Smartphones of the line Redmi from the company Xiaomi gained popularity due to the excellent price-quality ratio, as well as powerful shell MIUI. However, the standard appearance of the system can quickly become boring, and many users want to make their device unique. One of the simplest and most effective ways of customization is to replace standard app icons with custom images.
Model owners Redmi 8 often face the question of how to change the visual style without obtaining superuser rights (root). Fortunately, the architecture Android and firmware capabilities MIUI allow you to do this in several ways: from built-in themes to using third-party launchers. The choice of a specific method depends on how deeply you want to change the interface and whether you are ready to install additional software.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available options for personalizing icons on your device. We will look at both standard system tools and advanced methods for creating your own shortcuts. You will learn what nuances may arise when changing the launcher and how to safely return all settings to their original state if the result does not suit you.
Using the built-in Themes application
The easiest and safest way to change the appearance of icons on Redmi 8 is to use a pre-installed application Themes (or Themes). The developers Xiaomi have created a huge library of styles, where every interface element, including icons, has already been customized by professional designers. You don't need to search for individual pictures or configure each shortcut manually.
To get started, open the application Themes on the main screen. At the bottom of the screen, find the section Icons or use the search by entering a query like "Minimal", "iOS" or "Neon". The system will offer you hundreds of package options. Please note that some themes may be paid or require viewing advertising to activate.
After selecting the set you like, click the button Download, and then Apply. The system will automatically replace the standard icons MIUI with new ones. If you want to apply the theme only to certain apps and not to the entire system, select the option Customize theme after downloading. Here you can check only the section Icons, leaving the wallpaper and lock screen unchanged.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party themes from the official store, some system icons (for example, settings or phone) may remain standard if the theme author did not draw them specifically. This is a shell security limitation MIUI.
Although the icon packs themselves are light in weight, the accumulation of dozens of unused styles can slow down the storage. Regularly clear the application cache Themes through the smartphone settings to maintain high performance Redmi 8.
Installing third-party launchers for complete freedom
If the built-in capabilities MIUI seem limited to you, the best solution will be installation of an alternative shell - launcher. These are special applications that completely replace the desktop and application menu. The most popular options, such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchairgive unprecedented control over the appearance of each icon.
After installing the launcher from Google Play Market the system will prompt you to select a default application for the home screen. Select a new launcher from the list. Now you can long press on any shortcut and select the option Edit. In the menu that opens, there is usually a button for changing the image, which allows you to select a picture from the gallery or download a new one from the built-in icon store.
Using third-party launchers on Redmi 8 has its own characteristics. The shell MIUI can aggressively close background processes to save battery, which sometimes results in resetting the launcher. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings and allow autorun for the installed launcher. It is also recommended to pin the application in memory through the multitasking menu.
The advantage of launchers is the ability to use icons in formats other than standard ones. You can install round, square, or even 3D icons that are not supported by the system theme. In addition, many launchers allow you to hide unused applications, making the desktop cleaner and more minimalistic.
Manually creating shortcuts through the Shortcuts application
For those who want to replace the icon of only one specific application without changing the entire system style, there is a system application MIUI there is a system application Shortcuts (Shortcuts). This tool allows you to create a new link to a app with a custom image and name. This is an ideal way if you want to, for example, make an icon WhatsApp in the form of your company logo or put a friend’s photo on the dialer shortcut.
The process of creating a custom shortcut is as follows:
- 📂 Open the application
Shortcutson the desktop. - 📱 Select a category Applications and find the desired app in the list.
- 🖼️ Click on the current icon application to open the gallery and select a new image.
- ✏️ Change the name of the shortcut, if necessary, and click
Add.
After completing these steps, a new icon with the image you selected will appear on the desktop. The old icon will remain in place, so you can simply move it to a folder or delete it from the screen (the application itself will not be deleted). This method does not require the installation of additional software and works stably on all versions Android for Redmi 8.
⚠️ Attention: Shortcuts created through the system application may be reset when clearing the Shortcuts application data or resetting the launcher settings. It is recommended not to delete the original application, since the shortcut is only a link to it.
The disadvantage of this method is that notifications on such custom shortcuts may not display correctly. For example, the unread message counter (badge) may not appear on a manually created icon. This is due to the fact that the system does not always associate the user shortcut with the original application package for displaying statuses.
Use PNG images with a transparent background to create shortcuts - they look neater and do not have white frames around the picture.
Compatibility issues and MIUI bugs on Redmi 8
Despite the flexibility of the settings, users Redmi 8 may encounter a number of specific problems when changing icons. Shell MIUI versions 11 and 12, which are relevant for this model, have strict rules for drawing the interface. Sometimes, after applying a heavy theme with animated icons, the smartphone may begin to slow down due to processor load Snapdragon 439.
A common problem is icons desynchronizing after a system update. If you update Android to a new version, custom themes may disappear and the interface will return to the standard look. In this case, you will need to reapply the theme or update the icon packs in the theme store. It is also possible that “broken” icons may appear and appear as a white sheet.
To solve display problems, try clearing the launcher cache. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find your launcher (or system launcher MIUI) and select Clear cache. Do not click the "Clear all data" button if you do not want to lose the arrangement of icons on the desktop.
| Problem type | Probable cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The icons have become white | The theme does not support this application | Apply another theme or create a manual shortcut |
| The launcher crashes | Lack of RAM | Close background applications, use a light launcher |
| System icons do not change | MIUI access rights restrictions | Use the "Shortcuts" application for substitution |
| Reset settings after reboot | Aggressive battery saving | Disable power saving for the launcher |
Where to download high-quality icon packs
If the built-in theme store is not enough, you can turn to third-party sources. In Google Play Store there are separate icon pack applications that are compatible with many launchers. Popular sets include Whicons (white minimalistic), CandyCons (bright and voluminous) and LineX (linear style).
When searching for icons, pay attention to the number of downloads and the rating of the application. A low rating often indicates that the pack has not been updated for a long time and may not work correctly on the latest versions. Android. Also check the permissions that the application requests: the icon pack should not require access to contacts or microphone.
For advanced users, it is possible to download icons from forums such as 4PDA or XDA Developers. There you can find unique sets created by enthusiasts specifically for Redmi. However, installing such files requires manually unpacking the archive and placing the files in system folders, which may require rootrights.
How to install icons without Google Play?
If you do not have access to the store, download the APK file of the icon pack from a reliable site. Before installation, please allow installation from unknown sources in your security settings. After installation, apply the package through the third-party launcher settings in the “Icon Style” section.
Return to factory interface settings
If you are tired of experimenting with the appearance or the new style turns out to be inconvenient, you can always return everything as it was. The reset method depends on what method you used to change the icons. In most cases, the process takes no more than a minute and does not require complex manipulations.
To cancel the theme, go to the application Themes, go to the profile (person icon) and select the section Themes. There will be an active theme, next to which you need to click Delete or apply a standard theme Classic. If you used a third-party launcher, just go to Settings → Home screen and select the system launcher MIUI.
When using manual shortcuts, deleting them occurs in the same way as deleting regular applications: long press on the icon and drag it to the trash bin or select an item Delete. This action will only remove the shortcut, leaving the application itself installed on the system. Don’t be afraid to experiment, as the software part of the smartphone does not suffer.
⚠️ Attention: When you reset the launcher settings to factory settings, all folders and widgets you created on the desktop may be deleted. It is recommended to take a screenshot of the current arrangement of icons before resetting, in order to quickly restore the structure later.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to change the icon of the "Settings" system application without root access?
Completely replace the system icon in the application menu without superuser rights it is difficult, since MIUI protects these elements. However, you can create a manual shortcut through the Shortcuts application with any picture and place it on the desktop, hiding the original in a folder.
Why, after installing the theme, the icons of some applications did not change?
This happens if the author of the theme did not draw a unique icon for a specific application. In this case, the system automatically substitutes a standard icon. You can fix this by creating a manual shortcut with a suitable picture.
Does changing icons affect the speed of Redmi 8?
A static icon picture itself does not affect performance. However, complex animated themes or “heavy” third-party launchers can consume more RAM and battery power, which is noticeable on budget models.
How to make icons transparent?
To create a transparency effect, you will need a launcher that supports this function (for example, Nova Launcher), and a special pack transparent icons. In the launcher settings, select an icon style and specify a transparent pack.
Is it safe to download themes from third-party sites?
Downloading themes from unverified sources carries the risk of infecting your device with viruses or Trojans. It is recommended to use only the official theme store Xiaomi or verified sections of large technical forums.