How to change the Telegram icon on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s standard blue Telegram icon is already boring, and you’re looking for something fresh?You’re not alone — thousands of MIUI users are looking for ways to customize the look of apps every day. Fortunately, Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones offer several official and unofficial icon-change methods, including built-in themes, third-party launchers, and even manual modification via ADB.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways, from the simplest (for beginners) to the most advanced (for power users), learn how to get around the limitations of MIUI, which launchers are best to use on Xiaomi in 2026, and why some methods may not work on new versions of the firmware, and also a unique life hack with creating a duplicate icon through the “Application Settings”, which few people know about.

1. Method: Using the built-in MIUI themes

The safest and fastest method is to apply one of the preset themes to MIUI. This method does not require root rights, does not reset settings and works on all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13).

To change the Telegram icon through themes:

• 📱 Open the Topics app (brush icon on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search box, enter "Telegram" or "icons".
• 🎨 Choose a theme with your favorite icon design (e.g. Minimal Icons or Dark Mode Icons").
• 📥 Click Apply – the icon will be updated automatically.

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If you don’t have the right theme in your area, try changing your Mi region to India or Indonesia, where the collection is much wider.

The downside is that the themes change all the icons on your desktop, not just Telegram. If you only need to change one app, read on.

Method: Third-party launchers (Nova, Hyperion, Apex)

Third-party launchers are a universal icon customization solution that allows you to customize icons for each application, change sizes, shapes, and even animations. Xiaomi works best:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher is the most flexible, with support for.png and.ico files.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for MIUI, There is a built-in icon editor.
• 🎯 Apex Launcher is lightweight and free, but with less functionality.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Press your finger on the desktop → Settings → Style of icons.
3. Select the Icon Package (e.g., "Whicons" or "CandyCons").
4. If you need a unique icon – click on Telegram → Edit → Icon → select a file from the gallery.

Download APK launcher from the official website |

Make a backup copy of the current desktop |

Disable battery optimization for launcher in MIUI| settings

Check compatibility with your version of Android (MIUI 14/15)-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) Launchers may conflict with the system application Mi Home. If after installation, lags appear, turn off animation in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 5 times to tap).

Method: Manual modification via ADB (without root)

For advanced users willing to work with the command line, there is a method of changing icons through Android Debug Bridge (ADB).It does not require root rights, but requires a connection to a PC and basic command knowledge.

Steps:

1. Download ADB Tools and install it on PC.
2. Turn on USB debugging on Xiaomi (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap → return to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type a command:

adb shell pm set-icon --user 0 org.telegram.messenger /sdcard/Download/custom_icon.png

Where custom_icon.png — your icon in format 512×512 px loaded into the Download folder.

⚠️ Note: This method may reset after Telegram update or MIUI. To return the icon, repeat the command. MIUI 15 support this function, on POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T limitations may be.

4. Method: Create a duplicate of the application with a new icon

A little-known life hack that works on all versions of MIUI is to create a duplicate app with a custom icon, which doesn't require root or ADB, but creates a copy of Telegram on the menu.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Telegram and tap it.
3. Choose Create a duplicate (not available on all models).
4. In the window that appears, select the Icon → From the gallery and upload your image.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ It works without the Internet and third-party programs.
• ✅ It does not affect the original application.
• ✅ Supports animation (if the icon is in.gif format).

Cons:

• ❌ Takes up extra space in memory.
• ❌ Notifications may be duplicated.

💡

Duplicate the app is the only way to install a live icon (with animation) on Xiaomi without root rights.

5. Method: Use of customization applications (Icon Changer, Shortcut Maker)

If previous methods don’t work, try the specialized utilities from Google Play.They create shortcuts with custom icons without changing the original app.

Top.-3 apps:

Instructions for Icon Changer:

1. Download and install the app.
2. Select Telegram from the list.
3. Click Change the icon → select the file from memory.
4. Save the changes – a new label will appear on the desktop.

Built-in MIUI themes|

Third-party launchers (Nova, Hyperion)|

ADB (manually modified)|

Duplicate the annex |

Applications for customization (Icon Changer)-->

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your icons to Xiaomi, users are faced with common mistakes.

Problem 1: The icon dropped after the Telegram update.

⚠️ Attention: App updates via Google Play reset custom icons installed through ADB Solution: Before upgrading, back up the icon to Nova Launcher. → Save the settings).

Problem 2: MIUI 15 does not work on duplicate application creation.

On newer versions of firmware, the option may be hidden.

• 🔧 Use Shortcut Maker to create a shortcut.
• 📱 Install the old version MIUI Mi Flash Tool (Risky!).

Problem 3: The launcher is slowing down or flying out.

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Insufficient RAM: Close background applications through Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
• 🗑️ Launcher Cash: Clear the Data in Settings → Annexes → Nova Launcher → Warehouse.
• 🔄 Conflict with MIUI Optimization: Turn off optimization for launcher in battery settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions