Xiaomi smartphones are famous not only for their affordable price, but also for the extensive personalization capabilities that the MIUI (or HyperOS) shell provides. One of the most popular features among users is the ability to completely change the visual style of the interface, from wallpaper to the shape of application icons. A standard set of graphic elements can seem boring, so many owners of Redmi and POCO devices are looking to find a way to implement a fresh design. This process does not require superuser rights or complex technical manipulations, if you know the correct algorithm of actions.
The main tool for changing the look is the built-in Themes app, which is preinstalled on every device of the brand. It is through this directory that new graphics packages are downloaded and activated, including wallpaper, sounds, fonts and, most importantly, icon sets. It is important to understand that changing icons on Xiaomi devices is not just replacing a picture on the desktop, but applying a system style that can affect even the elements of the notification curtain and settings menu. The depth of integration depends on the quality of the chosen the the theme and the version of the operating system.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to change graphic design, paying special attention to the nuances of working with an official theme store, and also consider methods for solving common problems when icons are not used or displayed incorrectly. You will learn how to find quality author’s works, how the use of a theme for the whole system differs from installing only a package of icons, and what hidden customization opportunities exist that are not talked about in standard manuals.
Use of the built-in Themes application
The easiest and safest way to change the look of your smartphone is to use a standard tool developed by Xiaomi engineers. Themes app has access to system files, which allows you to apply changes instantly and with minimal risk of errors. To start work, you need to open the application on the home screen or find it in the Tools folder. If you use the global version of the firmware, the interface can be in Russian, but the content directory is often tied to the selected region.
At the bottom of the screen, there's a navigation bar where we're interested in the Profile tab, which is where the key personalization settings are hidden. When you click on this section, you'll see a list of categories: Topics, Wallpaper, Ringtones, and of course, Icons. Choosing the Icons section will open up a gallery of available icon sets that can be used separately from the rest of the the theme, which is convenient if you're comfortable with the current wallpaper and sounds, but want to refresh the view of the desktop.
⚠️ Note: When changing region in your phone settings, the list of available themes and icons can change dramatically. If you can't find the right theme, try temporarily changing region in the Settings menu. → Additional settings → Region to India or Indonesia, where the catalogue is often richer.
The installation process is as follows: you select the set you like, click Download, and after downloading, "Apply." The system automatically replaces the standard icons with new ones. However, it is worth considering that not all applications support third-party icons. For programs that are not included in the list covered by the topic, the system may leave a standard image or use a stub. In such cases, you may need to manually configure or use third-party launchers, which will be discussed below.
📊 What kind of icon change do you prefer?
Official MIUI themes
Third-party launchers
Hand-held APK replacement
Icons don't change.
Search and install third-party themes
The official catalogue of themes is huge, but it often happens that popular designs are paid or require viewing ads to activate. In addition, many users are looking for specific styles, such as iOS or pure Android, which are not always easy to find through standard search. In this case, third-party resources and forums come to the rescue, where enthusiasts post modified themes with the.mtz extension. Installing such files requires a little more attention, but opens up to exclusive content.
To install a third-party theme, you first need to download the.mtz file from a reliable source. Once the file is uploaded to the device memory, it must be opened. The system will suggest selecting an application to open this type of file - choose "Themes." If you do not automatically start, you can use the built-in file manager. In some cases, especially on newer versions of HyperOS, you may need to pre-activate the theme developer mode, although the basic functions usually work without it.
- 🔍 Tag Search: Use keywords like “iOS style”, “Minimal”, “Neon” to quickly find the desired design in the directory.
- 📥 Version Check: Make sure the theme is compatible with your Android version and MIUI, avoiding display bugs.
- 🎨 Preview: Always check out other users’ screenshots and reviews before downloading to evaluate the quality of the drawing.
Themes created for the Chinese firmware (CN ROM) may not be displayed correctly on the Global ROM because of differences in system file structure, which may result in icons being used, widgets or control panels remaining standard, or visual artifacts appearing, the themes labeled "Global" or created specifically for your smartphone model are most stable.
What to do if the topic is not applied?
If nothing happens after clicking the "Apply" button or if an error occurs, try clearing the cache of the "Themes" application. → Annexes → All applications → Topics → Memory. → Clear the cache. It also helps to reboot the device before you try again, and the typeface and element size settings, and the visual perception of icons depends on the fonts and the size of the interface elements. Even the most beautiful theme can look bad if you choose an unreadable font or if the size of the icons is wrong. MIUI And HyperOS has flexible customizations that allow you to customize the interface to your preferences. Changing the font affects the signatures under the icons, which is an important part of the overall style. To change the font, go to the Topics app and select the Profile tab, then click on Fonts». There's a catalog of free and paid fonts available here, and once you download a new font, it's applied to the whole system, and some fonts are larger or more specific, which may require additional text size adjustments in the basic display settings, and this is especially true for people with low vision or those who prefer a minimalist style with fine text. Parameter Where to set Influence on icons Font size Settings → Screen. → Text Size Changes the size of signatures under icons Size of Settings elements → Screen. → Element size Increases or decreases the icons themselves Fat text Settings → Screen. → Fat text Makes captions more contrasting Dark theme Settings → Screen. → Dark Theme Changes the Background of Folders and Application Menus In addition, the screen settings have the option “Element Size” (or “Scaling”), which allows you to globally increase or decrease all objects on the desktop, including icons. This is a useful feature if the standard icon size seems too small or, conversely, takes up too much space. By combining theme, font and zoom, you can achieve a unique look that will differ from the standard image of Xiaomi. If the built-in features of the system do not suit you, or you want to get functionality that is not available in the standard shell, an excellent solution will be the installation of a third-party launcher. A launcher is an app that completely replaces the desktop, control panel, and often app menus. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, or Smart Launcher provide unprecedented customization capabilities. The main advantage of third-party launchers is the ability to fine-tune each icon individually, you can change the size, shape, add shadows, change the number of rows and columns on the desktop. Moreover, many launchers allow you to create your own icon sets by selecting an image from the gallery for any particular application, giving you complete creative freedom that you wouldn't have with standard themes. MIUI. However, this method has its own nuances: a third-party launcher can consume more battery life than a system one, especially if it has a lot of animations, and conflicts with navigation gestures or the operation of Xiaomi’s smart home can also arise. Before installation, it is recommended to carefully study the permission settings and make sure that the launcher is given all the necessary rights for stable operation.In some cases, the system can aggressively close the background process of the launcher, which will require setting up the autorun. ☑️ Launcher selection Check compatibility with Android version: Check availability of advertising in free version:Assess battery impact:Read the latest reviews in Play Market: 0 / 1 Solving icon display problems In the process of customization, users often face technical problems. The most common of these is when, after applying the theme, some app icons remain standard or become white squares. This is because the theme writer didn't draw the icon for a particular application, and the system doesn't know which plug to replace it. There are several ways to solve this problem. The first way is to use the theme editor feature (if available in your version) or third-party apps to create icons. The second, simpler method is to manually replace it through the launcher settings if you use a third-party desktop. In the standard shell, you can try to clean up the cache of the Xiaomi application, which sometimes helps to reset the application, or reset the standard. ⚠️ Note: Do not install themes from unknown developers with suspiciously high ratings and low downloads. Such files may contain malicious code or ad modules that will show ads even outside of the application. Users also often complain that icons “float” or change size after the system update, which is due to the fact that new versions of Android or other devices are not available. MIUI change API In this case, the only solution is to wait for the theme update from the author or look for an alternative that is compatible with the new version of the software. Regularly updating the Themes app through the Play Market store or GetApps also helps to avoid many compatibility errors. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you install iOS icons on Xiaomi without a computer? Yes, it's possible. In the Themes app, you just search for "iOS 16" or "iOS 17" in your search". There are many themes that completely copy the iPhone style, including the control center and fonts. Just download your favorite theme and click "Apply." Why did the icons disappear after the theme change? This is a feature of some minimalist themes where the designer intentionally removed the signatures for the purity of the interface. To return the application names, you need to either change the the theme to another one, or, if the launcher allows, turn on the display of the signatures in the desktop settings. Does the change of icons affect the speed of the smartphone? Go to the Themes app, go to profile, select Themes or Icons, find a theme called Classic, Defult or Standard (usually the first one on my download list) and apply it. This will restore the factory look of the system. 💡Customization of the interface is a safe process if you use proven sources of themes. Experiment with styles to make using a smartphone as comfortable and pleasant as possible for the eyes.