How to make app icons round on Xiaomi: full instruction

The visual interface of a smartphone is as important as the hardware, making the user feel comfortable interacting with the device on a daily basis. The MIUI shell and Xiaomi’s new HyperOS offer a lot of customization, but sometimes the standard settings are hidden from the eyes of the average user or changed with the release of updates. Changing the shape of the icons is the first step to personalization, which instantly transforms the appearance of the desktop.

Many device owners face a situation where, after updating the system or changing the theme, all icons become square or retain the original shape given by application developers. This can disrupt the overall harmony of the design, especially if you use soft-line wallpaper or specific widgets. Fortunately, the Chinese giant’s engineers have provided a flexible graphics management mechanism that allows you to switch between different styles without the need for root rights.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways you can change the geometry of your icons, from standard settings menus to advanced methods through the theme store. You will learn to bypass the limitations of some launchers and understand why in certain situations the system ignores your preferences. We will also look at the nuances of working with different versions of the Android operating system, since graphics rendering algorithms can differ significantly.

Standard design settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The easiest and safest way to change the look of interface elements is in the system settings, which are available out of the box. In the latest versions of shells, developers have brought control of the shape of icons in a separate menu so that users do not have to search for this feature in the wilds of additional options. To access these settings, you need to go to the Settings section, then select Wallpaper and personalization (or simply Themes in older versions).

Once you log into the personalization menu, you should look at the bottom bar or the top menu, where the Makeup or Profile tab is often located. This is where the switch that is responsible for the geometry of all the icons at once is located. Depending on the firmware version, this control can be called "Badge Shape", "System Style" or "Global Theme." If you switch the slider, you will see the instant application of the changes to all the shortcuts on the desktop.

⚠️ Note: If the icon shape switch is inactive (gray), it means that the active theme does not support the system changing this setting, in which case you must first change the theme to a standard or another that supports dynamic change of shape.

It's worth noting that HyperOS has made the algorithm more intelligent: it can automatically customize icons to the style of the widgets and wallpapers you select if Smart Recommendations are enabled. However, manual controls are better for full control. If you want to return everything as it was, just select the default or original option, which will restore the native look of all applications.

Using the “Themes” application for customization

Themes is the central hub for managing the visual style of your Xiaomi.This is where thousands of off-the-shelf solutions are stored that can dramatically change the look of a smartphone. To make icons round through this app, you don’t have to download the heavy themes entirely; often just change a set of icons. Open the Themes app and go to the Profile section (the person icon at the bottom right).

In your profile, find My Themes and select a standard Classic or Default theme. After you use it, click the Setup button (or gear) if it is available for the selected theme. In the settings menu, you will see the Icon option where you can select a preset set of round icons or download new ones from the directory. This method is good because it allows you to combine system wallpapers with third-party graphics sets.

An alternative approach is to search for specialized themes: type in the search for the theme store the search for "Round Icons" or "Circle Icons." Once you download this theme, apply it, but in the application menu select only "Bads", leaving the wallpaper and lock screen unchanged, this will save your favorite picture in the background, but change the geometry of the application shortcuts.

Setup through third-party launchers

If MIUI's built-in capabilities seem limited, third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, or Microsoft Launcher will come to the rescue. These apps completely replace the desktop and provide unprecedented control over every pixel of the screen. Once you install the launcher from Google Play and assign it to the default default, you get access to advanced look and feel settings.

Most advanced launchers have an Icon Style or Appearance section, where you can find the Icon Shape option where you can select Circle, and many launchers allow you to manually adjust the angles to round, creating a perfect squircle or perfect circle, which gives you flexibility that is not available in the standard shell.

However, using third-party launchers on Xiaomi has its own peculiarities: the system can aggressively unload them from memory, which leads to reset animations or temporary appearance of standard icons. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings and allow the launcher to work in the background without restrictions, and you may also need to manually allow display on top of other windows.

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For maximum smoothness of the third-party launcher, turn off animations in developer mode or set their value to 0.5x, which compensates for the possible load on the processor when drawing heavy icons.

Compatibility issues and icon adaptation

Despite the wide range of features, users often find that after applying a round theme, some icons remain square or have white corners. This is due to the fact that not all application developers provide adaptive icons for Android. If an application is created long ago or the developer did not follow the Material Design guidelines, the system is forced to display it in its original format.

To solve this problem, the Xiaomi theme store has an adaptation feature. When applying a theme, the system can suggest "creating" missing icons by cropping the original on a circle mask. The quality of such icons can be cooked modules: the logo can be cropped unsuccessfully, or important details will be outside the visible area, in which case it is better to find an alternative set of icons where these applications are already hand-drawn.

Also worth considering is screen resolution and pixel density (DPI). On low-resolution screens, complex round icons may look blurry or have a ladder around the edges. In the developer settings, you can try changing the minimum width (Smallest width) to optimize the display of graphics, but you should do this carefully so as not to knock down the layout of the system interface.

Comparison of methods of changing the shape of icons

The right method depends on your goals: whether you want to just refresh the look a little or are ready for a deep overhaul of the interface. Each of the methods examined has its advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered before making changes. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the best solution for your smartphone model.

The system settings are the most stable and do not affect the autonomy of the device. Theme store allows you to quickly change the mood of the smartphone, but can contain advertising or require subscriptions. Third-party launchers give complete freedom, but can conflict with the gestures of the MIUI, requiring additional navigation adjustment.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party launchers on new versions of Android (12/13/14) You may have delays when you unlock the screen or swipe back gestures. Be prepared to fine-tune your sensitivity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The optimal balance between stability and appearance is the use of a standard theme with the forced inclusion of round icon shapes through the system menu "Wallpaper and personalization".