How to make a desktop on Xiaomi as on iPhone: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder: can you make your device interface as similar as possible to the iPhone? The answer is yes, and you do not need to buy a new phone or install custom firmware. It is enough to set up the desktop correctly, pick up a theme, launcher and a few key elements. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to convert MIUI iOS while maintaining all features and performance.

The problem is that Apple and Xiaomi have fundamentally different approaches to interface design, but with third-party apps and hidden settings. MIUI It is possible to achieve visual and functional similarity in 80-90%. We’ll look at both budget solutions (free themes and launchers) and premium options for perfect imitation. It’s important to understand that a full copy of iOS is not possible due to the architectural differences between Android and iOS, but the result will exceed expectations.

1. Launcher selection: the basis of transformation

The first and most important step is installing a launcher that mimics the iOS interface.The launcher replaces the standard desktop. MIUI, And you can customize icons, animations, gestures, and even the notification panel for the iPhone. There are both universal solutions and specialized launchers on the market specifically for iOS-style.

The most popular options are:

• 📱 Lawnchair 2 is a lightweight launcher with gesture support and customizable icons, suitable for basic iOS simulation without overloading the system.
• 🎨 iLauncher - a specialized launcher for the iPhone with ready-made themes, transition animations and support for widgets in the style of iOS 16/17.
• ⚡ Nova Launcher + The iOS icon package is a flexible solution for advanced users, allowing you to fine-tune each element of the interface.
• 🔄 Apex Launcher is an alternative to Nova with a focus on performance.It works well on Xiaomi's budget models (like the Redmi Note 12).

For maximum similarity, we recommend iLauncher - it offers:

• 📂 Dock panel like on iPhone (with the ability to add up to 5 icons).
• 🔍 Spotlight Search (analogue of iOS search by apps and contacts).
• 📱 Gestures to return to the main screen (swipe up from the bottom edge).
• 🎨 Adaptive icons that automatically adapt to the style of iOS.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (e.g. iLauncher) may conflict with system gestures MIUI 14+. Before installation, turn off native gestures in Settings → Display. → Full-screen gestures.

After installing the launcher, do not forget:

Select the launcher as the main one in the system settings|Download the iOS icon package (for example, iOS 17 Icon Pack)|Set up gestures (swipe up to close applications)|Disable notifications from the standard launcher MIUI-->

2. Install themes and icons in the style of iOS

Even with a launcher, the interface won't look like an iPhone unless you replace the icons and wallpaper.

• 🎨 Icon Pack (iCons for iOS, iOS 17 Icon Pack, Fluid Icons, or iOS 17 Icon Pack).
• 🖼️ Wallpaper in the style of iOS (you can download from the Zedge app or from the iPhone Wallpapers website).
• 📱 Topics for MIUI (if you use a standard launcher).

Installation instructions:

1. Download the icon pack from Google Play (for example, iOS 17 Icon Pack).
2. Open the launcher settings (like Nova Launcher) and select Appearance → Icon style.
3. Apply the downloaded package. If some icons haven't changed, manually assign them via Long Click on the icon → Change. → Choose an icon.
4. Set wallpaper: download the image with resolution 1080×2340 (for Xiaomi with a cutout) and apply through Settings → Wallpaper.

For a full simulation, we recommend using dynamic wallpaper (like on the iPhone 14 Pro), which can be found in the DynamicSpot or Kappboom app, which responds to the time of day and battery level, like in iOS 17.

⚠️ Note: Some icon packages require a paid version to unlock all icons. Before buying, check compatibility with your launcher in the application description.

An example of a successful combination:

Icon design|Animations and transitions|Notification panel|Control gestures|Widgets on the main screen-->

3. Customization of gestures and animations

One of the key elements of the iPhone is smooth animations and gestures. MIUI They are different by default, but they can be configured for iOS with additional tools.

The main gestures that need to be imitated:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge to return to the home screen (like in iPhone X and newer).
• 👈 Swipe from right to left to go back (instead of the Back button in Android).
• 🔄 Swipe up and retention for multitasking (show of used applications).
• 📱 Clicking on the bottom of the screen to call the Dock panel (like in iOS).

To adjust the gestures:

1. If you are using iLauncher or Nova Launcher, go to Settings → Gestures.
2. Activate the Swipe Up option for the home and turn off standard gestures MIUI In Settings → Display. → Full-screen gestures.
3. For smooth animations, install Xiaomi EU ROM (If you are ready for custom firmware, or use the Magisk module called iOS Animations.

For advanced users, if you want an exact copy of the transition animations between apps like iOS 17, install LSposed and the iOSify module. This will require unlocking the bootloader and root rights, but the result is worth it.

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If the screen starts twitching when swiping after setting the gestures, try to reduce sensitivity in the launcher settings or calibrate the sensor through the engineering menu (#6484###).

4. iOS-style widgets and notification panel

Widgets and notification bars are what Android immediately gives you, even with an iOS launcher.

• 📱 iOS-style widgets (such as weather, calendar, music).
• 🔔 Notification panel with round icons and grouping, like in the iPhone.
• ⚙️ Control Center (similar to Control Center in iOS).

The best widget apps:

• 🌤️ iWidgets – a set of widgets for weather, time, battery and music, supports transparency and responsive design.

For the notification panel:

1. Install Shade Launcher or Power Shade to simulate Control Center.
2. In the settings MIUI Turn off the grouping of notifications by application: Settings → Notifications → Grouping of notifications → Off..
3. Use Hex Installer to change icons in the notification bar (root required).

Example of setting widgets on the main screen:

5. System settings for full simulation

To Xiaomi not only looked like an iPhone, but also worked like an iPhone, you need to change several system parameters:

1. Font modification

The San Francisco font (used in iOS) can be installed via:

• 📱 iFont app (download font) SF Pro and apply it through Settings → Display. → font).
• 🔧 Magisk iOS Fonts for Android (for advanced users).

2. Sounds and vibrations

The notification, keyboard and lock sounds on the iPhone are unique.

• 🔊 From the iOS Sounds Pack Archive.
• 📲 Through the Zedge app (section "Iphone Sounds").

To apply:

1. Put the sound files in the folder /sdcard/Ringtones (for ringing tunes) or /sdcard/Notifications (notice-in).
2. Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration and select new sounds.

3. Screen lock animation

In iOS, when you lock the screen, the icons are smoothly reduced. To repeat this on Xiaomi:

• 🔄 Use the iLauncher launcher with iOS Lock Animation enabled.
• 📱 Install Always On Display in the style of iPhone 14 Pro through the app AOD Mirror.

⚠️ Note: Changing system fonts and sounds may cause some applications to crash (e.g. Mi Fit or Xiaomi Community). → Additionally. → Backup.

6. Additional chips: from keyboard to Siri

To imitate the iPhone was complete, you should pay attention to the little things:

1. Keyboard

Gboard or SwiftKey keyboards don't work, you need an iOS keyboard simulation.

• 🎹 iKeyboard – keyboard with iOS design 16/17, Support for swipes and emojis in the style of Apple.

2.Voice assistant

Replace Google Assistant with Siri imitation:

• 🗣️ Install Assistant.iOS – an application with Siri voice and response animation.
• 🔊 Set up voice activation via Settings → Voice assistant.

Charging and battery

The iPhone displays the percentage of charge in the status bar, to repeat this on Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery percentage and turn on the option.
2. To style the battery icon, use the Xposed iOS Battery Icon module.

4. Lock screen

Set up the lock screen for iOS:

• 🔒 Install Lock Screen iOS 17 from Google Play.
• 📱 Enable the option to Show notifications on the lock screen in Settings → Lock screen.

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For a full imitation of the iPhone on Xiaomi, 3 key elements are enough: launcher (iLauncher), icon package (iOS 17 Icon Pack) and widgets (iWidgets). The rest of the settings are small things that bring the result to the ideal.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When setting up the interface for iOS, users often face problems.

1.The launcher does not save settings after the reboot

Reason: MIUI Resets third-party launcher settings when optimizing memory.

Decision:

• 🛠️ Add the launcher to the exceptions: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.
• 🔄 Turn off battery optimization for launcher: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select a launcher → No restrictions.

2. App icons don't change

Reason: Not all launchers support a complete replacement of icons for system applications.

Decision:

• 🎨 Use Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher – they let you change the icons manually.
• 📱 For system applications (such as Settings or Phone), use the Xposed Iconify module.

3.Gesturals conflict with standard gestures

Reason: B MIUI 14+ System gestures take precedence over launcher gestures.

Decision:

• ⚙️ Turn off system gestures: Settings → Display. → Full-screen gestures → Off..
• 🔄 Restart your phone after changing your settings.

4. Widgets are not updated

Reason: MIUI restrictions on background activity.

Decision:

• 🔋 Add an app with widgets to battery exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Select an application → No restrictions.
• 📡 Enable Autostart for the Application: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

5.The notification panel looks like Android

Reason: MIUI It does not allow you to completely replace the notification panel without root.

Decision:

• 🔔 Use Power Shade to simulate Control Center.
• 🎨 Set a dark theme in Settings → Display. → A dark topic for similarity to iOS.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions