Many Xiaomi users dream of getting an iPhone experience without overpaying for the Apple brand. With modern MIUI customization capabilities and third-party apps, it’s quite real! But is the game worth the candle? In this article, we’ll explore all the ways to turn your Redmi, POCO or Mi into a visual and functional copy of the iPhone — from changing the launcher to simulating iOS gestures.
The big question is, can you achieve 100% similarity? No, it's impossible to replicate Apple's Android ecosystem completely because of the OS's architectural differences. But there's so little difference in appearance that even experienced users won't notice the switch immediately, and in some ways (like flexibility of settings), Xiaomi will even outperform the original.
We warn you right away that transformation will take time, and some features (like AirDrop or Face ID) will not be available, but if you care about design, animations and basic features, you're on the right track. Let's start with the obvious: re-enveloping the shell.
1. Launchers for iOS: which to choose for a full simulation
The main tool of transformation is the launcher (a program that replaces the main screen). Xiaomi will suit both universal solutions and specialized iOS.
- 📱 Lawnchair 2 is a minimalist launcher with support for iOS gestures and adaptive icons. It allows you to hide the search bar (like on an iPhone) and configure transitions between screens.
- 🎨 iLauncher – clone of the iOS interface 16/17 It's a very accurate simulation of dock panels, folders and animations.
- ⚡ Nova Launcher is a flexible tool for power users, and you can manually adjust icon sizes, indentations, and even simulate Control Center through widgets.
- 🔄 XOS Launcher – copies not only the iPhone, but also the iPad. Supports dark mode and dynamic wallpaper (like in iOS 17).
For the most similarity, we recommend iLauncher, which even reproduces small things like the paralax effect on wallpaper and the vibration when you click on icons. You can install it from Google Play, but some chips (for example, AssistiveTouch) will require manual adjustment.
Important: After you install the launcher, go to Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher and select a new one. Some launchers (like Nova) allow you to export settings — save the backup so you don’t reset everything after the reset.
Install the selected launcher from Google Play|
Download the iOS-style icon pack (e.g., "iOS 17 Icon Pack")|
Disable Google Search in Launcher Settings|
Set up a swipe gesture to open the app menu (like App Library) |
Install wallpaper with paralax effect (download in Telegram-channels of themes for iOS)-->
Icons, fonts and wallpaper: details that give out a “forgery”
Even with the right launcher, Xiaomi will present itself as a mismatch of icons and fonts. iOS uses the San Francisco brand font, and icons have strict rounded shapes. Here's how to achieve identity:
- 🖼️ Icons: Set the "iOS 17 Icon Pack" (author of Driftoid) or "Whicons" pack for white icons. Select Adaptive Icons from the launcher settings → Round.
- 🔤 Fonts: Download San Francisco from Google Fonts (.ttf file) and install via iFont app. → Display. → Font select the downloaded file.
- 🌄 Wallpaper: Use the original wallpaper from iOS 17 (you can download it from the iPhone Wallpapers website). For the paralax effect, select the Depth Effect option in the launcher.
Critical detail: in iOS, app icons don't have substrates (shadows), and in MIUI they are by default. Turn them off in the launcher settings (Exterior → Shadow of icons → No).
| Element | iOS (original) | Xiaomi (with settings) | How to achieve similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icon shape | Round with shadow | Square/crushed | Install icon pack + adaptive forms |
| font | San Francisco | Roboto/MIUI Font | Download SF via iFont |
| Animation of the opening | Smooth magnification | Abrupt transition | Enable "Scale animation" in the launcher settings |
| dock panel | 4-5 icons, semi-transparent | 3 icons, opaque | Set up in the launcher: size, transparency, quantity |
Don’t forget the little things: there are no widgets on the home screen (they are displayed on a separate panel to the left) in MIUI, you can turn off widgets in the launcher settings or hide them in the App Library.
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To make the wallpaper look as natural as possible, download versions with a resolution of at least 2532×1170 (iPhone 14 Pro Max resolution). In the wallpaper settings, select the option "Stretch" instead of "Center".
3.Gestural and navigation: how to make swipes like on an iPhone
One of the key differences in iOS is gesture control. MIUI uses classic button navigation or Android 10+ swipes, which are very different from the iPhone, by default.
Method 1: Through MIUI settings (partial imitation)
- Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen gestures.
- Select the Swipe option from the sides (analogue of returning back to iOS).
- Turn off gesture prompts to remove the strip at the bottom of the screen.
Method 2: Using the Fluid Navigation Gestures app (full imitation)
- 🎯 Set up swipe zones: Swipe up from the bottom edge → Home Swipe up and hold on → Swipe app switch from right to left → Back up.
Important: Fluid Navigation Gestures will require permission to use Special Features (Settings → Special Features → Fluid NG). Some gestures may conflict with system gestures - test in Safe Mode.
What to do if your gestures don't work?
4. Control Center and notification panel: copy the control center of the iPhone
One of the most recognizable features of iOS is Control Center, which opens with a swipe from top to right. In MIUI, the notification bar and quick settings are combined, but this can be fixed:
Option 1: Control Center widget iOS 17
Option 2: Power Shade (for power users)
For complete similarity, disable status indicators (battery icons, networking) in the top panel, this can be done through ADB (requires a PC) or the Nacho Notch app (hiding the notch in the screen).
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No third-party solution will replace the native Control Center 100%, for example, adjusting brightness and volume through swipes on the panel only works on the original iOS.
5 Calls, SMS and FaceTime: How to simulate the iPhone call screen
The incoming call screen in MIUI is very different from iOS — other buttons, fonts and animations, and the iOS Call Screen app will help fix this:
- 📞 Install iOS Call Screen from Google Play.
To simulate FaceTime, use Google Duo or WhatsApp with video mode enabled, so that calls look like they're on an iPhone:
⚠️ Attention: Call screen replacement applications may conflict with system calls. Before important conversations, make sure the microphone and speaker are working correctly. Some banking apps block access when you detect “drawing on top” – temporarily disable iOS Call Screen for such cases.
6. Camera and photo: filters and interface like in the iPhone
Xiaomi's camera interface is oversaturated with settings, whereas the iPhone's is minimalist. Here's how to get closer to the original:
- 📸 Install GCam (a modified camera from Google) with a port for your Xiaomi model.Some versions have an iOS theme.
- 🎞️ To simulate the interface, use the “iOS Camera” – the application copies the location of the buttons, the shutter animation and even the sound of the shooting.
- 🔍 Set up the default shooting mode on Photos (like in iPhone), removing unnecessary options like Pro or Documents.
To process photos, install Snapseed or Lightroom with presets in the style of iPhone (see Telegram packs with names like "iPhone 14 Pro Filter"). The main difference between the iPhone photo is the warm tones and high detail of shadows.
- Temperature: +5
- Contrast: -10
- Shadows: +20
- Sharpness: +15
⚠️ Note: When using GCam on some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 12), Night Mode or Portrait Mode may not work. 4PDA.
7.Sounds, vibrations and tactile response: small things that are noticeable
The sound and vibrations in iOS are unique, from charging to locking the screen. Here's how to bring them to Xiaomi:
- 🔊 Sound: Download the "iOS" pack 17 Sounds" (.ogg files) and install via Zedge or manually (folder) /system/media/audio/ — root).
- 📳 Vibrations: B MIUI There are no exact copies of the iPhone vibrations, but you can get closer: Go to Settings → Sound. → Touch vibration. Select Light (similar to Haptic Touch in iOS). To notify, set up a short pulsed custom vibration.
Melodies:
iPhone
Marimba
Reflection
Ringtone Maker
To simulate the Taptic Engine (tactile response when pressed), use the application "Vibrator" with the settings:
Duration: 15 ms
Intensity: 70%
Repeat: 1 timeThis won’t replace the original Taptic Engine, but it will make the interaction more Apple-like. The main difference is that in the iPhone, the vibration depends on the pressing force (3D Touch), and in Xiaomi, it is impossible to emulate this.
8. the ecosystem and chips of iOS, which will not be able to copy
Despite the tricks, some of Apple's features remain exclusive, and this is something that can't be replicated on Xiaomi:
- 🔒 Face ID: Facial recognition in MIUI It only works to unlock, but not to pay (like Apple Pay) or sign in to apps.
- 📱 AirDrop: There are no analogues with the same speed and stability. The closest alternatives are Nearby Share (from Google) or Xiaomi Share, but they are slower.
- 🔄 Handoff: Smooth transition between devices (e.g. copying text to iPhone and pasting on Mac) is not available in Android.
- 🎵 Apple Music/Spatial Audio: The sound in AirPods headphones with spatial audio will not be repeated on Xiaomi even with branded headphones.
- 🛡️ Security: iOS apps work in the sandbox, and Android (especially Xiaomi with the help of the Android app). MIUI) Many programs have access to system functions.