It’s not uncommon for MIUI’s standard app icons to be experimented with, especially when eyes are tired of monotony. Fortunately, Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark models) offer several ways to customize icons, from simple themes to deep system changes, but not all methods are equally secure, and some require unlocking the bootloader or root rights.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to change icons to Xiaomi – from official solutions to advanced tricks for enthusiasts. MIUI Themes, third-party launchers, ADB-And also, what pitfalls await at each stage and how to avoid them, and how to replace them manually.
⚠️ Warning: Changing system files without backup may result in a cyclical restart of the device ("bootloop!
1.The Official Way: MIUI Topics
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI Themes app, which allows you to change not only icons, but also fonts, wallpaper, animations. It works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and later, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13.
To apply a new theme:
- Open the Topics (Brush icon on the desktop).
- Go to the Icons section in the lower menu.
- Select the package you like and click Apply.
- Confirm the changes in the pop-up window.
⚠️ Note: Some topics require a subscription MIUI (199₽/Free packs are often limited to basic icons (for example, only for Settings and Phone).
- 🎨 Pros: No root rights, works on any device, regular updates to themes.
- ⚠️ Cons: Limited choice of free icons, some pacs are poorly optimized (icons may "float").
- 🔄 Lifehack: In the theme settings, you can include Adaptive icons - the system will automatically adjust the size to your launcher.
2. Third-party launchers: Nova, Apex, Hyperion
If you don't have enough built-in themes, you can use an alternative launcher, which is a popular Nova Launcher, an Apex Launcher, and a Hyperion Launcher (optimized for MIUI).
- 📦 Install icon packs from Google Play (e.g. Whicons, CandyCons).
- 🎯 Customize the size, shape and shadows of icons.
- 🔄 Change the animations of the transition between screens.
- 📂 Hide unnecessary apps from the menu.
Instructions for Nova Launcher:
- Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
- Install your favorite icon pack (e.g. Minimal O Icons).
- Press your finger on the desktop → Settings → Style of icons.
- Select the installed pack in the section of the icons Park.
💡 Tip: Nova Launcher Prime (paid version) has a function Adaptive icons, which automatically crops icons for the selected form (circle, birdhouse, etc.).
☑️ Preparation for launcher installation
3. Manual replacement of icons via ADB (no root)
For advanced users who don’t want to unlock the bootloader, there’s a way to swap icons through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on MIUI 12-14, but requires USB debugging enabled.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with ADB-tools installed.
- 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with debugging enabled (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap the assembly number → return to → For developers → Debugging by USB).
- 📁 Icons in.png format (resolution) 192×192 pixel).
Step-by-step:
adb shell
pm list packages | grep 'application name' # Find the package (e.g. com.android.contacts)
adb pull /data/app/com.android.contacts-1/base.apk # Download APK to PC
Unpack APK, replace the icons in the folder res/drawable
Collect APK back (use apktool)
adb install -r -d new file.apk⚠️ Attention: Incorrect assembly APK This can cause the application to crash. Before experimenting, back up the original file!
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
4. Full customization with root rights
If you're willing to take risks, unlocking the bootloader and getting root rights will open up unlimited possibilities. With Magisk and the MiXplorer module, you can manually replace system icons, including Settings icons, Phone and Messages.
What can be done:
- 🖼️ Replace any system icons (including icons in the notification bar).
- 🔧 Change the size and resolution of the icons in framework-res.apk.
- 🎨 Apply animations for icons when pressed.
Instructions:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account tied to the device).
- Install TWRP and run Magisk to get root.
- Download MiXplorer and open system files in /system/app or /system/priv-app.
- Find the APK of the desired application, extract it, replace the icons in res/drawable and reassemble it.
- Install a modified APK via Magisk or TWRP.
| Method | Need root? | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI themes | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐☆ | Absent. |
| Third-party launchers | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐☆ | Conflicts with MIUI |
| ADB (no root) | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ | Crash of applications |
| Manual replacement (root) | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Bootloop, loss of warranty |
⚠️ Note: After unlocking the bootloader, all data is reset (full wipe). Xiaomi can also block the Mi Account when you unlock it frequently (limit - 1 time in 30 days).
💡
Before unlocking the bootloader, check if your model is supported on [en.miui.com/unlock/](https://en.miui.com/unlock/).Some devices (such as POCO F1 on older firmware) may not unlock.
5.Castomization applications: Icon Changer, Shortcut Maker
If you don't want to mess with system files, use specialized utilities, which create shortcuts with new icons without affecting the original files.
Top.-3 applications:
- Icon Changer – allows you to choose icons from a gallery or packs.
- Shortcut Maker – creates custom shortcuts with modified icons.
- X Icon Changer – supports animations and adaptive icons.
How to use Icon Changer:
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Select the application you want to change the icon for.
- Upload a new image (or select from the packages offered).
- Create a shortcut on your desktop.
💡 Lifehack: To hide the original icon, move it to the Hidden Apps folder in the launcher settings (available in Nova and POCO Launcher).
Frequent problems and their solutions
When changing icons, Xiaomi users often encounter common mistakes.
- 🔄 Icons are reset after the update MIUI: The reason is to overwrite system files, and the solution is to use a launcher (like Nova) that stores settings separately from the system.
- ⚠️ The app is dyed after replacing the icons through ADB: Probably not properly assembled. APK. Check that all files in res/drawable have the correct names and permission.
- 🔒 You can’t apply the theme due to regional restrictions: Change the region in your Mi Account to India or Russia (there are more free themes). → Mi Account → Region.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable: Some topics may not be displayed due to censorship, and this will help to switch to a new platform. MIUI China or Xiaomi.EU (unofficial firmware).
💡
The safest way is to use third-party launchers, which do not affect system files and are easy to roll back.