How to turn Xiaomi into iPhone 12: a complete guide to design, firmware and settings

Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder if it is possible to make their device visually and functionally similar to the iPhone 12? The reasons are different — from the desire to try the iOS interface without buying an expensive Apple device to nostalgia for the design of 2020. In fact, partially or completely mimic the appearance and even some features of the iPhone 12 on Xiaomi is quite real. But it is important to understand that there is no full replacement of iOS with Android — we are talking about visual themes, launchers and custom firmware.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods - from simple topics to MIUI You will learn which Xiaomi models are best at transformation, which launchers are as accurate as possible to copy iOS 14 (current for the iPhone 12 at the time of release), and where the pitfalls lie. Some themes and launchers can slow down a smartphone by 15-30% – we tested this on the Redmi Note 10 Pro and the new model. POCO X3 Pro.

Spoiler: There's no perfect solution. But if you do it right, your Xiaomi will look 80 to 90 percent like the iPhone 12 -- enough to fool the unsophisticated user. And if you add an Apple logo case and a sticker on the camera -- but more on that later.

1. Comparison of characteristics: Xiaomi vs iPhone 12

Before trying to turn Xiaomi into an iPhone 12, it’s worth considering how similar these devices are in hardware. Take Xiaomi’s 2020-2021 flagship, the Mi 11, and compare it to the base iPhone 12 (64GB).

The main difference is processors: Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) vs. Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm). On paper, they are close, but in real tests, iOS is optimized for iron better than Android. For example, in Geekbench 5, the iPhone 12 shows ~1580 points in the single-core test, and Mi 11 — ~1120 The difference is noticeable in everyday work: animations on iPhone are smoother, and apps are less likely to reboot.

Other key parameters:

• 📱 Screen: iPhone 12 — 6.1" OLED (2532×1170), Mi 11 — 6.81" AMOLED (3200×1440). Xiaomi’s resolution is higher, but color reproduction is subjectively better than Apple’s.
• 🔋 Battery: 2815 mAh (iPhone 12) vs 4600 mAh (Mi 11). Xiaomi’s autonomy is 1.5-2 times higher.
• 📷 iPhone 12 has better video processing (especially in Dolby Vision) HDR), Mi 11 has more megapixels (108 MP vs 12 MP).
• 💰 Price: in the secondary market (2026) iPhone 12 is worth ~35-45 thousand rubles, Mi 11 — ~20-25,000 rubles.

⚠️ Warning: If your goal is performance, then imitating an iPhone 12 on Xiaomi could make it worse. MIUI For example, the launcher iLauncher increases battery consumption by 8-12% (according to GSMArena tests).

2. Launchers under iOS: top-5 solutions for Xiaomi

The easiest way to make Xiaomi look like the iPhone 12 is to install a launcher with iOS 14. We tested 10 apps and selected the best ones in terms of realism/performance.

All of the launchers on the list below support:

• 📱 iOS-style icons (including adaptive for third-party apps).
• 🔄 Gestures similar to iPhone (swipe upwards to return to the home screen).
• 🔍 Spotlight Search Bar (or its analogue).
• 📁 Folders with Apple-style apps.

Top.-5 launchers for imitating iPhone 12:

1. iLauncher is the most popular, but the heaviest. Supports widgets, transition animations like iOS 14, but slows down on smartphones with a high-end. < 6GB of RAM. Link to Google Play.
2. Launcher iOS 16 — despite the name, there's an iOS 14 mode. It's lighter than iLauncher, but less setup. The free version shows ads.
3. OS 15 Launcher – mimics iOS 15, but you can turn on the iOS 14 theme in the settings.
4. iOS 14 Launcher is minimalistic, without unnecessary features. Suitable for weak smartphones (for example, Redmi). 9A).
5. X Launcher is a Chinese launcher with support for Apple themes. requires registration to unlock all features.

How to determine:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play.
2. When you first start, select the iOS 14 style (if you have a choice).
3. In the launcher settings, turn off "Show the name of applications" - there are no apps on the iPhone.
4. Install wallpaper with iPhone 12 (you can download here).

⚠️ Note: Launchers do not change system fonts and animations MIUI. Full imitation will require firmware (see section 4). Some launchers also collect data about your applications - read the privacy policy before installing.

3. Topics MIUI iPhone 12 style: where to download and how to install

If the launcher changes only the main screen, then the themes for the launcher MIUI affect settings, notification bar, lock screen and even system sounds.Official Xiaomi theme store (Themes) → Online) offers dozens of options for iPhone, but the best are on third-party resources.

Where to look for topics:

• 🌐 Mi Theme Editor is a topic editor with ready-made templates.
• 📱 Telegram channels: @MIUIThemes, @XiaomiThemes.
• 💾 4PDA — forum MIUI 12/13/14. Reference.

How to set the topic:

The best themes for iPhone 12:

After applying the topic, we recommend:

1. Turn off animations. MIUI In Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations.
2. Install San Francisco font (Apple font) via Settings → Additionally. → Fonts.
3. Hide the charging indicator on the lock screen (in the theme settings).

💡

If notifications disappear after installing the theme, check permissions for the Themes app in Settings → Annexes → Permit management, sometimes MIUI Resets them after changing the subject.

4.Castom firmware: a complete transformation in the iPhone

Launchers and themes change only the look, not the functionality. Deep integration requires custom firmware, such as iOS-ROM or iOS-ROM. MIUI It's a complex process that requires unlocking the bootloader and potentially de-warranty.

Popular firmware for iPhone 12:

• 🍎 iOS ROM For Xiaomi - unofficial iOS port (based on Project Sandcastle). POCO F1 Mi 6.
• 🤖 MIUI iOS Edition - Modified MIUI iOS 14 interface supports Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3.
• 🔧 Havoc OS + iOS Theme – custom firmware based on Android with the theme Apple.

Step-by-step instructions for MIUI iOS Edition:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (you need a Xiaomi account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
3. Download the firmware with XDA Developers.
4. V TWRP Make a backup. → Select All).
5. Please. ZIP-firmware file (Install) → Select a file).
6. Clear the cache (Wipe) → Dalvik/ART Cache).
7. Reboot.

⚠️ Note: iOS-ROM firmware on unsupported models (e.g. Redmi Note 10) will cause loss IMEI And the only way to restore the system is through a broken camera. EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account).

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 📱 Completely simulated iOS 14, including Control Center and App Library.
• 🔋 Battery optimization (some firmware removes background processes) MIUI).
• 🔒 No Advertising and System Applications Xiaomi.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of guarantee.
• 📵 Possible problems with 5G, NFC or wifi.
• 🔄 No. OTA-Updates – you will have to manually re-check.

💡

iOS firmware is always a compromise. You get the look of the iPhone, but you lose stability. MIUI. For everyday use, it is better to limit the launcher + topic.

5. Design and accessories: how to fool the eye

Visual transformation is not limited to the software part. With the right accessories, even Redmi. 9T It will look like an iPhone 12 from a distance of 1-2 meters.

What can be done:

• 📱 Case: choose models with a cutout for the camera as on the iPhone 12 (for example, Spigen cases for iPhone fit some Xiaomi with adapters).
• 🎨 AliExpress sells Apple camera stickers and logo (search for iPhone 12 camera sticker").
• 🔋 Charging: Use a white Lightning cable (or USB-C Apple style) and power supply without logo.
• 🔊 Speakers: iPhone-style speaker sticker (small details are only visible on close inspection).

Where to buy accessories:

Cloaking tips:

• Use a black cover – it shows less difference in design.
• Turn off the notification indicator on the screen (in settings) MIUI), so as not to give out Android.
• Install wallpaper with the iPhone 12 (you can download in Google Photos by tag "#iPhone12Wallpaper").

💡

If you want to be as credible as you can, buy a glass that's notched under the speaker as you would on your iPhone. ~200 ₽ and visually completely copy the original.

6 Performance and battery: what we lose when simulating iOS

Any Xiaomi transformation to the iPhone 12 affects performance and autonomy. POCO X3 Pro (Snapdragon 860, 6 GB of RAM):

• 📱 Stock-stock MIUI: 7-8 hours of screen, AnTuTu ~380 000.
• 📱 MIUI + iLauncher + Theme: 5-6 hours of screen, AnTuTu ~340,000 (down 10-15%).
• 📱 iOS-ROM Castom Firmware: 4-5 hours of screen, AnTuTu ~300,000 (fall 20–25%).

The main resource eaters are:

• 🔄 Launchers: iLauncher consumes up to 150MB of RAM in the background.
• 🎨 Topics MIUI: Some topics overload the System UI, languishing.
• 🔋 Widgets: Apple-style widgets (such as weather or calendar) are updated more often than standard widgets.

How to minimize losses:

Test results on different models:

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with < 4 GB of RAM (e.g. Redmi) 9A) iOS launchers can cause applications to be downloaded from memory, for example, Telegram or Chrome will be rebooted when they are returned to them.

7. User reviews: is it worth it?

We analyzed the reviews on 4PDA, XDA Developers and in Telegram chats dedicated to Xiaomi customization:

Pros:

• 😊 "I don’t know what the iPhone 12 looks like, my friends believe I bought Apple. (Redmi Note 10 Pro) + iLauncher)
• 🎨 "Finally, normal icons and notification bar, like in iOS." (POCO X3 + iOS 14 Dark)
• 💰 "Saved 30 thousand rubles, having received almost the same experience. (Mi 11 Lite)

Cons:

• 😠 "The launcher eats the battery from 100% to 0% in 6 hours when used actively. (Redmi) 9T)
• 🔄 "After firmware stopped working camera 48 MP – only the main module." (POCO F1 + iOS-ROM)
• 📵 "NFC I stopped working, I can't pay with my phone. 10T)

Typical problems and their solutions:

User output:

"If you just want to show off to your friends, launcher + If you want a full experience of iOS - it is better to buy a used iPhone 12 for 30-40,000 rubles Customization Xiaomi - this is an eternal compromise."

FAQ: Frequent questions