Modern Xiaomi smartphones have a powerful hardware and a thoughtful shell MIUI, but many users are still attracted to the visual conciseness and aesthetics of the iOS operating system. The desire to personalize the gadget often leads to finding ways to change the standard interface beyond recognition. If you are wondering how to make icons on Xiaomi, you have come to the right place, because this procedure is available to every owner of an Android device.
The transformation process doesn't require root rights or complex reflashing, but it's all about customization and customization and application installation that completely changes the visual style of the desktop, and it's a safe method that allows you to go back to the original design at any time if you get bored of the new style.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from built-in themes to third-party launchers, and learn how to replace not only app icons, but also widgets, control panel and even unlock animation, creating a complete illusion of using an iPhone.
Use of built-in themes in MIUI
The easiest and safest way to change the look of a system is to use the official Themes app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones. The company's catalog contains thousands of designs created by both Xiaomi designers and independent artists, many of which are exact copies of the iOS interface.
To find the right design, open the Themes app on your desktop. In the search bar, type in keywords: iOS, iPhone, Apple or Global. The system will offer a list of available options. Pay attention to the ranking and number of downloads: popular themes are usually better optimized and contain fewer bugs. After selecting a theme, click “Download” and then “Apply”.
⚠️ Note: Some themes may be paid or subscription-based, and free options sometimes include ads in the lock block, which you can turn off in the theme settings after you apply.
It's important to understand that embedded themes change not only icons, but also system fonts, notification sounds, and menu style. This is a complete solution for those who want to get the finished result without installing extra software. However, if the standard directory does not offer the desired option, you will have to resort to third-party tools.
Installation of third-party launchers
If the built-in MIUI isn’t satisfying, third-party launchers will come to the rescue. These are shell apps that completely replace the Android desktop. The most popular and stable solution for simulating iOS is the Launcher iOS 16/17 or similar from the developer Luong.
Download for installation APK-A launcher file from a trusted source, or find it in Google Play Market. Once installed, the system will request permission to use it as the default application. The launcher will automatically apply an Apple-style icon package and change the desktop structure by adding a distinctive bottom dock panel.
The advantage of launchers is that they are highly customized, and you can customize grid size, folder transparency, application folding animations, and control center behavior. Unlike standard themes, launchers often offer deeper integration with Android functionality while maintaining a competitor's visual style.
- 🍏 Launcher iOS 16 – the most accurate copy of the interface with working widgets.
- 🎨 C Launcher is a versatile tool with a huge number of themes, including iOS stylistics.
- ⚡ NOVA Launcher – requires manual icon customization, but gives full control over every pixel of the screen.
💡
After installing the launcher, go to the animation settings in the About Phone section and change the speed to 0.5x – this will make the transitions smoother, like on iOS.
Manual replacement of icons through labels
For users who want to replace only a few specific icons or use a launcher that does not automatically replace all icons, there is a method of manual adjustment. It takes longer, but allows you to achieve the perfect result for frequently used applications.
You’ll need a shortcut app like Shortcut Maker or X Icon Changer. Download the PNG package of iOS icons (you can find them on specialized sites like Flaticon or Icons8). Then open the replacement app, select the app from the list, and select the downloaded image as the new icon.
Once a shortcut is created, it will appear on the desktop, and you can hide the old icon by removing it from the home screen (but not by removing the app itself from memory), a technique that is especially relevant if you want to keep your native MIUI launcher but add a couple of Apple-like elements.
| Method | Difficulty | Impact on the system | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in themes | Low. | Minimum | Medium |
| Third-party launchers | Medium | Average. | Tall. |
| Hand-substituted | Tall. | Minimum | Maximum |
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
Set up widgets and control center
One of the most recognizable features of the iPhone is the large desktop widgets and the specific “Control Point.”Standard Android widgets look different, but this problem is easily solved with widget apps.
To implement widgets in the style of iOS, it is recommended to use Widgetsmith applications (analogues in the Play Market) or Top Widgets. These programs contain libraries of ready-made designs: calendars, watches, weather, batteries, which are visually indistinguishable from native Apple widgets. Once installed through the application, it is added to the desktop as a regular Android widget.
In the case of the control center (curtain), launchers often offer their own solutions. In the iOS launcher settings, you can activate the "Control Center" function, which will add a floating button or gesture to call the control panel with characteristic round switches, which creates the most complete sense of using iOS.
⚠️ Note: Third-party app widgets may consume more battery power as they constantly update the data on the screen. → Battery.
Keep in mind that widgets require screen space. In iOS, the widget grid is quite large, so on low-resolution or small-sized screens, the interface may look overloaded. It's optimal to use one or two large widgets to preserve aesthetics.
How to hide the original MIUI widgets?
Setting up the lock screen and fonts
The final touch in creating an image of the iPhone will be the setting of the lock screen, which is made more difficult on Xiaomi, since the MIUI protection system does not allow third-party applications to fully intercept the lock screen without special rights.
However, many Themes themes already include a modified lock screen. When applying the theme, note the preview: if it shows a screen with a large clock and a centered date, then the theme supports this feature. Once you apply the theme, the lock screen will change automatically.
Fonts play a key role in style recognition. Apple uses the San Francisco font. On Android, you can install similar fonts through the zFont 3 app or through the same Themes program in the Fonts section. Find a font called iOS or San Francisco and apply it. This will change the display of text in all menus and apps, making them more rounded and readable, like on an iPhone.
- 🔒 Lock screen – changes only through the use of complex themes.
- 🔤 Fonts – easily replaced through the store theme or zFont.
- 🔔 Notifications – Notification style changes in launcher or theme settings.
💡
The integrated application of theme, launcher and fonts gives 95% similarity to iOS, the rest is a matter of habit to Android logic.
Possible problems and solutions
In the process of deep customization, users may encounter a number of technical nuances, most often associated with aggressive battery optimization in MIUI, which can “kill” the processes of the launcher or widgets, which can cause icons to fly off, and widgets to stop updating.
To avoid this, you need to configure autostart and no battery limitations for all customization tools installed. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find your launcher (like iOS Launcher) and widget app. From the Energy Saving menu, select No Limits. Also enable autostart for these apps.
Another common problem is to desynchronize icons after updating the system or the launcher itself. If the icons are lost or become standard, try reusing the theme or resetting the launcher settings. In rare cases, you may need to reinstall the icon package.
⚠️ Warning: When installing launchers from unknown sources (not from Play Market), always check your files with antivirus. APK-Files may contain malicious code.
If the interface is unstable, artifacts appear, or the phone freezes when unlocked, try turning off animations in the launcher settings or going back to the standard MIUI theme for diagnosis. Often the problem lies in the conflict of Android versions and the old launcher.