How to make an iPhone theme on Xiaomi: from icons to animations

Xiaomi smartphone owners are often envious of the concise design of the iPhone - minimalist icons, smooth animations and convenient desktop organization. MIUI You can use iOS without root rights and complex manipulations. It's enough to choose the right tools and follow proven methods.

In this article, we will discuss three main ways: installing specialized launchers (for example, Lawnchair or iLauncher), manually replacing icons through theme packs, and fine-tuning system fonts and animations. MIUI (from 12 before 14) Xiaomi models – from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 13/14. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes, such as loss of functionality widgets. MIUI When using third-party launchers or conflict themes with system updates.

1. Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before changing the topic

Before you start transforming the interface, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for changes. Some settings may conflict with launchers or themes, so it’s important to follow the basic steps:

• 📱 Update. MIUI Check the latest stable version. → The phone. → System Update: Older versions may not support new launchers.
• 🔄 Back up your important data. Use Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset or third-party services like Google Drive.
• 🔓 Allow installation from unknown sources. APK-The way: Settings → Annexes → Special rights → Installation of unknown applications.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of system applications, especially Themes and Launcher.This will prevent glitches when applying new styles.

If you are using Xiaomi with a bootloader lock (e.g., global versions for Europe), note that some launchers may not work smoothly, in which case we recommend testing the changes on the secondary device first or creating a restore point through the new device. TWRP (If you have an unlocked boot loader).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI China (CN-version) may not have Google services, which will limit the functionality of some launchers.

Method 1: Launchers for iOS - rapid interface transformation

The easiest way to get the look of an iPhone is to install a dedicated launcher, which replaces the standard desktop. MIUI, We've tried out three of the most popular options, and we've tried out the markup, gestures and even animations of iOS:

To install, select the launcher in Google Play or download APK from a verified source (e.g. APKMirror) after installation:

1. Open the application and allow all the permissions requested (access to storage, overlay of windows, etc.).
2. In the launcher settings, select the iOS or iPhone Style theme (the name may differ).
3. Set up gestures: for example, swipe up to open the app menu (like in iOS) or swipe down for the notification bar.
4. Turn off the standard launcher MIUI: Go to Settings. → Annexes → By default. → Launcher and select the installed.

iLauncher offers additional chips like Control Center and AssistiveTouch to activate them, go to Launcher Settings. → Additionally. → System elements.

Download APK from an official website or a verified source|

Check compatibility with your Xiaomi Android version|

Backup your current desktop (screenshots or export settings)|

Disable battery optimization for launcher in settings MIUI-->

3. Method 2: Manual replacement of icons and those through MIUI Themes

If launchers seem too radical, you can transform the interface through a standard Theme app (MIUI Themes. This method retains all functions. MIUI, But it takes longer to set up. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the Topics app and go to the Profile section → My subjects.
2. In the search box, enter the queries: iOS 16 theme iPhone icons MIUI Minimal iOS

Apply

Settings → Display. → Icon style

iOS Glyphs

San Francisco Icons

An important point: many topics in MIUI Themes require a Mi Account subscription (especially premium options) if you don't want to pay, look for free alternatives or download.mtz themes from forums like the one you're looking for. XDA Developers and install them manually through the file manager.

⚠️ Attention: Using themes from unverified sources can lead to data loss or system failures.Always check hash files (MD5) Read reviews before installing.

For manual installation of themes:

1. Download the theme file with the.mtz extension.
2. Put it in a folder. MIUI/theme storage.
3. Open Topics → Profile → Import and select the downloaded file.

Method 3: Deep Customization – fonts, animations, sounds

To fully immerse yourself in the iPhone ecosystem, it's not enough to change icons -- you need to customize fonts, transition animations, even system sounds.

Fonts

The standard San Francisco font (used in iOS) can be installed on Xiaomi via the iFont app:

1. Download iFont from Google Play.
2. In the app, select the San Francisco font (available in the library).
3. Click Install and follow the instructions (permission to change system settings is required).

After installation, activate the font in Settings → Display. → font.

Animation.

For smooth transitions, like in iOS, use the Animations for module. MIUI (Magisk and root rights required. Alternative without root - Lawnchair launcher with settings:

Lawnchair Settings → Animations → Speed: 1.0x (like in iOS)


Type of animation: "Smooth attenuation"

Sounds.

Download the archive with iOS sounds (for example, iOS Sounds Pack) and unpack the files in a folder: /system/media/audio/notifications (root)

or

MIUI/sound

Icons and desktop|

Control Center (Control Center)|

Animations and transitions|

Fonts and sounds|

All of the above-->

5 Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Something Goes Wrong

When transforming the interface MIUI In iOS, users often face typical problems, and we've collected the most common ones and how to solve them:

If after using themes system sounds have disappeared or the screen resolution has changed, reset media settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration.
2. Press Reset sound settings.
3. Reset the device.

For devices with MIUI 14 and later may require the deactivation of the function MIUI Optimization (optimization) MIUI), It's a conflict with some launchers. ADB:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

After completing the command, restart the smartphone.

💡

If after changing the theme, navigation gestures stopped working, return the standard launcher, configure gestures in Settings → Display. → Navigation gestures, then activate the custom launcher again.

6.Optimize performance after changes

Customization of the interface can affect the speed of Xiaomi, especially if you use heavy launchers or animations. To avoid lags, follow these recommendations:

• ⚡ Turn off unnecessary animations in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times to activate the developer mode, then go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Animate windows/transitions and set the value 0.5x).
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly. Use the built-in security utility → Cleaning or annex SD Maid.
• 🔋 Eliminate the launcher from battery optimization. Go to Settings → Annexes → Battery management → Select applications and mark your launcher as Without Limitations.
• 📱 Use lighter alternatives. For example, instead of iLauncher, try Before Launcher, which consumes less resources.

If after the changes increased battery consumption, check the activity of the launcher in Settings → Battery → Battery use. Normal consumption, up to 5% per day. If it's higher, try it:

• Disable background activity of the launcher in the application settings.
• Reduce the frequency of updates to widgets (if any).
• Switch to static wallpaper instead of living.

💡

On devices with a Snapdragon processor 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 12/13) Launchers run smoother than budget chips (like Snapdragon). 480 Redmi Note 10). If your smartphone is slowing down, try lightweight themes or give up animations.

7. Alternative methods: from widgets to full firmware

If you don’t have enough superficial changes, consider more radical ways to:

iOS widgets

Install widgets that mimic the weather, calendar or music from iOS.

• iWidgets (for iWidgets) KWGT)
• Minimal iOS Clock
• Control Center iOS (for quick access to settings)

They will need to be installed. KWGT pro UCCW.

Firmware with pre-installed iOS style

Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience iOS Edition or iOS) MIUI ROM) They offer a ready-made interface for the iPhone:

• Unlocked bootloader.
• Installed TWRP.
• Backup of data (risk of loss of information!).

Only download the firmware from trusted sources, such as XDA Developers or official development groups in Telegram.

⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware will void the warranty on the device and may result in a lock IMEI If you're a beginner, you'd better limit yourself to launchers and themes.

Imitation of gestures iOS

The iOS-style navigation gestures can be configured through:

• Fluid Navigation Gestures (required) ADB).
• Built-in settings MIUI: Settings → Display. → Navigation gestures → Full-screen gestures (set up swipes like in iOS).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the transformation of Xiaomi under the iPhone