How to change the icons of applications on Xiaomi: from standard themes to ADB-team

The app icons on Xiaomi 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 uniformity with wallpaper, someone is tired of bright colors, and someone is just tired of the same type. Fortunately, the manufacturer and third-party developers offer several ways of customization, from simple themes to deep changes through ADB.

In this article, we will discuss three main methods: using built-in MIUI themes, installing third-party launchers (including Nova Launcher and Hyperion), and manually changing icons through system commands. We will focus on the nuances for different models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14. If you want to not just change the picture, but completely remake the interface for yourself, read on.

1. Method: Use of MIUI themes (without root)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in themes feature in MIUI. Xiaomi offers thousands of free and paid themes, many of which change not only wallpaper, but also icons, fonts, animations. This method does not require superuser rights and works on all devices, including the POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 13T.

To apply the topic:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search box, type a query, such as “minimalism icons” or “dark icons".
• 🎨 Choose the theme you like and click Apply. The icons will change automatically.
• 🔄 If you don’t like the theme, return the standard view to Settings. → Registration → Topics → By default.

The advantage of this method is full system compatibility, but there are also disadvantages: not all themes change the icons of all applications (especially third-party ones), and some interface elements may remain unchanged, for example, Google Play icons or WhatsApp often remain standard.

⚠️ Attention: Some topics from the store MIUI Themes contain ads or paid items. Read reviews before installing them — especially if the theme is from a little-known author. In 2023, users complained about themes that set background processes for displaying banners.

Method: Third-party launchers (Nova, Hyperion, Apex)

If the built-in themes aren't enough, you can install an alternative launcher, an app that completely replaces the standard MIUI desktop, allowing you to flexibly customize icons, gestures, transitions, and even hide unnecessary items.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – the most flexible, with support for Icon Packs (icon packages from third-party designers).
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for Xiaomi, supports gestures MIUI.
• 🔄 Apex Launcher is lightweight and fast, but with fewer settings.

To change the icons through Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Download your favorite Icon Pack (such as Whicons, Delta, or CandyCons).
3. Press your finger on the desktop → Settings → Appearance → Style of icons.
4. Select the installed icon package.

The launchers allow not only to change the icons, but also:

• 📏 Set the size of the icons and the indentations between them.
• 🎨 Apply adaptive icons (round, square, rounded).
• 🔒 Hide application icons without removal (useful for system utilities).

Download APK launcher from the official website|Make a backup of current settings MIUI|Disable battery optimization for launcher|Check compatibility with the Android version-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) After installing a third-party launcher, the swipe down gesture may disappear to search. To return it, go to Nova Settings → Gestures and controls → Swipe gesture down and assign action Google Search.

3. Method: Manually changing icons through ADB (for advanced)

If you need to change the icons of specific system applications (such as Settings, Phone or Messages) and theme and launchers don’t help, you’ll need to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Warning: Incorrect ADB commands may disrupt the system, we recommend backing up the data before starting, and the instructions are suitable for MIUI 14 and later (including HyperOS).

Steps to change icons through ADB:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the command to change the icon (example for the Settings application): adb shell cmd overlay enable --user 0 com.android.theme.icon.pack.settings Where com.android.theme.icon.pack.settings is the name of the packet with the new icon (you need to know in advance).

Where can I get the ADB icon packages? They're created by enthusiasts on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. For example, MiuiMint or Revanced Icons are popular for MIUI 14.

4.Where to download quality icons for Xiaomi?

If you chose the launcher method or ADB, you'll need the icons themselves. Here are the proven sources:

• 🎨 Google Play (Icon Packs) - official launcher packages. Popular: Flux, Lines, Minima.
• 🖼️ DeviantArt – art sets from designers (free and paid).
• 📱 4PDA (section "Themes and icons for MIUI") — Russian-speaking community with adapted packages.
• 🔧 XDA Developers – custom icons for ADB (registration).

Important: Some icon packages from unverified sources may contain malicious code. Before installing, check the files through VirusTotal and read the reviews on the forums.

For MIUI, it is better to choose icons with a resolution of at least 192×192 pixels, otherwise they will be blurry. Also pay attention to the format -.png with a transparent background is best.

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If you want to create your own icons, use services like Flaticon or The Noun Project, and you can edit with free GIMP or online editor Canva.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your icons, Xiaomi users encounter common mistakes. Here’s how to fix them:

• 🔄 Icons unchanged after applying the theme: Restart your phone or clear the theme app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Topics → Clear the cache).
• 🚫 Launcher does not apply Icon Pack: Make sure the icon package supports your launcher. at Nova Launcher check: Long press → Settings → Appearance → Icon style.
• 🔌 ADB Not working after the update MIUI: Turn it off and turn on the debugging again. USB. Sometimes it helps to shift. USB-port.
• 📱 Icons are reset after rebooting: This is typical of methods with ADB. Try applying changes through Tasker or an automatic command execution script when you start.

If you’re using HyperOS, consider that some older MIUI themes may not work properly, in which case you’d better wait for official updates or use launchers.

6. Alternative methods: Root and custom firmware

For the most advanced users, there are two more ways to change the icons:

1. Getting root rights and manually replacing files in /system/app or /system/priv-app. This method gives complete control, but lacks warranty and can lead to bootloop (locked download).
2. Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) where icons change through standard Android settings, but the firmware process requires unlocking the bootloader.

Before you take such measures, assess the risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” (turning the phone into a “brick").
• ⚠️ Incompatibility with certain functions MIUI (Second Space or Game Turbo).

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If you're a beginner, start with MIUI or launchers.The root and ADB methods are designed for power users ready for potential problems.

7. How do you get back the standard icons?

If you don’t like the experiments, you can return everything “as it was” in several ways:

• 🔙 For those. MIUI: Go to Settings. → Registration → Topics → By default.
• 📱 For launchers: Remove the third-party launcher or reset its settings (Start-up Settings) → Backup → Reset).
• 💻 For ADB: execute the command: adb shell cmd overlay disable com.android.theme.icon.pack (replace com.android.theme.icon.pack in the name of your package).
• 🔧 For root methods: restore backup through TWRP Or reflash the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

If some icons are changed after reset, clear the system cache: Settings → Memory → Cleanup → Cache of the system. This will not delete your data, but can help return the standard look.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions