How to change the name of the application to Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Are you tired of the inconvenient or confusing app names on your Xiaomi? Want to personalize your desktop by making program names shorter, more informative, or just in your native language? Unlike iOS, where app renaming is only possible through workarounds, MIUI offers several formal and informal methods for changing program names. However, not all of them are equally convenient — some require root rights, others work only with certain launchers.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 working ways to rename apps to Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, from simple shortcut tricks to deep system changes through ADB. You’ll learn which methods are safe for beginners and which can cause system failures. We’ll also explain why some apps (like the Google Play Store or Mi Home) refuse to change names and how to get around it.

We warn you right away: changing system applications through ADB or root can disrupt MIUI and lead to loss of warranty. If you are not confident in your abilities, use methods without superuser rights.

Method 1: Rename through a shortcut on the desktop

The simplest and most secure method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones without additional software is suitable for most user applications (e.g. Telegram, VK, YouTube), but will not work for system utilities.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Find the app you want to rename on your desktop. If it's not there, drag it from the app menu (All apps).
• ✏️ Press and hold your finger on the app icon before the context menu appears.
• 📝 Select Rename (on some firmware - Change the name).
• 🔤 Enter a new name (maximum 12 characters in Cyrillic or 16 characters in Latin) and click Ready.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not work for system applications (Settings, Phone, Messages).
• ❌ Changes apply only to the shortcut on the desktop – in the menu All applications name will remain original.
• ❌ After updating the application, the name may be reset.

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If the "Rename" option is missing, try dragging the application to the desktop from the "All Apps" menu first. On some versions of MIUI, the option only appears after that.

Method 2: Use of a third-party launcher (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher)

If the standard MIUI launcher doesn't suit the limitations, install an alternative.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher is the most flexible, with gesture and themes support.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – lightweight and fast, with wide settings of icons.
• 💼 Microsoft Launcher – Windows integration, smart search.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from the Google Play Store.
2. Click on the free space on the desktop → Settings → Applications and widgets.
3. Select App Settings → find the desired application in the list.
4. Click on the name of the application and enter a new one.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works for most applications, including some system applications.
• ✅ Changes are maintained after updates.
• ✅ Additional features: changing icons, hiding apps, gestures.

Method 3: Change the name through ADB (without root)

For advanced users who are ready to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), the method allows you to rename any application, including system ones, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers (you can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🔧 App Inspector utility (to determine the batch name of the application).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and confirm debugging on your phone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Find out the package name of the app (for example, for Google Chrome it is com.android.chrome) through the App Inspector.
5. Run the renaming command (replace package.name and "New name"): adb shell pm set-app-label "package.name" "New name"
6. Reboot your smartphone.

Install ADB-driver on PC|Enable debugging on USB on Xiaomi| Download App Inspector to determine package name|Connect phone to PC with original cable |Confirm connection with adb devices-->

Important nuances:

• ⚠️ After updating the application, the name may be reset - you will need a repeat procedure.
• ⚠️ Some system applications (such as Mi Security) can block changes.
• ⚠️ If a Permission Denied error appears after the command, then the application is protected from changes.

Method 4: Editing system files (requires root)

The most radical method to permanently change the name of the application, including system ones, is only suitable for users with root rights and installed file manager with access to the root folder (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).

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Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot) or loss of functionality MIUI. We recommend you to create a backup copy through TWRP beforehand.

Instructions:

1. Open the root file manager and go to /data/app/[package.name]-1/base.apk (where [package.name] is the application’s batch name).
2. Copy the base.apk file to any user folder (e.g. Download).
3. Rename the file extension from.apk to.zip and unpack the archive.
4. Go to the res/values folder and open the strings.xml file in the text editor.
5. Find the line with the original name of the app (usually has a tag) <string name="app_name">original</string>) And change the text inside the tag.
6. Save the file, pack the folder back into.zip, then rename it to base.apk.
7. Return the edited base.apk to the original folder by replacing the original file (pre-return!).
8. Reboot your smartphone.

Examples of packet names of popular applications:

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Attention: Systemic change APK-The files may cause Google Play Security to fail or MIUI Optimizations. If after the restart the phone starts to brake or give out errors, restore the original file from the backup.

Method 5: Apps to Rename (App Cloner, Island)

If the previous methods seem complicated, you can use specialized utilities, which create a clone of the application with a new name without affecting the original.

Top.-3 name-appendix:

• 🔄 App Cloner allows you to duplicate apps with a changed name, icon, and even a color scheme.
• 🏝️ Island (from Oasis Feng) - creates a sandbox for applications where you can assign any name. Requires root or enabled feature Work profile in the app. MIUI.
• 📦 Parallel Space — runs applications in an isolated environment with the ability to rename. Suitable for social networks and instant messengers.

How to use App Cloner:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select a cloning app from the list.
3. In the clone settings section, find the application name option and enter a new one.
4. Click Create a clone and wait for the process to be completed.
5. The new app will appear on the desktop with a changed name.

Cons of the method:

• ❌ Clone applications take up extra space in memory.
• ❌ Not all functions can work correctly (e.g. notifications).
• ❌ Free versions have restrictions (advertising, clone limit).

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Cloning applications are the only way to rename MIUI system utilities (such as “Settings” or “Security”) without root rights.

Why are some apps not being renamed?

Not all Xiaomi software allows you to change your name, but here are the main reasons:

1. Protection of MIUI system applications

Xiaomi apps (Mi Home, Mi Security, Themes) often block name changes at the firmware level.

• 🔒 Fraud prevention (for example, replacing a system application with a phishing application).
• 🛠️ Maintaining stability MIUI (Some utilities are closely integrated into the system).

2. Restrictions of Google Play Protections

High-security apps (Google Play Store, Google Services, Banking Apps) can automatically reset name changes after updates (GMS).

3. Features of firmware

On some versions of MIUI (especially on Xiaomi.eu or custom firmware), the renaming functions may be disabled or not work properly.

• On MIUI 14 for POCO F5, the application shortcuts are renamed, but the changes are not saved after the reboot.
• On MIUI 12.5 for Redmi Note 9 Pro, the Rename option is not available in the context menu.

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Note: If you are using Global ROM (the official firmware for the international market), some methods (such as ADB) may be blocked by the manufacturer, in which case only reflashing to Xiaomi.eu or obtaining root rights will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about renaming apps to Xiaomi