Home screen settings Xiaomi: what it is and how to set up

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often come across the acronym Home screen settings in the app or system settings menu, which literally translates as “Home Screen Settings,” and it is responsible for the appearance and behavior of your device’s main workspace, and this is where the icons’ location, widget behavior, scrolling animation, and app grid are controlled.

Understanding the functionality of this section allows you to turn the standard interface of MIUI or the new HyperOS into a unique tool that is sharpened to suit your habits. Instead of putting up with factory settings, the user has complete control over the aesthetics and ergonomics of the smartphone. It is not just “pictures on the screen”, but a complex launcher management system.

In this article, we will take a look at each menu item in detail, explain what hidden options are responsible for, and help you avoid the typical customization errors. You will learn how to resize the grid, adjust the background blur effect, and why some widgets may not display correctly. Deep immersion in system settings is the key to comfortable use.

Access to the main screen control menu

There are a number of ways to find the launcher's settings, and the choice of method depends on the version of the operating system. In most cases, just make a long tap (press and hold) across an empty space on the desktop, and then in the lower right or left corner there will be a gear or button that says Settings.

An alternative way is through the system settings of the smartphone itself, you need to go to Settings → Desktop (or Home screen), which is useful if the standard gesture does not work due to software failures or installed third-party themes. In some versions of the firmware, access to advanced settings is hidden in the menu Additional.

It's worth noting that on HyperOS devices, the menu structure has been slightly restructured to improve ergonomics, some items have been renamed and others have been merged into logical groups. If you've moved from an older version of MIUI, look for new sections on animations and transparency effects.

• 🔍 Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the menu of all apps, and find the launcher settings icon there.
• 🔍 Use the search bar in your phone settings by typing in the “Desktop” or “Home screen” query».
• 🔍 Try pinching the screen with two fingers (bringing them together) to trigger page editing mode.

Managing the grid and size of icons

One of the most popular features in the Home screen settings section is Grid, which allows you to adjust the number of rows and columns the screen is divided into. The standard value is usually 5x6 or 6x6, but for users with large fonts or poor vision, options with fewer elements are available, such as 4x5.

Changing icon density directly affects the readability of the interface. If you often make the wrong click, reducing the number of items in the row will make the goals larger. Conversely, to work with more applications without folders, it is better to increase the density of the grid. However, too small icons can worsen visual perception.

⚠️ Note: After changing the grid size, you'll probably have to re-place weather or clock widgets, as they can "move" out of the visible area or change their size.The system automatically recalculates coordinates, but complex widgets require manual adjustments.

Some users prefer to use App Drawer mode, which hides all programs from the desktop, leaving only widgets, in which case the grid size only affects the organization of folders within the menus of all applications, a popular setting for minimalist design.

Customization of animations and visual effects

The visual aspect of Xiaomi’s interface has always been the brand’s strong point. The main screen settings menu has a section that provides animations for opening and closing apps, as well as effects when switching pages. You can choose classic scrolling, cascading appearance or cube effect.

The Blur effect feature deserves special attention: When you open the notification menu or control panel, the background of the desktop is blurred, creating a depth effect. This function requires sufficient processor performance. On budget Redmi models or older devices, turning on all effects can lead to micro-latency.

For customizers, there are additional effects, like Double-Tap Locking or icon shape-shifting. You can choose round, square, or rounded options. All changes are instantaneous, allowing you to see in real time how the new style fits your taste.

• 🎨 Choose the style of animation transition between pages: slide, fall or 3D-cup.
• 🎨 Adjust the transparency of the dock panel at the bottom of the screen to create the effect of soaring icons.
• 🎨 Turn on or off the icon enlargement when pressed for tactile feedback.

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If you notice slowing down when scrolling your desktop, try turning off the Blur effect in your display or home screen settings, which often increases the responsiveness of the interface on older devices.

Organization of widgets and folders

Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS offer advanced tools for working with widgets. Unlike standard Android, widgets can be of different sizes and shapes, integrating into a common grid, settings allow or prohibit resizing widgets, as well as adjusting their behavior when folding.

Desktop folders also have hidden settings, so you can set up animations to open the folder, change the background inside it, or turn on "Enlarge icons in the folder," which is especially useful for commonly used applications like instant messengers or cameras, where fast access is important.

There is a feature called Smart Folders that automatically sorts new downloaded apps into categories. While it's convenient for beginners, power users are better off turning this option off in Home screen settings to maintain full control over the menu structure.

Hidden functions and additional capabilities

In the back of the settings menu, there are often options that even experienced users don't know about, such as the ability to hide apps from the desktop, leaving them accessible only through a search or app drawer, which helps to remove visual noise and leave only the essentials in sight.

Another useful feature is blocking icons, and by activating Block layout, you can prevent the tags from being accidentally moved or removed, which is critical if the phone is used by children or the elderly who may accidentally disrupt the menu structure.

⚠️ Attention: Layout lock does not protect applications from removal. To prevent removal of programs, you must use the function "Parent Control" or "App Protection" in the security settings.

Also worth mentioning is the option of adding an additional screen "-1" (Google Discover or Yandex.Zen) in the home screen settings, you can choose which service will be displayed when swiping to the right. For users who value privacy, it is recommended to turn off this screen or replace it with Xiaomi widget tape.

Problems and solutions

Despite the stability of the system, users sometimes encounter launcher bugs, the most common symptom being missing icons or “spreading” the grid after a system update, in which case cleaning the desktop app cache (not data, namely cache) through the application management menu helps.

If Home screen settings reset on their own, check to see if you have a third-party theme.Unofficial themes often conflict with system updates.Returning to a standard theme "Classic" usually solves the problem.

In rare cases, the launcher may stop responding to touches. Rebooting the device in safe mode will help determine whether a third-party application is to blame for the interface conflict. If everything is working normally in safe mode, the problem is in one of the newly installed applications.

• 🛠 Reset the launcher settings to factory if the interface is not working properly.
• 🛠 Update the System Framework Components app through the GetApps store.
• 🛠 Check the memory space, as lack of it causes interface lags.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Proper settings of Home screen settings not only improves the appearance, but also increases the speed of work, eliminating unnecessary movements when searching for applications.