Tired of the square angular icons on your Xiaomi Redmi and want to give your desktop a modern look with smooth round icons? This problem is familiar to many MIUI smartphone owners — Xiaomi’s standard launcher doesn’t offer flexible customizations of icon shapes, limiting itself to changing their size or style through themes. However, there are several working methods to get around this limitation, without having to get root rights or install custom firmware.
In this article, we will discuss 4 current ways to make icons round on Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Redmi 9/10/13 and other models running MIUI 12, 13 or 14. You will learn how to use hidden system settings, third-party launchers with customization support, as well as special themes and icon packages. All methods are tested on real devices and do not require deep technical knowledge - just follow the step-by-step instructions.
Before you start, consider that some of the ways may vary slightly depending on the MIUI version and the smartphone model. If you use a Redmi with a HyperOS shell (new 2026 models), some of the features may be moved or renamed.
1. Method: Hidden MIUI settings (without third-party applications)
Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden feature that changes the shape of icons that is not advertised in the standard menu, which works on most Xiaomi Redmi and POCO devices with shell version 12.5-14, but requires activation through developer mode.
Here's how to do it:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone, then click on MIUI Version 7 times. a notification will appear “You became a developer”.
- Go back to the main Settings menu, find a new Developer section (usually at the bottom of the list).
- Turn on the USB debugging switch and confirm the resolution.
- Now open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##6484##. This will open the MIUI Hidden Settings menu.
- In the Desktop section, look for the Icon Shape option and select Circle (or Squircle for semicircular icons).
- Restart the device so that the changes take effect.
⚠️ Note: Some firmware may reset hidden settings after the system update. If the icons return to square form, repeat steps 4-6.
2. Method: Using the Nova Launcher
If the hidden settings didn’t work or you want a more flexible setup, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. Nova Launcher is one of the most popular options among Xiaomi users, as it is compatible with MIUI, does not conflict with system processes and offers ample customization options, including the shape of icons.
Here’s how to set up round icons through Nova Launcher:
- 📥 Download and install Nova Launcher from Google Play (free version is quite functional).
- 🔧 After installation, click on the free space on the desktop → Settings → Icon style.
- 🎨 In the Form of icons, select Circle or Squircle (semi-circle).
- 🔄 Apply changes and restart the launcher (long press on the desktop) → Reset).
Nova Launcher also allows you to install icon packages from Google Play (such as Whicons, CandyCons or Delta), which are originally round-shaped.
- Download your favorite icon package (such as Whicons).
- In the Nova Launcher settings, go to Icon Style → Icon Package and select the set set set set set.
- Apply changes – all system icons will take on a new look.
Download APK from the official website (if there is no Google Play)
Backup of the current location of the icons
Disable battery optimization for launcher
Restart the phone after installation-->
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 11 Pro)+) When using Nova Launcher, you may have delays when opening icon folders.This is due to the Conflict with the miui.home system process.Solution: in Nova settings, turn off folder opening animation (Settings) → Animation. → Folder animation → No).
3. Method: Application of MIUI themes with round icons
Xiaomi offers its own solution to change the appearance of icons – MIUI themes. Some themes from the official catalog already include round or rounded icons, and their installation takes less than a minute.
How to find and apply the right topic:
- Open the Themes app (usually preinstalled on all Redmis).
- In the search bar, enter a query: round icons or round icons (in English, there are often more results).
- Look at the themes available. Look at the screenshots -- some themes only change wallpaper and fonts, but leave the icons square: 🌈 Roundify (completely round icons) + dark-themed) 🔵 Blue Round (Blue Accents) + rounded-angles) ⚫ Dark Circles (Dark Theme with Round Icons)
Apply
| Title of the topic | Type of icon | Compatibility | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roundify | Full circle | MIUI 12–14 | Changes icons, wallpaper and fonts |
| Blue Round | Rounded. | MIUI 13+ | Blue accents, light theme. |
| Dark Circles | Full circle | MIUI 12.5–14 | Dark mode, minimalism. |
| Squircle UI | Semi-circle (Squircle) | MIUI 14 | Support for HyperOS |
⚠️ Attention: In applying the topics MIUI Some system icons (like Settings or Phone) can remain square. This is a shell limitation - such icons are taken from system files and cannot be changed without root. Solution: use icon packages through Nova Launcher (method 2).
How to return standard icons?
4. Method: Manual replacement of icons via ADB (for advanced)
This method is suitable for those who are not afraid to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and are ready to dig a little into system files. It allows you to replace standard icons with round ones without the use of launchers, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (see method 1, steps 1-3).
- 📁 Package of round icons for MIUI (Download versions under your firmware!).
Instructions:
- Connect Redmi to your computer via USB and select File Transfer mode.
- Unpack the downloaded icon packet into a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MIUI_Round_Icons).
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and execute commands in order: adb devices (you should display your device) adb shell su mount -o rw, remount /system (if root requests, this method is not suitable - use other methods)
- Copy the icons into the system folder: adb push C:\MIUI_Round_Icons\ /system/media/theme/default/icon/
- Reboot the device: adb reboot
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you are not sure about your actions, use safer methods (1-3). MIUI all changes will reset.
💡
Before working with ADB, back up your important data via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will take 5-10 minutes, but save your contacts, messages and photos in the event of a crash.
Comparison of methods: which way to choose?
To make it easier for you to determine, we have collected the key pros and cons of each method in one table:
| Method | Difficulty | Need root? | Compatibility | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden MIUI settings | ⭐ | No. | MIUI 12–14 | May be reset after the update |
| Nova Launcher | ⭐⭐ | No. | All models. | Some system icons don’t change. |
| MIUI themes | ⭐ | No. | MIUI 12+ | Limited selection of round icons |
| ADB (manual replacement) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Partially. | MIUI 13–14 | System Failure Risk, Reset After Update |
For most Xiaomi Redmi users, we recommend starting with Nova Launcher (method 2) – the most reliable and flexible option that does not depend on the version of MIUI and does not require technical skills. If you need a quick solution without installing third-party applications, try MIUI themes (method 3). The hidden settings method (method 1) is suitable for those who do not want to install anything, but are ready for possible failures after updates. Manual editing through ADB (mod 4) should only be used if other options do not work and you are confident in your actions.
💡
Nova Launcher is the best choice for most users: it is free, compatible with all Redmi models and allows you not only to make the icons round, but also completely customize the desktop.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When changing the shape of the icons on Xiaomi Redmi, users often encounter typical errors, and we have collected the most common ones and ways to fix them:
- 🔄 Icons dropped after update MIUI: This is normal system behavior. If you've used hidden settings (method 1), repeat the steps after the update. For Nova Launcher, just re-apply the icon settings.
- ⚙️ Not all icons have become round: System icons (e.g. Settings, Camera) often remain square.Solution: use icon packs through Nova Launcher or replace them manually through ADB.
- ⚡ Nova launcher brakes: Turn off animations in Nova settings (Settings) → Animation. → No and add the app to the battery optimization exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Nova Launcher → No restrictions).
- 📱 Code ##6484## is not working: This code is disabled on some firmwares. Alternative: Use Activity Launcher to open hidden settings MIUI.
If none of the methods worked, check:
- 🔒 Availability of ad blockers (such as AdGuard) that can block the download of themes or icons.