How to Change Launcher in POCO (Step-by-Step Guide, 2025)

 POCO smartphones are known for their performance, value, and customization — powered by Xiaomi’s MIUI and the new HyperOS interface. One of the best things about Android, especially on POCO phones, is the ability to change the default launcher to get a completely new look and feel.

If you’re tired of the default POCO Launcher, or you want smoother animations, custom gestures, and better personalization, this guide will show you how to change launcher in POCO, step by step.

🧭 What Is a Launcher in POCO?

A launcher is basically your phone’s home screen interface — it controls how your apps are displayed, what your icons look like, and how you navigate between screens.

The POCO Launcher is lightweight, fast, and feature-rich, but many users prefer alternatives like Nova Launcher, Niagara Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher for added flexibility.

Changing your launcher doesn’t require rooting or unlocking anything — it’s a simple and safe customization.

🔧 Why Change the Launcher on Your POCO Phone?

Here are the main reasons users choose to switch from the stock POCO Launcher:

1. Customization – Change icons, grids, gestures, and animations.

2. Performance tuning – Some third-party launchers are smoother and use less RAM.

3. Minimalist look – Clean, distraction-free home screens like Niagara Launcher or Smart Launcher.

4. Advanced gestures – Swipe shortcuts, double-tap to lock, and hidden folders.

5. Better app drawer control – Sort apps alphabetically, by color, or custom categories.

Whether you’re on MIUI 14 or HyperOS 1.0, the process is quick and reversible.

📲 Step 1: Choose and Download a New Launcher

Start by selecting a launcher that matches your needs. You can install launchers directly from the Google Play Store.

Here are some of the most popular and stable launchers for POCO devices:

Once you’ve chosen one, tap Install and wait for the process to complete.

⚙️ Step 2: Set the New Launcher as Default (MIUI or HyperOS)

After installation, you need to make your new launcher the default home app. The steps vary slightly depending on your system version — MIUI or HyperOS.

🔸 For POCO with MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Manage Apps.

2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.

3. Select Default Apps → Launcher.

4. Choose your new launcher from the list (e.g., Nova Launcher).

🔸 For POCO with HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Home Screen.

2. Tap Default Launcher.

3. Select the launcher you installed.

That’s it — your home screen will instantly refresh with the new layout.

💡 Step 3: Grant Necessary Permissions

When you first open your new launcher, it may request certain permissions such as:

• Access to notifications (for badges or widgets)

• Access to storage (for backup and custom icons)

• Permission to draw over other apps (for gestures)

Tap Allow on all relevant permissions so the launcher functions properly.

🎨 Step 4: Customize Your New Home Screen

Now comes the fun part — personalizing your interface to match your style. Most launchers allow deep customization:

Common Customization Options:

• Change icon pack – Download icon packs from Play Store (e.g., Whicons, Lines, Delta).

• Adjust grid layout – Choose how many apps fit on one screen.

• Enable gestures – Swipe up for app drawer, pinch to overview, double-tap to lock screen.

• Hide apps – Keep private apps invisible from the home screen.

• Backup your layout – Many launchers let you export your setup to restore later.

Each launcher has a settings panel (usually accessed by long-pressing on the home screen → “Settings”).

🧹 Step 5: Disable the Stock POCO Launcher (Optional)

If you want to completely stop the original POCO Launcher from running in the background:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Manage Apps.

2. Search POCO Launcher.

3. Tap Disable (if available).

⚠️ Note: Some versions of MIUI/HyperOS don’t allow disabling the stock launcher. If you can’t, don’t worry — it won’t affect your new launcher’s performance.

🔁 Step 6: Switching Back to POCO Launcher

If you ever want to return to the original POCO Launcher:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Launcher.

2. Select POCO Launcher again.

3. Press the Home button — the interface will revert immediately.

Your previous setup and widgets may reappear automatically.

🧠 Troubleshooting: Launcher Issues on POCO Phones

If you experience lag, black screens, or crashes after changing the launcher, here are some easy fixes:

1. Reboot your device – This refreshes launcher settings.

2. Clear cache/data of both launchers:

   • Settings → Apps → Manage Apps → [Launcher Name] → Clear Data → Clear Cache.

3. Update the launcher from the Play Store.

4. Re-set the default launcher again in case of conflicts.

5. Disable animations in Developer Options for smoother transitions.

If none of these work, uninstall the third-party launcher and reinstall it.

📈 Step 7: Boost Performance (Optional Tips)

• Disable MIUI Optimizations (in Developer Options) if certain features like icon packs or gestures don’t work properly.

• Reduce animations: Settings → Additional Settings → Developer Options → Window/Transition scale → Set to 0.5x.

• Avoid using multiple launchers simultaneously; it may slow down app switching.

• Keep your launcher updated regularly — developers often fix bugs and improve performance.

🔐 Step 8: Backup and Restore Your Launcher Setup

If you’ve customized your launcher layout and don’t want to lose it after an update or factory reset, use the built-in backup function.

For example:

• Nova Launcher → Settings → Backup & Restore → Save Backup.

• Microsoft Launcher → Settings → Back up and restore → OneDrive backup.

Save your backup to Google Drive or internal storage. You can easily restore it anytime later.

🌟 Best Launchers for POCO in 2025

To help you choose the ideal launcher, here’s a quick overview of the top launchers compatible with HyperOS and MIUI in 2025:

🧾 Final Thoughts

Changing the launcher on your POCO smartphone is one of the easiest ways to completely transform your phone’s interface. Whether you want a minimalist layout, Pixel-like experience, or ultra-customizable look, the Play Store has dozens of great options.

Remember — switching launchers doesn’t affect your data or system apps, and you can revert to the default POCO Launcher anytime.

With the steps above, you can confidently change the launcher in POCO, personalize your home screen, and make your device truly yours.