How to change app icons on Xiaomi: all the ways from MIUI to ADB themes

Standard app icons on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO get boring over time — especially if you use a stock MIUI theme without customization. Fortunately, the system offers several ways to change icons, from simple (installing themes from the official store) to advanced (manual editing via ADB or third-party launchers). In this article, we will analyze all the current methods for devices on MIUI 12-15, including nuances for different models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

The main advantage of customizing icons on Xiaomi is flexibility: you can either completely replace all icons through the theme or point-to-point change individual applications (for example, make a unique icon for WhatsApp or Telegram). However, not all methods are equally safe: some require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights, which can affect the warranty.

Before you start, check the MIUI version in the settings (Settings → About → About → MIUI version). This depends on the availability of certain features. For example, MIUI 14+ has support for dynamic icons, and in older versions they will have to be manually configured.

1. Modifying icons through MIUI themes (official way)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI theme store. It is available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones without any additional manipulation. The store has both free and paid themes with unique icons, wallpaper and fonts.

To change the icons:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush 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 home screen and in the application menu.

Note that some themes only change icons, while others change the entire interface (including wallpaper, fonts, and animations). If you only want icons, look for packs marked "Icons" or "Icon Pack" in the title.

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If the icons have not changed after applying the theme, restart the device or clear the launcher cache in the Settings application settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache.

Cons of the method:

• 🔄 Limited selection of free themes (many quality packs are paid).
• 📱 Icons apply to all apps – only individual icons cannot be changed.
• 🔄 When resetting settings or updating MIUI theme may fly.

2. Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Hyperion)

If you don't have enough built-in themes, you can install a third-party launcher, which completely replaces the standard MIUI interface, allowing you to flexibly customize icons, gestures and even animations.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – the most functional, supports icon packs and adaptive icons.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – Lightweight and fast, suitable for weak devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A).
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi, has built-in settings for MIUI.

Instructions for setting up (for example, Nova Launcher):

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher (at the first start the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Download icon packs (such as Whicons, CandyCons, or Fluid Icon Pack).
4. Open the launcher settings: Long press on the desktop → Settings → Appearance → Style of icons.
5. Select the icon pack installed and apply the changes.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎛️ Accurate configuration: you can change the icons of individual applications.
• 🔄 Support for third-party icon packs (thousands of options).
• 📱 Save settings when updating MIUI.

Download APK Launcher (if not in Play Market)

Check out Android (minimum 8.0 for Nova Launcher)

Disable battery optimization for launcher

Make a backup of current settings MIUI-->

Disadvantages:

• 🔋 Some launchers consume more battery (especially with animations).
• 📱 They may conflict with gestures. MIUI (For example, swipe up to return home).
• 🔄 Premium-based paid features (e.g. gestures in Nova Launcher Prime).

3. Manually modifying icons via ADB (for advanced)

If you need to change the icon of a particular application (for example, make a unique icon for Banking App), you can use the ADB command. This method requires connecting to a computer and enabling debugging over USB, but does not need root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable Developer Mode on Xiaomi: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)

Attention! This method does not work on all versions of MIUI. On some devices (e.g., the POCO F5 with MIUI 14), the command may not work due to manufacturer limitations, in which case only root or a third-party launcher will help.

Advantages of the method:

Disadvantages:

• 🖥️ Requires PC connectivity and team knowledge ADB.
• 🔄 It doesn't work on all versions. MIUI.
• 📱 When the system is updated, changes may be reset.

4. Applications for changing icons (without root)

If ADB seems complicated, you can use specialized apps from Google Play, which allow you to change icons without a computer, but with some limitations.

• 🎨 Icon Changer is a simple tool to replace icons with one.
• 🔄 Awesome Icons – Supports icon packs and adaptive icons.
• 📱 X Icon Changer - Works on the MIUI without root, but requires permission to overlay.

How to use (for example, Icon Changer):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select the app you want to change (e.g. Chrome)
3. Click Change the icon and select an image from the gallery or icon pack.
4. Confirm the creation of the shortcut – the original icon will remain on the menu, but a new one will appear on the desktop.

Importantly, these apps create shortcuts, not replace the original icons on the system, which means that the standard icon will remain in the application menu.

Pros of the method:

• 📱 Does not require PC or root rights.
• 🎨 You can use any images from the gallery.
• 🔄 Quick and simple.

Cons:

• 🔄 Create duplicate icons (original ones remain).
• 📱 Not all apps support changing icons (e.g. system apps).
• 🔋 May increase battery consumption due to background processes.

Third-party launchers (Nova, Apex)

Official MIUI themes

Manual editing through ADB

Apps from Google Play

Another option-->

5. Modifying icons with root rights (for experienced ones)

If you have a bootloader unlocked and Magisk installed, you can completely replace the system icons, which gives you maximum freedom, but requires caution - wrong actions can lead to a bootloop.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the app icon folder. Usually, the path is /data/app/[application package]-1/base.apk/res/drawable/ For example, for Google Chrome, it will be /data/app/com.android.chrome-1/base.apk.
3. Copy the original icon (for example, ic_launcher.png) and edit it in Photoshop or GIMP.
4. Replace the file in the drawable folder with the edited one (require to save the original!).
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning! Changing system files can disrupt the application or the entire system. /data/app/ through TWRP magisk.

Advantages:

• 🎛️ Full control over icons (including system).
• 📱 Changes apply to all menus (not just desktop).
• 🔧 You can edit icons manually (color, shape, effects).

Risks:

• 🔄 High chance of damaging the application in case of an error.
• 📱 Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• 🔋 Possible lags or errors after replacing icons.

6. Reset icons to standard (if something went wrong)

If after the experiments the icons began to glit, appear incorrectly or disappeared altogether, you can return everything back in several ways:

Method 1: Resetting MIUI themes

1. Open the Topic app.
2. Go to My subjects. → Current theme.
3. Press Reset to Standard.

Method 2: Clearing the launcher cache

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Launcher.
2. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
3. Reset the device.

Method 3: Remove labels (if you use Icon Changer)

1. Hold your finger on the modified icon on your desktop.
2. Drag it into the basket or press Remove.
3. The original icon will return to the app menu.

If the icons still haven’t recovered, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage.
2. Click Clear Data (this will reset all desktop settings!).

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Before resetting the launcher data, take screenshots of the current location of the icons - after cleaning, they will have to be placed again.

Comparison of ways to change icons on Xiaomi

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing icons on Xiaomi