Personalization of the interface is the first step that a user takes after buying a new smartphone. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the desire to change the standard appearance of the system, since the MIUI shell offers a wide range of options. However, the process of replacing graphic elements can seem confusing for a beginner due to the specifics of the settings menu. On the Redmi 9 model, this procedure is performed through the built-in theme store or third-party launchers, which gives full control over the visual style.
The standard replacement procedure does not require obtaining Root rights or deep interference with system files. All the necessary tools are already built into the operating system or are available for safe installation. It is important to understand that changing the appearance of shortcuts directly affects the perception of the interface and the ease of navigation. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available customization methods so that you can make your screen unique.
Use of the built-in “Themes” application
The main tool for changing graphics in Xiaomi smartphones is the pre-installed Theme app, which stores a huge database of custom designs created by both officially and community enthusiasts. To get started, you need to launch the application and log in to your Mi Account account if you haven't done it before. Without authorization, access to most personalization features will be limited.
Inside the store, you'll find sections with ready-made sets that change not only icons, but also system fonts, sounds and wallpaper. You can download the whole theme you like or choose a specific design element. Customization through official channels ensures the stability of the system, since all elements are tested for compatibility.
- 📱 Open the Themes app on the main screen.
- 🔍 Type the word “Icons” or the name of the desired style.
- ⬇️ Press the download button and apply the components.
- 🔄 Restart the device to display all changes correctly.
Once you install the kit, the system will suggest you apply the changes immediately or later, and if you choose the full theme, the interface will change globally, and if you only need graphical elements, you can select the "Apply components" option from the application menu and tick only icons.
Manual replacement of individual labels
If you don't like changing the entire interface at once, the MIUI shell allows you to replace the graphics for each particular application separately, which is especially true when the standard design of the program is knocked out of the overall concept of your desktop.
To do this, go to the theme settings, select Icons, and find the app you want in the installed list. The system will suggest you select an image from the gallery or from the built-in library. It is important to know that when you manually replace it through the theme settings, the original graphics are stored in the cache and can be returned at any time.
⚠️ Note: When selecting an image from a gallery, make sure the picture is square proportion and high resolution, otherwise the label may look blurred or cropped.
The process is as follows: tap and hold your finger on the app icon on your desktop, select “Change the icon” in the menu that appears. A gallery will open where you can select a file or go to the theme store. This method is ideal for spot adjustment of visual style without global changes.
💡
Use PNG images with transparent backgrounds to create the effect of soaring icons, if your theme style requires it.
Installation of third-party launchers
A more radical but effective way to change the look is to install an alternative shell, or launcher. The standard POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher launcher can be replaced by a Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher. These applications provide much more freedom in setting up the grid, animations and, of course, the appearance of shortcuts.
Once you install a third-party launcher from Google Play, the system will ask permission to use it as the main one, and once confirmed, you will have access to advanced settings. Unlike standard tools, you can resize each icon, add shadows, adjust transparency, and even create complex gesture controls.
| The name of the launcher | Difficulty setting up | Impact on the battery | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Medium | Low. | Maximum |
| Microsoft Launcher | Low. | Average. | Tall. |
| Smart Launcher | Low. | Low. | Medium |
| Niagara Launcher | Low. | Minimum | Unique. |
Consider that some heavy launchers may consume more RAM, which can affect the performance of Redmi 9 with its configuration. It is recommended to choose optimized versions of applications marked as Lite or Go if you notice a slowdown in the interface.
☑️ Check before installing the launcher
Use of icon packages from the Play Market
A separate layer of features opens specialized graphics sets available in the Google Play store. Unlike MIUI, these packages are often created by professional designers and contain hundreds of unique images for popular applications.
Popular sets are Whicons, LineX or CandyCons. Once installed, it will not apply automatically. You will need either a compatible launcher that picks up the style, or a special application for applying icons that redraws shortcuts by system means.
- 🎨 Download the selected icon package from the app store.
- ⚙️ Install an assistant app if the launcher does not support direct application.
- ✅ Select “Apply” from the downloaded package menu.
- 📱 Confirm the replacement of shortcuts in the system window.
The advantage of this method is a huge variety of styles that may not be available in the official Xiaomi theme store.You can find minimalistic black and white sets, neon styles or graphic elements that mimic material objects.
What to do if the icon is not used?
Set up the grid and element size
After changing the graphics, it is often necessary to adjust the location of the elements on the screen. Redmi 9 has a screen with a diagonal of 6.53 inches, which allows you to place a large number of widgets and shortcuts. However, the standard grid may not correspond to the new style of icons, especially if they are complex shapes.
In screen settings (Settings → Screen → Grid), you can change the number of rows and columns. Increased density will make the interface more informative, but reduce the size of the clickable area. For users who appreciate minimalism, a 4x5 or 5x6 grid will do.
⚠️ Attention: Too small a grid can lead to accidental tapping, and too large can lead to inconvenience of navigation with one hand.
Advanced launchers also have a feature to hide signatures under icons, which visually frees up space and emphasizes graphic label design, and if you install a new package with recognizable characters, the text underneath may become redundant.
💡
The optimal grid size for the Redmi 9 is 5x6, which provides a balance between roominess and one-handed usability.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may experience technical nuances during customization, such as when a system updates, some third-party themes may no longer display correctly and shortcuts may return to factory-style, due to changes in the structure of the MIUI shell files.
A common problem is to desynchronize notification counters (badge). When installing third-party launchers, the numbers showing the number of unread messages may be lost. To solve this problem, you need to provide the launcher with the appropriate permissions in the Settings → Applications → Permissions menu.
If the device started to work slower after installing heavy graphics packages, it is recommended to remove unused themes and clear the cache.Accumulation of graphics files can take up a significant amount of internal memory, which is critical for models with little storage.