Why Standard Techniques Don’t Work on Xiaomi and What to Do
Have you ever tried to rename an app to Xiaomi Redmi, but you've come across that the system is just ignoring your actions? It's no coincidence - MIUI deliberately blocks the name change for most system and user applications through standard Android tools. The reason lies in Xiaomi's security policy: the manufacturer believes that renaming can confuse users or be used by attackers to disguise malware as legitimate programs.
However, there are workarounds, both official (through launchers and MIUI settings) and semi-official (using ADB or third-party utilities), and in this article we will discuss all the current ways, including those that work without superuser rights (root), and pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of MIUI (from 12 to 14) and Redmi models (from Note 8 Pro to Redmi 13C).
Before you start, remember that renaming apps doesn’t affect their functionality, but it can confuse system services (such as voice assistant or device search). If you use an application for work or study, you’d better test the new method first on unnecessary software.
Method 1: Use of Nova Launcher (without root)
The easiest and safest method is to install a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher, which allows you to rename application shortcuts directly on the desktop without affecting system files. This method works on all Xiaomi Redmi models, including the Redmi 12, Note 11 Pro+ and POCO X5.
Here's how to do it:
- 📥 Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
- 🔧 After installation, press and hold your finger in the free space of the desktop. → Select Settings → Labels and folders.
- ✏️ Enable the option of Rename tags.
- 📌 Now click and hold the desired application. → Choose Change. → Enter a new name.
Importantly, this method only changes the shortcut, not the name of the app in the system. If you open Settings → Applications, the old name will remain, but it is completely safe and does not require technical skills.
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If after renaming the shortcut disappeared from the desktop, restart the launcher: press and hold the free space → Restart Nova.
Method 2: Through MIUI settings (limited functionality)
Some versions of MIUI (starting with 12.5) have the ability to rename only Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Camera, Gallery, Security) without requiring additional software installation, but it doesn’t work with all programs.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the application you want in the list (for example, Records or Calendar).
- Stick to three points (⋮) top-right → Choose Rename (if the option is active).
- Enter a new name and save the changes.
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ It does not work for third-party applications (WhatsApp, Telegram, games, etc.).
- ❌ On some firmware, the option to Rename may not even be available for system applications.
- ❌ After updating MIUI name may be dropped.
Method 3: ADB-Teams for experienced users
If you need to rename any application (including system ones) but don’t want root rights, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.
Warning: improper use of ADB can lead to system failures.
Enable debugging on USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times according to version)|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download Platform Tools from Google|Connect the phone to the PC by USB (Select the File Transfer Mode)-->
Instructions:
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices Wait for the serial number of your device to appear.
- Find out the current name of the application package (for example, for WhatsApp): adb shell pm list packages | grep whatsapp You will get something like com.whatsapp.
- Rename the app (replace com.whatsapp and "New Name" with your values): adb shell pm set-app-name com.whatsapp "New Name"
Important nuances:
- 🔄 After restarting the device, the name can be reset (solved by re-entering the command).
- 🛑 Some system applications (com.miui.home, com.android.settings) will not be renaming.
- 📱 Nana MIUI 14 You may need an additional command to unlock the rights: adb shell appops set com.miui.securitycenter android:mock_location allow
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Method 4: Rename annexes (with reservations)
Google Play has utilities that promise to rename apps without root, such as App Cloner or Parallel Space, but they run with serious limitations on Xiaomi Redmi:
| Annex | Needs root? | Works for MIUI? | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Cloner | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially. | Creates a copy of the app with a new name, but does not change the original |
| Parallel Space | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Renames only in "parallel space" |
| Rename App | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Requires root rights, may disrupt MIUI |
| Shortcut Maker | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | It only changes the label like Nova Launcher. |
If you still decide to use such utilities, consider:
- 🔍 App Cloner creates a duplicate of the app with a new name, but the original will remain unchanged, which can lead to conflicts (for example, two WhatsApps will not be able to work simultaneously).
- 🔄 Parallel Space allows you to rename the app only inside your sandbox. Outside of space, the name will remain the same.
- ⚠️ Rename App and analogues require root, which voids the warranty Xiaomi and can lead to problems with the company. OTA-update.
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Third-party utilities to rename to MIUI They're more likely to create the illusion of change than they are actually editing the system data. ADB root.
Method 5: Manual file editing (root only)
If you have root rights, you can manually edit the application files, which gives you maximum control, but also maximum risk, and a mistake can lead to the collapse of the application or even the system.
Step-by-step:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to /data/app/ (for custom applications) or /system/priv-app/ (for system applications).
- Find a folder with the name of the application package (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).
- Inside the folder, open the base.apk file with an archiver (such as ZArchiver).
- Move to the res/values/ and edit the file. strings.xml. Find a line: <string name="app_name">Facebook</string> Replace Facebook with the right name.
- Save the changes, restart the device.
⚠️ Attention: Editing of systems APK-file (/system/priv-app/) This can lead to bootloop. Always back up the file before you change it. MIUI 14 system folders can be protected by dm-verity, making this method impossible without additional manipulations.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even if you do everything according to the instructions, there may be some unexpected complications, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
- 🔙 After the reboot, the name reset: It's typical for rootless methods (ADB, Solution: repeat the procedure or use Tasker to automatically rename when the system starts.
- 🚫 The "Rename" option is inactive in MIUI: Check if the Security Application rights are disabled (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Special accesses. Also try to update MIUI last-minute.
- 🔌 ADB Does not see the device: Make sure that the developer settings include the Debugging option USB (safety parameters; on MIUI 13/14 Additional permission may be required in the settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Special permits → USB-debugging.
- 📱 App stopped opening: This could happen after manual editing APK. Solution: Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache) or reinstall it.
If none of the methods worked, maybe your Redmi model has some additional limitations. K50 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ s MIUI 14 for Global firmware lock tighter than for Chinese (China) ROM).