How to change the size of app icons on Xiaomi: 7 proven ways

The standard size of the icons on Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI doesn’t always suit users, some seem too small and uncomfortable to press, others – too large, occupying half the screen. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to adjust this setting, and for advanced users, there are also some unobvious tricks available.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current icon size changes, from built-in MIUI tools to third-party launchers and hidden shell features, and focus on the nuances of different firmware versions (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13, etc.). If you want to not just scale icons, but also configure a desktop grid or hide signatures, here you will find solutions for any task.

Before you start making changes, consider that some methods require unlocking the bootloader or installing additional software. We will note such cases with special warnings. Also remember that after the MIUI update, the settings may reset — they will have to be reset again.

1. Standard method: settings of the MIUI launcher

The easiest method is to use the built-in system launcher options, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, does not require superuser rights and takes less than a minute.

Open Settings → Desktop (or Settings → Home Screen on some firmware) and you are interested in two things:

• 📏 Icon Size – Scaling Slider (not available on all versions) MIUI).
• 🧩 Desktop grid – changing the number of rows/columns indirectly affects icon size.

If the icon size slider is not on the menu, then your version of MIUI does not support it, in which case move to the next section. Note: when you change the grid (for example, from 4×5 to 5×6), the icons will automatically shrink to fit into new cells.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T) When you change the grid, you may lose the location of the widgets. Take screenshots of the desktop in advance or write down the layout of the elements.

Make a backup copy of the location of the icons (screenshot)

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Close all background applications (for smooth interface operation)

Connect the charger (if the battery level is below 30%)

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2. Size editing through the design theme

Few people know, but MIUI has icon sizes tied to the theme of the design, and some standard and third-party themes offer alternatives to scaling icons, and this is how it works:

Go to Settings → Themes (or open the Themes app separately). In Local or Online, look for themes marked "Big Icons" or "Minimalism."

• 🌙 Dark Mode Big Icons is a dark theme with enlarged icons (+25%).
• ☀️ Minimalist Small – a light theme with reduced icons (-20%).
• 🎨 Colorful Grid – a bright theme with an adaptive grid (the size of the icons adjusts to the screen resolution).

After applying the theme, the icon size will change automatically, and the downside is that you have to put up with the rest of the design elements (fonts, colors, animations). If you are satisfied with the scale of the icons, and you want to leave the rest as it is, use custom themes from the MIUI Theme Store (not available in all regions).

To return to the standard look, it is enough to apply the theme “Basic” or “Basic”.

3. Use of alternative launchers

If the built-in MIUI tools don’t work, install a third-party launcher, which completely replaces the standard desktop, offering flexible customizations, including precise adjustments to icon size, shape, and even animations.

Top.-3 Launcher for Xiaomi with support for customization of icons:

To change the size of the icons in Nova Launcher (the most popular option), follow the following steps:

1. Keep your finger on the free space of the desktop → Settings.
2. Go to the size and style of the icons → The size of the icons.
3. Move the slider or enter the value manually (e.g. 120% for 20% increase).
4. Click Ready and restart the launcher (long press home).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (Redmi 10, POCO M4 Pro) after installing a third-party launcher, you may lose access to system gestures (e.g. swipe up for returns). → System system → Gestures → System navigation and select "2 buttons" or "3 buttons".

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If the icons become blurry after installing the launcher, open its settings and turn on the option "Adaptive icons" or "High-res icons." This will force the system to use vectored versions of the icons instead of raster ones.

4. Manual editing of configuration files (for advanced)

This method is suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or TWRP. It allows you to change the size of the icons at the system file level, but requires caution - improper actions can lead to a crash of the launcher or bootloop.

Instructions for MIUI 13/14/15:

1. Install a file manager with /system access (e.g. Mixplorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/product/overlay/MiuiSystemUIPlugin/MiuiSystemUIPlugin.apk/res/values/dimens.xml
3. Find the lines with the parameters: <dimen name="workspace_icon_size">56dp</dimen> <dimen name="workspace_icon_text_size">12sp</dimen>
4. Change the value of 56dp to the desired one (for example, 64dp to zoom in or 48dp to zoom in).
5. Reset the device.

For MIUI 12 and older versions, the path may be different:

/system/priv-app/MiuiHome/MiuiHome.apk/res/values/dimens.xml

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI through OTA your changes dimens.xml To avoid this, create a Magisk module that will automatically apply the patch after the update. XDA Developers (search on request "MIUI icon size module").

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Editing system files is the only way to resize icons in hidden folders (such as the All Apps menu) that are not configured through a launcher or themes.

5. Applications for customization of icons

If you need to resize individual icons (rather than all at once), use customized utilities that allow you to assign custom icons to any application, adjusting their scale individually.

The best applications for this task:

• 🎨 Icon Changer is a simple icon replacement tool with the ability to scale up to 200%.
• 🖼️ Icon Pack Studio – advanced editor with support for layers and effects.
• 🔄 X Icon Changer – allows you to use different sizes for icons on the desktop and in the application menu.

Example of settings in Icon Changer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select the app you want to change (such as WhatsApp).
3. Click "Change the icon" → "Select from the gallery" or "Download the icon pack".
4. In the editor, find the option “Resize” and set the desired percentage (for example, 130%).
5. Save the changes and apply a new icon.

Important: Some apps (like Google Play Store or Settings) may reset custom icons after the update. To avoid this, use Reset Protection in the utility settings.

6. Set-up for the visually impaired (special facilities)

If you need large icons for medical reasons (for example, for visual impairments), use the built-in tools special features. They are available on all Xiaomi devices without additional installations.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Usability.
2. Activate the “Big Text” option – this will increase the fonts in the entire interface, including the signatures under the icons.
3. Go back to the main menu "Special features" and select "Element size".
4. Move the slider to the value of "Very large" (or "Maximum" on some firmware).
5. Restart the device to apply the changes.

This method not only increases icons, but also other interface elements (buttons, menu text, notifications).If you only need to scale icons, combine it with changing the desktop grid (see section 1).

7.Reset launcher settings (if something went wrong)

After experimenting with icon sizes, the interface may start to glittle: icons overlap, signatures disappear, or the desktop slows down, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help.

Ways to return the standard look:

• 🔄 Soft reset: Keep your finger in the free desktop space → Home screen settings → Reset the settings.
• 📱 Hard reset: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher MIUI (or "MiuiHome") → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🔧 Through ADB (Adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

After reset, all icons, widgets, and folders on the desktop will return to factory settings. To avoid data loss, pre-backup through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ After cleaning the launcher data, navigation gestures may be lost. → Display. → Full-screen display → Navigation style and choose the desired option again.

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