How to change the text size in SMS on Xiaomi: all ways to MIUI

Small text in messages tires your eyes, and too large one makes it difficult to read the whole text. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face this problem, especially after updating MIUI or changing the device. Unlike system font settings, which change the size of text in all applications, SMS display parameters are set separately - and it is not always obvious where to look for them.

In this article, you will find 4 working ways to resize text in the standard Message app (including hidden MIUI 14 settings), as well as solutions for cases where the font does not change or resets after a reboot, we will understand why some firmware options are hidden deeper than they seem, and how to circumvent restrictions without root rights.

If you use Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 or older models like POCO X3, the instructions below will work for all versions of MIUI, from 12 to 14. The main difference is the location of the menu items, but the essence remains the same. And if you prefer messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, at the end of the article there is a bonus section about setting up the font in them.

1. Standard method: settings of the application "Messages"

The easiest method is to use the built-in Messages app options. It works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, but may not be available on custom firmware or regional versions of the software (for example, for India).

To change the size of the text:

1. Open the Messages app (an envelope icon).
2. Swipe on the three dots in the upper right corner (or swipe left on the home screen).
3. Select Settings → General settings (or additionally in older versions).
4. Find the text size or Font and choose the appropriate option: Small, Medium, Large, Very Large.

If text size is not on the menu, your version of MIUI uses the system font settings (see the next section for more on this). Also note that some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A) may have text scale.

Update the Messages app in Google Play

Check the MIUI version in your phone settings

Close all background applications before changing

Restart your phone if the font has not changed.-->

Important: Changes apply only to new text. Open dialogs can be displayed with the old font before restarting the application.

2. through the system settings MIUI (if there is no option in the "Messages")

If the Messages app doesn’t have a separate font setting, it means the text size is tied to system parameters, as is typical for Xiaomi with firmware for the global market or devices on MIUI 13/14, where developers have simplified the interface.

To change the font size for all applications (including SMS):

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the screen (or display on some models).
3. Select Text Size or Font Size.
4. Move the slider to the right (increase) or left (decrease), and the preview will show you what the text will look like.
5. Press Ready or Apply.

The downside of this method is that it will change the font in all applications, from the browser to the calendar, and if you only need to enlarge text in SMS, try the following method.

Very small (saves space)

Medium (default)

Large (for comfortable reading)

Very large (for the visually impaired)-->

3. Hidden settings MIUI: mode for visually impaired

MIUI has a hidden Usability Mode that allows you to fine-tune the display of text, which is suitable if the standard options do not give the desired result or the font in the text seems too small even at the maximum size.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Special Features (or Convenience)
2. Select Vision (or Screen and Text Size).
3. Activate the switch Large text or Screen Scaling.
4. In the Settings font section, select the User Size and move the slider.

This method provides more flexibility than system-scale, for example, you can make the typeface in SMS larger than in other applications by activating the option Only for selected applications (not available on all devices).

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F3, Xiaomi 11 Lite) activation of the mode Large text can cause the interface to be cropped in applications. To return everything back, turn off the option or reset the screen settings.

4. Use of design themes (for advanced users)

Few people know, but in MIUI, text size can depend on the theme you choose. Some themes (such as Dark Mode Pro or Mi LAN) have built-in styles for text, including text size.

How to change the subject to change the font:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the section My topics → Fonts.
3. Select a theme marked Large text or Readable (e.g. Comic Sans Bold or Roboto Large).
4. Apply the topic and check if the font has changed in the SMS.

It doesn’t work on all devices, as it depends on the version of MIUI Theme Store. If there’s no Font section, update the Themes app or try downloading the theme with a large font manually (for example, from miuithemes.com).

On devices with MIUI 14 Global, the text font may be reset after updating the Messages app. To avoid this, turn off the automatic update for this app in Google Play.

5. Problem Solving: The font does not change or is reset

Sometimes, when you change the size of the text, nothing happens in the settings, or the font returns to the standard one after you reboot. Here are the most common reasons and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 App cache: Clear the cache for Messages in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Communications → Warehouse.
• 📱 Update MIUI: After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 13 by 14) font settings can be reset. Check the software version in Settings → The phone.
• 🔧 Resetting: If the font is “hang” on the same size, reset the Messages application settings (in the same Application Management menu).
• 🛠️ BBETA-version MIUI: Test firmware often has text display bugs. Reverse to the stable version via Settings → Update of the PO.

If the problem persists, try using a third-party SMS app (like Google Messages or Textra) where the font settings are more flexible.

⚠️ Note: On devices with bootloader unlocked and custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the system font settings may not work correctly.

💡

If you need to temporarily enlarge text in a text message (for example, to read a long message), use a zoom gesture: double tap the screen and pull your fingers to the sides. This works in most applications, including Messages.

6. Alternative SMS applications with font setting

If the built-in methods don't work, consider third-party messaging apps, which offer more customization options, including individual font size, color schemes, and even font change.

Top.-3 applications with flexible text settings:

• 📩 Google Messages: Supports text scaling in chat settings. minus - no Russian localization for some features.
• 🎨 Textra SMS: It allows you to customize the font size separately for incoming and outgoing messages.
• 🔒 QKSMS: Open source software with wide customization options, including fonts, colors and animations.

To transfer your message history from a standard application to a new one:

1. Install the selected application from Google Play.
2. When it first launches, it will suggest importing SMS, allow access to messages.
3. In the new app settings, find the Import/Export section and follow the instructions.

Please note that some banks and services (such as Sberbank Online or Public Services) can send SMS messages with protected content that will not appear in third-party applications, in which case you will have to go back to the standard Message.

💡

SMS-applications not only solve the problem with the font, but also add useful features: backup messages, blocking spam and dark theme for individual chats.

7. setting up the font in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

If you're actively using instant messengers instead of text messages, you can also change the text size, and the methods are different from Xiaomi's system settings, so let's break them down separately.

WhatsApp:

• Open the chat and tap on three points → More → Chat settings.
• Select the font size and set the desired value.

Telegram:

• Go to Settings. → Registration.
• In the Text Size section, select Small, Medium or Large.
• To fine-tune the option to use the system font – then the text will scale along with the MIUI settings.

Viber:

• Press your finger on any chat message and select Change text size.
• Move the slider to increase or decrease the font.

Unlike standard SMS, messengers save the font settings even after updating the application or rebooting the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about text size in SMS on Xiaomi