How to install the iPhone theme on Xiaomi: turning Android into iOS

Modern Xiaomi smartphones have powerful functionality, but the visual shell of MIUI or HyperOS can differ from the usual interface of iOS. Many users want to experience the aesthetics of Apple without buying an expensive gadget. Fortunately, the built-in theme system allows you to completely change the appearance of the desktop, icons and system windows, imitating the style of the iPhone with high accuracy.

The transformation process doesn't require superuser rights or complex flashing of the device. All the necessary tools are already integrated into the operating system. You just need a stable Internet connection and a little time to set up. Deep customization is available to every Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO owner.

In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of installation, how to find quality stylizations, how to apply them correctly and what nuances to consider. The official Xiaomi theme store contains thousands of design options, but not all of them completely translate the interface into the style of iOS.

Preparing a smartphone for the installation of a new theme

Before you start searching and downloading your design files, make sure your device is ready for changes. While the process is safe, basic training will eliminate any errors when using resources. Make sure that there is enough free memory on the disk to caching graphic elements.

It is recommended to check for updates for the system application "Themes". Developers are constantly improving the rendering engine, adding support for new effects and animations, characteristic of iOS 16 and iOS 17. The current version of the application ensures that all elements are correctly displayed.

  • πŸ“± Check the vacant storage space (preferably more than 1 GB).
  • 🌐 Make sure you have a stable connection to Wi-Fi for fast downloads.
  • πŸ”‹ Charge the battery to minimum. 30-40% avoidance.

It's also worth backing up important data, although installing themes rarely results in loss of information, which is a standard precaution before any manipulation of the system interface. If you use third-party launchers, it's best to temporarily disable them so that the standard theme is applied correctly.

β˜‘οΈ Pre-installing check

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Search and install theme through the Mi Themes app

The main tool to change the look of your gadget is the pre-installed Themes app, and that's where the main user base of content is located. To start, open the app and look at the search bar at the top of the screen.

Enter the query using keywords in English, because the database is global. The most effective queries will be iOS 17, iPhone 15 Pro, Apple Style or iOS Control Center. The system will offer a variety of options, from simple icon replacements to full copies of the interface.

⚠️ Note: When choosing a theme, pay attention to downloads and rankings. Popular themes are usually better optimized and contain fewer bugs in the font display or menu.

Once you have selected your favorite option, click Download and then Apply. The system will warn you that the lock style, desktop and system applications will be changed. Confirm the action, and the interface will instantly change. If the result does not suit you, you can return to the standard design at any time through the user profile.

πŸ“Š Which iOS style do you like more?
Minimal iOS 14
Glass design of iOS 15
New iOS 16 widgets
Dynamic Island of iOS 17

Configure the controls and the notification center

One of the most recognizable parts of Apple’s interface is the Control Point, which is also transformable on Xiaomi smartphones, and high-quality iOS themes replace standard volume and brightness sliders with recognizable Apple-style blocks.

To activate the advanced functionality, you may need to enable additional options in the theme settings. Go to Settings β†’ Wallpaper and personalization. Here you can configure the behavior of the lock screen and notification center in detail. Some themes require activation of a special plugin that will prompt you to install automatically.

It’s important to understand that the functionality may differ, for example, Face ID unlocking on Xiaomi works differently than on iPhone, so the animation can be imitation, but the visual component, including transparency, background blur (bluere effect) and fonts, will be as close to the original as possible.

  • πŸ”” Check the display of notifications in the style of β€œcardsΒ».
  • 🎚️ Evaluate the work of sliders of brightness and sound.
  • πŸ“Ά Make sure your battery and communication indicators are changed.

If the control center doesn't look right after applying the theme, try clearing the Security or Themes app cache, sometimes with old graphics files conflicting with new styles, causing visual artifacts.

What happens if the control center does not change?
Some MIUI system themes block the change of center of third-party themes management, in which case, try changing the region in the phone settings to India or Nepal, reboot the device and apply the theme again, which often unlocks the full customization functionality.

Customization of the lock screen and fonts

The lock screen is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone. iOS themes for Xiaomi often include the famous weather, calendar and music widgets located at the top of the screen. Fonts are also replaced with branded San Francisco or their quality counterparts.

To install the font, you can use the Fonts tab in the theme store separately. Find a font called iFont or Apple Sans. After application, the system may require a reboot. This is a normal procedure necessary to redraw all text elements in the system.

The iOS-style lock screen usually supports the β€œRaise to Turn on” function and taps to activate the flashlight or camera. These features are configured in the Settings β†’ Lock screen menu. Make sure the theme style supports these gestures, as some simplified versions may block them.

Interface elementStandard XiaomiAfter installing the iOS themeDifficulty replacing
Application iconsSquare/roundedRound, flat designLow.
Point of controlList of switchesA grid of transparent blocksMedium
Fonts of the systemRoboto / MiSansSan Francisco (imitation)Low.
Lock screenStandard with widgetsLarge watches, iOS widgetsTall.
Animation.MIUI EffectsImitation of iOS (open/close)Tall.

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For maximum similarity, set the Aqua-style wallpapers or abstract gradients that Apple uses by default in iOS 16 and later.

Solving compatibility and bug problems

Not all themes work perfectly on all versions of the MIUI or HyperOS shell. You may find yourself in a situation where the icons have changed and the settings menu has remained the same, due to system security limitations that prevent third-party resources from completely rewriting system windows.

A common problem is that text is not displayed correctly in the About Phone menu or in the settings. If you notice a porridge of characters, try changing the font to a standard one or choosing another font from the directory that is compatible with your version of Android. Sometimes resetting the theme to factory settings and re-installing it helps.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid topics from low-rated unverified authors. These may contain code errors that lead to increased battery consumption or periodic interface reboots (SystemUI).

If the phone is slowing down after installing the theme, check the running processes. Heavy graphics and live wallpaper can load the processor, in which case you should choose a static theme or a simplified version without complex animation.

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A quality theme should not affect performance. If the phone starts to warm or slow down, the theme is written with errors and it is better to delete it.

Return to the standard theme and reset settings

You can drop the stylization at any time and return to the factory view. You don't have to reinstall the system. Go to the Themes app, go to the Profile tab (human icon) and select the Topic section.

This will show your current active theme. Click on Delete or select a standard Classic or Default theme from the preinstalled list. The system will instantly return all icons, fonts and wallpaper to its original state.

If the interface has stopped responding or critical errors have occurred, you can reset via Safe Mode or theme settings recovery menu. Go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ All Apps β†’ Topics β†’ Clear Data. This will delete the cache and settings, but will not affect your personal files.

  • πŸ”„ Open the β€œThemes” app and go to profile.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Select the current theme and click β€œDelete” or apply β€œClassicΒ».
  • πŸ“± Restart the device to fully update system resources.

Remember that changing theme regularly is a great way to refresh your experience. Experiment with different styles to find the one that is most convenient for you in daily use.

Is it safe to install third-party themes on Xiaomi?
Yes, it is safe if you use official themes from the built-in Mi Themes store, which are vetted and free of malicious code, and downloading themes from unverified sources on the Internet can be risky.
Does the guarantee disappear after installing the theme?
No, installing themes through a standard application is not a modification of the system (rooting) and does not affect the manufacturer's warranty obligations.
Can you make a dynamic island like on the iPhone 14/15?
The full-featured Dynamic Island is only available on some models through plugins or themes that support the in-screen cutout. Visual imitation can be installed on almost any cut-out-point model.
Why did the widgets disappear after installing the theme?
Some themes don't have their own version of desktop widgets, leaving standard MIUI widgets that can be visually out of style with iOS. Look for themes marked "With Widgets."
How to update the iOS theme if a new version is released?
There is no automatic update for installed themes. You need to find this theme again in the store, download it again and apply it. New versions often fix bugs and add support for new versions of Android.