How to reduce icons on Xiaomi: official and hidden settings MIUI

The size of the icons on Xiaomi’s desktop is often a source of frustration. Too large icons take up a lot of space, interfere with the placement of widgets, and standard MIUI settings do not always allow you to flexibly adjust the scale. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to reduce icons, from official parameters to hidden features and workarounds for different versions of the firmware.

The problem is especially relevant for owners of devices with small screens (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), where every pixel counts. We tested methods on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, so the instructions will work even on new models in 2026.

Official MIUI settings: Resize the grid

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in personalization options, with MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, you can change the number of rows and columns on your desktop, which indirectly affects the size of your icons. Here's how to do this:

1. Click long on the empty desktop space → select Screen Settings (or Desktop Settings in HyperOS).
2. Go to the Desktop Grid section (in some versions – Layout).
3. Choose the option with the maximum number of cells (for example, 5×6 or 6×7). The larger the grid, the smaller the icons will be.

⚠️ Limitation: This method reduces icons only on the desktop. In the app menu, the icon size will remain the same. Also, in some themes (for example, Super Wallpaper), the grid option may be blocked.

If your firmware doesn’t have a desktop grid option, try updating MIUI Launcher through Google Play or clearing the Settings app cache (Settings → Apps → App Management → Settings → Clear cache).

2. Developer Mode: Hidden Scaling Parameters

For advanced users, there is a way to reduce icons through the developer settings, which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires caution — incorrect values can lead to interface failures.

Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. 7 times click on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.

Now find the parameters:

• 🔍 Minimum width (dp) - reduces the scale of all interface elements: 380-400 (default 411).
• 📱 The density of the screen changes DPI. To reduce the icons, install 440-480 (standard: 420-440).
• ⚙️ Windows animation and transition animation – disable (Animation is disabled) so that changes apply faster.

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Before changing the DPI, take a screenshot of the current screen settings (Settings → Screen → Resolution). If the interface breaks, return the standard values.

⚠️ Attention: Change DPI It can cause some applications (such as banking or gaming) to display incorrectly.If the screen becomes blurry after the changes, return the standard settings or reset via Settings. → System system → Resetting settings (without deleting data).

3. Third-party launchers: full control of icons

If the built-in methods don't work, install an alternative launcher that will not only reduce the icons, but also customize their shape, shadows, animations.

• 🏆 Nova Launcher – supports scaling icons from 50% before 150%, grid-setting 12×12, icon-paca.
• 🎨 Lawnchair – lightweight launcher with adaptive icons and gesture support.
• 🔧 Apex Launcher – allows you to change the size of the icons in the application menu (unlike the one in the app menu). MIUI).
• 🆕 Hyperion Launcher – optimized for HyperOS, has built-in themes for Xiaomi.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play and select it as the main one.
2. Long press on the desktop → Settings → Desktop.
3. In the section Size icons move the slider 70-80%.
4. In Settings → Desktop grid, select 10×8 or 11×9.

Make sure that security settings allow installation from unknown sources

Back up your current widgets (they will disappear after the launcher change)

Check the launcher’s compatibility with your version of Android (MIUI 15 requires Android 13+)

Turn off battery optimization for launcher in Settings → Battery → Optimization-->

⚠️ Important: When using third-party launchers, Xiaomi branded features, such as:

• Full Screen Gestures (in MIUI 14+)
• Weather widget with animation.
• Quick notes (Notes) when swiping down.

4. ADB-Teams: Reducing icons without root

For users willing to work with ADB, there is a way to change the system scaling settings, a method that does not require root rights, but is reset after the MIUI update.

Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0


adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0




adb shell wm density 440




adb shell wm size 1080x2340

Explanation to the teams:

• wm density 440 – sets the screen density (the higher the value, the smaller the elements).
• wm size 1080x2340 – Forced to specify the resolution (replace it with the current one for your device).
• Shutdown of animations (window_animation_scale) speeding up the application of change.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect settings in wm size can lead to a black screen. If the screen goes out after the command, connect the phone to the PC and do: adb shell wm size reset or restart the device in safe mode (press the power button). → "Restarting in Safe Mode").

5.Themes and icon packs: visual reduction

If you can't change the physical size of the icons, you can visually reduce them with minimalist icons. MIUI Themes has special collections:

• 🎭 Minimal UI — Icons without shadows with thin lines.
• 🖼️ Flat Icons – flat icons without volume.
• 🔳 Pixel Style – Google Pixel-style icons (less than standard ones) 15-20%).
• 🌌 Dark Minimal is a dark theme with compact icons.

How to apply the topic:

1. Open the Themes app.
2. In the search, type the title of the topic (for example, Minimal UI).
3. Click Apply → Select Icons (to change only icons, not the entire interface).

⚠️ Nuance: Some themes may conflict with Super Wallpaper or Xiaomi's signature wallpaper. If the theme is reset, return them via Settings → Wallpaper.

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The combination of a minimalist theme with a larger desktop grid (Section 1) gives the maximum effect of reducing icons without technical manipulation.

6.Reset launcher settings: if nothing helps

Sometimes icon size problems arise from MIUI Launcher failures, in which case resetting the launcher settings will help:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) → Storage.
3. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Reset the device.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All widgets and shortcuts will disappear (take screenshots in advance!).
• 📱 The standard grid of icons will return (it can be changed again).
• 🔧 Reset gestures and animations settings.

If the reset doesn’t work, try reinstalling MIUI Launcher:

1. Download the latest version of the launcher for your model from the APKMirror website.
2. Install. APK-file over the current version.
3. Reboot the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about reducing icons on Xiaomi