How to change icons on Xiaomi apps: 5 working ways

The standard app icons on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often look boring and monotonous. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and third-party tools allow you to completely transform the appearance of the desktop — from simple changing icons to installing dynamic themes with animation. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change icons, from embedded functions to advanced methods using ADB and modified APKs.

It’s important to understand that features depend on the MIUI version and device model. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15 has advanced theme settings, while on the budget Redmi Note 12, some features can be trimmed. We’ll look at universal methods that work on most devices, and also point out nuances for specific lines.

Before you make any changes, make sure your device has the latest firmware installed. This minimizes the risk of bugs and conflicts. Check the relevance of the software in the Settings menu → About phone → System Update.

Method 1: Using the built-in MIUI themes

The easiest and safest method is to use ready-made themes from the official MIUI Themes store, which does not require root rights and is suitable for all devices based on MIUI 12 and later.

To change icons through themes:

• 📱 Open the Topics app (brush icon on desktop).
• 🔍 In the search bar, type a query, such as “minimalism icons” or “dark icons".
• 🎨 Choose your favorite theme and click Apply. The system will automatically replace the application icons, wallpaper and fonts.
• ⚙️ For fine-tuning, go to Settings. → Display. → Style of icons (not available on all devices).

Please note that some themes are paid (prices between 50 and 300 rubles). Free options often have a limited set of icons. To check whether the theme is compatible with your model, check the "Supported on your device" label in the description.

If after applying the theme, some icons have not changed, this is due to the fact that the application manufacturer has blocked the replacement of the icon, in which case only manual replacement through the launcher will help (see Method 2).

Method 2: Installation of a third-party launcher

The standard MIUI Launcher launcher is severely limited in settings. Alternative launchers like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Hyperion Launcher allow for the flexibility to customize icons, including:

• 🖼️ Replacement of individual icons from packs (without a complete change of theme).
• 🎭 Application of dynamic icons (adaptive to dark/light theme).
• 📦 Use custom pack icons from Play Market or Icon Pack Studio.
• 🔄 Automatic scaling of icons under the desktop grid.

Instructions for setting up Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Download your favorite icon pack (such as Whicons or CandyCons).
3. Press your finger free space on the desktop → Settings Nova → Appearance → Style of icons.
4. Select the icon pack installed and apply the changes.

To replace individual icons:

1. Press your finger on the app you want to change.
2. In the context menu, select Change. → Icon.
3. Select a new icon from the pack or upload your image (PNG format, recommended resolution of 192×192 px).

Download Nova Launcher Prime (for advanced features)

Choose a pack of icons with support for adaptive icons

Backup of current MIUI Launcher settings

Disable battery optimization for Nova Launcher-->

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi devices, after installing a third-party launcher, the swipe down gesture may disappear for search. To return the feature, go to Settings Nova → Gestures and controls → Swipe gesture down and assign action Google Search.

Method 3: Manually changing icons through APK-editorial

For advanced users who are ready to work with APK files, there is a method of directly replacing icons in the application install packages, which allows you to change icons even for system applications that are usually blocked by themes and launchers.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Android Studio or APKTool installed.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode).
• 🔧 Programme APK Editor (e.g., Editor, APK Editor Pro).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the APK of the application you want to change (for example, via APKMirror or adb pull).
2. Open the file in APK Editor and go to Resources → Drawable.
3. Find the icon files (usually have names like ic_launcher.png or app_icon.webp).
4. Replace them with your images (save the original resolution and format!).
5. Collect a modified APK and install it on the device.

⚠️ Attention: Systemic change APK (For example, com.android.settings can lead to bootloop. Before experimenting, create a full backup through the scaling system. TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

Some apps (like Google Play Services or Mi Security) have protection against modification, and their icons cannot be changed, because the system will automatically restore the original files.

Method 4: Using ADB to Change System Icons

If you need to change your system application icons (like Settings, Phone, or Messages) but no root rights, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which runs on MIUI 14+ and requires you to connect the device to a PC.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your smartphone via USB and allow debugging (Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
3. Open the command line in the folder with adb and execute: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep "application name" For example, for the application Settings: adb shell pm list packages -f | grep settings
4. Download APK applications: adb pull /system/priv-app/Settings/Settings.apk
5. Edit the icons in the APK (see method 3) and install back: adb install -r -d Settings_mod.apk

This method is suitable for replacing icons in:

• 📞 com.android.contacts (Contacts).
• 📧 com.android.mms (Messages).
• ⚙️ com.android.settings (Settings).
• 🎵 com.miui.player (Music).

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Before modifying the system APKs, dump the original files with the command adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared com.android.settings. This will allow you to restore the application in the event of a failure.

Method 5: Dynamic icons with Shortcut Maker

If you want dynamic icons (such as those that display unread messages or weather), use the Shortcut Maker app. It allows you to create shortcuts with custom icons that are updated in real time.

Instructions:

1. Install Shortcut Maker.
2. Select the application you want to create a dynamic icon for.
3. In the Icon section, click Dynamic and select the data source (e.g. Unread SMS or Temperature).
4. Customize the appearance: color, font, position of the counter.
5. Save the label on the desktop.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatically update icons (such as WhatsApp notification counter).
• 🎨 Support for adaptive icons (change color depending on the theme of the system).
• 📊 Ability to display system information (battery charge, time, date).

Problem Solving: Why don't icons change?

If after all the manipulations the icons remain the same, check the following points:

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On devices with MIUI 14+, some of the system icons are digitally signed, and can only be changed by modifying the APK and then re-signing (Java and Smali knowledge is required).

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing icons to Xiaomi