How to change icons on Xiaomi Redmi: from standard themes to deep customization

Why Change Your Xiaomi Redmi Icons and What You Need to Know Before You Start

App icons are the first thing that catches your eye when unlocking a smartphone. The standard MIUI design is not popular with everyone: some people think it is too bright, some people think it is monotonous, and some just want to personalize the device to their own style. Fortunately, Xiaomi Redmi offers several ways to change the icons, from simple customization of theme to installing third-party launchers.

Before you make any changes, consider that not all methods are equally safe. For example, using custom launchers can increase battery consumption, and manually changing system files through ADB is fraught with failure. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including official and alternative, with an indication of the pros, cons and potential risks for each Redmi model (from Redmi Note 10 to Redmi K60).

If you're a beginner, start with standard themes -- that's the safest option, and for advanced users, launchers like Nova Launcher or Hyperion will work, and deep customization will require unlocking the bootloader. But more on that later.

Method 1: Using the built-in MIUI themes

The easiest way to change icons is to use the built-in MIUI theme gallery.This method does not require installing additional apps and works on all Xiaomi Redmi models (including Redmi 12/13 and POCO).

To apply a new theme:

1. Open Settings → Themes.
2. Select the Icons section (or the Full Themes if you want to change the design completely).
3. Scroll through the list of available themes. Free options are marked with a green FREE label.
4. Click on your favorite topic and select Apply.

Note that some themes only change icons, and others change fonts, wallpaper, animations, and if after applying the theme, your smartphone slows down, try returning the standard set or choosing a lighter theme.

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If the gallery has few options, update the Themes app via Google Play or clear its cache in the app settings.

• ✅ Pros: Fast, free, no superuser rights required.
• ❌ Cons: limited choice, some topics paid (from 50 to 300 rubles).
• ⚠️ Risks: Not unless you install themes from third-party sources.

Method 2: Installation of third-party launchers

If there are few built-in themes, you can install an alternative launcher.

• 📱 Nova Launcher – flexible customization of icons, gestures and animations.
• 🎨 Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for MIUI, supports dynamic wallpaper.
• ⚡ Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher.
• 🔧 Action Launcher – unique widgets and adaptive icons.

How to install the launcher:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. After installation, click Home and select a new launcher as your primary.
3. In the launcher settings, find the Icons or Themes section and download the icon pack (e.g. Whicons, Delta or Fluid).

Important: Some launchers (like Nova Launcher) require a paid version to unlock all the features (about 500 rubles), and note that third-party launchers can increase battery consumption by 5-15%, as they work on top of the standard shell.

Method 3: Manually modifying icons via ADB (for advanced)

If you want to completely replace system icons without a launcher, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for Xiaomi Redmi on MIUI 12-14, but requires unlocking the bootloader and superuser rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to unlock the developer menu).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: Adb devices to make sure the device is identified.
3. Download the icon pack in.apk format (for example, from the XDA Developers website).
4. Install the pack via the command: adb install name file.apk
5. Apply the theme through Settings → Themes.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause data loss or device blink. make a backup copy through Settings before you start. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 4: Using applications for customization

If launchers and ADB seem complicated, you can use specialized apps to change icons.

• 🎨 Icon Changer – allows you to replace icons one by one.
• 🔄 Icon Pack Studio – Creating your own icons.
• 📦 X Icon Changer – Support for icon packs without launcher.

How to work with Icon Changer:

1. Download the app and icon pack (like Minimal O or CandyCons).
2. Open the Icon Changer and select the app you want to change.
3. Click on the current icon and select a new one from the gallery or pack.
4. Save the changes.

The downside is that icons are only changed on the desktop, and the app menu remains standard, and some apps (like Icon Pack Studio) require a paid subscription to export the created icons.

Method 5: Castom firmware (for enthusiasts)

If you’re willing to go beyond just changing icons, you can install custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HavocOS) that will not only change the design of the system, but also get the latest Android updates.

Please note: Installation of custom firmware requires:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock Tool).
• 📥 Custom recaveri installations (TWRP).
• 🛠️ Fastboot skills and ADB.

The process of installing firmware is outside the scope of this article, but remember: it voids warranty and can cause permanent damage to the device if something is done wrong.The XDA Developers and 4PDA forums have detailed guides for specific Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ or Redmi K50).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Unlocking the bootloader can take up to 720 hours due to Mi Account security policy.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we will bring all the methods into one table:

For most users, launchers like Nova or Hyperion are the best option, offering maximum freedom without the risk of damaging the system, and if you want unique icons without unnecessary apps, try Icon Changer.

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Before any changes, check if the icon pack is compatible with your version of MIUI. Some themes only work on MIUI 14, and MIUI 12 may not display correctly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing icons to Xiaomi Redmi