How to change icons on Redmi 9: Complete customization guide

The smartphone Redmi 9 from the company Xiaomi offers users a wide range of options for customizing the appearance, however, the standard shell MIUI often retains a conservative icon style. The desire to personalize a device is not just a whim, but a way to make using a gadget more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Many owners are faced with the question of how to change standard, sometimes boring application icons to something brighter or minimalistic, without disturbing the stability of the system.

The process of replacing graphical interface elements based on Android, in particular on firmware HyperOS or MIUI, can vary from simple installation of a ready-made theme to complex manual replacement files via root access. In this article, we will look at safe and effective methods that will allow you to transform your desktop. You will learn how to use the system's built-in tools, third-party launchers and special icon packs to achieve the desired visual effect without the risk of turning your phone into a “brick.” Redmi 9. You'll learn how to use the system's built-in tools, third-party launchers, and custom icon packs to achieve the desired visual effect without the risk of turning your phone into a brick.

It is important to understand that the depth of customization directly depends on the chosen method. Some methods allow you to change only the shape of the icons, while others make it possible to completely redraw the interface, even changing system fonts and animations. Below we will analyze in detail each of the available options, evaluate their pros and cons, and also provide step-by-step guide for implementing your ideas.

Using the built-in Themes application to change icons

The easiest and safest way to change the appearance of icons on Redmi 9 is to use the official application Themesthat is preinstalled on the system. This tool gives you access to a huge library of custom designs created by both the development team and independent designers from around the world. To get started, you need to open the application, find the tab with profiles or icons and select the appropriate style.

Inside the theme store, you can search for designs by category, such as “Minimalism,” “Games,” or “Nature.” It often happens that a user likes a specific set of icons from a certain theme, but the background or widgets themselves do not suit him. In this case MIUI allows you to apply the theme selectively. Go to the theme profile, click the button Apply, and then in the menu that appears, select the option Customize theme. Here you can check only the “Icons” item, leaving the rest of the system elements unchanged.

It is worth noting that not all themes in the official store are free. Some premium checkouts require payment in local currency or real-world currency. However, free options with high-quality icon rendering are more than enough for most users. If you downloaded a theme, but the icons have not changed, check in the theme settings whether the corresponding component is activated, since sometimes the system only applies wallpaper by default.

⚠️ Attention: When installing themes from unofficial sources or third-party stores, the risk of your device becoming infected with malware increases. Use only the trusted Themes application from Xiaomi or official repositories.

After applying a new theme, the system may require a restart of the launcher or the device itself to correctly display all graphic elements. If the icons are partially applied, try clearing the application cache Themes through the smartphone settings. This action will not delete your data, but will force the system to re-read the design configuration files.

Installing third-party launchers for complete freedom of action

If the built-in capabilities MIUI seem limited to you, installing a third-party launcher is the most radical and effective step. The launcher replaces the standard desktop, notification panel and application menu, giving full control over the visualization. Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcherwork perfectly on Redmi 9 and support the installation of any icon packs from Google Play.

The installation process of a third-party launcher begins with downloading an APK file or downloading an application from the store. Google Play Market. Once installed, Android will prompt you to select a default app for your home screen. Select the installed launcher and confirm the action with the Alwaysbutton. Now, when you press the “Home” button, a new interface will open, where you can long press on an empty space to enter the settings.

In the settings of advanced launchers, there is a section dedicated to the appearance of icons. There you can change their size, shape (square, circle, rounded square) and even add shadows or effects when clicked. The main advantage of such launchers is their support for third-party icon packs. You can download a pack in the style of iOS, Windows Phone or pixel art and apply it to all applications at once with one button.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher - the standard of speed and flexibility of settings, allows you to change even the animation of opening applications.
• 🎨 Microsoft Launcher - perfectly integrates with Microsoft services and offers beautiful daily wallpapers on the locked screen.
• 🧩 Smart Launcher 6 - automatically sorts applications into categories and has built-in theme store with unique icons.
• ⚡ Niagara Launcher - a minimalistic list of applications, ideal for those who want to remove visual noise.

However, the use of third-party launchers on the shell MIUI has its own nuances. Xiaomi's power saving system can aggressively terminate third-party application processes, which leads to the launcher resetting to the standard one after locking the screen. To avoid this, you need to go to the battery settings, find the installed launcher and set the operating mode No restrictions. It is also recommended to pin the application in memory through the multitasking menu.

Applying icon packs via Google Play

Icon Packs are specialized applications that contain a set of graphics to replace standard icons. They do not work independently, but require a compatible launcher or use of the “Third Party Themes” feature in Settings MIUI. The store Google Play presents thousands of such packages, from free to paid, covering any stylistic trends.

To install an icon pack, search for “icon pack” in the store search and select the option you like. After downloading the application, open it. Most packages have a Apply or Applybutton that automatically redirects you to the launcher selection menu. If you are using a standard launcher, this method may not work directly, and then you will have to use a special intermediary application. MIUI, this method may not work directly, and then you will have to use a special intermediary application.

One ​​of these intermediaries is an application X Icon Changer or similar utilities available in the store. They allow you to apply icon packs even on the stock shell, creating shortcuts on top of the standard ones. The process is as follows: you select an application in the list, select an icon from the downloaded package, and the system creates a new shortcut on the desktop. This is a slightly more labor-intensive process than using the launcher, but it allows you to preserve the native Xiaomi interface.

Package name	Style	Number of icons	Price
Whicons	Minimalism (white)	2400+	Free
LineX Icon Pack	Linear (black background)	4500+	Free / Pro
CandyCons	Volumetric (3D)	3000+	Paid
Viral Icon Pack	Gradient	5000+	Free
Flight Icon Pack	Flat	6000+	Free / Pro

When choosing a package, pay attention to the number of supported applications. Even the largest sets cannot cover absolutely all apps existing in the world. For applications that do not have a special icon in the package, launchers usually use a mask (for example, making the standard icon round) or leave the original icon. Some advanced packages allow you to manually assign icons for unsupported applications.

What to do if the icons are not applied?

If the icons do not change after installing the package, check whether your launcher supports this feature. In the launcher settings, find the “Appearance” or “Look & Feel” section and select the installed package from the list. For the standard MIUI launcher, you may need to use a theme that includes this icon pack.

Manually replacing icons for individual applications

Sometimes the user does not need to change all the icons in a row, but only needs to replace the icon for a few specific applications so that they stand out against the general background or are simply pleasing to the eye. In the Android ecosystem, and in particular on Redmi 9, this can be done without installing heavy launchers, using the shortcut creation function. This method is ideal for point-by-point customization.

There are several applications specifically designed for this task, for example X Icon Changer or Shortcut Maker. The way they work is to create a new desktop shortcut that links to the same application, but uses your chosen image as the cover image. You can upload any picture from the gallery, download a ready-made icon from the Internet, or even use emoji.

The replacement process looks like this: open the application for changing icons, find the desired app (for example, WhatsApp) in the list, click on it. Next, select the image source - gallery, camera or built-in collection. After selecting a picture, click the create shortcut button. A new icon will appear on your desktop. The old icon can be removed by dragging it to the trash, but the application itself will remain installed on the system.

This method has one important limitation: the created shortcuts may not update automatically if the main application receives an update with a logo change, but this is rarely a problem. A more significant nuance is that such shortcuts can sometimes be reset after rebooting the device if the system optimizes memory. To avoid this, give the shortcut creator app permission to autorun and run in the background.

⚠️ Attention: When deleting an old shortcut, be careful not to confuse it with a widget or folder. Removing a shortcut from the desktop does not delete the application itself, but deleting the application through the settings will also delete all custom shortcuts created for it.

Using your own images from the gallery opens up endless possibilities for creativity. You can make the icon a photo of a cat, your favorite band's logo, or any abstract pattern. The main thing is to prepare the image in advance, preferably in a square format, so that it is displayed correctly without severe distortion when cropping.

Customizing the grid and size of icons in MIUI

In addition to changing the graphic image of the icons themselves, their size and location on the screen have a great influence on the perception of the interface. The settings Redmi 9 provide the ability to change the desktop grid, which allows you to place more elements or, conversely, make them larger for easier clicking. This is the basic level of customization available out of the box.

To change the grid, you need to hold down an empty space on the main screen until the settings menu appears. A gear icon or item Settingswill appear at the bottom of the screen. Once you go there, you will find the option Grid or Grid Size. The default value is usually 4x6 or 5x6, but you can change it to a tighter size like 6x6 to fit more apps on one screen without creating extra pages.

Also in this menu, setting the icon size is often available. The slider allows you to enlarge icons to make them more visible to people with low vision, or make them smaller to create a miniature effect and free up space. Resizing affects all applications at once, including system utilities and folders. After changing the parameters, do not forget to click the Applybutton to save the configuration.

Another useful feature in this section is the ability to hide unnecessary icons. If you do not use any standard Xiaomi application, but do not want to delete it, you can simply hide it from your desktop. This helps keep the interface tidy and visually clean. Hidden applications can be found through search or in a special section of the settings, depending on the version. MIUI.

• 📐 Changing the grid allows you to optimize the screen space to suit your needs.
• 🔍 Size adjustment improves the ergonomics of using the smartphone with one hand.
• 🙈 Hiding applications helps remove visual debris without uninstalling apps.
• 🔄 Resetting settings grids is possible at any time by returning to default values.

Do not forget that changing the grid density can affect the display widgets. Some large weather or clock widgets may not fit on the screen if the grid is too fine. In this case, the system will prompt you to automatically adjust the size of the widget or move it to another page.

Advanced customization: Magisk modules and root access

For users who are not afraid of complex technical procedures and want to gain absolute control over the system, there is a method for replacing icons by obtaining root access and using a module manager Magisk. This method allows you to replace system icon files at the level of the entire operating system, making changes visible even in the settings menu and quick switches, which is not available with conventional methods.

The first step is to unlock the bootloader Redmi 9 through the official Xiaomi website and obtain superuser rights. After installation Magisk you get access to the module repositories. There are special modules, such as “Iconify” or various system themes that replace files in the section /system. Installing such a module requires care, since an error can lead to a cyclic reboot of the device.

The advantage of this method lies in the depth of integration. Icons change everywhere: in the multitasking menu, in the battery settings, in the list of installed applications. This creates a feeling of a single, monolithic style. However, when updating the system OTA (over the air), such modifications often fail, and in the worst case, the update may not install until you remove the conflicting modules.

Example command for checking root access (via terminal)
su
If the rights are obtained, a request for permission will appear in the Magisk application

Usage Root modifications will void the device warranty and increase security risks. Banking applications may refuse to work if superuser rights are detected, although this problem can be circumvented using the hide root function in the settings of Zygisk itself. However, this path is recommended only for experienced enthusiasts. Magisk (Zygisk). However, this path is recommended only for experienced enthusiasts.

⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access and unlocking the bootloader leads to the complete removal of all data from the phone (resetting to factory settings). Be sure to make a backup copy of important photos and contacts before starting the procedure.

How to get everything back after root modifications?

If the system starts to become unstable, boot into Recovery mode (by holding down the power and volume buttons) and perform a factory reset (Wipe Data). This will remove all Magisk modules and return the original system files, but will also delete all your personal data.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why did the icons not change after installing the theme?

Most often the problem lies in the fact that the theme does not support replacing icons for all applications, or You did not select the option to use icons in the theme settings menu. Also check if the system has blocked the use of third-party elements in the security settings.

Is it possible to return standard Xiaomi icons after customization?

Yes, this is possible. If you used a theme, simply apply the Classic or Default theme in the Themes app. If you were using a third-party launcher, uninstall it or reset the launcher settings in the application menu. For root access, you will need to remove the Magisk module.

Does changing icons affect the performance of Redmi 9?

Replacing graphic files itself does not affect the processor speed or the amount of RAM. However, heavy third-party launchers with lots of animations can consume more resources, which on a budget device can lead to slight delays when opening the menu.

Where can I download safe icon packs?

The safest source is the official store Google Play Market. There, all applications are checked for viruses. Avoid downloading APK files from unknown forums and sites if you are not sure of the reliability of the source.

Why do some icons remain old when applying a package?

Icon package developers are physically unable to draw unique icons for millions of existing applications. For unsupported apps, the system uses the default icon. In advanced launchers, you can manually assign any image to such an application.