How to make Xiaomi interface similar to iOS 14: from launcher to widgets

Why Xiaomi users want an interface like iOS 14?

iOS interface 14 It has become a benchmark of minimalism and functionality for many Android users. Its key features β€” widgets on the home screen, neat docking panel and smooth animations β€” still remain relevant, despite the release of new versions. 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 or Mi flagships 11/12/13) They often look for ways to bring this style to their devices.

The reasons for the popularity of such tuning are obvious: first of all, MIUI (Xiaomi's firmware sometimes seems overloaded with unnecessary elements, and secondly, iOS style is associated with premium, but it's important to understand that full imitation is impossible without root rights, but with launchers, themes and widgets you can achieve visual similarity by 80-90%. In this article, proven ways to transform the interface without losing functionality.

Before you start, consider that some methods require the installation of third-party applications, which can affect the autonomy and performance of the device. Also, not all iOS chips (such as the App Library or Back Tap) can be played on Android out of the box.

Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before installing themes

Before installing launchers and icon packs, prepare the device to avoid lags and conflicts:

  • πŸ“± Update. MIUI Check the latest stable version. β†’ The phone. β†’ System update: Outdated firmware may not support modern launchers.
  • 🧹 Clear the cache. Go to Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ App management, select Google Play Services and Lawnchair/ Nova Launcher (if already installed), click "Clear Cache".
  • πŸ”‹ Charge your phone at least 50%. Installing themes and widgets in the background consumes charge.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Turn off optimization. MIUI for launcher. In the application settings (Settings) β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Choice of launcher β†’ Battery) select "No restrictions".

If you plan to use it KWGT For widgets or Tasker for automation, check compatibility with your Xiaomi model in advance. POCO F3 s MIUI 14 may have problems with displaying widgets on a locked screen.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (e.g. Lawnchair 12) require the Unknown Sources option to be included in Settings β†’ Privacy β†’ Special permits, installation APK From third-party sites may not be secure – download files only from trusted resources (APKMirror, XDA Developers).

πŸ“Š Which launcher do you prefer for Xiaomi?
Nova Launcher
Lawnchair
Hyperion
Other
I don't use it.

Launcher Choice: Which One Is Better to Simulate iOS 14?

The launcher is the basis for the interface transformation. The following options will suit the simulation of iOS 14:

LauncherPlusesConsCompatibility with MIUI
Lawnchair 12Support for widgets on the main screen, smooth animations, customization of gesturesNo built-in iOS theme, requires manual customizationβœ… Excellent, including MIUI 14)
Nova LauncherFlexible customization of icons, support for Icon Pack StudioPremium version for some functionsβœ… Good (can brake on weak devices)
iOS 14 Launcher (from TechBigs)Ready-made iOS theme, dock panel like on iPhone, built-in wallpaperAdvertising, limited customization⚠️ Average (possible bugs for the MIUI 13+)
Hyperion LauncherSupport for dynamic wallpaper, adaptive iconsDifficult for beginnersβœ… Good (it works better on flagships)

For maximum similarity with iOS 14, we recommend a combination: Lawnchair 12 (free) + Icon Package iOS 14 Icon Pack + widget KWGT. This suite balances appearance and performance. If you want all-in-one, try iOS 14 Launcher, but be prepared for ads and restrictions.

After installing the launcher, remember to make it the main one. β†’ Home screen and select the app you want. MIUI This item may be called "Luncher by default".

Install Lawnchair 12 from Google Play|

Download the iOS 14 icon package (e.g., "iOS 14 Icon Pack by TechBigs")|

Disable adaptive icons in the launcher settings|

Set up a swipe gesture to open the app menu (like App Library) |

Install wallpaper in the style of iOS (download from Walli or Zedge)-->

Installation of icons and widgets: details that are important

Icons and widgets are 50% of the success of iOS 14. Here's how to set them up correctly:

Icons

Use the icon packs from Google Play:

  • 🎨 iOS 14 Icon Pack by TechBigs is the most popular option with support for most apps.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ iOS Glyphs – minimalist icons without background (as in new versions of iOS).
  • 🌈 CandyCons – color icons with depth effect.

To apply the icons:

  1. Install a pack of icons.
  2. Open the launcher settings (e.g. Lawnchair).
  3. Go to the "Icons" section and select the package installed.
  4. Turn on the option β€œAdaptive icons” (if necessary) or turn it off for exact iOS matching.

Widgets

Use for widgets KWGT (Kustom Widget Maker or UCCW. Ready-made iOS-style templates can be found on the Play Market or sites like Kustom Rocks:

  • πŸ“Š iOS 14 Widgets for KWGT β€” set of widgets for weather, battery, music.
  • πŸ•’ Clock iOS 14 - time widget with animation.
  • πŸ“± Minimal iOS – Minimal widgets for notes and calendar.

Important: widgets KWGT consume an additional battery, especially if updated in the background. disable auto-update to save charge (in the widget settings).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 12-14 widgets may not appear on a locked screen due to security policies. KWGT to the list "Autostart" (Settings) β†’ Privacy β†’ Special permits β†’ Auto-start).

How to install a widget from KWGT?
1. Download and install. KWGT Pro from Google Play. 2. Download the widget file (.kwt) from the Internet (for example, from the Kustom Rocks website). 3. Open up. KWGT, press on "+" β†’ "Download and select the downloaded file. 4. On the main screen, hold your finger in a free place. β†’ "Widgets" β†’ Find your widget in the list KWGT. 5. Stretching the widget to the desired size (in iOS) 14 widgets occupy 2Γ—2 or 4Γ—2 cell).

Setting up the dock panel and gestures: like in the iPhone

The dock panel (bottom panel with frequently used apps) in iOS 14 has a distinctive look: transparent background, rounded corners and up to 4 icons. To repeat this on Xiaomi:

  1. Open the launcher settings (Lawnchair/Nova).
  2. Find the "Doc" or "Applications Panel" section.
  3. Set the number of icons: 4-5 pieces (like in iOS).
  4. Enable the option of "Transparent background" or "Blurring" (if available).
  5. Turn off the hints and tags under the icons for a clean look.

For gestures:

  • πŸ‘† Swipe up – set to open the application menu (analogue of the App Library in iOS).
  • πŸ‘‡ Swipe down – assign to search or notification panel.
  • πŸ”„ Double tap – can be tied to a screen lock (like Back Tap in iOS).

On Xiaomi MIUI 13/14 Some gestures may conflict with system gestures, such as swiping from the bottom of the screen opens Control Center by default. To fix this, turn off system gestures in Settings. β†’ Additionally. β†’ Full screen gestures and use only launcher gestures.

πŸ’‘

If the dock panel looks too big, reduce its size in the launcher settings. Nova Launcher does this in the Dock section. β†’ Icon size" (set the value 80-90%).

Wallpaper, fonts and small details: finishing touches

Even with the right launcher and icons, the interface won’t look like iOS 14 without the appropriate wallpaper and fonts.

Wallpaper.

Download the wallpaper in the style of iOS 14 from the apps:

  • πŸŒ… Walli – a collection of wallpaper with a blurred effect (as in iOS).
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Zedge – Search for iOS 14 wallpaper".
  • πŸ“± Backdrops – minimalist wallpaper with gradients.

iOS 14 often uses blur and dark theme wallpapers. Set them through Settings β†’ Wallpaper or directly from the gallery app.

Fonts

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

  1. Download iFont from Google Play.
  2. In the app, look for the font San Francisco (or similar, for example, SF Pro).
  3. Click "Install" and follow the instructions (reboot will be required).

If the font does not apply, check if the System font option is included in Settings β†’ Screen. β†’ font.

Sound and animation

For full immersion, replace system sounds with iOS-style:

  • πŸ”” Download notification and blocking sounds from sites like Zedge (search for iOS 14 sounds").
  • 🎡 Set them up through Settings. β†’ Sounds and vibrations β†’ Notification sounds.

Animations can be configured in the launcher (Lawnchair supports smooth transitions, like in iOS). MIUI In Settings β†’ Special facilities β†’ Remove animations if they seem too harsh.

πŸ’‘

For a realistic effect, enable the β€œBlurring Background” option in the launcher settings when opening folders or menus – this simulates the behavior of iOS when multitasking.

Optimizing Performance: How to Avoid Lags

Simulating iOS 14 on Xiaomi could slow down your smartphone, especially if the device isn’t flagship (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3). Here's how to minimize the load:

  • ⚑ Turn off unnecessary widgets. KWGT They're updated in the background and they consume the battery, and leave only the most essentials (such as weather and time).
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Clean the launcher cache once a week. You can do this in Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ [Your launcher] β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the cache.
  • πŸ”„ Use lightweight icon packages. Some packages (like iOS 14 Icon Pack) weigh up to 50MB and contain thousands of icons. Uninstall those that are unnecessary through Icon Pack Studio.
  • πŸ“‰ Turn off animations. MIUI. Go to Settings. β†’ Special facilities β†’ Delete animations and select "Disable all animations".

If after installing the theme, the phone began to warm or discharge quickly, check the battery consumo in Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Use of the battery if the launcher or KWGT If you consume more than 10% of your charge, try alternative applications (e.g. Nova Launcher instead of Lawnchair).

⚠️ Note: On devices with 4GB of RAM or less (such as the Redmi Note 8), complex widgets can cause slowdowns. In this case, use static wallpaper instead of dynamic ones and discard animated icons.

Alternative methods: firmware and root rights

If you don't have enough surface imitation, you can go further, install custom firmware or get root rights, and these methods give you complete control over the interface, but they have risks:

MethodWhat givesRisks.Compatibility
Custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience)Complete Firmware Reflash with an iOS-like interface (via themes and launchers)Loss of warranty, risk of "bricking"βœ… Most Xiaomi (requires unlocking the bootloader)
Ruth-Right. + Substratum/AndromedaDeep customization of system icons and fontsSecurity breach, problems with banking applicationsβœ… All devices, but difficult for beginners
Topics for MIUI (via Themes Store)Ready-made themes in the style of iOS (without root rights)Limited customization, not all elements changeβœ… All devices on the MIUI

For custom firmware installation:

  1. Unlock the bootloader via fastboot (instructions for XDA Developers).
  2. Install TWRP Recovery.
  3. Sweep through the firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
  4. Install the launcher and themes on top of the new firmware.

Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data, and the wrong firmware can knock your phone out. If you're a beginner, it's best to limit yourself to launchers and themes without root rights.

What is Magisk and why is it needed?
Magisk is a tool for obtaining root rights without changing the systemless root.It allows: - Install modules for deep customization (for example, change system fonts or icons). - Hide the root from banking applications (via MagiskHide). Restore the original firmware if necessary, however, Magisk requires an unlocked bootloader and may conflict with updates. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up iOS 14 Xiaomi

Can I make the notifications look like they are on iOS?
Yes, but partially. For this: Install Notification Channels from Google Play. Select the iOS-style notification theme (e.g., "iOS 14 Notifications"). Set up transparency and fonts manually. MIUI (For example, low battery charge will remain unchanged.
Why are widgets not automatically updated?
The problem may be: Battery limitations KWGT (Check in the settings β†’ Privacy β†’ Special permits β†’ Autorun. No internet (weather widgets require connection) Mistakes in the widget template (try reinstallation) KWGT).
How to return the standard MIUI interface?
To roll back: Remove the current launcher and icon packs. go to Settings β†’ Home screen and select "Standard Launcher" MIUI". Reset wallpaper and fonts in Settings β†’ If you've been installing custom firmware, you'll need to reflash the original firmware. MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.
Will Apple Pay or other Apple services work?
No. Apple Pay, iMessage, FaceTime and other exclusive Apple services are not available on Android, even with a full interface simulation: πŸ’³ Google Pay instead of Apple Pay. πŸ’¬ Signal or Telegram instead of iMessage. πŸŽ₯ Google Duo instead of FaceTime.
Can Siri be used for Xiaomi?
No, Siri is an exclusive voice assistant from Apple that isn't ported to Android. However, you can: Use Google Assistant with a female voice setting (similar to Siri); install Siri Shortcuts (unofficial ports but with limited functionality); set up Bixby (if available for your model); or Alice from Yandex.