How to install other icons on Xiaomi smartphones: from themes to custom packs

Standard MIUI or HyperOS icons are boring, and you want something fresh? Replacing icons with Xiaomi is a simpler task than it seems: from ready-made themes in the brand store to manually install custom packs through ADB or third-party launchers. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, including nuances for different versions of firmware and models, from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

It is important to understand that not all methods are equally safe. For example, changing system files through ADB can cause failures if you do not follow the instructions. On the other hand, using themes from the MIUI Theme Store is the safest and most reversible option. We will describe each method in detail, specify the pros and cons, and also warn against typical errors.

If you're a beginner, start with the first two sections -- they don't require technical skills. For advanced users, we've prepared instructions for working with ADB and custom launchers. At the end of this article, we've got a list of proven sources for downloading icons that are definitely free of malware.

1.Use of themes from MIUI Theme Store

The easiest way to change icons is to install a finished theme from the official store, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12 and later firmware (including HyperOS), the advantage is that you do not need to root the device, all changes are reversible, and the themes are checked for compatibility.

To apply a new theme:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search box, type a query, such as "minimalist icons" or "dark icons."
• 🎨 Choose your favorite theme and click Apply. Icons, wallpapers and even fonts will change automatically.
• 🔄 If you don’t like the theme, return the standard one to My Themes → By default.

Note that some themes only change the icons of system applications (for example, Settings, Phone), and third-party programs (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) remain unchanged.

⚠️ Warning: In HyperOS (for Xiaomi 14, 13T, etc.), the Themes section may be called Styles or Design. The functionality remains the same, but the location of menu items may differ.

2. Install icons via MIUI Launcher (no root)

If you don’t like a full theme change and only want to change icons, use the built-in MIUI Launcher settings, which works on most Xiaomi devices without having to install additional programs. However, the choice of icons is limited – only those packs that are preloaded to the system are available.

Instructions:

1. Click on the empty space on your desktop and select Desktop Settings (or Screen Settings in HyperOS).
2. Go to the Icon Style section (in some versions – Application Icons).
3. Choose one of the available packs (for example, Round, Minimalistic or Colored).
4. Click Apply and wait for the desktop update.

If there are no interesting options in this menu, you can try to install additional icon packs through the Theme Store.

• 🔧 Open Themes → Icons.
• 📥 Download your favorite pack (e.g., "Pixel Icons" or "iOS Style").
• 🔄 Go back to the launcher settings and select the downloaded pack.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., POCO F5 or Redmi 12), the Icon Style section may be hidden. To activate it, update the MIUI Launcher via Google Play or the App Store (for global firmware versions).

Update. MIUI Launcher to the latest version|Download. 2-3 pack of icons from the Theme Store|Make a backup of the current desktop settings|Make sure that there is enough free space on the device (minimum) 200 MB)-->

3. Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Lawnchair)

If the built-in MIUI options don't suit you, the best way to do this is to install a third-party launcher.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher is a flexible setup of icons, gestures and animations. Supports.apk icon packs.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher is a lightweight launcher with support for custom icons and themes.
• 📱 Lawnchair is an open source launcher that mimics the Pixel Launcher, but with advanced options.

To change the icons through Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher (when you first start the system will prompt you to do this).
2. Download a pack of icons (such as Whicons, Delta or CandyCons) in.apk format.
3. Open the settings of Nova Launcher → Appearance → Style of icons.
4. Select the downloaded pack. If the icons have not been applied to some applications, use the option of Masking icons.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Supports thousands of custom icon packs.
• ✅ Ability to mix icons from different packs.
• ✅ Additional features: gestures, hiding applications, changing the desktop grid.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Some icon packs are paid.
• ❌ Launcher consumes additional RAM (especially Nova Launcher with animations).

4. Manually modifying icons via ADB (for advanced)

If you're ready to experiment, you can manually change your system application icons through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge. Risk: If you make a mistake, you can damage your system files, causing firmware to malfunction.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and drivers for Xiaomi.
• 📱 Smartphone with debugging enabled on USB (Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI → 7 times press to activate Developer Mode, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB).
• 📁 Pack icons in.png format with the correct names (e.g. com.android.contacts.png for contact icons).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and authorize debugging (on the phone screen will appear a request for confirmation).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and check the connection: Adb devices must display your device’s serial number.
3. Download system icons for backup: adb pull /system/app/ [path to PC]
4. Replace the icon files in your application folders (e.g. /system/priv-app/Contacts/) with your own, keeping the original names and permissions.
5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices, the path to system icons may be different. For example, for Xiaomi 14, the icons are stored in /product/overlay/. Make sure to back up the original files before replacing them!

💡

Before replacing icons with ADB, check their resolution. Standard icons in MIUI are 192×192 pixels in size. If you download icons of a different size, they can be displayed blurred or cropped.

5. Application of icons through Magisk and modules

If your Xiaomi has Magisk installed, you can use special modules to change icons. This method is suitable for power users, as it requires an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk. Advantage: the changes affect system files at a deep level, which allows you to change icons even for utility applications.

Popular modules for Magisk:

• 🔧 MiuiHome Mod — Modifies the MIUI Launcher by adding support for custom icons.
• 🎨 Iconify – allows you to replace icons through a graphical interface without manual file editing.
• 📦 XiaomiEU Customizer is a customization package for Xiaomi.eu firmware, including options for icons.

Instructions for installing the Iconify module:

1. Download the Iconify.zip module from the official Magisk repository.
2. Open the Magisk application → Modules → Install from storage.
3. Select the downloaded file and wait for the installation to be completed.
4. Reset the device.
5. After the reboot, open the Iconify app and select the icon pack to use.

Warnings:

• ❌ Not all modules are HyperOS compatible. Check your firmware support before installing.
• ❌ Some modules may conflict with system updates, and after the update MIUI, they will have to be reinstalled.

💡

Using Magisk to change icons is the most powerful method, but also the riskiest. Errors in installing modules can lead to a system "brick" (inoperability). Always back up through TWRP before experimenting!

6. Where to download quality icon packs?

Not all icon pack sources are safe, but we've put together proven sites where you can download icons without viruses or advertising software:

When downloading, pay attention to:

• 🔍 Icon resolution: optimally 192×192 or 256×256.
• 📌 Format:.mtz is suitable for MIUI Launcher,.apk is suitable for third-party launchers.
• 🛡️ Reviews: If a pack has a lot of negative comments about bugs or viruses, it’s best to drop it.

Example of quality packs:

• 🖼️ Whicons are minimalist white icons.
• 🎨 Delta are colored icons with shadows.
• 📱 CandyCons are round icons in the style of Material Design.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your icons to Xiaomi, users are faced with common mistakes, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Icons don’t change for third-party apps (like Instagram or VK).

Solution: Use a launcher with the function of Masking icons (for example, Nova Launcher). or install an icon pack that supports manual replacement through the menu "Change icon" (long click on the icon → Edit).

Problem 2: After replacing icons with ADB, some apps stopped opening.

Solution: Return the original icon files from the backup. If there is no copy, reset the launcher settings:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

Problem 3: HyperOS does not display the “Icon Style” section.

Solution: Update MIUI Launcher to the latest version via Google Play. If the partition never appears, use a third-party launcher.

Problem 4: Icons are displayed blurry or pixelated.

Solution: Check the resolution of the downloaded icons. For MIUI, 192×192 pixels are optimal. If the icons are smaller, they will stretch.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions