How to change the size of the icons on Xiaomi: 5 working ways for MIUI

The size of the icons on Xiaomi smartphones is one of those little things that can dramatically affect the usability of the device. Too large icons take up precious space on the screen, and small ones make navigation difficult, especially on large displays of flagship models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+. Fortunately, the MIUI shell offers several ways to adjust this parameter, but not all of them are obvious to users.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven icon-size tools, from standard launcher settings to hidden developer features and third-party solutions. We’ll focus on the nuances of different MIUI versions (12 to 14) and popular brand models. If you want to optimize your desktop for your needs — for example, increase icons for better visibility or, conversely, reduce them to accommodate more shortcuts — read on.

1. Standard settings of the MIUI launcher

The easiest way to resize icons is to take advantage of the built-in options of the standard MIUI launcher, which works on most devices without having to install additional software or activate developer modes. However, the options available can vary depending on the shell version and smartphone model.

To get started, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the settings on your Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Scroll down and select the Desktop section (or Home Screen in some versions). MIUI).
• 🎨 Find the option Icon Size or Desktop Layout.
• 📏 In the menu that opens, move the slider or select one of the proposed size options (usually available). 3-5 predetermined).

On some devices (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi K60), instead of a slider, you can choose between Standard, Large and Small sizes, and it is important to note that this method changes the size of all icons simultaneously – both on the desktop and in the application menu.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 And newer, after the icons change size, you might need to reboot the launcher, and you just swipe up the home screen and hold your finger. 2-3 A few seconds before the option to restart.

Make a backup copy of the location of the icons (screen photo)

Check the MIUI version in the settings (About the phone)

Close all background applications for stable operation

Make sure that the device has enough free memory (minimum 500 MB)-->

2.Using the Developer Mode for Fine-Tunes

If standard launcher options don't suit you, you can use a more flexible setup through developer mode, which allows you to resize icons in 1-pixel increments, which is especially useful for users who need perfect customization, but there are pitfalls — careless actions can lead to interface failures.

Activate the developer mode as follows:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row until you become a developer!
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
4. Scroll down to the layout block and find the option Minimum width (dp).
5. Change the value from the standard 360 or 411 to the value you want (for example, 320 to zoom in on icons or 480 to zoom in on them).

This parameter affects the scale of all interface elements, not just icons. After changing the value, you will need to reboot the device. Experiment carefully - too low values (less than 300) can make the text in the menu unreadable, and high values (more than 500) can lead to cropping of elements on the screen.

3. Third-party launchers: Nova Launcher and others

If the built-in MIUI capabilities don’t suit you, a third-party launcher is the best solution. Apps like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Hyperion Launcher offer much more flexible icon size settings, including the ability to change them individually for each shortcut.

Consider the process using the example of Nova Launcher (the most popular option among Xiaomi users):

• 📲 Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
• 🔧 After installation, open the launcher settings (hold your finger in the free desktop space). → Settings).
• 🎯 Go to the Desktop section → Size of icons.
• 📏 Here you can customize: Total icon size (50 to 150%) Icon size in the dock panel Size of icons in folders Retreats between icons
• 🔄 To apply the changes may require restarting the launcher.

An important nuance: some system icons (such as Phone, Contacts or Settings) in Nova Launcher can be displayed in the original size if you do not use the paid version of Nova Launcher Prime.

Standard MIUI

Nova Launcher

Apex Launcher

Hyperion Launcher

Another (write in the comments)-->

4. Change the size of icons in folders

Special attention should be paid to the setting of the size of the icons inside the folders. By default, MIUI uses a fixed size of icons in folders, which often leads to inconveniences - either the icons are too small and difficult to press, or too large and do not fit on one screen. Fortunately, this can be fixed.

For the standard MIUI launcher:

1. Open any folder on your desktop.
2. Slip on the free space inside the folder and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds.
3. In the menu that appears, select Change Size (or folder settings in new versions).
4. Move the slider Size of the icons in the desired position.
5. Click Ready to save the changes.

If this method doesn’t work (e.g., on the POCO X5 Pro with MIUI 14), try an alternative method:

• 📁 Create a new folder and add it to it. 5-6 applications.
• 🔄 Open the folder to the full screen (stick by its name).
• 📐 In some versions MIUI when the folder is deployed, the option of changing the size through the gesture of mixing / diluting two fingers becomes available (as when scaling a photo).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13 and older, when changing the size of the icons in the folders, their location may be confused. To avoid chaos, take a screenshot of the contents of the folder or write down the order of the icons before setting up.

5. ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

For those who are not afraid to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is an opportunity to resize icons at the system level, which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, but allows you to achieve results that are not available through standard settings.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB-drivers on your PC.
2. 📱 On your smartphone, activate the debugging by USB Developer settings (how to do this, described in section 2).
3. 🔌 Connect the device to the computer through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
4. 🐍 Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) The command is: adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_size [wherein the number of the 60 before 140 (standard — 100).
5. 🔄 Restart the launcher or device to apply changes.

Examples of teams:

• Increase the icons by 20%: adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_size 120
• Reduce the icons by 15%: adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_size 85
• Replacement of the standard size: adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_size 100

This method works on most Xiaomi devices, but some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T with MIUI 14) may require an additional command to unlock the changes:

adb shell pm grant com.miui.home android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

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Before working with ADB, create a restore point in Settings → System → Backup. This will help you quickly roll back changes if something goes wrong.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Nothing Works

Sometimes, even after all the instructions are followed, the icon size does not change or changes incorrectly.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📋 Version MIUI: In beta versions of the shell, some functions may be blocked.
• 🔒 Access rights: for ADB-commands require an unlocked bootloader (on some models).
• 🛠️ System File Integrity: Verify through Settings → The phone. → System verification.

💡

On devices with MIUI Global Stable, icon size changes via ADB can be blocked, in which case only a third-party launcher or custom recavator firmware (TWRP) will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the size of the icons on Xiaomi