Changing DPI to Xiaomi: How to Increase or Reduce Screen Scaling Through Settings and ADB

The pixel density (DPI) determines how many dots fit per inch of your Xiaomi screen. This parameter determines the size of interface elements: icons, fonts, buttons. Too high makes the image small, and low makes the image blurry and large. In this article, we will discuss how to change the DPI on Xiaomi by official and hidden methods, what values are optimal for different models, and why after a change in scale, some applications may not work correctly.

By default, MIUI sets the standard DPI value depending on the screen diagonal and resolution. For example, for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with a resolution of 1080×2400, it is ~440 DPI, and for the POCO F5 it is ~400 DPI. However, users often want to zoom down to accommodate more information, or zoom it up for ease of reading. It is important to understand that changing the DPI is not just a zoom, but a recalculation of all interface elements that can affect performance and compatibility with applications.

What is DPI and why change it to Xiaomi?

DPI (dots per inch) is the number of pixels per inch of screen. The higher the value, the smaller the interface elements, but the clearer the picture. On Xiaomi smartphones, this parameter affects:

• 📱 Size of icons and the distance between them on the desktop.
• 🔤 Fonts in the menu, browser and applications.
• 🎮 Control elements in games (buttons, text prompts).
• 📊 Density of information on the screen (for example, lines in the messenger).

The main reasons to change the DPI are:

• 👓 Poor vision – zooming in for comfortable reading.
• 📱 Small screen size - reduction DPI, So that more content is placed.
• 🎯 Games / applications - optimization of the interface for specific software.
• 🔧 Experiments with customization MIUI.

However, there are risks:

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. banking or with) DRM-protection) may block work in non-standard DPI, Considering this a sign of root rights or system modification.

Official method: changing the scale in the MIUI settings

The safest method is to use the built-in MIUI settings. It doesn't change the DPI directly, but it allows you to zoom in or out of the interface:

1. Open the Settings → Screen.
2. Select Text Size and Display (in older versions – Screen Size).
3. Move the text size slider (from Small to Very Large).
4. Click the Element Size and select Default, Compact or Enlarged.

This method works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 13C, POCO X6 Pro and Mi 14 Ultra, but has limitations:

• ❌ Doesn't change the real meaning. DPI, It's just scaling up the elements.
• ❌ Not all applications support dynamic resizing.
• ❌ This can lead to text cropping in some menus.

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If after zooming in some apps, some apps don’t show up correctly, try clearing their cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management.

Change DPI through ADB (no root rights)

To fine-tune the DPI, you’ll need ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – a method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-15, but requires a connection to a computer. Importantly, after changing the DPI through ADB, some system applications (such as Mi Fit or Mi Pay) may stop working before resetting.

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell wm density [value DPI] && adb reboot]

Examples of values:

To return the standard value, use the command:

adb shell wm density reset

⚠️ Attention: After the change DPI through ADB Some apps (like Google Pay or Netflix) may have a "Device not certified" error, which is due to system integrity checks.

Download ADB Platform Tools from Google |

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings |

Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable |

Check that drivers are installed (the `adb devices` command must show the serial number)|

Backup of important data

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Change DPI with applications (requires root)

If your Xiaomi has root rights installed, you can use third-party utilities to change DPI without ADB. Popular applications:

• 📱 BuildProp Editor – edits the build.prop file, where the standard value is written DPI.
• 🔧 DPI Changer – allows you to change the pixel density for individual applications.
• 🎨 TexDroider DPI — Supports profiles for different permissions.

Instructions for BuildProp Editor:

1. Open the app and find the line. ro.sf.lcd_density.
2. Change the value to the desired one (for example, from 440 to 400).
3. Save the changes and restart the phone.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It does not require a PC connection.
• ✅ Different values can be set for different applications.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires root rights, which deprives the guarantee.
• ❌ Risk of “bricking” with incorrect changes build.prop.

Optimal DPI values for popular Xiaomi models

The choice of DPI depends on the screen resolution and your preferences, and the recommended values for different scenarios are as follows:

Selection advice:

• 📖 For reading: Increase DPI 20–40 from standard (for example, 400 to 440).
• 🎮 For games: Reduce by 20–60 (from 480 to 420) to make the controls larger.
• 📱 For multitasking: Minimum value (e.g. 380) will allow more windows to be placed in split screen mode.

Standard (not changed) |

Reduced (more content on the screen)|

Increased (large text)|

I'm experimenting with different meanings.

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Problems after DPI changes and how to fix them

Changing the DPI can cause MIUI or application failures, and consider typical problems and solutions:

• 🚫 Applications do not run: Some programs (for example, SberBank Online or Tinkoff) block work when non-standard DPI. Solution: Return the standard value with the command adb shell wm density reset. Use the Island app (requires root) to isolate problem programs with the original settings DPI.
• 🔄 Interface. MIUI If: After the change, if DPI missing icons or menu displayed incorrectly: Clear cache MIUI In Settings → Annexes → Application management → System applications → Launcher.Reboot the phone.
• 🎮 Games Lay: Incorrect meaning DPI may increase the burden on GPU. Solution: Set a value multiple of 80 (e.g. 400, 480). In the game settings, disable interface scaling.

⚠️ Note: If after the change DPI gestics stopped working MIUI (For example, swipe to return, return the standard value or reinstall Launcher through Settings. → Annexes.

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Before changing the DPI via ADB or root, back up your data. Some system applications (such as Mi Account) may require re-authorization after resetting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing DPI on Xiaomi