Personalizing the smartphone interface is the first step that makes the device truly yours. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the desire to change the standard visual style that the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS offers. Replacing standard icons allows you to hide the diversity of elements, create a single color scheme or simply add personality to the desktop.
Fortunately, the Chinese giant’s ecosystem offers a wealth of customization options without having to obtain super-user rights, and you can use built-in tools like the Themes app, or use third-party launchers to do more in-depth intervention, and it’s important to understand the differences between simply changing wallpapers and completely replacing graphical interface elements.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the graphics available, look at the standard tools that are safe and stable, and talk about advanced ways for power users, learn how to manage the visual style of each application separately or change the design of the entire system with a single click.
Staffing capabilities of the MIUI and HyperOS shell
To start with, the company offers: MIUI and HyperOS have a built-in theme store, which is the most powerful tool in the user's arsenal. Unlike many other Android smartphones, you don't need to install additional software for basic customization. All the necessary components are already integrated into the system.
To access the functionality, you just need to find the Themes app (an icon with a brush) in the Tools menu or folder. Inside, you will find sections with wallpaper, ringtones, fonts and, of course, icons, and the system allows you to use icon packets both in their entirety and selectively, which gives you flexibility in setting.
However, it is worth considering that some regional versions of firmware may have limitations, such as global versions of the theme store may be limited in functionality compared to Chinese counterparts, in which cases it may require a change in region in the system settings, but this is already a more risky procedure.
⚠️ Warning: When downloading themes from unofficial or questionable sources inside the store, always check the rating and number of downloads. Poor-quality packages may contain advertising modules or incorrectly display on a high-pixel density screen.
The main advantage of the standard method is full compatibility. Icons will be correctly displayed in the menu, in the notification curtain and in the battery settings. System animations when opening applications will also remain smooth, since they use the native interface rendering engine.
Installation and configuration of third-party launchers
If you don't have the built-in capabilities, third-party launchers come to the rescue, and these are alternative shells that completely replace the desktop and app menus. The most popular solutions are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher, and Lawnchair, which provide detailed control over each element of the interface.
Once you install this app from Google Play, the system will ask you to select the default launcher, and if you select a new one, you will see a standard set of icons. To change them, you usually need to pin your finger on the app icon and select "Edit" or "Change." From the menu that opens, you can select an image from the gallery or the library of the loon.
An important feature of using third-party launchers on Xiaomi is the need to configure permissions. The aggressively system manages background processes, so you need to manually disable battery optimization for the launcher. This is done through Settings → Applications → All applications → [Your Launcher] → Battery → No restrictions.
Using an alternative desktop gives you access to thousands of icon packages from the Play Market, you can install Whicons, LineX or whatever, and apply it to all applications at once, creating a completely unique visual style that you wouldn't be able to use with standard tools.
Selective replacement of icons through the Topics app
Back to the native method, because it remains the most stable for most users. The uniqueness of the Xiaomi theme store is the ability to combine. You can leave a Telegram icon from one theme and take WhatsApp from another, creating your own mix.
To do this, go to the user profile in the Themes app (the little man icon in the lower right corner) and there is the "Tags setting" or "My components" button. In the list that opens, select "Icons" and you will see a grid of all the apps installed on your device.
☑️ Selective substitution algorithm
Click on any app, such as Camera. The system will offer a list of available styles for that particular icon. You can choose from any of the options offered or download your own if the feature is active in your version of the store. Once you select, click Apply, and the changes will take effect instantly.
This is especially useful when a new version of a popular app comes out and the icon in your favorite theme hasn't yet been updated or looks sloppy, so you can spot the visual defects without changing the entire interface, saving time and keeping the navigation familiar.
⚠️ Note: When replacing icons selectively, keep an eye on their size. If you mix elements from different themes, they may differ in geometry or the presence of a substrate, which will make the desktop visually "dirty" and unbalanced.
Use of specialized icon editors
For those who want complete control of design, there are special editing tools, applications like Icon Pack Studio or XIcon that allow you to not just choose ready-made options, but create them or adapt existing ones to your taste, which is the level of advanced tuning.
The essence of these programs is to put a mask or filter on the original image of the application. You can change the color, shape, add texture or logo. The created package is then applied through a third-party launcher or exported as a separate one. APK-file.
The process of creating your own icon is as follows:
- 🎨 Select the base shape (circle, square, rounded rectangle).
- 🖼️ Download the app logo or select it from the list of installed.
- 🎨 Choose a color palette that fits your style.
- 💾 Save the result in format PNG transparently.
It takes time and insight, but it's worth it: you get an interface that no one else has, and it's a great way to bring old applications that have been redesigned for a long time but have forgotten the icon to a common denominator.
Where to get quality logos for icons?
Comparison of methods of customization of the interface
To make it easier for you to figure out how to change your appearance, we have a comparative table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each method, taking into account your technical skills and desired result.
| Parameter | Annex Topics | Third-party Louncher | Icon editors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Stability | Tall. | Medium | Depends on the launcher. |
| Flexibility | Limited to catalogue | Tall. | Maximum |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | Average. | Medium/High |
As you can see from the table, the standard Theme app benefits in stability and simplicity, a choice for those who want to quickly refresh the look of a smartphone without unnecessary body movements, launchers and editors are the lot of enthusiasts willing to sacrifice some autonomy for the sake of uniqueness.
Also, widget compatibility: When you change the launcher, some Xiaomi system widgets may stop working or look incorrect, and the standard method does not have this disadvantage, ensuring that all elements of the smart home and services of the company work.
💡
The best solution for most users is a combination: standard launcher for stability + selective replacement of icons through the beauty Themes app.
Solution and technical nuances
Users often face some difficulties in customization, and one of the common problems is the icons that come together after the system or the app is updated, and when Google Chrome or Viber is updated through the Play Market, they may reset the label to the standard one.
In such cases, you need to re-apply the icon package or select the desired style in the theme settings. If you use the launcher, check whether the Adapt icons check box is worth it in its settings. This feature tries to automatically fit any icons to a single style, which often leads to distortion of logos.
Another nuance is screen resolution and zoom. On high-resolution (2K or 4K) models, old icon packs may look blurry. Always try to use packets labeled HD or 4K to keep the display clear.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install multiple launchers with active desktop monitoring at the same time. This can lead to conflicts, interface freezes and increased battery consumption in the background.
Also keep in mind that some Xiaomi system applications (e.g., Security, Explorer) can resist changing icons if you use third-party methods, in which case only using a full theme overriding system resources will help, which sometimes requires changing the region to China or India.