How to change icons on Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s standard app icons get boring over time — too repetitive, don’t reflect your personality, or just don’t fit your style. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several ways to change them, from built-in MIUI/HyperOS tools to advanced third-party launchers. In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, including hidden features and solutions for models without root rights.

It's important to understand that the process varies depending on the firmware version. For example, in HyperOS (which replaced MIUI 14), the icon settings interface was redesigned, and some of the old ways stopped working. We took these changes into account and collected only working instructions for Redmi, Poco, Xiaomi 13/14 and other current devices. If you want to not just change the picture, but completely transform the desktop, read on.

Method 1: Using embedded MIUI/HyperOS themes

The easiest and safest method is to use official themes from Xiaomi, which already contain ready-made icon sets that automatically apply to all applications, which does not require additional programs to be installed and works even on blocked downloaders.

To change icons through themes:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search bar, enter the query “icons” or “icons” (in English – “icons»).
• 🎨 Choose your favorite theme from the ones you like. Pay attention to the rating and the number of downloads – this will help you avoid low-quality packages.
• 📥 Click Apply – the system will automatically update the icons for all supported applications.

If some icons remain standard after applying the theme, it means that there is no alternative for these applications in the selected package, in which case you can combine themes or use a manual replacement (more on this below).

⚠️ Note: Some of the themes from Xiaomi store contain ads or require a paid subscription. Check user reviews before installing - especially if the theme is low-ranking (below 4.0).

Method 2: Installation of a third-party launcher

If you don't have enough built-in themes, you can install an alternative launcher, popular options like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Lawnchair, which allow you to not only change the icons, but also customize animations, gestures and layout of elements.

Instructions for Nova Launcher (the most flexible option):

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play and install it as the default launcher.
2. Press the free space on the desktop → select Settings → Style and icons.
3. In the Icon Package section, select Add and install any package you like from the store (such as Whicons or CandyCons).
4. Change the icons and update them automatically.

The advantage of this method is that you can combine icons from different packages, as well as adjust their size, shape and shadows. For example, Nova Launcher has an option “Adaptive icons”, which gives all icons the same shape (circle, birdhouse, etc.).

Download the launcher APK (if there is no Google Play)

Make a backup copy of the current desktop settings

Check compatibility with the Android version

Turn off battery optimization for launcher (in app settings)-->

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12 with HyperOS), system applications may reset the default launcher after the upgrade.To avoid this, disable automatic optimization in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Battery → No restrictions.

Method 3: Manual replacement of icons without root rights

If you only need to change the icon for individual applications, you can do it manually using the Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker app. This method does not require superuser rights and works on any versions of MIUI/HyperOS.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Shortcut Maker from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select the program you want to change the icon for.
3. Click Create → Change the icon and select a picture from the gallery or downloaded pack of icons (.png format with a transparent background).
4. Save the desktop shortcut.The original app will remain on the menu, but you can hide its standard icon.

The downside of this method is that when you update the application, the shortcut may be reset, and to avoid this, it is recommended that:

• 📌 Affix the label to the desktop (long press). → Secure).
• 🔄 Regularly check the relevance of labels after updates.
• 📁 Store backups of custom icons in the cloud (for example, in Google Drive).

Method 4: Using icon packages from the Play Market

Google Play has thousands of free and paid launcher-compatible icon packages, such as Lines Icon Pack, Minimal O Icon Pack or Delta Icon Pack. These packages typically contain icons for most popular apps and are automatically applied when selected in launcher settings.

How to install the icon pack:

1. Download your favorite package (for example, Lines Free).
2. Open your launcher settings (like Nova Launcher).
3. Go to Style and icons → Icon Package and select the installed pack.
4. Change the icons and update them automatically.

If some icons have not changed, it means that there is no alternative to these apps in the pack.

• 🔍 Find another pack with a more complete icon base.
• 🖼️ Manually replace missing icons with Shortcut Maker (see Method 3).
• 📥 Contact the author of the pac with a request to add missing icons (usually this is done through the developer’s email or Telegram channel).

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Before buying a paid icon pack, check if it has a trial or preview in the description. Some packages look beautiful in screenshots, but contain only 100-200 icons, whereas a good package should cover at least 2000+ apps.

Method 5: Complete customization with ADB (for advanced)

If you're ready to experiment, you can change system icons through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting your phone to your computer and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to replace any icons, including system icons.

Warning: Incorrect actions may cause firmware to malfunction and it is recommended to back up the data before starting.

Instructions:

1. Install. ADB-Drivers on the computer and enable debugging USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Click on version 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: Adb devices must display your device’s serial number.
3. Download the icon pack in.zip format and unpack it into a folder on your computer. The icons should be in.png format and be named after the com.name.packet.png template (for example, com.android.chrome.png for Chrome).
4. Copy the icons to the system folder with the command: adb push path to folder with icons /data/local/tmp/icons
5. Set rights and restart launcher: adb shell su chmod -R 755 /data/local/tmp/icons pm clear com.miui.home

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, the path to system icons may be different. Before executing commands, check the current folder structure through a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer.

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The ADB method is only suitable for advanced users, and if you are not confident in your abilities, use safer methods (themes or launchers).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing icons, users often encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📋 Compatibility of your Xiaomi model with the chosen method (e.g. Poco) F5 HyperOS may not work with old icon packages for MIUI 12).
• 🔧 Availability of the latest firmware updates (Settings) → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ No conflicts with other modifications (for example, if you have previously installed patches through Magisk).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions