Personalizing a mobile device is not just a fad, but a way to turn a standard gadget into a unique tool that reflects your style. Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are often faced with the desire to change the usual appearance of the MIUI or HyperOS system, starting with the most noticeable elements - application icons. The standard set provided by the manufacturer may seem boring or simply not match the user’s mood, which makes the issue of customization extremely relevant.
Fortunately, the shell from the Chinese giant provides ample opportunities for visual changes without the need to obtain superuser rights or complex programming. Changing icons can be done in several ways: from official themes in the store to using system widgets and installing third-party ones launchers. Each method has its own characteristics, advantages and limitations, which are important to know about before starting the interface modification process.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for replacing graphic elements on the desktop. We will look at the nuances of working with the official theme store, teach you how to create your own sets through system widgets and discuss installing alternative skins. It is important to understand that some methods may require a stable Internet connection to download resources, while others work completely locally.
Official MIUI and HyperOS theme store
The easiest and safest way to change the appearance of all applications at once is to use the built-in Themes application. This is a system solution that is preinstalled on all company devices and has deep integration with the operating system. Here you will find thousands of ready-made sets created by both official and independent designers from all over the world.
To get started, you need to launch the application Themes on your desktop. In the bottom navigation bar, select the "Profile" tab (person icon), and then go to the "Themes" section. From the list that opens, you can search using keywords such as “iOS,” “Minimal,” or “Neon” to find a style that suits you. After selecting a theme, click the "Download" button and then "Apply". The system will automatically replace all standard images with new ones that match the selected design.
However, this method has its own characteristics. Often, along with the icons, the overall style of the system changes, including the notification panel and settings menu. If you only need new icons and want the rest of the interface to remain stock, this method may seem overkill. In addition, many high-quality themes in the store are paid or require a premium account.
⚠️ Attention: When installing themes from third-party sources (not through the official store), the system may issue security warnings. It is recommended to use only trusted resources inside the Themes application to avoid installing malware.
It is also worth noting that using a new theme may affect the performance of the device, especially on older smartphone models. Heavy graphic elements require CPU resources to render, which can lead to micro-lags when scrolling through the desktop.
Using system widgets for selective replacement
If you do not want to change the entire interface, but plan to modify only a few specific applications, the ideal option is to use the system widget “Application Shortcut”. This tool is built into the MIUI shell and allows you to assign any image from the gallery to launch the desired app.
The replacement process is as follows: on a free space on the desktop, hold your finger until the editing menu appears. In the bottom row, select "Widgets", find "Application Shortcut" (or "Shortcut") in the list and drag it onto the screen. A menu will open for selecting the app for which the shortcut is being created, and then a gallery of files for selecting an image.
To create a high-quality icon, you will need to prepare an image in advance. It should be square, preferably in PNG format with a transparent background to look beautiful on any wallpaper. You can find such sets on the Internet by searching for “icon pack png” or create them yourself in a graphics editor.
☑️ Preparing to create a shortcut
The main advantage of this method is complete independence from themes. You can combine icons of different styles to create unique compositions. However, there is a minus: if you delete the original application, the created shortcut will stop working, since it is only a link and not a separate application. It is also worth remembering that notifications on such widgets may not be displayed correctly or not displayed at all, unlike standard icons.
Installing third-party launchers
For users who do not have enough capabilities of the standard shell, there are alternative launchers. These are full-fledged desktop replacements that provide deep customization options. Popular options include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Smart Launcher.
After installing such a launcher from Google Play and making it the default one, you will have access to icon appearance settings. In most cases, you just need to click on the icon in the launcher settings menu and select “Edit” to replace the image with any other one from the gallery. This method allows you to change icons selectively without affecting the rest of the system.
Using third-party launchers provides another bonus - the ability to install entire Icon Packs. There are thousands of such sets in the Play Market that can be applied with one click. This solves the problem of searching for individual images for each application.
| Parameter | Standard launcher | Nova Launcher | Lawnchair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customization flexibility | Low | Very high | High |
| Memory consumption | Optimal | Average | Low |
| Gesture support | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
| Difficulty of mastering | Low | High | Average |
However, it is worth considering that third-party launchers may consume more RAM than the system solution. On devices with 4GB of RAM or less, this may result in background apps being dumped more frequently. In addition, transition animations may differ from the usual system ones, which initially causes discomfort.
What to do if the launcher is not installed?
If the system blocks the installation of a third-party launcher or resets it, check your security settings. In some versions of MIUI, you need to manually allow “Display on top of other applications” and disable battery optimization for the new launcher in the “Applications” → “Permissions” section.
Working with icon packs through settings
In some versions of the MIUI firmware (especially in global and Russian versions) there is a built-in function for changing icon packs without installation the whole topic. This is a hybrid method that allows you to maintain system stability, but change the visual style.
To check for this feature, go to Settings → Always on screen and lock (the path may differ depending on the OS version). Sometimes the “Icons” option is placed in a separate menu in the desktop settings. If this option is available, you will see a list of installed icon packs that can be activated.
Often users do not know that downloaded themes may not be fully applied, but their resources (including icons) remain in the device memory. Special theme manager applications allow you to “pull” icons from downloaded themes and apply them separately. This requires a deeper dive into the file system or the use of specialized software like MIUI Icon Packager.
This is standard system behavior designed to ensure compatibility of new system icons with the updated interface.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may change depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS. If you do not find the described items, check the current paths in the official manual for your model, as the company often changes the menu layout in updates.
Creating your own icons from scratch
For creative users who want to create a truly unique design, the option of manually drawing or editing icons is available. This process requires the use of graphic editors on a PC or mobile devices, such as Canva, PicsArt or Photoshop.
When creating your own icon, it is critical to comply with technical requirements. The standard size for most launchers is 512x512 pixels or 1024x1024 pixels. The file format must be PNG to support transparency. If you're making an icon for the Shortcut widget, make sure the background of the image matches your wallpaper, or make it transparent.
The creation process can be broken down into stages: choosing a base shape (circle, square, rounded square), choosing a color palette that matches the overall style of the smartphone, and adding a recognizable app symbol. Do not overload the icon with details, as on the small screen of the phone screen they will merge into mush.
Use a grid when creating icons. Place the application logo in the center, leaving a margin of about 20-25% from the edge so that the icon does not look cropped after applying the system.
After creating a set of images, they can be applied through the previously described method with widgets. This is a time-consuming process that requires creating a separate shortcut for each application, but the result is worth it if you value a unique design.
Possible problems and their solutions
During the customization process, users may encounter a number of common problems. One of the most common is that the icons do not change or white squares are displayed. This usually indicates that the selected icon pack does not support the application or the theme file is corrupted.
Another common situation is that notification counters are out of sync. After changing the icon on some applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram), the number of unread messages may no longer be displayed. This is usually solved by returning to the standard icon for this particular application or updating the messenger itself.
It is also worth mentioning the performance problem. If, after installing a heavy icon pack, your smartphone starts to work slower, it makes sense to switch to lighter static images or use a standard set. Animated icons (live wallpapers as icons) are particularly taxing on the processor and battery.
The optimal balance between beauty and performance is achieved by using high-quality static PNG icons and minimalistic launchers.
In rare cases, after changing the theme, the captions under applications may “move” or the font may change. To fix this, just reset the theme settings to standard in the “Themes” application -> “Profile” -> “Themes” -> “My” -> “Classic” (or Default).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to download themes from third-party sources?
Downloading themes from unverified sources carries potential risks. Theme files (.mtz) may contain malicious code. It is recommended to use only the official “Themes” store inside the smartphone or trusted forums with a good reputation.
Will the icon settings be reset after a system update?
Yes, major Android or MIUI/HyperOS updates often reset visual settings to factory settings. Third-party launchers usually retain their settings, but system themes can be deactivated.
Is it possible to make icons transparent?
You cannot make a completely transparent icon, as it will be invisible. However, you can create an icon that blends into the wallpaper by using an image of part of the background as the icon itself. This creates an “invisibility” effect.
Why did the clock and weather widgets disappear after changing the icon?
Some themes replace system widgets with their own. If the standard widgets are missing, try adding them again through the desktop editing menu or change the theme to another one that supports standard MIUI widgets.