How to change the desktop grid on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Xiaomi desktop based on the shell MIUI It offers flexible customization options, but not all users know how to make the most of screen space. By default, the system sets a standard grid with a fixed number of rows and columns, which is not always convenient – especially on devices with large displays or non-standard proportions (for example, Xiaomi Mix Fold or Redmi Note 12 Pro).+).

In this article, we will analyze all available ways to change the desktop grid: from the basic settings in the menu. MIUI to the hidden functions through ADB You'll learn how to increase the number of icons on the screen, reduce their size for better readability or, conversely, make them larger for convenience. MIUI 12 to MIUI 15) and smartphone models where settings may be hidden in non-obvious places.

Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or the superuser rights (root), we will point out where you can’t do without them, and offer alternative solutions for users without technical skills.

Standard grid settings in MIUI

On most Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, basic desktop grid settings are available through the themes menu:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to My Screen (or Screen Settings in older versions) MIUI).
3. Select the Desktop Settings item.
4. Slip on the option of the desktop grid.

Here you will see the available grid options, for example:

• 📱 4×5 (standard)
• 📱 4×6 (lineage)
• 📱 5×5 or 5×6 (wide-screen)

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or other devices). POCO F5) Free grid mode can be available, allowing you to place icons and widgets in any order, but this option appears only after installing certain themes from the official store. MIUI.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro) the path to settings may be different.Look for the launcher settings section in the themes menu or through a long desktop tap → Settings.

Hidden settings through ADB (rootless)

If the standard options are not satisfied, you can change the parameters of the grid through ADB-This method works on most Xiaomi devices without the need for root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a computer.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed drivers Xiaomi and Android SDK Platform-Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (path: Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap the assembly number → return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Use one of the commands to change the grid (replace X and Y with the desired values): adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_columns X adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_rows Y Example for grid 5×6: adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_columns 5 adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_rows 6
5. Restart the launcher (or the entire smartphone) by holding the Home button and selecting Reboot.

Values allowed for most devices:

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Pad) 6) change of parameters ADB If you want to update your firmware, use the command: adb shell settings put global. launcher_provider_config "grid_columns=5;grid_rows=6"

Install Android SDK Platform-Tools|Enable debugging on USB|Connect your smartphone to your PC|Check the connection of the adb device team|Make a backup copy of the data-->

Use of third-party launchers

If standard and ADB-The methods don't work, so consider installing an alternative launcher, which will not only change the grid, but also completely redesign the interface:

• 🎨 Nova Launcher – supports setting up the grid from 2×2 before 12×12, Adaptive icons, gestures and backup settings. Nova Prime adds advanced features.
• 🔧 Action Launcher – a unique Quicktheme feature for automatic wallpaper adjustment, flexible grid settings (up to the end of the day) 10×10).
• ⚡ Lawnchair – an open launcher with support for Android 13+, minimalist design and the ability to fine-tune indentations.
• 📱 POCO Launcher – official launcher from Xiaomi for devices POCO, It works on any smartphone, and it offers a unique sorting of applications by category.

Instructions for setting up on the example of Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Click the Home button and select Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
3. Keep your finger in the free space of the desktop → Settings → Desktop.
4. In the Desktop Grid section, select the number of rows and columns (for example, 6×7).
5. In the size of the icons, adjust the scale (recommended value: 80-90%).
6. To apply the changes, restart the launcher (long press on the Home button) → Reset).

Important: When using third-party launchers, some functions are disabled MIUI, For example, built-in navigation gestures and system widgets (such as weather from Xiaomi), to return them, you will need to manually adjust or install additional modules, such as Xiaomi Home for widgets.

Change the size of the icons without changing the grid

If you are satisfied with the current grid, but want to change only the size of icons or text signatures, the MIUI There are hidden parameters:

Method 1: Through the Topic Menu

1. Open Topics → My screen. → Desktop settings.
2. Select the size of the icons (options are available: Small, Medium, Large).
3. Turn on or off the icon names.

Method 2: ADB (for advanced users)

Use commands:

adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_size 0.8 # Scale 80%


adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_text_size 12 # Text size (in sp)

Values allowed:

• 📏 launcher_icon_size: from 0.6 (very small 1.3 (big).
• 📏 launcher_icon_text_size: from 8 before 16 (signature size).

adb shell settings delete secure launcher_icon_size

This will reset the size to default values.-->

Features for different Xiaomi models

Grid settings may vary depending on the smartphone model and version MIUI. Let’s look at the key differences:

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The desktop interface has changed. Now the way is this: Settings. → Screen. → Desktop style → You can also use additional options here, like Adaptive Grid, which automatically adjusts to the number of widgets.

💡

On smartphones with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) too dense a grid can cause accelerated pixel burnout — 5×6 icon-size 85%.

Solving problems after changing the grid

If you don't set the grid correctly, you can have bugs: missing icons, not being able to add widgets or "downed" wallpaper, and here's how to fix them:

• 🔄 Resetting the launcher: Hold the Home button → Settings → Reset. It'll bring back the standard grid without losing data.
• 📱 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher (or) Launcer3) → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Verification ADB-Settings: If you have used ADB, Make sure that the values do not exceed the maximum permissible (see the table in the section about the ADB).
• 🖼️ Wallpaper problems: After changing the grid, the wallpaper can stretch.Look into Topics → Wallpaper and reuse it.

If the app icons are missing after the changes:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the missing app and click Show on your desktop.
3. If the option is inactive, drag the icon from the app menu (swipe up from the dock panel).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) 11 Lite) after the grid change through ADB If you want to return the function, you can run the command: adb shell settings delete secure. launcher_search_enabled

Additional tweaks for experienced users

For those who are ready for experimentation, there are ways to deep-customize the grid, including changing indentations, animations, and even adding new gestures.

1. Change of indentation (padding) of the grid

The spades determine the distance from the edges of the screen to the first icon. ADB-team:

adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_margin_left 10 # Retreat left (in dp)


adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_margin_right 10 # Departure from right




adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_margin_top 15 # Retreat from top




adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_margin_bottom 15 # Retreat from the bottom

2. Set up the dock panel

The dock panel (bottom panel with frequently used applications) can also be modified:

adb shell settings put secure launcher_dock_columns 5 # Number of icons in the dock


adb shell settings put secure launcher_dock_scale 0.9 # Scale of icons

3. Installation of custom themes with unique grids

Some of the themes from the store MIUI (For example, Minimalist or Pixel Style offer non-standard grids that are not available in the basic settings:

1. Download the theme from the official store (Themes) → Online).
2. Apply it and go to My screen. → Desktop settings.
3. Select a new grid (for example, 6×5 or 4×7).

4. Magisk modules for advanced customization

If your device has an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed, consider modules:

• 🔧 MIUI Mods – Adds more than 50 new settings, including dynamic grid and adaptive icons.
• 🎨 Lawnstep – Ported Lawnchair features for standard launcher MIUI.
• 📱 XiaomiEU Customization – a module for firmware Xiaomi.eu, extending the capabilities of the grid to 10×10.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up the grid