How to change the app icon on Android Xiaomi: all working methods

The app icon on Xiaomi is the first thing that catches your eye when you open the menu. MIUI They don't always match your style or they just get annoying over time, and fortunately, you can change them even without superuser rights, so you have to know the proven ways that work on the latest firmware.

Many users mistakenly believe that this is necessary. ROOT-In fact, Xiaomi provides several legal customization pathways, including built-in features and third-party tools. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, with specific features in mind. MIUI 14 new models Redmi/POCO.

It is important to understand that not all applications allow you to change your icons out of the box, for example, system utilities like Settings or Phone are usually protected from changes, but with most third-party programs (social networks, instant messengers, games) there will be no problems.

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1. Method: Using the built-in MIUI theme editor

The safest and most official method is to use the customization function that is in any firmware. MIUI This method does not require the installation of additional programs and works on all models - from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the section My topics → Editorial.
3. Select the item Application Icons.
4. Slip on the app that you want to change.
5. Scroll through the list of available icons and choose your favorite.
6. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

⚠️ Restriction: the standard editor only has icons from the installed themes. If you need unique icons, you will have to download additional themes from the official Xiaomi store.

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Before applying a new theme, back up your current settings in Themes → Settings → Backups, which will help you quickly revert to the old look if the new topic is uncomfortable.

Among the popular icon packages in the theme store stand out:

• 🎨 Minimal Icons – Minimal Monochrome Icons
• 🌈 Colorful Round – round icons with gradient
• 🖤 Dark Icons Pack – Dark Icons Pack AMOLED-screen
• 📱 iOS Style – Apple-style icons (for iPhone lovers)

If the desired package is not in the store, you can download the.mtz file theme from third-party sources (for example, from the forum). 4PDA) and install it manually through the themes → Local.

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Method: Third-party launchers with customization support

If built-in capabilities MIUI If you think you're limited, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher, which completely replaces the standard interface and allows you to change the icons of any application, including system.

Top.-3 Launcher for Xiaomi with support for changing icons:

Instructions for Nova Launcher (similar to others):

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. Press your finger on the icon of the app you want to change.
4. In the menu that appears, select Change.
5. Slip on the icon and select a new icon from the gallery or installed packages.
6. Save the changes.

For maximum customization, we recommend installing additional icon packages.

• 🎮 Whicons – icons in the style of Windows 11
• 🍎 iOS 16 Icons – exact copies of icons from the iPhone
• 🤖 Oxygen Icons – Icons in the style of OnePlus
• 🌌 Delta Icons – Futuristic Design

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Microsoft Launcher) may conflict with features MIUI, You can check the feedback from users of your model before installing it.

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3. Method: Manual modification through ADB (advanced)

If you need to change the system application icon (such as Settings or Camera) and the previous methods did not work, you will still have the option to use the system application. ADB-This method requires a connection to a computer, but it doesn't need to be connected to a computer. ROOT-rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 🔧 Utility. ADB Tools by Google
• 📁 Prepared icon in.png format (size) 192×192 pixel)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 Times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
2. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Copy your icon into a folder /sdcard/Download/icon.png.
4. Open the command line (terminal) and execute: adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system" su -c "cp /sdcard/Download/icon.png /data/app/[package_name]-1/base.apk/res/mipmap-xxxhdpi/ic_launcher.png" su -c "chmod 644 /data/app/[package_name]-1/base.apk/res/mipmap-xxxhdpi/ic_launcher.png" su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system" reboot
5. Replace. [package_name] The real name of the application package (you can find it through adb shell pm list packages) | grep “title").

⚠️ Attention: misuse ADB This can cause system files to be damaged and the device to be flashed.Before experimenting, make a full backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

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4. Method: Applications for changing icons without ROOT

If you work with ADB It's too complicated, and launchers don't, and you can use specialized utilities, and they create shortcuts with new icons without affecting the original application files.

The best programs for changing icons on Xiaomi:

• 🛠️ Icon Changer – simple interface, support for icon packages
• 🎨 Awesome Icons – More than 10,000 free icons
• 🔄 Shortcut Maker – allows you to change icons for system applications
• 🖼️ Icon Pack Studio – Creating your icons from scratch

Instructions for Icon Changer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and select the application to change.
3. Click Select an icon and specify a new icon from the gallery or package.
4. Save the changes – a new label will appear on the desktop.
5. (Optional) Remove the original icon, leaving only the created shortcut.

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Applications like Icon Changer don’t change the original icons in the system, they create shortcuts, which means that when you update the application or reset the settings, the icons will return to the standard ones.

For maximum effect, combine these utilities with launchers. For example, in Nova Launcher you can hide the original icons, leaving only customized shortcuts.

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Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change your icons to Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: After the theme change, the icons reset to the standard ones.

• 🔹 Solution: Reboot the device. Sometimes MIUI not apply changes immediately.
• 🔹 If it does not help, check if the settings in the Themes app have reset.

Problem 2: Nova Launcher doesn’t display icon packages installed.

• 🔹 Solution: Go to Nova Settings → Appearance → Icon style → Icon Packages and select the desired package manually.
• 🔹 Make sure the icon package supports your screen resolution (e.g. xxxhdpi for Full). HD).

Problem 3: In use ADB This is a read-only file system error.

• 🔹 Solution: You forgot to execute the mount command -o rw,remount /system.
• 🔹 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) K50) Additional command is required: su -c "mount -o rw,remount /".

Problem 4: The signs become blurred after the change.

• 🔹 Solution: Use icons with at least a resolution 192×192 pixel.
• 🔹 In the launcher settings, enable Adaptive Icons (if available).

⚠️ Attention: on devices with MIUI 14 and later, some system applications (e.g., Security or System Update) are protected from changes at the kernel level. Attempts to modify them may lead to locking the bootloader and the need to unlock through Mi Unlock.

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6. How to return standard icons

If the experiments with customization were not successful or you just got tired of new icons, you can return everything back in several ways, depending on the method used.

If you've changed themes:

1. Open the Topic app.
2. Go to My subjects. → Editorial → Application icons.
3. Select the app and click Reset.
4. Or return the standard theme to the main menu.

If you used the launcher:

• 🔹 In Nova Launcher: The Long Press → Change. → Standard icon.
• 🔹 In Apex Launcher: Settings → Appearance → Drop the icons.

If they did. ADB:

1. Connect to the PC and execute: adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system" su -c "rm /data/app/[package_name]-1/base.apk/res/mipmap-xxxhdpi/ic_launcher.png" su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system" reboot
2. The system will automatically restore the original icon the next time the application is launched.

If you have used third-party applications (Icon Changer, etc.):

• 🔹 Just remove the created shortcuts from the desktop.
• 🔹 The original icons will remain intact.

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7.Icon design tips

To make the new icons look harmonious and do not spoil the appearance of the desktop, follow these recommendations:

Uniform style:

• 🎨 Use icons from the same package or with the same color scheme.
• 🔹 Avoid mixing flat and voluminous icons.

Permission and format:

• 📏 Optimal size — 192×192 pixels (for high-end screens) DPP).
• 🖼️ Format — PNG transparently.

Color schemes:

• 🌓 For AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi) 12/13 Choose dark icons - they save battery life.
• ☀️ For IPS-The Redmi Note 11 will be a good color.

Tools for the creation of:

• 🖌️ Canva is a simple online editor with templates.
• 🎨 Adobe Illustrator for Professional Design.
• 📱 Icon Pack Studio – a mobile application for creating icons.

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To make icons look organic, use a mask of the same type for all icons, such as only round, only square with rounded corners, or only as a logo without a background.

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8. Alternative methods of customization

If changing icons didn’t seem enough, consider other ways to personalize the interface. MIUI:

1. Widgets:

• 📊 Use widgets. KWGT or UCCW to create unique icons with animation.
• 🔹 Example: Weather widget in the form of an app icon.

2.Gestural:

• 👆 Set up launch gestures in the launcher to open applications with swipes across the screen.
• 🔹 V MIUI This is done through settings. → Additionally. → Gestures.

Animations:

• 🎞️ Install animated icons via LottieFiles or Icon Animator.
• 🔹 It only works on animation-enabled launchers (e.g. Nova Launcher with TeslaUnread plugin).

Topics with full customization:

• 🌈 Try themes like Pixel Experience or One. UI, which completely change the interface.
• 🔹 Set through Topics → Online (search by title).

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FAQ: Frequent questions