How to remove the inscriptions under the icons on Xiaomi: all methods from simple to advanced

Signatures under the icons on the Xiaomi desktop are one of the most controversial features of the MIUI shell. On the one hand, they help you navigate applications faster, especially for beginners. On the other hand, they take up extra space on the screen, spoil the aesthetics and interfere with the use of themes with non-standard icons. If you want to return a minimalist look to the desktop, this guide will help you figure out how to remove text signatures on all Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models – from budget to flagship.

It's important to understand that the methods vary depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14, or 15), whether you have superuser rights (root), or even a particular model. We've collected all the current methods, from standard settings to hidden commands and modifications to system files. Below you'll find step-by-step instructions explaining what risks certain actions entail, and how to return everything if something goes wrong.

Why can’t Xiaomi just turn off signatures in the settings?

Unlike many other Android shells (such as Samsung’s One UI or Oppo’s ColorOS), MIUI does not provide a direct option to hide text under icons. This is due to Xiaomi’s design philosophy, which prioritizes simplicity of the interface for the mass user. However, the absence of a “Disable Signature” button does not mean that it is impossible – it just requires a little more effort.

The main reasons why Xiaomi does not add this feature are:

• 📱 UI Unification: The company is committed to uniformity across all devices, including budget models, where users may not be savvy about fine-tuning.
• 👶 Beginners’ orientation: Signatures help beginners find the right apps faster without having to remember icons.
• 🔄 Complexity of implementation: in MIUI Icon and signature themes are closely related to the system launcher, so separating them requires profound changes in the code.
• 📉 Minimum demand: Less than 5% of users want to remove signatures, according to Xiaomi statistics, so the feature is not considered a priority.

However, there are workarounds, from using third-party launchers to editing system files, and we’ll look at them all, starting with the most secure ones.

Method 1: Using a third-party launcher (the safest method)

The easiest and most versatile way to hide signatures is to install an alternative launcher from Google Play.This method works on any version of MIUI (including MIUI 15), does not require root rights and is completely reversible among the popular options:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – Supports signature hiding, flexible grid setting and gestures.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – optimized specifically for Xiaomi devices and saves branded chips MIUI.
• 🎨 Lawnchair is a minimalist open source launcher with support for adaptive icons.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – if you want to integrate with Microsoft services (e.g. OneDrive or Office).

Let’s look at the Nova Launcher (the most functional version):

1. Download and install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click the Home button and select Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
3. Press your finger on the free desktop space → select Settings.
4. Go to the Appearance and Style → Size of icons.
5. Activate Hide icon signatures (in some versions it may be called Disable app tags).
6. If necessary, adjust the size of the icons and grids in the same menu.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require root rights or unlock the bootloader.
• ✅ It works on all Xiaomi models, including POCO F5, Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13T others.
• ✅ You can return the standard launcher at any time.

⚠️ Note: Some system widgets (such as weather or calendar from Xiaomi) may not display correctly in third-party launchers. Check compatibility on forums before installing (such as, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

Backup your desktop (screenshot or export via MIUI)

Check the space available (minimum 100 MB)

Disable battery optimization for launcher (in MIUI settings)

Reboot the device after installation-->

Method 2: Edit theme settings (without root, but with limitations)

If you don’t want to install a third-party launcher, you can try to trick the system with theme editing.This method works on MIUI 12-14 and does not require root, but has limitations: signatures will disappear only for standard icons, and for some system applications (for example, Settings or Phone) can remain.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (usually preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices).
2. Go to the section My topics → Edit.
3. Select the current active theme and click Set up.
4. Find the Icons option (or App icons) and select the Icons package without text. For example: Minimalist Icons Pixel Icons Line Icons

Apply the changes and restart the device.

If the list does not have suitable themes, you can download them from the Xiaomi theme store:

1. In the Topics app, go to the Icons section.
2. Search for no text icons minimal icons transparent labels

Set up your favorite topic and apply it.

⚠️ Note: Some of the themes from Xiaomi store may contain ads or collect data. Check reviews and theme ratings before installing. Avoid those with less than 4 stars or few downloads.

Method 3: Disable signatures via ADB (for power users)

If you're not afraid to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can turn off signatures using the command line. This method does not require root, but requires connecting the device to a computer and enabling developer mode. The advantage of the method is that it works on MIUI 15 and does not require installing additional applications.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate: Debugging over USB Allow debugging (enable always)

Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).

ADB Tools

cmd

Terminal

adb devices

Make sure your device appears on the list (permission confirmation on your smartphone may be required).

adb shell settings put secure icon_label_background_enabled 0

Reset the device.

Once you run this command, the signatures will disappear, but they may come back after you update MIUI or reset your settings. To get it back, use the same command, replacing 0 with 1.

adb shell settings put secure miui_icon_label_background 0

This team works on some versions. MIUI 13 and 14.-->

Method 4: Edit system files (root only)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and you have Magisk installed (or another root rights manager), you can disable signatures by editing system files, which is the most reliable method, but also the riskiest one - wrong actions can lead to a bootloop.

You'll need:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader and root rights (e.g., via Magisk).
• 📱 File Manager with support for root (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
• 💾 Backup of the system (recommended to be done through TWRP Or OrangeFox).

Instructions:

1. Open the root file manager and go to /system/product/overlay/
2. Find the file MiuiSystemUIOverlay.apk (or similar, depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Open the file in a text editor (for example, via MT Manager or APK Editor).

Alternative method (for MIUI 14/15):

1. Open /system/build.prop file in the text editor.
2. Add a line to the end of the file: ro.miui.icon_label_background=0
3. Save the changes and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Editing system files can lead to unstable work MIUI, Before making changes, make sure you have an up-to-date backup and know how to restore the system through TWRP.

Method 5: Use Xposed/LSposed (for advanced users)

If you have the Xposed Framework or the Android 10+ alternative, LSposed, you can disable signatures with special modules, which requires root rights and experience with system modifications, but gives you maximum flexibility.

Required components:

• 🔧 LSposed (for MIUI 12-15 based on Android 10–14).
• 📦 Module MIUI Mods or GravityBox.
• 🔄 Backup of the system (required!).

Instructions:

1. Install LSposed via Magisk (a module available in the Magisk repository).
2. Download the MIUI Mods module from XDA Developers or Telegram channel.
3. Activate the module in LSposed and restart the device.
4. Open the MIUI Mods app and find the Hide icon labels option (or similar).
5. Turn it on and restart the device.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on the latest versions. MIUI.
• ✅ Allows you to fine-tune other interface elements.
• ✅ Changes are reversible (it is enough to disable the module).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires root and experience with Xposed.
• ❌ It may conflict with other modules.
• ❌ After updating MIUI Modules may stop working.

💡

If you use LSposed, check regularly for compatibility with your version of MIUI. Some modules may cause lags or errors in system applications.

What if none of the methods worked?

If you’ve tried all the methods but still have the signatures displayed, it’s possible that the problem lies in one of the following reasons:

If nothing works, there are two radical options:

1. Installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will completely change the interface, but will require unlocking the bootloader and losing warranty.
2. Contact Xiaomi Support: In rare cases, signatures may be part of a specific region's firmware (e.g., India or China) to see if you can reflash the device to another version.

Before taking drastic measures, weigh the pros and cons. For example, custom firmware often lacks Xiaomi branded chips, such as:

• 🔋 Optimized battery management.
• 📸 Camera functions (e.g, AI-The Super Night Mode).
• 🔊 Sound effects Dirac or Dolby Atmos.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing signatures on Xiaomi