How to turn any Android smartphone into Xiaomi: a complete guide to MIUI-style

Xiaomiโ€™s MIUI interface has long been one of the most recognizable among Android users. Its signature features โ€” smooth animations, unique icons, advanced theme settings and built-in optimization tools โ€” attract even owners of devices of other brands. But what if you have a Samsung smartphone, Realme or Google Pixel, and you want the same โ€œshaomi styleโ€?

Fortunately, it is possible to achieve external and functional similarity with MIUI You can do it without buying a new phone. Some elements are available through side launchers and themes, others require a deeper setup. 7 And the proven ways, from simple cosmetic changes to complex interface transformation, are important. MIUI 14/15 You can play it on Android, but visually the result will be as close as possible.

Before you start, consider: some methods can slow down your smartphone (especially on weak devices) or conflict with branded shells (One UI, ColorOS, OxygenOS).

1.Installation of the official MIUI launcher

The most obvious way is to install a proprietary launcher from Xiaomi, which is available on Google Play under the name "MIUI Launcher" (developed by Xiaomi Inc.), which is suitable for most Android devices on version 7.0+ and does not require root rights.

After installation, you will receive:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Iconless interface (desktop applications like iOS)
  • ๐Ÿ” Branded search with quick access to contacts and applications
  • ๐ŸŽจ Support MIUI-(partially through additional modules)
  • โšก Transition animations similar to stock in MIUI 12/13

But there are nuances:

โš ๏ธ Note: Official launcher does not support navigation gestures from MIUI (For example, swipe up to call the app menus, and there may be no weather widgets or style notifications. MIUI, They are linked to Xiaomi system services.

For installation:

  1. Download MIUI Launcher from Google Play.
  2. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Default โ†’ Launcher and select MIUI Launcher.
  3. Restart the device to apply the changes.

๐Ÿ’ก

If after installing the launcher, application icons disappear, clear the launcher cache in the application settings.

2 MIUI style themes and icons

Even without a launcher, you can bring the look of your smartphone closer to MIUI with themes and icon packs.

  • ๐ŸŽญ Theme app (e.g. Hex Installer or Substratum for root devices)
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ MIUI-Mi 12 Icon Pack (Xiaomi) EU Icons)
  • ๐ŸŒˆ Color schemes (dark/light themes with an emphasis on blue or orange, as in the case of the MIUI 14)

Where to look for topics:

ResourceType of contentReference
Google PlayLauncher plug-insReference
XDA DevelopersFull firmware and modulesReference
Telegram channelsFree of charge MIUI-topicSearch for "MIUI themes"
Sites like MIUI-ThemesOfficial and custom themesReference

For the use of themes without root:

  1. Install a launcher with themes support (like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher).
  2. Download the icon pack (for example, Mi 12 Icon Pack).
  3. In the launcher settings, select Icons โ†’ Icons โ†’ Pack of icons โ†’ [Your Pack].
๐Ÿ“Š What's the element? MIUI You like it the most?
Badge design
Transition animations
Dark mode.
Dual annexes function
Control panel

3. Set up the notification panel and curtains

One of the key differences of MIUI is the notification panel with fast tile-style switches, which cannot be played entirely on Android stock, but you can zoom in:

Method 1: Control Panel for MIUI

  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ It installs a control panel similar to MIUI 12/13.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Supports customization of switches (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, etc.).
  • โš ๏ธ Requires permission to overlay (Settings) โ†’ Special facilities โ†’ Overlay).

Method 2: Manual change via System UI Tuner

  1. Activate System UI Tuner: Clip the gear in the notification curtain for 5 seconds.
  2. Go to Settings โ†’ System UI Tuner โ†’ Statusbar.
  3. Turn off the extra icons, add the percentage of battery charge (as in MIUI).

Critical detail: On Android 12+, some of the System UI Tuner settings can be blocked by the manufacturer (for example, on Samsung or Oppo), in which case only custom firmware will help.

4.Gestural and navigation like in MIUI

The MIUI signature gestures are:

  • ๐Ÿ‘† Swipe up to return to the desktop.
  • ๐Ÿ‘ˆ Swipe from left to right to call the app menu.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Double swipe on the bottom edge to switch between applications.

On Android, these gestures can be customized through:

  1. Fluid Navigation Gestures (requires ADB to unlock gestures)

For activation via ADB:

adb shell pm grant com.fb.fluid android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

Then, in the Fluid NG settings, select the preset "MIUI Style"**.

What to do if the gestures conflict with the system?
If swipes in apps (such as Instagram or TikTok) stop working after setting up gestures, turn off gestures for specific apps in the Fluid NG settings or reduce the trigger area on the sides of the screen.

5. Systemic sounds and vibrations

MIUI is famous for its unique notification sounds, vibration patterns and alarm clock melodies, and can be copied as follows:

Method 1: Installation MIUI-hand-wring

    Method 2: Appendix Zedge

    • ๐Ÿ”Š Zedge has a collection of tagged sounds "MIUI" or Xiaomi".
    • ๐Ÿ“ฅ Download only files in.ogg format or.mp3 compatiblely.

    For vibrations:

    • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Use the Vibration Patterns app to create patterns similar to those of the MIUI (For example, short double pulses for notifications).
    • ๐Ÿ”ง On some devices (such as Samsung), vibrations are adjusted through Settings. โ†’ Sound. โ†’ Vibration and tactile feedback.

    Download archive with sounds |Create Ringtones/Notifications folders on memory card |Reboot phone after copying files |Cert sounds in settings-->

    6. Additional chips: Dual apps, Super wallpaper, Game Turbo

    Some MIUI functions can be played using third-party applications:

    Dual Apps (Dual Apps)

    • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Appendix: Parallel Space, 2Accounts, Island (for root devices).
    • โš ๏ธ Some banking applications block work in the sandbox due to security policies.

    Super Wallpapers (Super Wallpapers)

    • ๐ŸŒŒ Download the live wallpaper. MIUI 12 Super Wallpapers from Official Source.
    • ๐Ÿ”„ Android 10 is required to work+ and support for live wallpaper.

    Game Turbo (Game Mode)

    • ๐ŸŽฎ Apps: Game Space, Game Launcher (from Samsung, but works on other devices).
    • โšก Functions: blocking notifications, performance optimization, screen recording.

    For advanced users:

    โš ๏ธ Note: Some Magisk modules (e.g. MIUIfy) promise full functionality integration MIUI, But they can cause bootloop on incompatible devices. TWRP.

    7. Complete MIUI firmware on non-Xiaomi devices (for experts)

    If you want a full MIUI with all the chips, you'll have to install custom firmware, which is only suitable for advanced users and requires:

    • ๐Ÿ”“ Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
    • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Established custom recaveri (TWRP Or OrangeFox).
    • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Compatible device (list of supported models see xiaomi.eu).

    Step-by-step:

    1. Download MIUI firmware for your model (for example, MIUI 14 for the Redmi Note 10 Pro can run on the Poco X3 Pro).
    2. Go to TWRP and make a full backup (Backup โ†’ Select All Partitions).
    3. Select ZIP through Install โ†’ Select ZIP.
    4. Clear the cache (Wipe) โ†’ Dalvik/ART Cache).
    5. Reboot (Reboot โ†’ System)

    Important: MIUI firmware on non-kind hardware can cause problems with the camera, sensors or mobile communications, for example, Samsung Exynos may not work fingerprint or NFC.

    ๐Ÿ’ก

    Custom MIUI on non-Xiaomi devices is always a compromise between functionality and stability. Before you run your firmware, check for feedback on a particular build on forums (e.g., 4PDA or XDA).

    FAQ: Frequent questions

    Can I install MIUI on my iPhone?
    No, MIUI is a shell for Android, and it's incompatible with iOS.The most you can do is set the icon theme through the Shortcuts app or use MIUI-style wallpaper.
    Why do widgets not work after installing MIUI Launcher?
    The proprietary MIUI widgets (weather, steps, notifications) are tied to Xiaomi system services. On other devices, they will not be updated. Instead, use analogues from Google Play (for example, Weather & Clock Widget).
    How to return stock launcher after experiments?
    Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Default โ†’ Launcher and select your deviceโ€™s standard launcher. If itโ€™s gone from the list, clear the current launcherโ€™s data or reinstall it.
    Will Google Pay work after custom MIUI firmware?
    If the firmware is not certified by Google (for example, the Chinese version of MIUI), Google Pay and other banking applications can be blocked, the solution is to flash GApps (Google service package) or use Magisk to mask root.
    Can I update MIUI on a non-Xiaomi phone?
    Custom updates MIUI It comes in the same way as the original devices โ€“ through Settings. โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Update the system, however, only manually (via TWRP), so OTA-Updates can lead to failures.