How to change the app icon on Xiaomi: all ways with pictures

Are you tired of the monotonous icons on the Xiaomi desktop and want to give your smartphone a unique look? Replacing standard app icons is one of the easiest ways to personalize the MIUI. Unlike the iPhone, where it requires workarounds, there are several official and informal methods on Redmi, POCO or Mi devices.

In this article, we’ll discuss 5 working ways to change the icon of any application – from built-in MIUI 14/15 tools to third-party launchers and manual editing of APK. You’ll learn how to bypass system limitations, which programs are safe to use, and why some methods may not work on individual models (for example, on POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

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

The easiest and safest method is to use the official MIUI Themes functionality, which does not require super-user rights (root) and works on all current firmware versions (starting with MIUI 12), but this method has a limitation: you can only choose those icons that are available in the Xiaomi theme gallery.

To change the icon:

• 📱 Open the Themes app (icon with brush on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search box, type the name of the app you want to change the icon for (such as WhatsApp or Google Chrome).
• 🎨 Choose your favorite icon pack from the options offered. Please note: some themes are paid (from 10 to 10).₽ 200₽).
• 📥 Click Apply – Changes will take effect immediately, without rebooting.

Important: If the icons reset after the MIUI update, check to see if the default theme resets.This is a common issue on the Xiaomi 13T and Redmi K60 after installing major updates.

2. Method: Installation of a third-party launcher (Nova, Hyperion, Apex)

If you don't like the built-in Xiaomi themes, the best option is to install an alternative launcher.

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports Adaptive icons, animations and backup settings.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – optimized specifically for Xiaomi (integration with the Xiaomi platform) MIUI).
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – allows you to change icons even for system applications (for example, Settings or Phone).

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Download the launcher from Google Play and install it as the default launcher.
2. Press your finger on the free space of the desktop → Settings → Appearance → Style of icons.
3. Select an icon pack (such as Whicons or CandyCons) if you don't have the right pack, download it separately (many are free).
4. For manual replacement: Press the app icon → Edit → Icon → Select an image from the gallery.

On the POCO X5 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro+, when using Nova Launcher, there may be a bug with the widgets disappearing after the reboot. Solution: disable battery optimization for the launcher in the MIUI settings.

Download APK from the official website (not from third-party sources)|

Backup your current desktop settings |

Disable "Virus Protection" in MIUI Security during installation |

Check the launcher’s compatibility with your version of Android (MIUI 14 requires Android 12+)

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Method: Manual change via APK Editor (for experienced)

This is a good idea if you want to replace the icon in the first place. APK-It requires caution, as incorrect actions can lead to the failure of the program. We recommend using it only for third-party applications (non-system applications!).

Procedure:

1. Download APK Editor (for example, APK Editor Pro from RE Android).
2. Back up the original APK (copy it from /data/app or use App Cloner).
3. Open APK in the editor → select Easy edit → find the application icon field.
4. Upload a new image (resolution should be 192×192 or 512×512 for Adaptive Icons).
5. Save the modified APK and install it on top of the old one (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 15 and Android 13+ edited APK They can be blocked by the protection system. MIUI Optimization. If the application doesn't start, try turning off signature verification in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — tap 7 times).

4. Method: Applications for replacement of icons (Icon Changer, Awesome Icons)

If you need to change an icon of one or two apps, the easiest way to use specialized utilities is to create shortcuts with new icons without changing the original APK.

Best programs:

• 🔄 Icon Changer – Simple interface, support PNG/SVG, free-for-free.
• ✨ Awesome Icons – More than 10,000 pre-made icons, integration with Nova Launcher.
• 🖼️ Icon Pack Studio – allows you to create your icons from scratch.

How to use Icon Changer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select the application you want to change the icon for.
3. Click Select an image and upload the picture from the gallery (recommended size is 192×192 px).
4. Save the shortcut, it will appear on the desktop, and you can hide the original icon in the app menu.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with a shell POCO Launcher (set by default to the default) POCO X4 Pro, POCO F4) Icon Changer shortcuts may not show.Solution: Switch to standard launcher MIUI or Nova.

5. Method: Changing icons through ADB (for advanced)

If you're ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can change icons even for system applications without root rights. This method requires a PC connection and basic command line knowledge.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect Xiaomi to your computer and check the connection with the command: Adb devices
3. Download the Iconify utility (or similar) and follow its instructions to replace icons through ADB.
4. Example of a Chrome icon replacement command: adb shell cmd shortcut set-icon com.android.chrome /sdcard/Download/new_icon.png

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on any application, including system.
• ✅ No root.
• ✅ Changes are maintained after updates.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Hard for beginners.
• ❌ Risk of “breaking” the application with the wrong command.
• ❌ Nana MIUI 15 Some commands may be blocked MIUI Optimization.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear cache

6. Method: Use of custom firmware (for enthusiasts)

If you want complete control over the system's appearance, including icons, consider installing custom firmware.

• 🔧 LineageOS – pure Android without restrictions MIUI.
• 🎭 Pixel Experience – Google Pixel interface with support for Icon Packs.
• ⚡ ArrowOS – Optimized for performance, flexible icon customization.

What custom firmware does:

• 🔄 The ability to install any icon packs without restrictions.
• 🛠️ Editing of systems APK without the risk of blocking (unlike the MIUI).
• 🔒 No forced battery optimization for launchers.

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware resets all data on the phone and can result in a loss of warranty.On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Redmi K50 Pro requires unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 7 days of waiting.

💡

Castom firmware is the most powerful, but also the riskiest, and only use it if you are not comfortable with other methods and are ready for possible bugs (such as a broken camera or NFC).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing icons with Xiaomi, users face common mistakes.

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI (on MIUI 12 and below some methods do not work).
• 🔒 The presence of blockages from MIUI Optimization (disabled in the developer settings).
• 🔄 Conflicts with other modifications (for example, Magisk modules).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions