Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face a desire to personalize the look and feel of their device. One of the most visible interface elements is the desktop app icons. The standard size may not suit all users: some need larger elements for ease of reading, while others prefer a compact look to accommodate more shortcuts. Changing the size of icons is the first step to creating a unique and ergonomic interface.
Unfortunately, standard MIUI or HyperOS settings don't always have a direct slider to resize icons, depending on the firmware version and region. However, there are proven ways to get around this limitation. In this article, we'll look at all the methods available, from built-in grid features to third-party themes and launchers, and learn how to make the screen exactly the way you want it to be.
Before we start to make changes, it's worth noting that icon size is directly related to desktop grid density. The fewer cells in the grid, the larger the elements themselves will be. This is a fundamental principle of how the MIUI shell works. Understanding this relationship will help you achieve the desired result without installing any extra software.
Changing the desktop grid through settings
The easiest and safest way to change icon size is to change the number of rows and columns on the screen, which doesn't require root rights or additional apps. It's available on most modern Redmi and Xiaomi models. To get to the right menu, you need to do a few simple steps in the system interface.
Press and hold your finger in the free desktop space until the menu appears at the bottom of the screen. Select Settings (or gear icon). In the window that opens, find the Grid option. Here you will be prompted to choose a configuration, such as 4x5, 5x6 or 6x8. Selecting a 4x5 grid will make the icons larger, as they will take up more space. Conlyverse, choosing 6x8 will reduce them to fit more applications.
Once you have selected a configuration, the system will automatically redistribute all the shortcuts, so if there are many widgets on the screen, they can move or change their size, which is normal behavior of the operating system, and it's important to make sure that critical applications don't move into an uncomfortable zone.
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Before changing the grid, remember the location of important widgets or take a screenshot to quickly restore the familiar structure after the changes.
Consider that changing the grid affects not only icons, but also widgets. Large watch or weather widgets can take up half the screen when choosing a grid with a small number of lines. So finding a balance between the size of the icons and the functionality of the desktop is a key point of customization.
Using design themes to change icons
If the grid change doesn't have the visual effect it wants, Themes Themes comes to the rescue. Unlike standard settings, themes allow you to completely replace the graphical shell, including the design and size of the icons. Some authors create themes specifically for those who prefer minimalism or, conversely, large, bright elements.
Go to the Topics app on your smartphone. Search for queries like "Large icons," "Big icons," or just "Minimal." When you view the preview, pay attention to the size of the app shortcuts. Once you install the theme, the icon size will change globally for the entire system, and this is one of the most effective ways to customize without deep system interference.
⚠️ Note: Some third-party themes may contain ads or require permissions. download designs only from Xiaomi's high-rated official store and a large number of downloads to avoid malware.
After applying the theme, you may need to reboot the device to correctly display all the elements. If you don’t like the new theme, you can always go back to the standard design. To do this, in the Topic app, go to the profile (human icon) and select My Themes where you can activate the Classic or Default theme.
Using themes is a great way to not only resize, but also-refresh interface design. You can find themes that mimic the style of iOS, Android Stock, or futuristic interfaces. This gives you creative freedom that you don't have in standard settings.
Scaling up through the developer mode
For advanced users who want to have full control of the interface, there is a hidden developer menu, which has a feature that allows you to change the minimum screen width (DPI), which affects the size of all interface elements, including text, buttons and, of course, application icons.
To activate this mode, go to Settings → About Phone. Find the MIUI Version (or OS Version) and quickly click on it 7 times in a row. You will notice that you have become a developer. Now a new section will appear in the settings menu Additional → For developers.
Inside the developer menu, scroll down to the Drawing section. Find Minimum width. Remember or write down the original value (usually around 360-400 dp for smartphones), reducing that number will make all the elements larger and zooming in smaller.
☑️ Secure setup DPI
Be careful when changing this setting. Too much of a reduction in value can make the interface unreadable or cause some applications to crash. If the screen has turned black or items have stopped showing correctly, try blindly pressing the button combination or restarting the device to reset the settings.
Application of third-party launchers
If the built-in features don’t satisfy you, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher, which completely replaces the standard desktop, providing flexible settings for the size, shape and behavior of icons, popular options include Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Microsoft Launcher.
Once the launcher is installed from Google Play, it needs to be given the necessary permissions. Xiaomi can warn of potential security risks - this is the standard reaction of the MIUI shell to third-party interface management programs. Confirm the use of the new launcher by default.
In the new launcher settings (usually called by a long tap or through a menu), find the Desktop or Icon Size section, where you can set the exact size in percentages or pixels. In addition, many launchers allow you to adjust the indentations between icons, which also affects the visual perception of their size.
| Launcher | Flexibility of setting | Memory consumption | Sign support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Tall. | Low. | Complete. |
| Lawnchair | Medium | Very low. | Basic |
| Microsoft Launcher | Medium | Average. | Complete. |
| Smart Launcher | Automatic. | Low. | Unique. |
Using a third-party launcher is the only way to gain control over the size of the icons, independent of the MIUI version, and even if you upgrade the firmware, the launcher settings will remain, making this one of the most reliable methods for long-term customization.
Problems with scaling in applications
Sometimes users confuse the size of the desktop icons with the size of the elements inside the apps themselves. If the text or buttons on the menu are too small, changing the desktop grid won't help, in such cases, you need to look for zoom settings inside a particular application or in the general screen settings.
In Settings → Additional → Text and display size can be changed to the global scale of the font and interface elements. Moving the slider to the right will increase all text fields and buttons in the settings menu and supported applications, this is especially true for users with visual impairment.
⚠️ Note: An increase in the scale of the system can lead to the fact that some elements of the application interface will be cropped or go beyond the screen, since not all developers adapt their programs to non-standard ones. DPI.
Also, check the availability settings. Advanced Settings → Special features can activate the content increase or decrease functions. Make sure that there are no extreme values that can distort the display of icons.
Resetting desktop settings
If after all the manipulations, the icons are displayed incorrectly, lost or are of an odd size, there may have been a malfunction in the system component Launcher, in which case cleaning the cache or resetting the desktop to the factory settings will help, which will return the standard size and location of the elements.
To perform the reset, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find Desktop (or Launcher) in the list. Click on Clean and select Reset. The system will warn that the icons will be reset — confirm the action.
After this procedure, the desktop will return to a "out of the box" state, all widgets will disappear, and icons will line up in a standard grid, a radical but effective way to solve problems with graphic artifacts or improper zoom.
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Resetting desktop settings is a secure operation that doesn’t delete your personal files, photos, or contacts, but returns the standard location of application shortcuts.
Remember that after resetting, you will have to reconfigure the grid and add widgets. So if you have a complex and convenient desktop structure, it’s best to try other methods first before resorting to a full reset.