Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often aim to personalize their gadget, starting with a visual design.The standard set of graphic elements of the MIUI system or the new HyperOS can seem boring, so the question of how to install icons on Xiaomi remains one of the most popular among users. Fortunately, the shell provides flexible tools to change the appearance of the desktop without the need to obtain superuser rights.
The process of replacing standard app icons can range from simply selecting a ready-made set in the official store to deep customization through third-party launchers. It is important to understand that each method has its own characteristics for the performance and stability of the interface. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways so that you can safely and effectively change the appearance of your smartphone.
Official MIUI and HyperOS Theme Store
The easiest and safest way to change your visual style is to use the built-in Theme app, a system tool that is pre-installed on all the brand devices and fully optimized for shelling, and it's a collection of thousands of custom kits that include not only graphic elements, but also wallpaper, fonts and notification sounds.
To get started, launch the app and go to the Profile tab or click on the person icon in the lower right corner. In the menu that opens, select the Topic item, then use the search or categories to find the right style. Many users prefer to download (whole themes), but you can select the Icon option in the filter to change only the graphic elements, leaving your screen wallpaper.
- 🎨 Open the Topics app on the desktop.
- 🔍 Type in the search for "Minimal", "iOS" or "Neon" to search by style.
- ⬇️ Click Download button and then Apply.
- ✅ Confirm the action by selecting the "View the topic" or "Apply now" option".
⚠️ Note: Some themes in the official store may be paid or require viewing ads to activate.
After you use the kit, the system will automatically redraw the desktop. If the changes do not appear instantly, try to restart the device. The official store guarantees compatibility, so the risk of bugs or "broken" images here is minimal.
Installation of third-party icon packages via APK
If the built-in range is not enough, you can use third-party resources such as XiaomiTheme or specialized forums, this method allows you to install unique sets created by enthusiasts who have not been moderated in the official store.
To install, you will need to download the theme file and open it through the standard Theme app. However, newer versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS have introduced protection against installing third-party themes from unknown sources. To circumvent this limitation, you sometimes need to change the device region to India or Indonesia in the settings Additional → Region.
What to do if the topic is not set?
The installation process is as follows:
- Download the theme file from the verified resource.
- Find the file in the File Manager and click on it.
- The system will prompt you to open the file using the Themes application.
- Confirm the installation and apply the set.
Using third-party files carries certain risks. Incompatible themes can cause some applications to remain with standard icons or be displayed in black square. Always back up important data before experimenting with system files.
Using third-party launchers for full customization
The most flexible way to change the interface is to install a third-party launcher, applications like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher completely replace the standard shell, allowing you to install any set of icons from Google Play, which gives you maximum freedom of action, but can affect the operation of some system gestures.
Once you install the launcher from the app store, the system will request permission to use it as the default main screen. Agree with this action. Next, in the settings of the new launcher, you need to find the Style of the icon or Icon Pack section. In this section, you can select any set of graphic elements installed in the system.
- 📲 Download the selected launcher from the Play Market.
- 🚀 Launch the application and accept the rights to use the desktop.
- 🎨 Install your favorite icon package (such as Whicons or LineX).
- ⚙️ In the launcher settings, apply a new set.
It's worth noting that when you use a third-party launcher, you may lose some of the functionality associated with MIUI, such as specific one-hand gestures or some types of widgets, but for those who value visual uniqueness, this is often the best solution.
Manual replacement of icons through the theme editor
For advanced users, there is a method of manually replacing graphic elements through hidden functions or special editors, which takes longer, because you have to individually select the image for each application, most often using the long-click functionality on the icon.
In some versions of the shell, if you press the app icon long enough, an edit button (pencil or gear) appears on the menu. You can click on it and select an image from the gallery. However, this method does not work for all applications and often requires that a theme supporting such editing is already installed on the phone.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tham's shop | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| Third-party APKs | Medium | Medium | Tall. |
| Third-party launcher | Low. | Tall. | Maximum |
| Hand-substituted | Tall. | Low. | Maximum |
If you're going to make a manual modification, use PNG images with transparent backgrounds for the best result. The resolution of the images should be square, for example, 192×192 pixels, to avoid distortion.
⚠️ Warning: Manual replacement of system files without the appropriate tools can lead to a cyclic reboot.
Compatibility problems and ways to solve them
When installing custom designs, users often find that new icons do not apply to all applications, because theme developers do not always prescribe paths to all existing programs, and as a result, some icons remain standard, which violates visual harmony.
To fix this, you can use the Replace Icon feature in the desktop editing menu (if the launcher supports). There are also helper apps that automatically match standard icons with items from the installed set. Sometimes cleaning the the theme app cache through the Settings menu → Apps → All Apps → Themes → Memory → Clear helps.
☑️ Diagnostics of Icon Problems
In rare cases, the problem lies in the firmware version itself. Chinese firmware (CN) versions may have a different naming structure from the global (Global) system applications, which causes global themes to work incorrectly.
Optimization and Impact on Productivity
Many users are wondering if changing icons affects the speed of a smartphone. Replacing static images by itself does not consume much CPU resources. However, using live icons or heavy launchers with many animations can increase RAM consumption and battery power.
If you notice that the phone has become slower after installing a new theme, try turning off animations in the developer settings or returning to a lighter design, and make sure that the launcher’s background processes do not conflict with system optimization of MIUI.
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For maximum performance, use static PNG icon sets and avoid those with more widgets on the home screen.
Regular cache cleaning helps keep the system running fast when customization is actively used, and it is enough to check the storage once a month and delete unused theme files.
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The safest way to use official themes from the built-in store is to ensure that they are optimized for your version of MIUI/HyperOS.