How to make your icons on Xiaomi: 5 ways from scratch to installation

Tired of standard Xiaomi icons and want to give your smartphone a unique look? Creating custom icons is not only a way to personalize, but also the ability to optimize the desktop for your needs. Unlike the ready-made themes from the Mi Theme Store, custom icons allow you to control every pixel from the color scheme to the shape of icons. In this article, we will analyze all the stages from design in graphic editors to installation through launchers and manual replacement of system files (for advanced users).

It is important to understand that the methods differ in complexity and compatibility. MIUI 14+ They can use built-in theme tools, whereas older versions will require third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Hyperion. We will also discuss security issues – why not replace system icons without a backup, and how to avoid blurry icons after a firmware update.

1.Preparation: What icons can be changed to Xiaomi

Not all icons on Xiaomi are equally customizable. System applications (e.g. Settings, Phone, Messages) are usually protected from direct editing, whereas third-party icons (from Google Play or Messages) are usually protected from direct editing. APK) They change without limits. That's what you can personalize:

• 📱 App icons – from social media to gaming (full control via launchers).
• 📂 Quick settings panel – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight icons (requires root rights or ADB).
• 🔄 Animated icons – for weather, time, notifications (not supported by all launchers).
• 🎨 Color schemes – changing the palette of standard icons through themes.

On devices with MIUI 12-14 icons are tied to a system theme, for example, if you choose the theme "Dark Mode", the icons will automatically change shade, but for complete freedom you will have to use third-party tools. On smartphones with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi Note 11), manually replace the icons through the use of a device. ADB Can cause GUI errors – check compatibility in advance.

⚠️ Warning: Changing system icons without a backup can cause a cyclic bootloop on devices with a locked bootloader.Always back up via the Mi Flash Tool before experimenting.

2. Methods of creating icons: from canvas to AI-generator

Icon design is a creative process, but it doesn't require professional skills, and even a beginner can create quality icons with free tools.

First, decide on the resolution of the icons. Optimal dimensions for Xiaomi:

• 📏 192×192 px - standard for MIUI (scale automatically).
• 📏 512×512 px – for launchers such as Nova Launcher (better quality when zooming).
• 📏 1024×1024 px – if you plan to create animations or detail.

Color Tip: Use Coolors to select a palette that will harmonize with the wallpaper and theme MIUI. For example, for a dark topic, neon accents are suitable, and for a light one, pastel tones are suitable.

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Save icons in.png format with a transparent background (transparency) – this will allow the launcher to automatically adjust them to the color of the wallpaper.

3. Step-by-step instruction: creating icons in Canva

So, the simplest way to do this is to design icons in Canva, which is even for people who have never done graphics.

1. Open Canva and create a new project with permission 192×192 px (select "Custom size").
2. In the search bar, type "icon" - the system will offer free templates. Choose the basic form (circle, square, hexagon).
3. Customize the colors: click on the icon → "Color" → enter HEX-your palette code (e.g, #FF6B6B coral).
4. Add graphical elements: through the "Elements" tab, find icons for applications (for example, "phone" for calls, "envelope" for messages).
5. Export: Press "Share" → "Download, select the format PNG transparently.

Example of query to search for templates in Canva:

minimalist app icon


flat design icon pack




neon icon template

If you want to add a shadow or a gradient, use the effects in the "Effects" tab. For Xiaomi, it's best to avoid overly voluminous icons - they can look blurry on a high-end screen. PPI (For example, on Xiaomi. 13 Pro with permission 3200×1440).

Icons have the same style (shape, line thickness)

The color scheme coincides with the theme. MIUI

Transparent background (without white square)

Permission not less 192×192 px

Save in format PNG-->

4. Installation of custom icons through launchers

The safest way to apply your icons is to use third-party launchers.They do not require root rights and work on all Xiaomi devices, including: POCO And Black Shark, let's look at two popular options:

Nova Launcher (recommended for beginners)

This launcher supports icon packs and manual icon replacement.

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Press your finger on your desktop → “Nova Settings” → “Look” → “Icon Style”.
3. Select "Bag of icons" → "Other" and specify the folder with your icons (they should be called the same as application packages, for example com.android.contacts.png for "Contacts").
4. Apply the changes and restart the launcher.

Hyperion Launcher (for advanced)

Hyperion allows you to customize the animation of icons and their shape.

• 🔹 Support for.svg icons (vector graphics without loss of quality).
• 🔹 Setting up "Icon Shape" (rounding corners, trimming).
• 🔹 Integration with KWGT for dynamic icons (e.g. displaying unread messages).

To apply icons in Hyperion:

1. Go to Hyperion Settings" → "Icons".
2. Activate the Custom Icon Pack option and specify the path to the folder.
3. Turn on "Adaptive Icons" if you want the system to automatically adjust the form to the theme.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Launchers may conflict with the system shell MIUI, Check compatibility on forums before installing. 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

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Launchers are the safest way to customize, but they consume additional RAM (up to 100-150 MB).

5. Manual change of system icons (for experienced)

If you are willing to go further and replace the system-level icons, root rights or access through the system will be required. ADB. This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader (e.g. Xiaomi). 12T Global firmware. Dynamic models. RAM Expansion (e.g, POCO F4) Manual replacement can lead to failures in multitasking – create a backup boot.img beforehand.

Steps to replace through ADB:

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 pm list packages -f | grep "mipay\|This will show the way to system APK, icon-house.
3. Download. APK-file (e.g. com.android.mms for messages) using: adb pull /system/priv-app/Mms/Mms.apk
4. Uncivilize. APK using APKTool, replace the icons in the folder res/drawable and gather APK freshly.
5. Install the modified one. APK: adb install -r Mms_mod.apk

An alternative is to use a Magisk module called "Iconify," which allows you to replace icons without manual editing. APK, requires:

• 🔧 Installed by Magisk (instruction: official guide).
• 🔧 Module “Iconify for MIUI" (available in the Magisk repository).
• 🔧 Knowledge of fastboot commands for recovery in case of failure.

6. Optimization of icons for MIUI: design-board

Even perfectly painted icons can look ridiculous on the MIUI, If you don't take into account the features of the shell, here are the key recommendations:

• 🎨 Consistency with theme: If you use "Super Wallpapers" (dynamic wallpaper), choose icons with translucent elements so that they do not "sink" against a bright background.
• 🔍 Contrast: On AMOLED-On screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) dark icons on a black background will be invisible – add a trim or light shadow.
• 📐 Icon grid: In MIUI grid-based 5×6. If the icons look compressed, change the grid in the launcher settings to 4×5.
• 🔄 Adaptability: Icons should look good in both light and dark. Use the Android Studio tool to check (Tools) → Layout Inspector).

To check the display of icons on different Xiaomi devices, use an emulator MIUI Android Studio:

1. Download the image MIUI for emulator from en.miui.com.
2. In Android Studio, create a virtual device with the resolution of your smartphone screen (for example, 1080×2400 for POCO X5).
3. Upload your icons to the emulator and check their display when changing themes.

If the icons look pixelated, increase their resolution to 256×256 px and export with the "High Quality" setting in the graphics editor. For animated icons (.gif or.apng format) use no more than 10 personnel - otherwise they will slow down when scrolling the desktop.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with accurate follow-up, it can be difficult, and let's look at the typical mistakes and how to fix them:

If after replacing the icons, the device began to slow down, check the memory consumption:

1. Open the Settings. → Battery and productivity → Use of memory.
2. Find the launcher in the list and see how much it consumes (the norm is up to 200 MB).
3. If memory is overloaded, turn off animations in the launcher settings or return to standard. MIUI Launcher.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable (e.g. Redmi Note 12) manually replacing system icons can result in Google Play Protect being blocked.Before experimenting, disable checking in Settings → Google → Security → Play Protect.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions