Many users who switch from iOS to Android miss the familiar interface logic, smooth animations, and minimalism of Apple’s system. However, owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices can recreate this atmosphere without flashing the device or complex manipulation of root rights. The MIUI shell or the new HyperOS have enormous customization potential, allowing them to change the visual style beyond recognition in minutes.
In this article, we will discuss how to turn your Android smartphone into a visual copy of the iPhone. We will touch on the replacement of the desktop, navigation settings, changing system fonts and icons, and installing widgets in the style of iOS. The key is the installation of a third-party launcher that completely replaces the standard shell MIUI.
Before you get started, it’s worth noting that to implement all the features, you’ll need a stable internet connection and Google Play Market account.The process doesn’t require technical skills, but requires careful handling when setting up app permissions.
Installation of the launcher in the style of iOS: the basis of the transformation
The most effective way to radically change the appearance of a smartphone is to install an alternative launcher. MIUI It's good, but it doesn't follow the logic of iOS. You're going to need an app.-launcher, which will completely replace the desktop, application menu and control panel.
One of the most popular and stable solutions is the Launcher iOS 17 app or its counterparts from developer Luong Nguyen. Once installed from Google Play Market, you must provide the application with all the requested permissions, especially access to Change System Settings and Display on top of other applications.
After the first launch, the system will prompt you to select the default launcher. Select the iOS Launcher installed and click "Always." This action will lock the standard Xiaomi desktop and launch the interface, one-to-one repeating iPhone.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
It's important to understand that third-party launchers consume more battery life than a standard shell. If you notice a decrease in autonomy, go to the battery settings and turn off the power saving for the launcher itself.
Navigation settings: transition to control gestures
One of the most recognizable features of the iPhone is that it doesn't have physical or on-screen navigation buttons, instead it uses a gesture system that makes interaction with the screen more intuitive and frees up useful display space, and in MIUI, this feature is built in, but it needs to be activated correctly.
To enable gesture control, go to Settings → Desktop → System Navigation. Here select Full-screen (or Gestures) option. The screen will change instantly, the bottom bar will become thin, and the back and home buttons will disappear.
Now, the way you're going to navigate is, swipe from the bottom up back to the desktop, swipe from the bottom up with a delay opens the menu of running apps, and swipe from the side faces of the screen functions as a back button, which creates a sense of a limitless screen.
⚠️ Note: When full screen is enabled, some heavy games may cause random swipes, in which case you can temporarily switch to buttons in the settings or use Game Turbo mode.
For a complete similarity to iOS, it is also recommended to hide the notification indicators in the status bar if the launcher does not do this automatically. Go to Settings → Notifications and status bar and turn off the display of extra icons, leaving only the time and charge level.
Visual Customization: Icons, Fonts and Wallpaper
Even with the launcher installed, some system elements can be out of style. To achieve the perfect replica of the iPhone, you need to get your app icons and system fonts in order. Standard MIUI icons often have a unique shape that differs from the rounded squares of iOS.
In the launcher settings, find the “Icon Pack” section. Download and apply the iOS Icon Pack theme. If the standard MIUI theme store doesn’t contain the right package, use third-party icon change apps like Xicons or Material Icons, which have iOS emulation modes.
The font also plays an important role. Roboto or MiSans is different from Apple's San Francisco system font. In the Themes app, find a font called "iOS Font" or "San Francisco" and apply it. After application, you may need to reboot the device.
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Use live wallpapers in MP4 format to recreate the dynamic locking effect that is typical of new versions of iOS.
Don't forget to look at the wallpaper. Find a high-resolution image with the iOS-specific abstract blur or gradient, and set it on both the home screen and the lock screen to create a depth effect.
Lock screen and widgets: functionality of iOS
The lock screen is the first thing a user sees, and in MIUI it is very different from Lock Screen in iOS. The standard iOS launcher usually replaces this element by adding a characteristic time font and widgets.
In the launcher settings, activate Lock Screen. Now, when you turn on the screen, you'll see the clock center or top, and you'll see the ability to swipe up. Often, "Raise to Wake" is available, which you need to turn on separately in the screen settings.
Widgets are another strong point of the Apple ecosystem. On Android, they are implemented differently, but iOS launchers are able to emulate their appearance. (long press) on an empty desktop space will allow you to add weather, calendar or battery widgets in the style of “glass” (Glassmorphism).
| Interface element | Standard MIUI view | View after setting (iOS Style) |
|---|---|---|
| Control panel | Divided into two parts (left notifications, right switches) | Single curtain, rolled from the upper right corner |
| Appendix menu | A grid of icons on the full screen | Grid with search from above and dock bar from below |
| Setting icons | Colored, detailed | Gray or colored, minimalistic, round/square |
| Centre for control | Large sliders of brightness and sound | Compact sliders with icons |
To set up battery widgets that show the charge of AirPods or Apple Watch (if connected), you may need to install additional plugins or widgets from third-party developers that are compatible with your launcher.
Animations and response speed
The magic of iOS is not just in the picture, but in the feel. The smoothness of scrolling and opening apps is what sets the iPhone apart from many Android smartphones. While Xiaomi with Snapdragon processors often delivers 120Hz, standard MIUI animations can seem sharp.
To smooth the interface, go to developer mode. To do this, click 7 times on the MIUI version in the About Phone menu. Then, in the advanced settings, find For Developers.
Find the animation zoom options: Windows Animation, Transition Animation, and Animation Duration. Set the values to 0.5x or 1.5x (depending on the Android version, you sometimes need to set a lower value for acceleration, but for iOS smoothness it is better to leave 1x and rely on launcher optimization). Some launchers have their own animation speed settings - experiment with them.
It’s also a good idea to enable Memory Extension if it’s available on your device, adding virtual RAM from storage to help your iOS launcher run more stable and not be drained from memory.
Compatibility issues and optimization tips
Despite the power of modern Redmi and POCO smartphones, installing a heavy launcher can cause conflicts with MIUI system processes. Xiaomi's aggressive energy saving often "kills" third-party launchers, returning the standard interface after locking the screen.
To avoid this, you need to manually configure the launcher app. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Your iOS Launcher. Enable the AutoStart option. Then go to the "Battery Savings" section inside the app's settings and select "No Limits."
Another common problem is the camera and gallery work, and the launcher shouldn't affect them, but if you're using themes that change the APK system, there's a possibility of failure. Be careful about setting themes that require deep modification.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing the launcher, the phone starts to warm up or discharge quickly, check if the launcher process is working in the background constantly.
It’s also worth considering that some Xiaomi system applications (like “Security” or “Conductor”) will remain in the original style, as they can’t be replaced without root rights (MOD), Although it does carry security risks.
Final recommendations on the use of
Turning Xiaomi into an iPhone is a great way to refresh the experience of the device, especially if you’re tired of the standard look of Android.
Check updates for your Google Play launcher periodically. Developers often release patches that improve compatibility with new versions of Android and fix interface bugs. Also keep an eye out for updates to the MIUI/HyperOS firmware itself.
If you decide to go back to the original design, just go to the settings, select Default Apps and return the MIUI launcher. All your data and files will remain in place, as the launcher only changes the visual shell.
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The main secret of success is not only to install the launcher, but also to properly configure the permissions and energy saving so that the system does not close it in the background.
Experiment with settings, combine widgets and icons to find a balance between the beauty of iOS and the functionality of Android that suits you.