How to change the icon and app name on Xiaomi: 4 working methods for MIUI

Are you tired of the standard Redmi or POCO icons on your desktop? Want to personalize the app name to show it in Russian or with emoji? On Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell, you can do this in several ways, from simple launcher settings to using third-party utilities. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 14/15, including bypassing restrictions without superuser rights (ROOT).

It's important to understand that Android doesn't automatically change the icons and names of the apps you install directly, but smartphone makers like Xiaomi add customization features of their own. For example, you can download icon packs to Themes, and you can edit signatures through the Launcher Settings. But what if the app you want isn't on the themes list or you want to set your own image?

Method 1: Using the built-in MIUI theme editor

The safest way is to use the official shell functionality. It does not require ROOT rights and works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 12 and later.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search box, type the name of the icon package, such as Icon Pack Studio or Whicons.
• 🎨 Select the package you like and click Apply. The system will automatically replace the icons of supported applications.
• ⚙️ For manual settings go to Settings → Desktop → Settings icons and enable the option Change icons manually.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all apps are supported by icon packages (especially system ones, such as Settings or Camera).
• ❌ You can’t change the name of the app – only the appearance of the icon.
• ❌ Free packages often contain ads and a limited set of icons.

Method 2: Creating a shortcut with a custom icon and name

If you only need to change the name and icon for one application, the easiest way to create a duplicate shortcut is to create a shortcut, which works without additional programs and does not affect the original application.

Instructions:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop, then select Widgets.
2. Scroll through the list to the Shortcuts section and select the Application Shortcut (or App Shortcut on English firmware).
3. Find the app you want and tap it on the list, and a new label will appear on your desktop.
4. Click on the shortcut (under the icon) and enter a new name. For example, instead of Chrome, you can write it. 🌍 browser.
5. To change the icon: click on the label icon → Change. → Select a picture from the gallery or download it. PNG-size 192×192 px.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need to ask for rights. ROOT or third-party.
• ✅ The original app remains intact.
• ✅ You can use emoji in the title.

⚠️ Note: When you remove the shortcut from the desktop, the original app will not disappear. However, if you delete the app itself, the shortcut will become non-working.

Download PNG-picture 192×192 px|Cut the background to transparent (if necessary)|Save to the Downloads folder|Make sure the file name is in Latin

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Method 3: Applications for customization (without ROOT)

If MIUI isn't built in, you can use third-party utilities. We tested 3 of the most reliable apps that run on Xiaomi without superuser rights.

How to use Icon Changer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and grant permission to Overlay over other applications (in Xiaomi settings, it’s Settings → Applications → Special Accesses → Display on top of other applications).
3. Select the application you want to change and click Change the icon.
4. Upload your own image or select from the packages offered.
5. To change the name, click on the text under the icon and enter a new name.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Icon Changer) may conflict with the Security feature. MIUI. If it resets after changing the icon, add the app to the battery optimization exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Find the Icon Changer → No restrictions.

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If the icon is reset after rebooting, try disabling the “Adaptive Icons” function in the MIUI launcher settings: press and hold the empty space on the desktop → Desktop Settings → Icon Style → Disable adaptive icons

Method 4: Manual change through ADB (for advanced)

This is a way for those who are willing to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to change the name of the application globally — not only on the desktop, but also in the All App menu, but requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• 📄 The name of the target application package (you can find out through the App Inspector in Google Play or the adb shell pm list packages command).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm debugging over USB on your phone screen.


2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.




3. Enter a command to check the connection:




adb devices




(The serial number of your device should be displayed).




4. Change the name of the app (e.g. for Chrome):




adb shell pm set-application-label com.android.chrome "My Browser"




5.Reboot the launcher:




adb shell am force-stop com.miui.home




adb shell am start com.miui.home

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ After updating the application, the name may be reset.
• ❌ Not all system applications MIUI allow markings to be changed.
• ❌ Repeat the procedure after resetting the settings.

Problems and Solutions: Why You Can't Change Your Icon

Even following the instructions, Xiaomi users often face difficulties. Consider the typical errors and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: After the icon is changed, it is reset to the standard icon.

• 🔹 Reason: Adaptive icons function in MIUI Redefined user settings.
• 🔹 Solution: Disable it in Desktop Settings → Badge style.

Problem 2: The icon change app doesn’t see some programs.

• 🔹 Reason: System applications MIUI (For example, Security or Topics are protected from changes.
• 🔹 Solution: Use ADB-method or create a label manually.

Problem 3: The name of the app does not change in the All Apps menu.

• 🔹 Reason: Most methods only change the shortcut on the desktop, not the app itself.
• 🔹 Solution: Use Global Change ADB Apps like App Cloner (create a copy with a new name).

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If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher), all icon and title customization settings apply only to it. MIUI change.

Security: What not to do when changing icons

Customization of Android can lead to unstable system operation if you violate key rules.

• 🚫 Remove or modify system applications (e.g. com.miui.home) without backup.This can lead to bootloop (a looped boot).
• 🚫 Use applications that require ROOT, If you don't understand the consequences, MIUI This often breaks the Find Device (phone search) function).
• 🚫 Change the icons of banking applications (for example, SberBank Online or Tinkoff) This can cause security suspicions and block access.
• 🚫 Install APK-Icon files from unverified sources that may contain malicious code.

If you still want to deeply customize the system, consider the following safe alternatives:

• 🔹 Use themes. MIUI log-store.
• 🔹 Install an alternative launcher (such as Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) that supports customization without risking the system.
• 🔹 Create duplicate applications through Double Applications in Settings → Apps and change icons only for copies.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing icons on Xiaomi