How to make Xiaomi Pad 5 “iPhone”: themes, launchers and hidden settings

Xiaomi Pad 5 is a powerful tablet with AMOLED-screen and performance flagship, but its standard interface MIUI Especially if you're used to the minimalism of iOS and want your Xiaomi to look like an iPad or an iPhone, luckily, the transformation is possible -- and it doesn't require root rights or complicated manipulation.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi Pad 5 can transform iOS, from installing themes and launchers to fine-tuning animations and fonts. You’ll learn which tools are stable in 2026 and which can cause bugs, how to circumvent the limitations of MIUI, and even how to simulate iPadOS gestures on Android. No magic is just proven methods with step-by-step instructions.

Why are iPhone themes so popular on Xiaomi Pad 5?

The MIUI interface on the Xiaomi Pad 5 has been criticized for its over-animation, banner ads (even in EU firmware), and not always logical layout, while the iPadOS is famous for:

• 📱 Minimalist design – no extra widgets or bright accents.
• 🔄 Smooth transitions between applications (without twitching» MIUI).
• 📁 A convenient file system – unlike the chaotic Files on Xiaomi.
• 🔒 Consistency – all applications look the same.

Plus, many people are switching to the Xiaomi Pad 5 with an iPad and want to keep the experience alive, and some just love experimentation, and turning an Android tablet into an iPhone is a fascinating project.

Method 1: Launchers – quick change of appearance without root

The easiest way to mimic iOS is to install an alternative launcher, which replaces the standard desktop, app menus, and even animations. Xiaomi Pad 5 will work:

To set up the launcher:

1. Download the selected application from Google Play.
2. Open it and allow access to Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher.
3. In the launcher settings, select the iOS theme (usually pre-installed).
4. Set up gestures (e.g. swipe up for Control Center).

⚠️ Note: Launchers do not change system applications (such as Settings or Phone.

Make a backup of current settings

Clear the system launcher cache (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache)

Disable battery optimization for launcher

Reboot the tablet after installation-->

Method 2: MIUI Themes – Official, but Limited Method

Xiaomi offers its own gallery of iOS options, but they are far from perfect:

• 🎨 Incomplete imitation – only icons and wallpaper change, not the interface.
• 🔒 Limitations MIUI — Some elements (such as the Notification Panel) remain unchanged.
• 📥 You need to register with Mi Account to download themes.

How to install a theme from MIUI Themes:

1. Open the Themes app on the tablet.
2. In the search, enter iOS or iPhone.
3. Select your favorite theme (e.g., “iOS 17 Style” or “Apple Dark”).
4. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

For deeper customization, you can combine themes with launchers, such as installing iLauncher + the “iOS Icons” theme from MIUI Themes.

💡

If the theme doesn't apply, check the region of your Mi Account. Some themes are only available in China or India. Solution: change region in your account settings or use a VPN.

Method 3: Manually changing icons and wallpapers for perfectionists

If you want an exact copy of the iOS icons, you'll have to do it manually.

• 📲 Icon packs (like iOS 17 Glyphs or Borealis from Google Play).
• 🖼️ Wallpaper in permission 2560×1600 (for Xiaomi Pad 5).
• 🛠️ Launcher with icon pack support (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher).

Step-by-step:

1. Install a launcher (like Nova Launcher) and make it the primary launcher.
2. Download the icon pack (for example, iOS 17 Icon Pack).
3. In the launcher settings, select Icons → Icons Park and apply the downloaded pack.
4. Download wallpaper for iPad (for example, with WallpapersCraft) and install them through the Gallery → Install as wallpaper.

For full effect, you can hide the name of the applications under the icons (in the launcher settings) and disable the dock panel (if it is not needed).

⚠️ Warning: Some icon packs require Nova Launcher Prime (paid version) for full compatibility.The free version may crop icons or not support adaptive icons.

Method 4: Customize gestures and animations – imitating iPadOS

iPadOS is known for its intuitive gestures, and can be played on the Xiaomi Pad 5.

• 👆 Xiaomi's Full Screen Gestures (built-in) MIUI).
• 🔄 Fluid Navigation Gestures (for customization).
• ⚙️ Developer Options settings (to speed up animations).

How to set up gestures:

1. Activate full-screen gestures in Settings → Display → Full-screen mode → Gestures.
2. Set Fluid NG and set up: Swipe up to return to the home screen (like on iPhone). Swipe right to call Control Center. Double tap to lock the screen.

Developer Options

MIUI version

Settings → About the phone

Window animation scale = 0.5x


Transition animation scale = 0.5x




Animator duration scale = 0.5x

This will make animations faster, like in iOS.

To simulate AssistiveTouch (a virtual iPhone button), install Assistive Touch for Android and customize it to suit your needs.

💡

Gestures in Fluid NG can conflict with MIUI system gestures. If swipes don't work, turn off standard gestures in the Xiaomi Pad 5 settings.

Method 5: System tweaks for advanced users

If you’re willing to go further than launchers and themes, you can change system elements by:

• 📱 ADB-commands without root).
• 🔧 Substratum/Themes (requires unlocking the loader).
• 📦 Magisk modules (if you have root).

Safe tweaks via ADB:

1. Connect the tablet to your PC and activate Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps → Additional → For Developers).
2. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
3. Execute commands to change system settings: adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5 adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5 adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.5 This will speed up animations, like in iOS.

Changing system icons (such as in Settings or the Notification Panel) will require Magisk + MiuiSystemUIPlugin, but it is risky: wrong actions can lead to bootloop.

⚠️ Note: Modifying system files through ADB Or Magisk could disrupt the job. MIUI And you can reset your settings. Always back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

What to choose for Xiaomi Pad 5?

For most users, the best solution is a combination of:

1. Launcher (e.g. iLauncher) for the desktop.
2. Icon packs (e.g. Borealis) for uniformity.
3. Gestures through Fluid NG for convenience.
4. The iPadOS style wallpaper for full effect.

If you want the most similarity to iOS, consider installing custom firmware like Havoc OS or Pixel Experience, but this will require unlocking the bootloader and lose the warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions on iPhone topics on Xiaomi Pad 5