Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO are often faced with the desire to personalize the interface of their device, going beyond the standard settings. The shell MIUI, and now the new one HyperOS, provides powerful tools for customization, but the path to the perfect picture is sometimes hidden in non-obvious menus. Changing icons is the easiest way to make a menu unique without resorting to complex system modifications or obtaining superuser rights.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to replace graphical interface elements: from built-in themes to using specialized launchers. You'll learn why stock themes may not work in some regions and how to work around these limitations. We will also touch on the topic of security when installing third-party software to change the appearance.
Before we begin, it is worth noting that the interface may differ slightly depending on the firmware version (Chinese or global) and the Android version. However, the basic principles remain the same for most modern models, including Redmi Note 10, 12, 13 and the Xiaomi 13, 14 series.
Using the built-in Themes application
The most obvious and safest method of changing the visual style is to use the standard application Themes (Themes), which preinstalled on all company devices. This tool allows you to download ready-made design packages containing not only wallpapers and sounds, but also icon sets for dozens of popular applications. To get started, simply find an application with the name “Themes” or a brush icon on a purple background.
After launching the application, you need to go to the section Profile (usually this is a person icon in the lower right corner). Here you should select the item Themes and find the category Icons. This section presents a huge selection of free and paid sets. You can sort them by popularity, date added, or rating to find the style that best suits you, from minimalism to bright neon.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions (for example, Russia or Europe) built-in theme store may be limited or show less content due to legal restrictions. If you do not see the required sets, try changing the region in the phone settings to “India” or “Singapore”, but remember that this may affect the operation of some local services.
After selecting the set you like, press the button Download, and then Apply. The system will automatically replace standard images with new ones for all supported applications. If some app remains with the old icon, this means that the theme author did not include it in his package, and it will require manual replacement or the use of third-party methods.
Manual replacement via the edit menu
If you only need to change the image for one or two specific applications, using an entire theme may be overkill. The MIUI shell allows you to change icons manually directly from the desktop, but this feature is not available for all launchers by default. First, make sure that you have a standard launcher installed System Launcher.
Press your finger on the icon of the application you want to change until the context menu appears. Select an item Edit (often indicated by a pencil or gear). If the feature is available, you will see the option to replace the image by selecting it from the gallery or suggested options. However, on many global firmware versions this button may be missing, requiring the installation of a plugin.
To expand the functionality, you often need to install an additional component Themes for MIUI or a similar plugin from the developer of your current theme. Without this component, the system may block direct replacement of shortcut files. This is done to preserve the integrity of the visual style chosen by the user.
☑️ Check before replacement
It is important to understand that manual replacement via a long press only works if the currently active theme supports this function. If you are using the classic style, try first using any free theme from the store that supports customization, and then changing individual elements.
Using third-party launchers
When the standard capabilities are not enough, third-party launchers come to the rescue. These are full-fledged replacements for the standard desktop, which provide almost unlimited possibilities for changing the appearance. The most popular and stable solutions for Android are Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Smart Launcher.
After installing such a launcher from Google Play you must designate it as the main one. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Three dots in the corner → Default applications → Desktop and select the installed launcher. After this, the phone interface will change and you will have access to new settings.
In the settings of a third-party launcher (usually a long tap on an empty space on the screen → Settings) there is always section Appearance or Icons. There you can select the display style (round, square), grid size and, most importantly, apply an icon pack. Launchers support thousands of sets from the Play Market, which work regardless of MIUI system themes.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party launchers, some system gestures may stop working, for example, swipes to call up the control menu or notification curtain, since MIUI deeply integrated into its native launcher. Functionality may be limited compared to the standard interface.
One of the main advantages of using third-party skins is the ability to customize each icon individually without using global themes. You can long press on any icon, select "Edit" and assign any image from the gallery or downloaded package. This gives maximum flexibility in creating a unique design.
Why might the launcher reset?
The Android system sometimes forces the default launcher back after a system update or when there is insufficient RAM. To avoid this, in the battery settings, find your launcher and select the “No restrictions” or “No restrictions” mode, and also disable auto-start if such an option is in the power saving menu.
Using widgets to create shortcuts
There is another elegant way to change the icon without affecting the system files and without changing the launcher completely. This is the creation of application shortcuts through widgets. This method is especially useful if you want to change only the name of an application or its logo on a specific screen, leaving the rest of the system unchanged.
To implement this method, long-tap on an empty area of the desktop and select Widgets. In the list, find the widget called Shortcut (or “Shortcut”). Drag it to your desktop. The system will prompt you to select an application for which a shortcut will be created, and then allow you to select an image and label it.
This method allows you to use any pictures from your gallery as icons. You can download sets of PNG images on the Internet with a transparent background and sequentially replace standard icons with them. This creates the effect of a completely custom interface.
| Method | Complexity | Impact on the system | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Themes application | Low | Minimum | Medium (depending on the topic) |
| Third-party launcher | Medium | Replaces the working one table | High |
| Shortcut widgets | High (labor-intensive) | Absent | Maximum |
| root access | Very high | Critical | Absolute |
The main disadvantage of the method with widgets is labor intensity. To replace icons across all apps, you'll have to manually create a new shortcut for each one. In addition, you will still have the original application icon in the “All applications” menu if the launcher does not hide the originals.
Problems with regions and theme stores
Users Xiaomi from Russia and the CIS countries often encounter a problem: the theme store is empty or does not accept payment. This is due to the fact that the company limits the Themes service to certain geographic areas. However, there are ways to get around this limitation without complex manipulations.
The first way is to change the region. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Region and select a country where the service works fully, for example, India, USA or Singapore. After changing the region, restart the Themes application. The catalog should be updated, and you will have access to thousands of free designs.
The second way is to use third-party clients for the theme store, such as GetApps or modified versions of Theme Editor. These apps allow you to download themes directly, bypassing geo-blocking. However, when installing software from unknown sources, be extremely careful and scan the files with an antivirus.
If the icons are not applied after changing the region, try clearing the cache of the Themes application. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications → Themes → Clear → Clear cache.
It is worth remembering that after installing a theme from another region, when you return the region settings back, the theme may no longer be displayed or updated correctly. Therefore, it is recommended to stay in the selected region or use the widget method for local changes.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to return all the icons back if I don’t like the new theme?
Yes, it is possible. Go to the Themes app, go to your profile and select Themes. There will be an item “My themes” or “Standard”. Select the classic theme (usually called Classic or Default) and click Apply. All changes will be canceled.
Why did my custom icons disappear after updating Android?
With major system updates (for example, moving from MIUI 13 to 14 or to HyperOS), personalization settings may be reset to ensure stability. You will need to reapply the theme or reconfigure the launcher. It is recommended to take screenshots of the settings before updating.
Does a large number of shortcut widgets affect the speed of the phone?
Theoretically, each widget consumes a small amount of RAM. If you create hundreds of such shortcuts, this may slightly increase the load on the system and drain the battery faster, but on modern powerful Redmi smartphones this impact is almost invisible.
Is it safe to download themes from unknown authors?
The official Xiaomi theme store verifies the content, but there is still a risk. Try to download themes with a high rating and a large number of downloads. Avoid third-party sites that offer “modified” themes with the promise of unlocking hidden features, as they may contain malicious code.
Changing icons on Xiaomi is a safe process if you use official themes or trusted launchers from Google Play. Avoid installing APK files from dubious sources.