Xiaomi is like iPhone: turning Android into iOS

Many Android users, especially Xiaomi smartphone owners, often think about how to make their device interface more similar to iOS. This desire is dictated not only by aesthetic preferences, but also by the desire for a certain ergonomics that has developed in the Apple ecosystem. Smooth animations, the specific geometry of icons and the logic of the notification curtain – all this forms a unique experience that you want to transfer to the budget or mid-sized Android segment.

Fortunately, modern Xiaomi shells like MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS have tremendous customization potential: You don't have to be a programmer or install complex modified firmware to achieve visual similarity, you just need to fine tune the built-in settings and use a couple of proven apps from the official GetApps store or Google Play.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what steps you need to take to make your Xiaomi look visually and functionally like an iPhone, and we will cover the topics of desktop design, control center, screen lock and even system sounds, creating a comprehensive manual for transformation.

The easiest and most effective way to change the appearance of a smartphone beyond recognition is the use of specialized themes. In the Xiaomi theme store (Themes), thousands of authors create copies of the iOS interface. You don't have to look for third-party launchers that might be unstable, just use the built-in tool. Open the Themes app and search for queries like "iOS 17," "iPhone 15 Pro," or "Cupertino." Pay attention to the theme ranking and downloads: popular options are usually better optimized and contain fewer bugs. After installing the theme, be sure to apply all the components: wallpaper, icons, system fonts and sounds. ⚠️ Warning: Some “heavy” themes may consume more CPU resources, which will lead to lower battery autonomy. If you notice a quick discharge, try to choose a lighter version of the design or turn off the live wallpaper in the theme settings. It is important to understand that the theme changes only the visual shell. The deep logic of the Android operating system will remain the same, but for the eyes the difference will be minimal. After applying the theme, restart the device so that all changes take effect correctly. 💡Before installing a new theme, take a screenshot of the current location of widgets to then quickly restore the usual desktop structure.

Setting up the control center and notification curtain

One of Apple's most recognizable interface elements is a split control center. Unlike standard Android, where notifications and switches are on the same list, iOS divides them into two. Xiaomi owners can easily activate this mode.

To do this, go to the Settings menu, then select Notifications and status bar (or just Notifications in older versions). Find Control Center Style and switch to New. Now the swipe on the top right will open the panel with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and brightness switches, and the swipe on the left will show the list of messages.

• 🍏 Splitting the screen into two zones significantly speeds up access to frequently used functions.
• 🔔 Notifications now do not overlap control buttons, which improves ergonomics.
• ⚙️ In the new control center, you can adjust the number of visible buttons in the grid.

You can also adjust the behavior of the lock curtain. In the lock screen settings section, enable Double Touch to enable if it is available in your version of the software, or use the lift to activate, which will add even more "apple" feeling from using the gadget.

Installation of widgets and the location of icons

The iOS interface is famous for its widgets and a strict grid of icons. To get close to this ideal on Xiaomi, you will need a third-party launcher or built-in widgets. In HyperOS, widgets are greatly expanded to allow you to create beautiful compositions.

Tap and hold your finger on the empty desktop, then select Widgets. Here you will find Apple-styled weather, watch, battery and calendar widgets. If the standard ones aren't enough, install Widgetsmith or Top Widgets from the app store, which offers hundreds of design options.

For perfect similarity, it’s important to align icons. Go to Settings → Desktop and select a 5x6 or 4x6 grid. Remove captions under icons if the theme allows, or use transparent stub widgets to move rows of icons below, mimicking the location on your iPhone.

And don't forget the dock bar at the bottom of the screen, put the four most important apps in there: phone, messages, browser, and music, and you can make the dock bar semi-transparent through the theme settings, which will add depth to the interface.

Screen control and gesture management

Gesture control is another thing that distinguishes modern smartphones: There is no physical home button on the iPhone, and Xiaomi fully supports this logic. Go to Settings → Additional → Full-screen control.

Select Gesture Mode. Now swipe from bottom to top will return to the desktop, swipe from bottom to bottom with a delay to open the multitasking menu, and swipe to the left or right of the edge of the screen to perform the action "Back." This completely copies the navigation in iOS.

Also worth noting is the Assistive Touch feature, which is often called Quick Access or Floating Button on Android, and can be enabled under Additional Settings → Floating Button, so that when you press it long it will call Siri (or Google Assistant), and when you press it short it will call a screenshot or turn off the screen.

Customizing the sensitivity of the edges is also important, because if the swipes are not working properly, you can change the size of the activation area in the same gesture control menu, making it wider or depending on how you hold your phone.

Fonts, sounds and tactile return

The devil is in the details. The San Francisco font is Apple's trademark. It's hard to find an exact Android analogue because of licensing restrictions, but the theme store has fonts called "iOS Font" or "Apple Style" that are very close to the original.

The sound circuit also requires attention. Download the iPhone Sounds pack and set them up for calls, messages and notifications, and pay special attention to the locking sound and the camera sound — these little things create a subconscious sense of using an Apple device.

⚠️ Warning: When installing audio packages from unverified sources, make sure that files are secure. Use only official themes from the Xiaomi store or proven resources to avoid viruses.

The tactile recoil on Xiaomi has become very high quality in recent years, especially in flagship models with a linear motor. In the Sound and Vibration settings → Vibration when touching, choose the shortest and clearest option. This will make typing and navigation more like an iPhone.

Camera and Gallery: Visual Style

The camera interface on Xiaomi can also be adapted. Although it is difficult to change the shoot menu functionally without root rights, the visual elements often depend on the theme. Set a theme that changes the camera icon and viewfinder interface to the minimalist style of iOS.

In the gallery, use the Memories or Photos of the Day widgets, which are often embedded in the HyperOS shell. They dynamically change the wallpaper or show a slideshow, which is very typical of the Photos widget on your iPhone. Set up an automatic wallpaper update every 30 minutes for live effects.

You can use a built-in editor to process photos, but for complete similarity, install apps that simulate iOS filters. Many users note that the colors on Xiaomi are more saturated, so in the screen settings (Settings → Screen → Color scheme), choose Standard or Saturated mode (depending on the version) to bring the color reproduction to the natural, as in iOS.

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The integrated use of theme, fonts and sounds gives 90% similarity to iOS, the rest is a matter of gesture habit.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions