Modern smartphone users often face the desire to personalize their device interface beyond the standard capabilities of the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Xiaomi's regular launcher is certainly functional and optimized, however, it may seem too conservative or overloaded for those looking for minimalism and unique aesthetics. Replacing the standard shell is the first step to full control over the look of the Android operating system.
The process of installing a third-party desktop on devices of this brand has its own technical features that distinguish it from installing on a "pure" Android. The company's security system often blocks automatic switching by default, requiring the owner of the gadget to perform additional actions through the hidden settings menu. Understanding these nuances will allow you to avoid confusion and quickly get the desired result.
In this article, we will break down the algorithm of actions that is relevant for most models, from the budget Redmi series to the flagship Xiaomi. You will learn how to prepare the device correctly, which applications to choose for replacement, and how to bypass system limitations to ensure that the new interface works consistently.
Why You Need to Replace the Standard Interface
The main reason users choose to change the launcher is to have a more flexible navigation system, which often dictates a rigid grid of icons and a limited set of animations, while third-party developments allow you to change literally every pixel on the screen, which allows you to create a unique visual environment that reflects the individual preferences of the owner.
Aesthetics aside, performance and functionality are important, with some alternative shells consuming significantly less RAM, which is critical for mid-range devices; others offering enhanced gesture capabilities, smart folders, and integration with cloud services that are missing from the underlying firmware.
⚠️ Note: Some system functions, such as “second space” or specific gestures MIUI, may not work properly or be available after changing the main interface.
And security and privacy are also worth mentioning, because using time-tested launchers from established developers, you get transparent permission control. Unlike pre-installed software, which often collects telemetry, many independent projects focus on minimalism of code and no advertising.
Choosing the Right Alternative for MIUI
The market for personalization applications is huge, and it can be difficult to choose the right option. Xiaomi devices are best suited for solutions that are able to work competently with screen cutouts and high refresh rates. One of the leaders in this niche is Nova Launcher, which combines incredible speed and depth of settings.
For visual and widget enthusiasts, the Smart Launcher is a great choice. It automatically sorts applications into categories, eliminating the need to manually create folders. The interface is adaptable to use with one hand, and built-in themes allow you to change the appearance of the system in one click.
If your priority is maximum performance and no unnecessary effects, look for Niagara Launcher, an ergonomic solution that turns the lock screen and desktop into a single list of frequently used contacts and applications, perfect for those who want to reduce digital dependency and focus on the main thing.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher – the benchmark of speed and flexible customization of each icon.
- 🎨 Smart Launcher 6 – smart sorting and beautiful watch widgets.
- ⚡ Microsoft Launcher – Great integration with the Windows ecosystem.
- 🌿 Niagara – Minimalism and Ergonomics for Single Handed Use.
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Before installing a new launcher, go to Google Play and watch the screenshots in the About App section to rate the visual style.
Preparation of the device for installation
Before you start the active replacement phase, you need to make sure that the system is ready for changes. First of all, check for free space in memory, as some advanced launchers can take up a significant amount of cache when loading graphics resources. Cleaning garbage files through the built-in Security application will be a useful step.
It is also important to update the system components of Google Play Services to the latest version, which will ensure that widgets work correctly and that settings are synchronized between devices.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure that your device has a reliable antivirus installed or you only download apps from the official Google Play Store to avoid introducing malicious code.
Backup of important data is recommended, although the process of changing the launcher rarely leads to loss of information. However, in the event of software conflicts, the ability to roll back to the previous state of the system will be your insurance policy, this is especially true if you plan to make deep changes to system files.
☑️ Preparation for the launcher change
Step-by-step instructions for installation and activation
The process of activating a third-party desktop on Xiaomi requires care, as the system will try to return you to the standard interface. After downloading and installing the selected application (for example, through Google Play), take your time to open it. First you need to allow the system to use the new component.
Go to your smartphone settings, find the Apps section, and select Application Management. In the upper right corner of the screen, click three dots and select the default Apps. In the list that opens, find Desktop and tap it. The system will offer a choice between MIUI and the launcher you installed.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → (Menu) → Default Apps → DesktopOnce you select a new launcher, the system may issue a warning that the third-party application is not checked. Confirm the action. Now, when you press the Home button, a new interface must start. If this does not happen, you may need to further disable MIUI optimization for a particular application in the battery settings.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of launcher | Settings → Applications → By default | It may take several attempts. |
| Setting up rights | Annexes → Permits | We need to give you access to contacts. |
| Optimization | Settings → Battery | Disable energy saving for the launcher |
| Reset | Settings → Desktop | Return to factory interface settings |
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The key is to change the Desktop setting in the Default Apps menu, without this step, the system will not switch.
Configure access rights and permissions
Modern versions of Android and HyperOS shells strictly control application access to data. In order for the new launcher to display weather, calendar or search widgets, it must provide appropriate permissions. Without this, the functionality will be stripped down, and widgets can display a download error.
Go to the installed app card and go to the Application Permissions section, where you need to activate access to geolocation (for weather), contacts (for call widget) and storage (for displaying wallpaper and icons), and it is recommended to enable autorun so that the system does not “kill” the launcher process in the background.
You should pay special attention to the battery settings. Find Energy Saving and select No Limits mode, which will prevent the phone from suddenly switching to a standard launcher after 15 minutes of use due to aggressive power optimization.
- 🔒 Geoposition – necessary for weather and news widgets.
- 📞 Contacts – allow you to display selected numbers on the desktop.
- 💾 Memory – necessary for caching icons and wallpaper.
- ⚙️ Special features – required for extended gestures in some launchers.
⚠️ Warning: Granting location permissions can increase battery consumption, so use this feature consciously.
Addressing problems and conflicts
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter a number of difficulties, and it often happens that after a reboot, the device again offers to choose the default launcher, ignoring the previous choice, due to the fact that the system process miuisystem forcibly resets the settings.
In such cases, disabling the system launcher helps. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, search the Desktop list (system) and click Stop. After that, immediately launch your new launcher. You may also need to disable the update of system components through the GetApps store.
If you see lags or twitching interfaces, try to reduce the number of animations in developer mode or clear the cache of a new application. Sometimes conflicting topics applied through the standard Themes application. Resetting the theme to the classic ("Standard") before installing a new launcher solves 90% of the display problems.
What to do if the launcher is constantly flying out?
Return to factory interface settings
If you don't like the experiment with the new interface or you have critical errors, you can always go back to the original state. You don't have to reset your phone completely. You just have to change the default setting back to the system component.
Follow the Settings path → Applications → Application Management → (Menu) → Default Applications → Desktop and select System Launcher. After that, the interface will return to its usual appearance. If the new launcher remains on the list, you can simply remove it as a regular application.
In the rare cases where the system gets stuck on a black screen or reboots cyclically, you may need to enter Safe Mode. To do this, press the volume button when you turn on the phone. In Safe Mode, third-party launchers are not activated, which will allow you to safely remove the problematic application.