The app icons on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are the first thing that catches your eye when you unlock the screen. The standard MIUI design is not popular with everyone: someone wants originality, someone wants minimalism, and someone just gets tired of the monochromatic gamut. Fortunately, you can change the icons on Redmi in several ways, from simple theme settings to deep customization through ADB.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of changing icons, including:
- 🎨 Use of embedded themes MIUI (safest way)
- 📱 Installation of third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Hyperion, etc.)
- 🔧 Manual modification through ADB (power-user)
- 🖌️ Creating your own icons from scratch
Each method is suitable for different versions of MIUI 12-14 and Redmi models (from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Redmi K60 Pro).
1. Changing icons through built-in MIUI themes
The easiest and safest way to do this is to use official Xiaomi themes, which do not require root rights, do not reset settings, and work on all Redmi models with MIUI 12+.
How to do this:
- Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
- Go to the icon tab (or the icon style in new versions).
- Select your favorite icon pack and click Apply.
- Confirm the changes – the system will automatically update the icons on the desktop and in the application menu.
🔹 Pros of the method:
- ✅ Does not require technical skills
- ✅ Free (there are both free and paid themes)
- ✅ Stores all settings and data
🔸 Cons:
- ❌ Limited selection of icons (compared to third-party launchers)
- ❌ Not all apps support changing icons (e.g. system utilities)
💡
If the Icons section is empty, update the Themes app via Google Play or clear its cache in the settings (Settings → Apps → Application Management → Themes → Clear the cache).
2. Use of third-party launchers
If you don't have enough built-in themes, you can install an alternative launcher, which is a program that completely replaces the standard MIUI interface, including icons, animations and gestures.
- 🌟 Nova Launcher – flexible settings, support for icons from.apk files
- ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for Xiaomi, Minimalist Design
- 🎭 Lawnchair – open source, frequent updates
- 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration (for those who use PCs)
📌 The first step is the Nova Launcher:
- Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
- Install the launcher as the main one (at the first start the system will offer to do this).
- Press the finger free space on the desktop → Settings → Style of icons.
- Select the icon pack and install the one you like from the Play Store (for example, Whicons, CandyCons).
- Change the icons and update them automatically.
Download the launcher from the official source|Make a backup of the desktop (in Nova: Backup) → Save)|Disable battery optimization for launcher (Settings) → Battery → Optimization → Find the launcher. → No restrictions)|Check compatibility with the Android version-->
⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Hyperion) may conflict with MIUI Optimization is Xiaomi’s system process. If the launcher slows or resets after installation, turn off optimization:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.optimizerThis command must be entered through ADB (more in the next section).
3. Manually modifying icons via ADB (for experienced)
If you want to completely replace system icons without a launcher, you will need access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method suitable for users who are not afraid of the command line and are ready for possible risks (for example, resetting settings).
🔧 What's the matter:
- 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Xiaomi drivers
- 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)
- 📁 Pack icons in.png format with the correct names (e.g. com.android.chrome.png for Chrome)
📝 Instructions:
- Connect Redmi to your PC and confirm debugging on your phone.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) and check the connection: adb devices must display the serial number of the device.
- Copy icons to the system folder (root rights required): adb push icon_pack/ /system/product/overlay/
- Reboot your phone: adb reboot
⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing system files can lead to a "bootloop" (cyclical reboot). TWRP Mi Cloud.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after the change?
4.Creating your icons from scratch
If you don't find the right icon pack, you can create your own.
- 🎨 Image Editor (Photoshop, GIMP or Figma)
- 📏 Icon template for Android (size) 192×192 px, format PNG transparently)
- 📁 An icon packing tool in.apk (e.g. Icon Pack Studio)
🖌️ Creation:
- Download the icon template for Android (for example, from the Android Developers website).
- Draw icons for each application, saving the original file names (e.g. com.whatsapp.png for WhatsApp).
- Pack icons to.apk via Icon Pack Studio or Android Asset Studio.
- Install the resulting.apk on the phone and apply through the launcher (for example, Nova).
💡 Tip: To icons look harmonious, stick to one style:
- Same color palette.
- Uniform style of shadows/gradients
- Keeping recognizable logo elements (e.g., WhatsApp green icon)
5 Problems and Solutions When Changing Icons
Even when following instructions, it can be difficult.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Icons don’t change after the topic is applied | Cash launcher or applications Topics | Clear the cache (Settings → Applications → Topics → Clear the cache) |
| Launcher brakes or flies off | The conflict with MIUI Optimization | Disable ADB optimization (see Section 3) |
| Not all icons have changed. | Icon Park does not support some apps | Add missing icons manually or select another pack |
| After the reboot, the icons dropped | The launcher is not set as the main | Go to Settings → Applications → By default → Launcher and select the desired |
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with a MIUI 13) the launcher settings are reset after the system update:
- Back up your launcher settings (in Nova Launcher: Settings → Backup).
- Save the backup file to the cloud or PC.
- After the update, restore the settings from the backup.
6.The best icon packs for Xiaomi Redmi in 2026
If you don’t want to create icons yourself, here is a selection of proven packs optimized for MIUI:
- 🌿 Whicons are minimalist white icons with accent colors. Supports 5,000.+ applications.
- 🍭 CandyCons are bright, sweet trim icons. Perfect for Redmi with a slicker-like design. AMOLED-screen.
- 🖤 Delta is a dark icon with geometric shapes. It looks good on the surface. MIUI 14 with a dark theme.
- 🔺 Fluids are dynamic icons with a liquid effect.
- ⚡ Minimal O – OxygenOS-style icons (like OnePlus) for those who like pure Android.
🔍 How to choose?
Focus on:
- 🎨 Style: Minimalism, 3D, gradients.
- 📱 Compatibility: Check if the package supports your frequently used apps (the list is usually in the Play Store description).
- 🔄 Updateability: Authors regularly add icons for new apps.
💡
Before buying a paid icon pack, check it out on the free version (if any). Many authors offer Lite versions with a limited set of icons.
7. Alternative methods of customization
In addition to icons, other interface elements can be changed on Xiaomi Redmi:
- 📱 Fonts: In Settings → Screen. → Font can be selected system fonts or install your own through iFont.
- 🎨 Wallpaper with paralax effect: In MIUI 14 Support for dynamic wallpaper (Special Wallpaper in Topics).
- 🔄 Animation: With LSPosed and Module MIUI Animations can speed up or slow down system transitions.
- 🔊 Sounds: Replace system tunes through Settings → Sound and vibration or install Zedge.
💡 Useful Lifehack: If you like the style of icons from another firmware (for example, ColorOS or iOS), find packs marked "iOS Style" or "Oppo Style" in the Play Store. Many of them are adapted for the use of the app. MIUI.