How to change the app icon on Xiaomi Redmi Note: from standard themes to ADB-team

Tired of the monotonous icons on the Xiaomi Redmi Note desktop and want to give your smartphone a unique look? Replacing app icons is one of the easiest ways to personalize that dramatically transforms the interface. Unlike iOS, where customization is strictly limited, MIUI firmware offers several methods at once, from built-in themes to manual editing via ADB.

In this article, we will discuss three working ways to change the icons on the Redmi Note (relevant for models from Note 7 to Note 13 Pro).+), including nuances for different versions MIUI. You'll learn how to get around the system's limitations, where to download secure icon packs, and what to do if the app stops opening after the changes, and a unique life hack using widgets to bypass locking. MIUI switching.

Why can’t you just change your icons on Xiaomi Redmi Note?

Unlike the "bare" Android, MIUI firmware imposes strict restrictions on modifying system elements.

• 🔒 Xiaomi blocks changes to system files without root rights to prevent OS damage by inexperienced users.
• 🎨 Built-in theme system: MIUI Originally offers to change icons through the Themes, but the choice is limited to official pacas.
• 📱 Performance optimization: Customization via third-party launchers can increase battery consumption by 5-15% (test data) XDA Developers).

But you can get around these restrictions, and you don't always need root rights, but you need to understand the risks.

⚠️ Note: Change system icons through ADB or manual editing of.apk files can cause the application to crash (the "Application Stopped" error!

*For ADB-root method is not required, but debugging is needed USB unlocked bootloader (on some Redmi Note models after 2022, this may void the warranty).

Method 1: Changing icons through built-in MIUI themes

The safest and easiest method is to use official themes from Xiaomi, which is suitable for users who do not want to risk the stability of the system, but want to refresh the appearance.

Instructions:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on your desktop).
2. Go to the icon tab in the lower menu.
3. Select your favorite icon pack and click Apply.
4. Confirm the changes – the system will automatically update the icons on the desktop and in the application menu.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require technical skills.
• ✅ All icons are optimized for MIUI (No distortion, no lags).
• ✅ Free (there are both free and paid themes).

⚠️ Note: Some themes don't change the icons of all apps. System utilities (such as Settings or Phone) often remain unchanged. To fix this, use a combination of themes (the option is available in a premium account). MIUI).

Where to look for quality topics?

• 🌐 Official Topics Store: In Appendix Topics → Online.
• 🔍 Third-party resources: MIUI Themes Editor (community on Reddit). Telegram channel @MIUI_Themes_RU (Russian-language collections).

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If after applying the theme icons look blurry, clear the cache of the application Themes in the phone settings. This often solves the problem with the display.

Method 2: Use of third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex)

If built-in themes aren’t enough, third-party launchers offer full control over the icons, including the ability to install custom packs from the Play Market or.png files.

Best launchers for Redmi Note:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – the most flexible (supports adaptive icons, gestures, backup settings).
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – Optimized for weak devices (suitable for Redmi Note) 7/8).
• 🔄 Lawnchair – Open Source Launcher (maximum customization, but more difficult to set up).

The following is a step-by-step instruction for Nova Launcher:

Where do I download icon packs?

Important nuance: on the Redmi Note with MIUI 13+ Some system applications (e.g. Security or Camera) may ignore custom icons in the launcher. MIUI. The solution is to use a workaround:

Method 3: Manually modifying icons via ADB (no root)

This method is suitable for advanced users who want to completely replace the icons of system applications (including Settings, Phone, etc.) It works without root, but requires an unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging over USB.

Warning: Incorrect ADB commands can lead to app dyeing or even bootloop (loop loading).On Redmi Note 10/11/12 models with MIUI 14+, this method may require additional authorization through Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder on your PC.
4. Open the command prompt in this folder and type: Adb devices Make sure your Redmi Note appears in the list.
5. Download the icon pack in.png format (at least 192×192 px resolution) and place them in the folder on your PC.
6. Use the command to replace the icon (example for the Settings app): adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system" su -c "cp /sdcard/Download/new_settings_icon.png /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ic_launcher_settings.png" su -c "chmod 644 /system/app/Settings/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ic_launcher_settings.png" su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system" reboot

⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note with MIUI 14+ The path to the icons may be different! for an accurate definition, use the command: adb shell pm path com.android.settings Then extract APK-File and find the folder with icons (res/drawable-*).

An alternative way (without manual file copying) is to use the MIUI Icon Changer utility from developer lin0x99 (available on GitHub), which automates the process but requires a PC connection.

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ADB-This method allows you to change the icons of any application, including system, but requires strict compliance with commands. An error in the path or permissions of the file will lead to the reset of the icon to the standard.

How to return standard icons if something goes wrong

If after the experiments, the icons started to show up incorrectly, the apps stopped opening, or artifacts appeared, don't panic. You can bring it back in a number of ways:

• 🔄 Reset topics: Go into Topics → Mine. → Current theme → Drop it.
• 🗑️ Cache Clearing: For Launchers - Settings → Annexes → Nova Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Recovery through ADB: If the system application icons are damaged, use the command: adb shell cmd package compile -m speed -f com.android.settings (replace com.android.settings with the desired application package).
• 🔧 Resetting launcher settings: In Nova Launcher: Long-pressing desktop → Settings → Backup → Reset.

If none of the methods helped, and system applications do not open, you will have to reset your phone settings (without losing data):

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Choose Resetting (not to be confused with Resetting to Factory!).
3. Confirm the action – it will return all system icons to their original state.

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Before resetting, export the list of installed applications through MIUI Backup, which will save you time to re-install.

Lifehack: Widgets as an alternative to replacing icons

If all of the above methods seem too complex and the built-in themes are not enough, there is a workaround through widgets. It works on any Redmi Note models without restrictions and does not require technical skills.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install the KWGT Kustom Widget Maker (or UCCW for simple widgets).
2. Download the custom icon widget template (for example, on the Play Market, look for "KWGT icon packs").
3. Add the widget to the desktop and configure it for the desired application.
4. Hide the original icon in the folder or turn off its display through the launcher settings.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ It works without root and ADB.
• ✅ You can customize the animation, size and shape of the icons.
• ✅ Does not affect performance (widgets) KWGT optimized).

Cons:

• ❌ Takes up space on the desktop (the widget can not be folded into a folder).
• ❌ Some templates are paid.

Example of setting up an icon widget for WhatsApp:

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When changing icons on Xiaomi Redmi Note, users often face typical problems.

Another common mistake is that icon resolutions don't work properly, so if you're manually replacing files through ADB, make sure that:

• The resolution of the icon is the same as the original (check using adb pull /system/app/[application folder]/res/).
• The format is PNG-32 (without compression).
• The file name is identical to the original (accounting for the register!).

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Before any manipulation of system files, back up your data via adb backup or TWRP. This will save your data if you crash.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions