How to replace app icons on Xiaomi with your photos: the complete guide

Are you tired of the monotonous standard icons on your Xiaomi desktop and want to add personality? Replacing app icons with personal photos is one of the easiest ways to personalize a smartphone, MIUI It offers several built-in solutions – from simple to advanced.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from using standard launcher functions to installing third-party applications for deep customization, POCO Xiaomi supports this feature out of the box, how to get around the restrictions MIUI, And what hidden settings can help make icons really unique, and we'll focus on the nuances of image resolution, which is the key to making sure that the photos don't look blurry.

1. Method: Built-in function "Change icon" in MIUI

The most obvious and safe method is to use the built-in launcher capabilities. MIUI. It works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a shell version MIUI 12 and newer, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Xiaomi 11/12/13 The main advantage of this method is that it does not require the installation of additional programs and the risk of disrupting the stability of the system is minimal.

To replace the icon:

• 📱 Long click on the application icon on the desktop (the context menu will appear).
• 🎨 Select Change the icon (on some firmwares it may be called Edit).
• 🖼️ Click the Gallery and select the photo you want (the system will automatically cut it into the icon form).
• ✅ Confirm the changes with the Ready button.

It is important to note that this method has limitations:

• ⚠️ Not all system applications support icon replacement (e.g., “Settings”, “Phone”, “Messages").
• ⚠️ The image will be automatically cropped in the center – if the face or object in the photo is displaced, it can be “cut off".
• ⚠️ When resetting the launcher or updating MIUI Icons can be reset to standard.

2.Use of the topics MIUI smack-in

If you need to replace the icons, you don’t need to 1-2 applications, and for the entire desktop, it is more convenient to use themes MIUI. This method allows you to apply a uniform style to all icons, including system ones, plus that the themes often contain icon packages with pre-prepared designs, among which you can find options for “photo style".

How it works:

1. Open the Themes app (usually preinstalled on all Xiaomis).
2. Go to the Icons section (or Icons depending on the translation).
3. Choose your favorite icon package. Pay attention to themes tagged Photo Style or Custom Icons.
4. Apply the theme to all icons or selectively (click and hold the icon) → Change the icon → select from the theme package).

Where to look for quality topics?

• 🌍 Official theme store MIUI (annexed Topics → Online).
• 🔍 Third-party resources like MIUI Themes or Xiaomi Themes (registration required).
• 📲 Telegram channels dedicated to Xiaomi customization (for example, @MIUIThemes).

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Before using themes from third-party sources, back up your current settings in Settings. → The phone. → Backup: Some topics may conflict with system fonts or animations.

3. Third-party launchers: Nova Launcher, Apex, Lawnchair

If built-in capabilities MIUI You don't like it, but the best option is to install a launcher side, which is an application that completely replaces the standard desktop interface, adding advanced customization features:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – the most flexible option with support for Icon Packs and manual replacement of icons.
• 🎯 Apex Launcher – lightweight and fast, suitable for weak smartphones (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).
• 🌿 Lawnchair is an open source launcher that mimics the Pixel Launcher, but with advanced settings.

Instructions for Nova Launcher (similar to others):

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher (at the first start the system will prompt you to do this).
3. Long press the icon. → Change. → Edit.
4. Choose a Gallery and upload your photo, and Launcher will offer to crop it as a square or circle (depending on the style).
5. For a mass replacement, install the Icon Pack (such as Whicons or CandyCons) and apply it to the launcher settings.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• ✅ Icon Packs with thousands of designs.
• ✅ The ability to change the size of icons, indentations, animations.
• ✅ Compatibility with KWGT (widgets) for even more customization.

4.Castomization apps: Icon Changer, Shortcut Maker

If you need to replace system app icons (like Calls or Cameras) that are not editable through standard methods, specialized utilities will help. They create shortcuts with your photos that masquerade as the original icons.

Top.-3 applications:

The following steps are taken for Icon Changer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and select the app you want to replace.
3. Click Select an image and upload a photo from the gallery.
4. Cut the image by template (launcher automatically tells the optimal boundaries).
5. Save the changes – a new icon will appear on the desktop.

- Permission not less 512×512 pixel

Clear or monochromatic background (for better integration)

- Main site downtown

- Format PNG (transparency)

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5. Manual creation of icons through KWGT and Tasker (for advanced ones)

For those who want complete control over icon design, including animations and dynamic effects, a combination is a good option. KWGT (Widget builder) and Tasker (automation) take time to set up, but it allows you to create unique icons with effects when you click, change color depending on the time of day and even display notifications.

What you need:

• 📱 Annex KWGT Pro (paid version for saving widgets).
• 🤖 Tasker App (to automate application opening).
• 🎨 Set of icons in format PNG with transparent background (can be created in Photoshop or Canva).

Instructions:

1. V KWGT Create a new widget and add an Image element.
2. Upload your photo and adjust its size (optimum — 120×120 px).
3. Add the Touch action → Launch App and select your target application.
4. Save the widget and place it on your desktop.
5. (Optional) In Tasker, set up tasks to change icons depending on conditions (e.g. dark theme at night).

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This method is suitable for creating completely unique desktops, but requires basic knowledge of working with the computer. KWGT And Tasker, for the usual icon replacement, the first three ways are enough.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing icons with Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes, and here’s how to avoid or fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after replacing the icons they become blurred, the problem is in the resolution of the original image. MIUI automatically scale the photo to 192×192 Use images with at least a resolution 512×512 px for clarity.

Table of common errors:

Another important nuance: on some firmware Xiaomi for China (China) ROM) The icon replacement function can be disabled, in which case it will help:

• 🔄 Switching to Global ROM or EEA ROM (If available for your model).
• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) where restrictions are lifted.

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Before changing the firmware, make a full data backup via Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset. This will save your photos, contacts and app settings.

7. Optimal settings for icons: resolutions, formats, styles

To make your icon photos look professional, not random cropping, follow these guidelines:

Permission and format:

• 📏 Minimum size: 512×512 px (for clarity on high-resolution screens) DPP).
• 🖼️ Optimal size: 1024×1024 px (for future screen updates).
• 🎨 Format: PNG (a) maintains transparency; or SVG (vector, scale without loss).
• 🌈 Color gamut: Use contrasting colors to make the icon stand out against the wallpaper background.

Styles of design:

• 🔘 Round icons: Suitable for MIUI 12-14 (shell-style).
• ⬛ Square with rounded corners: Universal option for any launchers.
• 🖹 Adaptive icons: Nova Launcher allows you to adjust the dynamic shape (for example, a square during the day and a circle at night).

Where can I get the ready-made templates?

• 🌐 Flaticon – Free Icons in the Format PNG/SVG.
• 🎨 Canva – a designer for creating icons from scratch (use a template) 1024×1024 px).
• 📱 Icon Pack Studio app – for icon design right on your phone.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions