How to change the size of icons on the Xiaomi desktop: from MIUI 12 to HyperOS

Xiaomi desktop on the basis MIUI or HyperOS allows you to flexibly customize the appearance of the interface, but not all users know how to properly change the size of icons. 4×5 or 5×6, But these parameters can be adjusted, both through standard settings and with hidden features, and this is especially true for owners of smartphones with large screens (for example, Xiaomi). 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro, where standard icons look too small, or for devices with compact displays (say, “Say, POCO F5), where it is necessary to seal the location of labels.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to change the size of icons - from basic MIUI settings to manually editing system parameters through ADB.

• 🔧 Set up a desktop grid through a standard menu
• 📱 Use gestures for dynamic scaling
• 🖥️ Apply hidden developer commands
• 🔄 Return factory settings if something goes wrong

Important: Some methods require developer or unlocked bootloader rights. If you're a beginner, start with the first two — they're safe and work on all versions of MIUI/HyperOS.

1. Standard setting of the desktop grid

The easiest way to change icon size is to adjust the number of rows and columns in the grid, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones without additional permissions.

To change the grid:

1. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Wallpaper and Style in HyperOS).
3. Go to the Desktop Grid section.
4. Choose the right option: from 3×3 to 5×6 (depending on the model).

Note that the more cells in the grid, the smaller the icons will be. For example, a 5×6 grid will make the icons of the minimum size, and 3×4 will make the maximum. On devices with Full HD+ resolution (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), it is recommended to use a 4×5 grid to balance convenience and aesthetics.

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If your version of MIUI does not have the option of “Desktop Grid”, update the launcher through Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Update.

2. Dynamic scaling of gestures

MIUI 13 and HyperOS have introduced a dynamic gesture-based resizing feature that doesn’t require developer rights, but it doesn’t work on all devices.

How to turn on:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the gesture scale option (or Dynamic Scaling in English firmware) and turn it on.
4. Now squeeze two fingers on your desktop to reduce the icons, or dilute to enlarge.

This is a great way to quickly adjust to different scenarios, such as increasing icons for comfortable use with one hand or reducing them to fit more shortcuts. However, on some models (for example, Redmi 10C or POCO M5), this feature can work unstable – icons “bounce” when zooming.

3.Size change via launcher settings

If standard methods don’t work, you can use alternative launchers or hidden settings of the Xiaomi system launcher, which is suitable for advanced users.

Instructions:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open it and find the com.miui.home section.
3. Select.settings.DesktopIconSettingsActivity.
4. In the menu you can set up:

• 📏 Exact size of icons (in pixels or percentages)
• 🔄 Retractions between badges
• 🎨 Display style (with shadow, without background, etc.)

Warning: Not all settings on this menu work well, for example, changing the indentations can lead to overlaying of text under the icons. If the desktop displays incorrectly after the changes, return the settings to the factory settings (see section 6).

4 Manually changing parameters via ADB

For advanced users who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method of direct editing system parameters is available, which allows you to set an arbitrary size of icons, not limited to predefined MIUI values.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → Developers).
3. Connect the phone to your computer and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global icon_size_scale 1.2

Where 1.2 is the zoom factor (1.0 = standard size, 1.5 = 50% increase).

Available values:

• 🔍 0.8 - decrease by 20%
• 🔍 1.0 - Standard size
• 🔍 1.3 – 30% increase (optimum for larger screens)
• 🔍 1.5 - maximum magnification (can crop text)

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Download ADB Tools from the official website

Connect your phone to the original cable

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⚠️ Attention: Some versions MIUI They reset this parameter after they reboot. To record the changes, use the command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.theme.icon_pack.roundedandroid

5. Use of alternative launchers

If system methods are not good, the best option is to install a third-party launcher, for example, Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher allow you to configure:

• 🎯 Icon size (50 to 150 percent of the standard)
• 📐 Retractions between badges
• 🖼️ Shape of icons (round, square, adaptive)
• 🎨 Color and transparency of the substrate

How to set up in Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop → Settings.
3. Go to the desk. → Size of icons.
4. Move the slider to change the scale.

The advantage of this method is stability and no risk of breaking the system launcher, but some MIUI features (such as built-in gestures or weather widgets) may not work properly.

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Alternative launchers are the safest way to customize, but they consume additional RAM (around 100-200 MB).

6. Resetting desktop settings

If after experimenting with the size of the icons, the desktop began to glittle (the icons disappear, the text is overlaid, the launcher is rebooted), return the standard settings.

Resetting methods:

1. Through MIUI settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find Launcher (or com.miui.home). Click Storage → Clear Data.
2. With Recovery: Turn off your phone. Press Volume Up + Power to log in to Recovery. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (full reset!).

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the launcher data will remove all your widgets, folders and icon locations. Before reset, take screenshots of your desktop or record the location of shortcuts. A full reset via Recovery will delete all the data on your phone - only use it as a last resort.

If the problem persists after the reset, the system theme may have been damaged.

1. Go to Settings → Wallpaper and Style → My Themes.
2. Select a standard theme (e.g. MIUI Default).
3. Reset the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the size of icons