It’s natural to want to try Apple’s operating system without changing your Android smartphone. Many Xiaomi and Redmi users are looking for ways to redesign the MIUI or HyperOS shell to resemble iOS. Fortunately, the built-in features allow you to do this quickly and safely, without obtaining root rights.
The interface transformation process takes only a few minutes and does not require complex software, you do not need computers or special cables, all the work is done directly on the device, the main thing is to understand where to look for the right resources and how to correctly apply the design settings.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages: from choosing the right theme to fine-tuning fonts and widgets. You will learn how to make the lock screen as similar as possible to the iPhone and what nuances should be considered when installing third-party interface elements on the gadgets of the Chinese manufacturer.
Built-in personalization capabilities MIUI and HyperOS
The shells installed on Xiaomi smartphones have one of the most powerful thematic engines of all Android systems. Unlike many competitors, you do not need to install third-party launchers that can conflict with the system or consume an extra battery. Everything you need is already built into the system application Themes.
The basic functionality allows you to change not only wallpaper, but also all app icons, lock screen, notification sounds and even fonts, which gives you a huge amount of freedom for those who want to simulate the style of iOS.
To work properly, it is recommended to use a Mi Account with a region other than your current one (such as India or Indonesia) if your region is poor, allowing you to access thousands of user creations, including exact copies of Apple’s interface.
⚠️ Note: When you change your account region, some system applications may temporarily change the language or functionality, so after installing the theme, you can return the region back to the user.
Importantly, the depth of theme integration in MIUI allows you to replace system icons of settings, calls and messages, which is impossible on stock Android without deep intervention in the system.
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The built-in Themes app is the safest and most stable way to change the interface, without requiring superuser rights.
Finding and installing the right iOS theme
The first and most important step is to find a quality theme. There are thousands of them in the official GetThemes store, but finding a really good copy of iOS can be difficult because of the abundance of low-quality imitations. UI".
When choosing, pay attention to the rating and downloads. A good theme should have a rating above 4.5 stars. It is also worth checking the screenshots in the description: the author usually shows what the menu, control panel and lock screen look like.
- 🍏 Open the Themes app on the main screen.
- 🔍 In the search bar, type in the query "iOS 16" or "iPhone 15 Pro".
- 👁️ View the previews, paying attention to the icons of system applications.
- ⬇️ Click the "Download" button and then "Apply".
After applying the theme, the system may suggest setting additional settings, such as the style of the clock on the lock screen or the behavior of the notification curtain.
Some themes may not completely overlap the standard interface, leaving, for example, old icons in the multitasking menu, in which case it makes sense to look for an alternative option or combine the theme with a separate icon package.
Setting up the lock screen and widgets
One of the most recognizable features of the iPhone is its lock screen, which has a distinctive clock font and notification behavior. In modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS, the settings allow you to copy this style in detail, often requiring a separate theme for the lock screen.
In the Topics app, go to profile (human icon) and select Lock Screen, where you can find dynamic wallpaper and styles that mimic the depth and blur of the background that are characteristic of Apple, especially those with live wallpaper that respond to the tilt of the phone.
Widgets are another element that the iOS interface is unthinkable without. On Xiaomi, they are implemented through the Mi widget system.
- Hold your finger on an empty place on your desktop.
- Select the Widgets item in the lower menu.
- Find a section with system widgets or third-party ones (like Weather or Notes).
- Choose a style that resembles semi-transparent iOS plaques, and drag it to the screen.
For maximum similarity, it is recommended to use widgets with rounded corners and a translucent background. Standard MIUI widgets often have square shapes, so the theme should correct this. If the theme does not change the look of the widgets, you may need to install an additional widget plugin from the same theme store.
The Secret to Perfect Similarity
Installation of Apple fonts and changing system symbols
Even the most beautiful theme won’t make it feel like iOS if the system’s font remains standard Android-roboto. San Francisco Font (or its equivalent) is the hallmark of Apple products. Fortunately, the theme store allows you to set fonts separately from the overall theme.
When you search for a theme store, type in "San Francisco" or "Apple Font." Download and apply the font. The system automatically reboots the interface, and all text fields, menus and messages look different, a little thing that changes the way you see the system.
Other than fonts, you should look for system symbols like battery icons, Wi-Fi icons, and mobile network icons, and in some themes they change automatically, but if they don't, look for a theme called "iOS Status Bar."
| Element | Standard MIUI view | Style of iOS | Where to change |
|---|---|---|---|
| font | Mi Sans / Roboto | San Francisco | Shop tomes -> Fonts |
| Battery | Rectangle with % | Green when charging | Theme of the design |
| Volume slider | Vertical stripe | Horizontal plaque | Theme of the design |
| Control panel | List from above. | Tiles from below | Theme of the design |
Remember, using a third-party font can have a slight effect on the readability of some rare characters or emojis, but 99% of the time, the system does it perfectly. If some of the text becomes unreadable after installing the font, just return the standard font through the display settings.
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For better readability on AMOLED-On screens, choose fonts with slightly increased thickness of the syllabus, as fine lines of San Francisco can "float" on some matrices.
Using third-party launchers for full immersion
If the built-in theme is not enough, you can use third-party launchers, which completely replace the desktop and app menus. The most popular solution for simulating iOS is the Launcher iOS 17 or the analogues from Control Center iOS.
Installing the launcher gives you access to functionality that you can't do with standard tools: a full Control Center, a notification center, bottom-up swipes to unlock, and other gestures.
Third-party launchers consume more RAM and battery power because they run on top of the main system, and they can conflict with MIUI navigation gestures, requiring switching to on-screen buttons.
- 📲 Download the launcher from the Google Play Store (for example, "OS 17 Launcher").
- ⚙️ When you first start, follow the instructions of the setup wizard.
- 🔒 Allow all requested accesses (especially "Above other windows").
- 🏠 Click the Home button to select the new default launcher.
The launcher is a trade-off between functionality and stability. If you want visual style, you'd better limit yourself to the topic. If you want to completely change the logic of how you interact with your smartphone, the launcher is your choice.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party launchers may not work properly with widgets MIUI and can be removed by the energy saving system unless they are added to the exceptions.
☑️ Launcher check.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
The process of installing an iOS theme on Xiaomi is usually smooth, but users may encounter a number of typical problems. One of the most common is that the theme is partially applied. For example, the icons have changed, and the settings bar has remained old.
Another problem is the incorrect display of fonts in some applications, especially in banking or messengers with their own design. In such cases, the topic cannot override the built-in styles of the application. The only solution is to accept or look for patches if they are available for a particular model.
The lock screen may also fail, which may stop responding to swipes or not show the time correctly.
Settings -> Lock screen -> Reset the lock screen settingsSometimes the problem lies in the cache of the Themes app. Clearing the data and cache of this system application often helps solve the problems with the application of the design. To do this, go to Settings -> Apps -> All Applications -> Topics -> Memory -> Clear.
Keep in mind that theme is created by enthusiasts and can contain bugs. If the theme causes a constant reboot or heating of the device, it is better to remove it and look for a more stable counterpart with a lot of positive reviews.