Personalizing a smartphone is not just a tribute to fashion, but an opportunity to make the device interface unique and convenient just for you. Device owners Xiaomi and Redmi are often faced with the desire to change the standard visual style that comes out of the box. The shell MIUI and its modern version HyperOS provide ample opportunities for customization, but beginners do not always know where to start.
Changing application icons is one of the easiest ways to transform the appearance of your gadget without obtaining root access or complex flashing. You can choose a ready-made solution in the official store or go further by installing a third-party launcher that will completely change the logic of your desktop. It is important to understand the difference between a design theme and a separate set of icons, as this affects the final result.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for replacing icons on brand smartphones Redmi. We will look at the built-in tools of the system, the nuances of working with third-party software and possible problems that you may encounter in the process. Follow the recommendations to make your screen look stylish and modern.
Using the built-in Themes application
The most reliable and safe way to change the appearance of the interface is to use the standard application pre-installed on all devices Xiaomi. This application is called Topics (or Themes in the international version). It is integrated directly into the system, which guarantees the absence of conflicts and stable operation.
To get started, open the application and go to the search section. Search for a style you like, such as "iOS", "Minimal" or "Neon". Algorithms will select options where changing icons is part of a comprehensive design update. Pay attention to the rating of the theme and the number of downloads - this indirectly indicates its quality.
After selecting the option you like, click the download button. The system will ask you to select components to use. If your goal is only to change icons, make sure that the item Iconsis checked in the list of components. Other elements, such as wallpaper or lock sounds, can be deselected if you want to keep them the same.
⚠️ Attention: Some themes may be paid or require an account Mi Account with a certain level of access. Free themes may also contain advertisements within the application directory.
Applying the theme takes a few seconds. After the process is completed, the system will automatically redraw all shortcuts on the desktop and in the application menu. If the result does not suit you, you can return everything back just as quickly through the profile menu in the same application.
Installing third-party launchers for complete freedom
If the built-in capabilities of the shell MIUI seem limited to you, third-party launchers will be a real salvation. These are applications that completely replace the standard desktop, offering new gestures, animations and limitless customization possibilities. Popular solutions include Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher and Smart Launcher.
Installation of such software requires downloading an APK file from the store Google Play. After installation, you will be asked to select the new launcher as your default application. Click the Home button on the navigation bar and the system will ask which application to use. Select the installed launcher and confirm the action with the “Always” button.
The main advantage of third-party solutions is the ability to use any icon packs (icon sets) available in the store. You are not tied to the style of a specific theme. In the launcher settings there is usually a section Appearance or Look & Feelwhere you can choose the style of icons from a huge library.
☑️ Preparing to install the launcher
It is worth remembering that third-party launchers may consume a little more RAM than the standard interface. On older models Redmi with a small amount of RAM, this may lead to applications being unloaded from the background more often. However, for modern devices this difference is almost invisible.
Use of individual icon packs
Icon packs are specialized sets of graphic elements created by designers specifically to replace standard application icons. Unlike full-fledged themes, they do not change the wallpaper, fonts or lock screen, affecting solely the visualization of apps.
To use such a package, you must first install the donor application. Most often this is the same Nova Launcher or specialized apps like Icon Pack Studio. After installation, download your favorite pack from the store Play Market. In the search, use the keywords “Icon Pack”.
The activation process is simple: go to the settings of your launcher, find the “Icon Style” section and select the installed pack from the list. The system will instantly apply the new style to all supported applications. For apps that do not have a unique icon in the pack, you can set up automatic generation or leave the standard view.
| Icon pack name | Style | Number of icons | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whicons | Minimalism (white) | 4500+ | Any launcher |
| LineX | Linear (black) | 6000+ | Nova, Smart |
| CandyCons | Material design | 5800+ | Universal |
| Pix Material | Bright, flat | 3000+ | Any launcher |
What to do if the icon has not changed?
If after applying the pack the application icon remains old, this means that the author of the pack did not draw an icon for this particular app. In most launchers, you can (long press) on the icon, select “Edit” and manually assign it any graphic file from the gallery or another pack.
Manually replacing icons through the editing menu
Sometimes the user does not need to change the style of all applications at once, but only needs to replace a few specific icons that stand out from the overall picture. The shell HyperOS and the latest versions MIUI allow you to do this point-by-point without installing additional software.
To do this, long press the application shortcut on the desktop. In the context menu that appears, select Edit. A window will open where you can change the name of the application and, most importantly, the icon itself. Click on the current icon image.
The system will prompt you to select a new graphic element from a preset set or upload your own image from the gallery. This is a great way to create a unique shortcut for an important contact or frequently used app, using personal photos or logos.
⚠️ Attention: When replacing an icon through the edit menu on some firmware versions, the widget may be reset if it was associated with this shortcut. Check the functionality of widgets after changes.
This method is ideal for those who want to maintain system stability and do not want to load the device with third-party launchers. However, mass replacement in this way will take a lot of time, since each application requires an individual approach.
Use PNG images with a transparent background to manually replace icons. This will ensure a neat appearance of the icon on any desktop background, without ugly white squares around the edges.
Customizing the grid and size of icons in MIUI
The visual perception of the desktop depends not only on the design on the icon, but also on its size, as well as the density of its arrangement. In the system settings Redmi there are hidden and explicit parameters that allow you to control these characteristics.
Go to Settings → Desktop. Here you will find a slider for changing the icon size. Increasing the size makes the interface more convenient for people with low vision, and reducing it allows you to fit more applications on one screen. Changes are applied instantly.
Grid settings are also available. You can choose a configuration such as 4x6 or 5x7. The more cells in the grid, the more compact the icons will look. This affects the overall aesthetic: a coarse grid with large icons looks modern and minimalistic, while a fine grid is suitable for pragmatic users.
Don't forget about the Large icons Simple Mode feature. If the smartphone is used by an elderly person, enabling this mode in the lock screen and desktop settings radically changes the perception of the interface, making all elements as large and contrasting as possible.
The optimal balance between beauty and usability is achieved by using a 4x6 grid and medium-sized icons. This allows you to see enough applications at once, while maintaining their readability.
Possible problems and their solutions
The customization process does not always go smoothly. Users may encounter a situation where, after applying the theme, some of the icons remain standard, or the interface begins to work with delays. Understanding the causes of these problems will help you quickly eliminate them.
A common reason for “inconsistency” in icons is the lack of support for a specific application in the selected icon pack. Theme developers cannot create unique icons for millions of existing apps. In such cases, the system automatically substitutes the default icon.
Another problem may be a version conflict. If you updated the firmware to HyperOS, and the theme was created for the old MIUI 12, there may be visual artifacts or incorrect display of labels under the icons. In this case, it is recommended to look for themes marked “Compatible with HyperOS.”
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu names may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA). If you don't find the item you need, try using the settings search.
To solve performance problems when using heavy launchers, try disabling animations in the developer settings or clearing the launcher cache through the app menu. This will restore the smooth operation of the interface.
Is it possible to return standard icons after installing the launcher?
Yes, it is possible. Go to your phone settings, “Applications” section, find the installed launcher and click “Stop” or “Uninstall”. After the reboot, the system will prompt you to select a standard launcher, or it will be activated automatically. You can also simply change the default application in the desktop settings.
Why do some icons become white squares?
This happens when the icon pack does not contain an image for a specific application. The launcher tries to apply the style, but does not find the desired graphics and displays a stub. Solution: manually replace the icon through the editing menu or select another pack with a larger database of images.
Does changing icons affect the operation of applications?
No, replacing a graphic icon does not in any way affect the functionality of the application itself. This is a purely cosmetic change. However, using “heavy” third-party launchers may slightly increase battery consumption and RAM consumption.
Where to download safe themes for Redmi?
The safest source is the official “Themes” application on your device. Topics there are moderated. Downloading themes from third-party sites may lead to infection of the device with malware or disruption of system stability.