirus or built-in protection MIUI This is a false alarm caused by the application requesting permission to change the interface, and you will need to manually allow the launcher to operate in the security settings.
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For maximum similarity, disable the “Application Menu” button in the Xiaomi launcher settings and leave only the search bar at the bottom, as is customary in iOS.
Topics of design: deep customization MIUI
A unique feature of Xiaomi smartphones is the built-in Themes app, which is a powerful tool that allows you to change not just wallpaper, but system fonts, notification sounds, settings icons and even download animations. Unlike other brands, you can find ready-made builds that mimic iOS by 90%.
To find the right topic, open the Themes app and search for queries like “iOS 16,” “iPhone style,” or “Apple UI.” Community authors create detailed copies of the interface, including Control Center and Control Point, and once you apply the theme, your phone will be visually indistinguishable from an Apple product.
However, you should be careful when choosing a theme, some of which may be paid or contain ads, and it is also important to check the compatibility of the theme with your version of Android and shell. MIUI/HyperOS. If the theme is created for the old version, some elements may not display correctly.
Once the theme is installed, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the system to completely update the graphics cache and apply all the changes, including system fonts. If after applying the theme you notice "glitches" of the interface, try changing only the icon set, leaving the system elements of MIUI.
- 🎨 Use search by tags "iOS" to quickly find the desired style.
- 🔄 Check for updates regularly as developers fix bugs.
- 📂 Save the link to the topic in the "Favorites" so as not to lose it after resetting.
Control and notification curtain
One of the most notable differences in iOS is the split notification interface and quick settings. Android has traditionally kept it all in the same curtain. Fortunately, modern versions of MIUI have already adopted this logic, but you can use additional settings or themes to make it look like you do it.
If you have an older version of the shell, you can use modifier apps like Control Center iOS, which cover the standard Android curtain with their interface, and if you swipe from the right down, you'll open a panel with brightness and volume sliders that's Apple-style.
It's important to adjust the swipe sensitivity correctly. In iOS, the swipe on the left opens notifications and the control on the right. In Android, the default swipe on the bottom opens everything at once, you'll have to get used to new motor skills or reconfigure gestures in special applications.
Settings → Notifications and Status Line → Control Center → Old/New StyleThis built-in feature allows you to switch to a separate style without installing any extra software. Just select New Style and your phone will behave like an iPhone in terms of brightness control and Wi-Fi.
☑️ Control setup
⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications to replace the control center, there may be conflicts with system permissions. If the phone starts to freeze when unlocking, remove the newly installed application through Safe Mode.
Widgets and live wallpaper: bringing the screen to life
You can't imagine an iPhone without widgets. In iOS, they look particularly beautiful and have a characteristic transparency. In MIUI, widgets are also present, but their style is different. To achieve complete similarity, you will need widgets from iOS themes or third-party widgetmaker apps.
Apps like Widgetsmith (or their Android counterparts) allow you to create widgets of any size and shape. You can put a calendar, weather, step counter in Apple's corporate style on your screen.
Live wallpaper also plays a role. iOS 16 and 17 have a photo wallpaper with a depth effect. Xiaomi has this effect also available, but requires the right setting. Choose a photo where the object is blocked by time, and the system will create itself. 3D-unlocking.
| Type of element | Standard Android/Xiaomi | iOS Style (imitation) | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application icons | Square/Round | Rounded (Squircle) | Low. |
| Notification curtain | Single panel | Separate (left/right) | Medium |
| Fonts | Roboto / MiSans | San Francisco (analogue) | Tall. |
| Unlock animation | A simple appearance | Increased icons | Tall. |
Note the fonts. iOS uses the San Francisco font. Xiaomi can install similar fonts through the Themes app. Find a theme called "iOS Font" and apply only the font without changing the rest if you want to keep some of the originality.
Sound accompaniment and tactile recoil
The atmosphere of the iPhone is not just created by the image, but also by the sound. The characteristic keyboard sounds, screen locks and system tunes are instantly recognizable. Replace them with Xiaomi is quite easy through the file manager and audio settings.
You need to download the iOS sound pack (ringtone, notification, keyboard click). The files are.mp3 or.ogg. After downloading, place them in the corresponding memory folders: Internal Storage > MIUI > sound > notification (for notifications) or ringtone (for calls).
The tactile recoil on Xiaomi is also customizable. While it won’t be possible to fully copy the Taptic Engine of the iPhone due to differences in hardware, you can choose the most similar vibration pattern. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Vibration when touching and choose the shortest and clearest option.
Where to get the original iOS sounds?
Don't forget to adjust the lock sound. In Xiaomi's standard settings, this option may not be available, but some themes add it automatically. If the theme doesn't add sound, you can use automating apps that play the sound when the screen goes down.
- 🔊 Replace the sound of the keyboard with the characteristic “tic” of iOS.
- 📳 Turn off the vibration of the system buttons, leaving only a tactile response when printing.
- 🎵 Install the original "Marimba" or "Reflection" ringtone for calls.
Functional Limitations and Reality
Despite all the customization efforts, it’s important to understand that Xiaomi will remain an Android smartphone, and some iOS features are physically impossible to implement, such as Apple’s ecosystem, which is tied to unique services that Google Play does not have.
You won’t be able to use AirDrop to transfer files from real iPhones (only through third-party counterparts like Send Anywhere), FaceTime is also not available. Siri won’t replace Google Assistant or Xiao AI entirely, although voice assistants can be partially integrated.
Also, animations in Android, even with launchers, can be fluid. iOS is optimized for specific hardware, and Android works on thousands of different configurations. So the full sense of “nativeness” is difficult to achieve, but visual deception works great.
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The transformation of Xiaomi into an iPhone is primarily a visual tuning. Functionally, it will remain a powerful Android smartphone with all its pros (file system, APK installation) and cons.
If you're willing to put up with small inconsistencies for the sake of a familiar interface, the methods described above will allow you to create a hybrid that will please the eye. Experiment with themes, but always leave the ability to quickly roll back changes.