How to make icons bigger on Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

Small icons on Xiaomi’s screen are a common problem for visually impaired users or those who prefer a more comfortable interface experience. Fortunately, MIUI offers several ways to increase the size of icons without losing functionality. In this article, we will examine all the current methods, from standard settings to hidden functions and modifications for advanced users.

It is important to understand that the possibility of changing the size of the icons depends on the firmware version (MIUI 14/15) And the models of the device. For example, on the flagships of the Xiaomi series. 13/14 There are more options available than on the budget Redmi Note, and we took these nuances into account and prepared universal solutions that work on the basis of the new model. 90% brand.

1. Standard MIUI settings: interface scaling

The easiest way to increase icons is to use built-in zoom options, which does not require superuser rights and is suitable for all models, including the POCO F5, Redmi 12 and Xiaomi 13T.

Go to Settings → Screen → Text size and display. Here you will find two key parameters:

• 🔍 Text size – affects fonts in menus and apps (does not affect icons directly)
• 📱 Display scale – changes the size of all interface elements, including icons

For a noticeable effect, we recommend scaling up to 125% or 150%. On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra), at a scale of 150%, the bottom navigation bar can be trimmed - this is a feature of the firmware, not a bug. After changing the parameters, the system will suggest restarting the device - be sure to agree.

2. Easy interface mode for maximum increase

If standard scaling seems inadequate, activate the lightweight interface mode, which is designed specifically for users with visual problems and increases all elements to 200% of the original size.

Incorporation algorithm:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities
2. Select Lightweight Interface (some firmwares call Simplified Mode)
3. Activate the switch and confirm the changes

This regimen has side effects:

• ⚠️ Disappears animation transitions between screens
• ⚠️ Some widgets stop working
• ⚠️ Changes the location of the items in the menu

3. Change the size of the icons through the launcher (no root)

Xiaomi makes use of its own launcher MIUI Launcher, which allows you to fine-tune the desktop grid. This affects the size of the icons indirectly: when you reduce the number of icons in a line, they automatically increase.

Instructions for setting:

1. Press and hold your finger to the free space on the desktop.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Screen Settings)
3. Go to the Desktop Grid
4. Choose the option with the minimum number of icons (for example, 4×5 instead of 5×6)

The effect will be noticeable immediately - the icons will become larger. 20-30%. Note that this method only works for icons on the desktop, not in the app menu. POCO-launcher POCO Launcher algorithm is similar, but menu items may be called differently.

Make sure you have the latest version of MIUI Launcher| installed.

Make a backup copy of the location of the icons (screen photo)|

Check the free space on the desktop (minimum 2 free cells)-->

4. Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Apex, Hyperion)

If built-in options aren’t enough, install an alternative launcher from Google Play.The best options for Xiaomi are:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher – supports customization of icon size in 1% increments (50 to 200%)
• 🎨 Apex Launcher – has pre-configured themes with large icons
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for devices with MIUI

Setting up in Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher and make it the main one.
2. Go to Settings Nova → Desktop → Icon Size
3. Move the slider to the desired value (we recommend 130-150%)
4. In the Applications menu section, set up the icon size separately in the program list

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🔧 More flexible setting than standard MIUI Launcher
• 🎨 The ability to use custom icon packs
• 🔄 Saving settings when updating firmware

💡

Before installing a third-party launcher, check its compatibility with your version of Android.Some launchers (such as Microsoft Launcher) may conflict with MIUI 15.

5. Modification of system files (for advanced users)

If you need to drastically resize the icons in the app menu (not just on the desktop), you’ll need to edit system files, a method that requires root rights and is only suitable for power users.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install a file manager with root support (e.g. Solid Explorer)
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/MiuiHome.apk
3. Copy the file to your device and open it in the APK editor (e.g., APK Editor)
4. Find dimens.xml file in res/values folder
5. Change the parameters: <dimen name="workspace_icon_width">96.0dip</dimen> <dimen name="workspace_icon_height">96.0dip</dimen> for the desired values (for example, 120.0dip magnify 25%)
6. Save the changes, recompile the APK and install it on top of the original one.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop.Before you start, create a full backup through the system. TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

An alternative way for devices without root is to use ADB-For example, to change the density of the screen (DPI), execute:

adb shell wm density 400

Where 400 is the new DPI value (standard for Xiaomi is 440-480).

6. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To help determine the best way, we have compiled a comparative table:

For most users, the best solution is a combination of scale (125%) and launcher settings (network 4×5), which gives a 40-50% increase in icons without loss of functionality and risk to the system.

💡

Third-party launchers (like Nova) allow you to customize the icon size separately for the desktop and application menu, which gives you maximum flexibility without root rights.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the size of the icons, users often experience side effects, and consider typical situations and ways to eliminate them:

Problem 1: After zooming in, the bottom navigation bar is trimmed.

Solution: Turn on navigation gestures instead of buttons: Settings → Screen → Full-screen mode → Gestures.

Problem 2: The lightweight interface doesn’t have weather and calendar widgets.

Solution: Install alternative widgets from Google Play (like Chronus or Overdrop) optimized for larger icons.

Problem 3: After changing the DPI through ADB, the fonts in the applications got lost.

Solution: Return the standard DPI value for your model:

adb shell wm density reset

or specify the original value (e.g., adb shell wm density 440 for Redmi Note 12).

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3 Pro, Xiaomi 11T) change DPI This method may cause banner notifications to display incorrectly. Check compatibility on forums before using this method (e.g, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions