How to turn Xiaomi into an iPhone: from icons to animations

Why Xiaomi users want an interface like on iPhone

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI offer a lot of options for customization, but many users like the minimalist design of iOS. Laconic icons, smooth animations, uniform menu design – these elements create a unique user experience that you want to transfer to an Android device. This is especially true for owners of Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 13T, where hardware power allows you to play iOS-like interface without lags.

In this article, we’ll break down three levels of transformation, from surface changes (images + wallpaper) to deep flashing with an iOS 17 simulation. It’s important to understand that a full copy is not possible due to the architectural differences between Android and iOS, but visually the difference can be minimized. We tested all methods on MIUI 14/15 – they work on both new and old models (starting with the Redmi Note 8 Pro).

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. You need a stable job. MIUI 12+.
• 🔋 Battery charge: not lower 50% — The subject setting may take 30-60 minute.
• 📥 Free space: minimum 1.5 GB for installing launchers and icon packages.

Method 1: Quick Transformation with Launchers (without root)

The easiest way to get the look of an iPhone is to install a dedicated launcher, and we recommend two options:

• 🔹 Lawnchair 2 (free, Google Play): Supports responsive icons, gestures and a dark theme. minus - no full iOS imitation.
• 🔹 iLauncher (paid, ~300₽, Official site: copies iOS 17 by 90%, including dock panel, folders and animations.

Step-by-step instructions for iLauncher:

1. Download APK from the official website (bypass third-party sources – there are often viruses).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).
3. Launch iLauncher and select the style of iOS 17 in the theme settings.
4. Click Set as default launcher (set by default).

Is the launcher installed by default?| Does navigation gestures work?|Do all app icons display?| Are there any lags when scrolling?

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⚠️ Note: iLauncher launchers can conflict with system gestures MIUI. If the back or home swipes stopped working after installation, turn off gestures in the launcher settings or return to the standard launcher via Settings. → Home screen.

Method 2: Deep customization with icon and font packages

The launcher only has 50 percent effect. You need to simulate the iPhone completely.

• 🎨 Icon Pack: iOS 17 Icon Pack (Play Market) or Borealis (for dark theme).
• 📝 Fonts: San Francisco (Apple font) – downloaded through Settings → Additionally. → Fonts.
• 🔄 Animations: Lottie for app MIUI (for smooth transitions like in iOS).

How to use icons:

1. Install an icon package from Google Play.
2. Open the launcher settings (iLauncher/Lawnchair) → Icon Pack → select the downloaded package.
3. For system applications (such as Settings or Phone), apply the icons manually: long tap on the icon → Edit → select a new icon.

For animations, use Lottie for MIUI:

1. Install the app from Google Play.


2. Select the animation "iOS-style" in the section "Transition Effects".




3. Activate the module in Settings → Additional → System animation.

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If some icons remain standard after applying the icons, use the Icon Changer (Play Market) app to force replacement.

Method 3: Rooting and complete flashing (for advanced)

For maximum similarity to the iPhone (including system menus, notification center and lock screen) you will need:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official tool of Xiaomi).
2. Install TWRP (Castom Recovery) for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Custom-based firmware ROM with an iOS theme, for example: 📱 iOS MIUI Theme (for Theme) MIUI 14/15) 📱 Project Elixir (AOSP iOS-enabled)

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets all the data on the phone! Also, it takes away the warranty (if the device is new). 13/14 The release of the series may take up to 720 hours (30 Days of waiting due to Xiaomi policy.

Step-by-step instructions for iOS MIUI Theme firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account tied to the phone).
2. Install TWRP for your model (for example, this version will work for Redmi Note 11).
3. Download the theme archive from miuithemes.cf (look for "iOS 17 MIUI").
4. Reboot to TWRP (Shutdown → Hold the Power. + Vol Up, make a backup (Backup) → Swipe to Back Up).
5. Please. ZIP-Theme file via Install → Select a file → Swipe to Confirm Flash.
6. Clear the cache (Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache + Cache) and reboot.

For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5) Always on Display for iOS:

1. Install AOD Mirror (Play Market)
2. Select the iPhone 14 Pro AOD style.
3. Activate the display of time and notifications: Settings → Screen → Always-on Display → Setup.

Sounds, vibrations and trifles for total immersion

The details create an effect! To make Xiaomi sound and feel like an iPhone:

• 🔊 Sounds: Install iOS Sounds for Android (Play Market) - the package includes lock sounds, notifications and keyboard. Apply sounds through Settings → Sound. → Notification sounds.
• 📳 Vibrations: Use Vibration Tuner (Play Market) to adjust the tactile response as in iPhone (short pulses). For keyboard, install Gboard and select the iOS Dark theme in your settings.
• ⚙️ System trivia: Disable "Mi-account" in the curtain: Settings → Notifications → System notifications → Mi-account → Install iOS Emoji (Play Market) for emojis like Apple's Messages.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Vibration-change applications may not work due to processor limitations. Check compatibility on the Play Market app page before installing.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Something Goes Wrong

When you transform Xiaomi into an iPhone, you may have problems. Here's how to solve them:

If after firmware custom theme phone does not turn on or stuck on the logo:

1. Download to Fastboot (Power + Vol Down).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash boot twrp.img (where twrp.img is your recovery file).
3. In TWRP, restore the backup (Restore) or flash the original firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the transformation of Xiaomi into iPhone