Modern smartphones, such as Xiaomi Redmi 9offer users enormous opportunities to personalize their appearance. The standard interface MIUI looks stylish, but over time you want something new and unique. Changing application icons is the easiest and most effective way to refresh the perception of your device without affecting complex system settings.
The procedure for replacing icons on Redmi 9 does not require root access or deep knowledge of programming. The developers have provided built-in tools, and a third-party application store expands these capabilities indefinitely. In this article we will look at all available methods: from using the official theme to installing third-party launchers.
Before taking active steps, it is worth understanding that visual changes can affect the speed of the interface. However, on a device with a processor Helio G80 most modern shells work stably. Let's take a step-by-step look at how to transform your screen.
Using the “Themes” application to change icons
The most obvious and safe method of changing graphics is to use the built-in application Themes. This utility is pre-installed on all smartphones Xiaomi and provides access to thousands of free and paid designs. Each theme contains not only wallpaper, but also a full set system iconsadapted to the shell style.
To get started, launch the application and go to the search tab. Enter a search term that matches your taste, such as "Minimal", "Neon" or "iOS style". The system will offer options compatible with your version MIUI. Pay attention to the rating and number of downloads to avoid low-quality content.
After selecting the appropriate option, click the “Download” button and then “Apply”. The system will warn you that the wallpaper, lock screen, and icons will be changed. Confirm the action and the interface will instantly update. If you like the style of the icons, but the wallpaper does not suit you, you can return the previous background through the home screen settings.
⚠️ Attention: Some themes may change the style of system notifications and curtains. If, after applying the theme, you notice problems with the status bar, try resetting the theme settings in the application profile menu.
Often, theme development is limited to only the standard set of apps from Xiaomi. In such cases, the remaining icons will remain in the original style, which can create visual dissonance on the desktop.
Manual replacement of individual icons through settings
If you do not want to change the entire theme, but want to replace only a few icons, the manual replacement function will be the ideal solution. This option allows you to assign any image from the gallery to a specific application shortcut. This approach takes more time, but gives full control over the appearance.
Press your finger on the icon of the application you want to change until the context menu appears. Select item Change icon. A gallery will open where you can select a ready-made icon pack (if it was downloaded earlier) or any image from your memory. It is recommended to use images in format PNG with transparent background for the best quality.
After selecting an image, the system will offer to crop it to the desired format. Make sure the important graphic is in the center of the frame, as corners may be hidden behind the shortcut mask. Confirm your choice, and the new icon will take its place on the desktop.
To create the perfect icons, use generator applications that automatically add the desired background and shadows to your image.
It is worth noting that when you update an application through the store, its icon may automatically return to the standard appearance. This occurs because the system resets the user's shortcut settings when the app package changes. You will have to repeat the replacement procedure manually.
Installing third-party launchers for complete customization
When the built-in tools are not enough, third-party shells come to the rescue, known as launchers. apps like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher completely replace the standard Redmi 9 desktop, providing advanced icon management tools.
Download the launcher you like from the app store and set it as the default application. In the settings of the new launcher, find the section responsible for the appearance of shortcuts. Here you can change the grid size, icon shape, and also apply third-party packages downloaded separately.
Settings → Applications → Application management → Launcher → DefaultA huge advantage of third-party shells is the support for Icon Packs. You can download one file containing thousands of graphic elements and apply it to all applications at once. Unsupported apps can be configured manually inside the launcher, linking them to the desired graphics from the package.
| Launcher name | Difficulty of setting | Impact on the battery | Package support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Average | Low | Full |
| Lawnchair | Low | Very low | Full |
| Smart Launcher | High | Average | Partial |
| Microsoft Launcher | Low | Average | Limited |
☑️ Preparing to install the launcher
Using heavy launchers with a lot of animations can lead to increased energy consumption. On Redmi 9 with a 5020 mAh battery this is not critical, but if you notice rapid drainage, disable live wallpapers and complex transitions in the shell settings.
Using icon packs from Google Play
In the store Google Play there are thousands of specialized applications that contain only icon sets. They do not change the entire interface, but serve as a graphics library for launchers or manual replacement. Popular developers such as CandyCons or LineXrelease updates regularly.
After installing such a package, go to the “Themes” application on your Redmi. Go to your user profile and select the “Icon Packs” section. All compatible sets found in the device memory will be displayed here. Apply the desired package to see the result.
Not all applications support automatic replacement through packages. For apps that remain with the old icons, you will have to use the manual replacement function described above, selecting graphics from the installed package. It's a little labor intensive, but the result is worth it.
⚠️ Attention: Download icon packs only from official sources. Files from dubious sites may contain malicious code masquerading as graphic resources.
Often package developers offer paid versions with an expanded set of graphics and wallpaper included. Before purchasing, please make sure that the package is compatible with your version of Android and launcher. Most applications have a trial period or demo version.
What to do if the icon pack does not apply?
Make sure you are using a compatible launcher. The stock MIUI launcher has limited support for third-party packages. Try installing Nova Launcher for full compatibility.
Customizing the shape and size of icons in MIUI
In addition to replacing graphics, you can change the geometric shape of all shortcuts at once. In the theme or launcher settings there is often an option to change the icon mask. You can make them round, square, in the form of a drop, or leave them unchanged.
Go to the screen settings and find the item responsible for the grid size. Reducing the number of icons in a row (for example, from 5 to 4) will visually increase each icon. This is useful for people with poor vision or those who prefer large controls.
In some versions MIUI the “Large Icons” function is available. It is activated in the “Simple Mode” mode in the system settings. The interface becomes larger, fonts are more readable, and icons take up more space on the screen, making navigation easier.
Experiment with a combination of shape and size. Round icons often look more harmonious on modern displays with rounded edges, while square icons are better suited for a strict business style.
Return to factory interface settings
If experiments with design have led to the interface becoming inconvenient or ugly, you can always return everything back. Resetting the launcher settings or deleting a theme restores the original appearance of the system in a couple of clicks.
To return standard icons through the "Themes" application, open your profile, go to the "Themes" section and select a theme Classic or Default. Click Apply. This action will return all graphic elements to their out-of-the-box state.
If you used a third-party launcher, simply delete it or change the default application in your phone settings. The system will automatically prompt you to select a standard launcher MIUI. After this, the desktop will take its usual appearance.
Resetting the theme to the standard one is the fastest way to fix visual glitches that arose after installing an incompatible design.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I change icons without installing additional applications?
Yes, you can use the built-in Themes application to download ready-made sets or the manual replacement function for individual shortcuts using images from the gallery.
Why did the icons reset after a system update?
Major MIUI updates often reset interface customization to ensure stability. You will have to re-apply the theme or configure the launcher after the update.
Does changing icons affect the speed of Redmi 9?
Changing static images itself does not affect performance. However, heavy third-party launchers with animations may slightly increase the load on the processor and RAM.
Where to download safe icon packs?
The most secure source is the official store Google Play. There, all applications are checked for viruses and malicious code before publication.
Is it possible to make your own icons?
Yes, create an image in a graphics editor, save it as PNG and use the “Change Icon” function in the menu of a long press on the application shortcut.