How to install the iPhone theme on Xiaomi: from the selection of the launcher to the small details of the interface

Can Xiaomi be turned into an iPhone without risking the system?

Xiaomi owners often dream of a minimalist iOS design, but are afraid of losing functionality MIUI. The good news is that modern launchers and themes allow you to simulate the iPhone interface with almost no restrictions, from app icons to switch animations, while all native Xiaomi features (such as dual apps or Game Turbo mode) will remain in place.

It is important to understand the difference between the two approaches:

• 🎨 Design themes – change only the visual shell (images, wallpaper, fonts), but retain the logic MIUI. It is suitable for those who want minimal changes.
• 📱 Launchers completely replace the main screen, app menus and even gestures, give the maximum similarity to iOS, but can conflict with system services.

In this article, we will discuss both options - from installing ready-made themes from the Theme. MIUI We'll also talk about how to avoid the most common rookie mistake, which is losing performance due to incorrectly configured animations.

Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before installing the theme

Before you start the conversion, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for the change. By skipping this stage, you risk running into lags, sudden reboots, or even data loss.

Make a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup

Update MIUI Up to the latest version (check in Settings) → Updating the system)

Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Warehouse

Disable battery optimization for launchers (if you use them)

Make sure there is at least 2 GB of free space on your phone-->

Pay special attention to the battery optimization item. MIUI It aggressively closes the background, which can cause launchers to restart when they return to the home screen:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Select No Limits mode for the launcher app.
3. Enable AutoRun and Secondary Start for it.

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If the app icons are not displayed correctly after installing the theme, try restarting the phone in Safe Mode (click the power button). → "Restart Safe Mode") and then return to normal mode. This will reset the cache of system fonts and icons.

Method 1: Install a finished iOS theme from MIUI Themes

The easiest and safest method is to use official themes from the store. MIUI. They are tested for compatibility and do not require superuser rights. minus: the choice is limited, and some elements (for example, the notification panel) will remain in style. MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on the home screen).
2. In the search bar, type iOS, iPhone or Apple.
3. Choose your favorite theme (pay attention to the rating and number of downloads: 🍎 iOS 17 Style - imitation of the latest version with dynamic wallpaper. 📱 Minimal iOS – a simplified design with flat icons. 🔄 iOS Dark Mode is a dark theme with a focus on contrast.

Apply

If the topic does not apply, check:

• 🔄 Is firmware updated? MIUI Up to the latest version (old versions have bugs with icons display).
• 📱 Is a third-party launcher (themes) used? MIUI They only work with a standard launcher).
• 🔒 Are there any restrictions on the region (some themes are only available for Chinese firmware).

Method 2: Using launchers to fully simulate iOS

If you don't have enough themes, you can install a special launcher that will replace not only icons, but also:

• 📂 Main screen with support for widgets in the style of iOS.
• 🔍 Search for Spotlight (call swipe down).
• 📱 App menu with page division (like in App Library).
• ⚡ Animations of switching between applications.

The best launchers for Xiaomi in 2026:

| Launcher | Similarities to iOS | Cons | Reference |

|---------|---------------|--------|--------|

| iOS Launcher | 95% (including Control Center) | Paid features, advertising | [Play Market](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ioslauncher) |

| Lawnchair 12 | 80% (materialism + iOS elements) | There is no complete imitation of notifications | [GitHub](https://github.com/LawnchairLauncher/lawnchair) |

| X OS Launcher | 90% (gesture-support) | Closed source code | [APKMirror](https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/x-os-team/x-os-launcher/) |

| Neon Launcher | 75% (minimalism) | No iOS-style widgets | [Play Market](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neon.launcher) |

Launcher installation:

1. Download. APK-file from official source (avoid third-party sites!).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install the launcher and when you first start, select it as the default launcher.
4. Customize the look in the launcher menu (usually called by a long tap on the home screen).

iOS Launcher

Lawnchair

X OS Launcher

The other (I'll write in the comments)

I haven't tried it yet.-->

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as iOS Launcher) request permission for Special Access to be displayed on top of other applications.Do not grant this permission if the launcher is not downloaded from an official store - this can be used to display ads or collect data.

Customization of small parts: how to achieve maximum similarity

Even with the launcher, some elements will remain in style. MIUI. To fix this, you will need to manually adjust:

1. Replacement of fonts

The San Francisco font (used in iOS) can be installed via the iFont app:

1. Download the font SanFrancisco.ttf (available on sites like DaFont).
2. Import it to iFont and click Install.
3. Go to Settings → Screen → Font and select San Francisco.

2. Application icons

If the launcher did not replace all icons automatically, use the icon packages:

• 📦 iOS 17 Icon Pack (Play Market).
• 🎨 Borealis Icon Pack (paid but with a large selection).

Apply through launcher settings: Settings → Icons → Select a package.

3. Sounds and notifications

To replace system sounds with iOS-like:

1. Download the archive with iPhone sounds (for example, iOS_Sounds.zip).
2. Unpack the files in a folder. /sdcard/media/audio (Make it if you don't).
3. Go to Settings. → Sound. → Notification sounds and select new files.

4. Notification panel

This is the weakest point – even the best launchers can’t completely replace the panel. MIUI. Alternatives:

• 🔄 Use the iOS Control Center widget (installed as a separate app).
• 📱 Turn off the panel. MIUI through ADB (For the first time, adb shell settings put global hide_status_bar 1 Warning: This may disrupt some features (e.g. Always-on Display).

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To fully simulate iOS on Xiaomi, you’ll need a combination of launcher, icon package, fonts and widgets, and no tool gives 100% similarity out of the box.

Problem Solving: Why the topic is not working properly

If you have problems after installing a theme or launcher, check the following points:

1.The launcher is constantly restarting

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Battery optimization: add launcher to exceptions (see section "Preparation of smartphone").
• 📱 Conflict with MIUI: try to turn off MIUI Optimization through ADB: adb shell setprop persist.sys.miui_optimization 0 Reboot required.
• 🗑️ Memory Lack: Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Annexes.

2. icons are not displayed completely or blurred

This is a typical problem when you use icon packs.

• 🔄 Reinstall the icon package and apply it again.
• 📏 Check screen resolution: some packages are optimized for Full only HD+.
• 🎨 Use an alternative package (e.g. Whicons for white icons).

3.Gesturals don't work

If swipes are not recognized:

• 👆 Check the gesture settings in the launcher (usually in the Navigation section).
• 📱 Turn off system gestures MIUI In Settings → Screen. → Navigation buttons.
• ⚠️ Some gestures (such as swiping down for Control Center) may conflict with system gestures (such as swiping for Quick Ball).

⚠️ Note: If the face unlock stopped working after installing the launcher, return the standard launcher and re-register the face to Settings → Screen locking → Face recognition: Some launchers block camera access for system services.

Alternative methods: for experienced users

If you don’t like the launcher restrictions, you can go further – but it will take more time and possible risks.

1. Installation of custom firmware

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience allows you to use launchers without restrictions. MIUI. However:

• ⚠️ Requires unlocking the bootloader (will lead to a data reset).
• 🔧 You need to know how to work with fastboot and TWRP.
• 📱 Some features of Xiaomi, for example, IR Blaster may stop working.

2.Use of the Xposed Framework

Xposed modules allow you to change system elements without firmware. Popular modules for simulating iOS:

• 🔄 iOS Emoji – replaces the emoji style of Apple.
• 📱 iOS Status Bar – Changes the Appearance of the Status Panel.
• ⚡ iOS Animations – adds smooth transitions like in iOS.

Installation:

1. Unblock root access (for example, via Magisk).
2. Install Xposed Installer and activate the modules you need.
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Xposed modules may conflict with MIUI, Cause bootloop. Before you install, make a full backup through TWRP Make sure the module is compatible with your version of Android.

3. Manual editing of system files

For advanced users: you can manually replace system.apk files (for example, SystemUI.apk) It's highly customized, but it's not very customized:

• ⚠️ High risk of a breeze (turning the phone into a brick").
• 🔧 Required. ADB, root and knowledge of working with smali files.
• 📱 After updating MIUI all changes will reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing iOS themes on Xiaomi