How to change the app icons on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

App icons on Xiaomi Redmi are the first thing that catches your eye when unlocking a smartphone. The standard MIUI design is not popular with everyone: someone wants originality, someone wants minimalism, and someone just gets bored of monotony. Fortunately, you can change icons to Redmi in several ways, from simple themes to deep customization through ADB.

In this article, we'll look at all the current techniques, including official MIUI tools and third-party solutions. You'll learn how to change root-enabled icons, which launchers work better on Xiaomi, and how to get it back if something goes wrong. Importantly, some of the ways require caution — for example, editing system files can cause crashes. So make a backup of the data before experimenting.

Regardless of the model — whether it’s a Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or POCO X5 — the instructions will work for most MIUI 12-14 devices. If your smartphone runs HyperOS, some points may differ, as we’ll mention.

1. Replace icons through standard MIUI themes

The easiest and safest way is to use built-in themes. MIUI offers thousands of free and paid themes, many of which change not only the wallpaper, but also the style of the icons. Here's how it works:

1. Open the “Themes” app** (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Icons tab (or Icon Packages in new versions).
3. Select the set you like and click Apply.
4. Confirm the changes – the icons will be updated automatically.

✅ Pros: No additional applications required, works on all Redmi models, changes are reversible.

❌ Cons: limited choice of free themes, some icon packages do not change all icons (for example, system applications may remain unchanged).

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If after applying the theme icons have not changed, restart the smartphone or clear the launcher cache in the application settings.

2. Use of third-party launchers

If you don't have enough built-in themes, you can install an alternative launcher, popular options like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Lawnchair, which allow you not only to change the icons, but also to customize animations, gestures and the layout of elements on the screen.

Let’s look at the example of Nova Launcher:

1. Download Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Set the launcher as the main one (at the first start, a proposal will appear).
3. Press the free space on the main screen → Settings → Style of icons.
4. Select the Icon Package and install your favorite from the store (such as Whicons or CandyCons).
5. Change the icons and the icons will be updated.

🔹 Important: some icon packages require purchase, and note that system applications (such as Settings or Phone) may not change, for which you will have to manually assign icons through the launcher settings.

3. Manually modifying icons via ADB (for advanced)

This is a method that is suitable for those who are willing to dig into system files, and it allows you to replace the icons of any application, including system ones, but requires an ADB connection and basic command line knowledge.

Warning: Incorrect actions can cause system failure, a method recommended only for advanced users.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer installed ADB (Installation instructions are available on the Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📁 Folder with new icons in.png format (resolution) 192×192 pixels, transparent background).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm access via ADB.
2. Open the command line and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Download application icons from the system folder: adb pull /data/app/[packet name]-1/base.apk (replace [packet name] with a real name, for example, com.android.contacts for the Contacts app).
4. Unclick base.apk (for example, through 7-Zip), find the res/drawable folder and replace the icon files with your own.
5. Collect the APK back and install it via ADB: adb install -r base.apk

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI All changes will reset, and there may be errors when installing modified APK — In this case, you will have to reset the application to the factory settings.

4. Apps for changing icons without root

If ADB It seems too complicated, you can use specialized applications that run on top of a standard launcher and don't require superuser rights.-3 decision:

🔹 How to use: download the app, select the app to change, download a new icon (or select from the gallery) and apply the changes.

Download the application from the official store|Backup of current icons (if there is a feature)|Check compatibility with the version MIUI|Clear the launcher cache after changes-->

5. Reset icons to standard settings

If the experiments were unsuccessful or just wanted to return everything “as it was”, there are several ways to roll back:

• 🔄 For those. MIUI: Get into Themes. → Mine. → Current theme and click Reset.
• 📱 For launchers: Remove the third-party launcher or reset its settings (Start-up Settings) → Backup and reset).
• 🛠️ For ADB-Changes: Reinstall the original APK Apps or make a reset settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset application settings).
• 🗑️ For icon apps: remove the created shortcuts and clear the application data in Settings → Annexes.

⚠️ Warning: If, after the changes, ADB If the apps stopped running, try to clear their cache. If that didn't work, you'll have to reset your smartphone to factory settings (don't forget to back up your cache!).

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Before experimenting with any icons, check that the methods are compatible with your version of MIUI. For example, on HyperOS, some methods may not work or require additional actions.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing icons, users often encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• ❌ Icons don’t change: Check if your launcher supports changing icons (e.g., standard icons). MIUI Launcher does not support icon packs. Clear the launcher cache in Settings → Apps. Reboot your smartphone.
• ❌ Icons are lost after updating: This is normal behavior for methods with ADB modified APK. Use launchers or themes – they will persist after the update.
• ❌ Not all icons have changed: System applications (Settings, Phone) often remain unchanged. In launchers like Nova, they can be changed manually through Long Press. → Change. → Icon.

💡 Tip: If you experiment with design often, create a separate user profile on your smartphone (Settings) → System system → Multiplayer mode: This way you can test changes without risking your main profile.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions