Personalizing the smartphone interface is one of the most popular ways to express your personality and make your device more comfortable. Users of the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS often face the desire to change the standard look of commonly used programs such as VK. The standard blue logo can seem boring or be knocked out of the selected desktop color scheme, prompting them to look for ways to replace it.
Fortunately, Xiaomi’s shell provides flexible visual tools to change not only the wallpaper but also the appearance of the system elements. The process of replacing the VK icon can range from simply applying a ready-made theme to creating a custom shortcut with a unique image. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, their pros and cons, as well as technical nuances that owners of Redmi and POCO smartphones need to consider.
It is worth noting that changing the appearance of the shortcut does not affect the functionality of the application itself. Replacing the icon is a cosmetic modification of the launch shortcut that does not affect the cache, data or operation of the VK app itself. You can be sure that after all the manipulations, the program will continue to work as usual, receiving notifications and updates as usual.
Use of the built-in MIUI and HyperOS theme store
The easiest and safest way to change the look of a VKontakte icon is to use the Themes app, a built-in tool that is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices and allows you to apply complex design changes. You do not need to download additional programs or obtain superuser rights, just have a Mi Account account.
To get started, open the Themes app on your desktop or in the Tools folder. In the search box, type in the "VK icons" or "VK icon pack." The system will offer a variety of design options where only a set of graphic elements are changed, not the entire interface completely. Choose the right set for you and click "Download" and then "Apply".
However, there are limitations to this method: often free themes contain ads or offer to change icons only for a limited list of applications. If you want to replace the icon specifically for VKontakte, make sure that the theme description indicates support for this application, otherwise the standard logo will remain unchanged.
After applying the theme, it is recommended to check the result. Sometimes you need to restart the device or clear the launcher cache to make the changes take effect correctly. If the icon has not changed, try to delete the theme and apply it again, after clearing the cache of the Themes application through the settings of the smartphone.
Application of third-party launchers for deep customization
If standard MIUI features don't suit you, installing a third-party launcher is a great solution, and programs like Nova Launcher, Smart Launcher or Microsoft Launcher offer advanced features for managing the look of each individual shortcut, ideal for those who want to create a unique desktop design.
Once you install the launcher from Google Play, you need to assign it to the default default. To do this, go to your smartphone settings, find the Apps section → App Management → Three dots in the corner → Default apps. Select the installed launcher from the list. Now the interface will change, and you can edit shortcuts.
To change a VK icon in a third-party launcher, you usually need to click the shortcut long enough and select "Edit" or "Change" from the menu that opens, you can choose an image from a gallery or use the built-in icon set, which gives you complete freedom of creativity, allowing you to use any images as a logo.
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When using third-party launchers on Xiaomi, be sure to allow auto-start and work in the background so that the desktop does not fly out of memory and animations work smoothly.
It is important to consider that third-party launchers can consume more battery life than a standard shell.In addition, some system features, such as gestures or folders, may work differently.
Creating a custom shortcut through the “Themes” app
The latest versions of the HyperOS shell and current MIUI have introduced the feature of creating your own shortcuts directly through the system application Themes, which allows you to replace the icon of a particular application without changing the whole theme and installing a third-party launcher.
To implement this method, open the Themes app and go to the user profile (the human icon in the lower right corner).Look for the Icons section or My Components. Here you will see a list of applications for which you can change the appearance. Search in the VKontakte list or click the add button to select the application from the installed list.
Selecting the application, the system will prompt you to upload a new image. You can use the photo from the gallery, downloaded. PNG-A file or image from the Internet, and after you select the image, you will create a label on your desktop, and you can delete the old label, leaving only the new, customized version.
⚠️ Note: When creating a shortcut through this method, the original application is not removed, but notifications may come to the old shortcut if you do not transfer the data.
The advantage of this method is that it does not require additional software installation and works stably in the background, however, if you reset the launcher settings or delete the Topics application data, the created shortcuts may disappear and you will have to repeat the procedure.
☑️ Checklist before changing the icon
Use of specialized apps for icons
There are many tools in the mobile app market that are designed specifically to manage the appearance of shortcuts, such as X Icon Changer, Shortcut Maker or Custom Icon Pack, which allow you to create shell shortcuts, and they work in a similar way to the system method, but often extend the functionality of batch use of icons.
Once you install an app like this, you have to select the installed programs from the list, find VKontakte, and replace it with any other icon, and you can choose from the thousands of available ones on Google Play, or upload your own image, and create a new shortcut that looks exactly what you want.
The thing about these programs is that they actually create a shortcut. When you start up, you activate a change app that instantly opens the target program. In today's Xiaomi smartphones with powerful processors, this delay is invisible, but on budget models, you can feel micro-freeze.
| Method | Difficulty | Impact on the battery | Flexibility of setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| The shop that | Low. | Absent. | Medium |
| Third-party launcher | Medium | High. | Maximum |
| System label | Low. | Minimum | Tall. |
| Replacement annexes | Low. | Average. | Tall. |
Using third-party apps to change icons requires certain permissions, such as accessing storage and creating shortcuts.Always check the permissions the program requests to protect your personal data from potential leaks.
Technical nuances and possible problems
Users may face a number of technical difficulties in customizing the interface, such as when they upgrade MIUI or HyperOS, the themes they use can fly off and the icons can return to the factory view, which is the normal behavior of a security system that checks the integrity of system files with each major update.
Another common problem is the appearance of double shortcuts. When you create a custom icon, the old one often stays in place. To avoid confusion, remove the original VK shortcut from your desktop by pinching it and selecting "Delete." It is important not to confuse this action with removing the application itself.
What to do if the icon becomes a black square?
Also worth mentioning is the impact on notifications: In rare cases, when aggressive modification techniques are used, badge notifications (message circles) may stop showing up on the custom icon, and checking the health of notifications should be the first step after changing the appearance of the label.
If you use desktop widgets, keep in mind that changing the app icon does not change the appearance of its widgets. VK widgets (for example, for quick photos) will remain in the standard design, which can create visual dissonance. For complete harmony, you will have to search and install custom widgets separately.
Safety and recommendations for use
By downloading themes and icons from unverified sources, you are potentially putting your smartphone at risk, although the icon itself cannot contain a virus, a replacement app, or a modified one. APK-Theme files may require extra permissions. Always download content from official stores or trusted sources.
Pay attention to other users' feedback on a particular theme or app for changing icons. If many people complain about ads or strange behavior of the phone after installation, it is better to refrain from using this resource.
⚠️ Warning: Never download patches or mods for system icon files from questionable forums.This can cause a launcher to malfunction and require a phone reset.
Regularly update customization apps. Developers often release patches that improve compatibility with new versions of Android. Ignoring updates can lead to unstable interfaces or conflicts with system processes.
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The safest and most stable way to change the icon to Xiaomi is to use the built-in functionality of the Themes app or create a shortcut through the user profile, since this does not require installing additional software.
To sum up, changing your VKontakte icon to Xiaomi is a simple process that opens up a lot of possibilities for personalization. Choose the method that best suits your needs, from quick theme change to deep customization through launchers.