How to change DPI on Xiaomi smartphones: 3 working ways (without root)

Why users change DPI to Xiaomi and when they really need it

Pixel density (DPI) determines how large or small the interface elements on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO screen will be. The default is that the manufacturer sets the optimal value for most users, but sometimes it needs to be adjusted. For example, owners of devices with large screens (6.7-7.3 inches) often complain that icons and fonts seem too small, and users of compact models (such as Xiaomi 13 Mini) – on the contrary, the interface is “bloated”.

Changing the DPI can solve several practical problems:

• 🔍 Increase the readability of text for people with vision problems (without using the function "Screen magnifying").
• 📱 Optimize the screen space – put more information on one screen (for example, in messengers or browsers).
• 🎮 Improve the gaming experience: in some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) adjustment DPI influences the size of the controls.
• 🛠️ Application adaptability testing (relevant for developers).

However, it is important to understand that not all applications scale correctly when DPI changes. Some may be blurred and others may stop running altogether. For example, banking applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) often block work on devices with non-standard screen settings.

Method 1: Change the DPI through the developer settings (without ADB)

The easiest method is to use the hidden developer menu found in any MIUI firmware (including the latest versions 14 and 15), which requires no connection to a computer and works on most models, from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

To activate the developer menu:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row, and the notification will appear: "You became a developer!"
3. Return to the main settings menu – there will be a new section Additional → For developers.

Now you can change the DPI:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
2. Find the Minimum Width (in dp) option (this is the analogue of DPI in MIUI).
3. The default is 360, 393 or 411 (depending on the model).

⚠️ Warning: After changing the value, the system will suggest restarting the device. If after rebooting the screen becomes incorrect (for example, items are cropped or black bars appear), return the standard value or reset the settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Reset all settings (app data will not be affected).

Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts)

Remember the current DPI value (in case of rollback)

Close all background applications

Connect the charger (in case of freeze)-->

Method 2: Using ADB to fine-tune DPI (for power users)

If the developer menu does not work (for example, you need to set a non-standard value like 403), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but allows you to more accurately control the settings.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 ADB Tools (download and unpack in a separate folder).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB (activated in the developer menu, see method 1).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), continue.
4. Find out the current DPI value: adb shell wm density
5. Set a new value (e.g. 400): adb shell wm density 400
6. Reboot the device: adb reboot

To make the changes that are sustained after the reboot, you have to make them permanent.

1. Open up. ADB and type in: adb shell wm density 400 && adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS
2. Then add the command to the autoboot via the Tasker or MacroDroid app (if you don’t want to repeat the procedure after each reboot).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) K50 Xiaomi 12T) post-mortem DPI through ADB protection may work MIUI, And the system will return the standard settings, and in this case, only editing the build.prop file (requires root rights) will help).

Method 3: Third-party applications to change DPI (without root)

If the first two methods seem complicated, you can use specialized utilities. They do not require a connection to a PC, but have limitations: some functions work only on older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5).

Top.-3 tested applications:

• 📱 App Settings (Xposed) – requires the installation of the LSPosed framework (works on the LSP framework) MIUI 13/14 It allows you to change things. DPI individual applications.
• 🔧 SetEdit – Edit system settings through ADB-commands (needs debugging access) supported by Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.
• 🎨 Display Changer – a simple interface to change resolution and DPI, It may not work on new models (e.g. Xiaomi 14).

Example of SetEdit usage:

1. Download the app from 4PDA (it was removed from Google Play).
2. Open and provide access to ADB (a connection request will appear).
3. Go to the Display section and find the setting. ro.sf.lcd_density.
4. Change the value to the desired one (for example, 420) and save it.
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Apps like App Settings can cause errors in Google services (e.g., apps in the Play Market will stop updating). TWRP (if established).

💡

If the DPI changes stop working, try returning the standard value and then clear the application data through Settings → Apps → [Bank Name] → Warehouse → Clear the data.

How to return standard DPI settings if something goes wrong

If after experimenting with DPI, the screen began to display incorrectly (for example, cut off elements or artifacts appeared), there are several ways to return everything “as it was”:

Method 1: Through the Developer Menu

1. Open the settings → Additional → for developers.
2. Find the Minimum Width option (in dp) and set the default value (usually 360, 393, or 411).
3. Reset the device.

Method 2: Through ADB

If the developer menu is not available (for example, due to an interface failure), connect to your PC and type in:

adb shell wm density reset

Method 3: Resetting settings

If the first two methods do not work:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (app data and files will not be deleted).
3. After the reboot, the DPI will return to factory values.

On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60), resetting the DPI through the ADB may not work due to the manufacturer’s blocking commands, in which case only a full reset or flashing will help.

💡

Before experimenting with DPI, always write down the current value and back up the data, which will save time if you need to roll back.

Frequent problems and solutions when changing DPI on Xiaomi

Even after successful DPI changes, users are confronted with bugs, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If the problem is not resolved, check:

• 📋 Compatibility of your model with the chosen method (XiamoUI has compatibility bases).
• 🔄 Version MIUI: in beta versions (e.g, MIUI 15 China Beta) could be bugs.
• 🔒 Presence of locks from the manufacturer (on some devices, for example, Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, change) DPI locked).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about DPI on Xiaomi