How to Make Smaller Icons on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide

Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners face a situation where the standard interface seems too cumbersome. Large controls are certainly handy for older people or visually impaired users, but enthusiasts often tend to be minimalist. They want to see more useful information on the display rather than the huge empty spaces between app shortcuts.

Unfortunately, standard MIUI shell settings or the new HyperOS don’t have a direct slider adjustment to the size of icons. The company’s engineers suggest that default size is enough for most use cases. However, there are proven workarounds that allow you to radically change the visual style of the desktop without obtaining superuser rights.

In this article, we’ll look at all the methods available, from simple theme change to advanced font settings, learn how to visually reduce interface elements to make the screen more informative and aesthetic, and this is especially true for models with large screens, where standard icons can take up a disproportionate amount of space.

Using design themes to change size

The easiest and safest way to change shortcuts is to use the built-in Themes app, where designers around the world create designs that intentionally make graphic elements smaller, and it doesn't change system settings, it just replaces graphics files.

To start, open the Themes app on your device. In the search box, type in queries like “Small icons,” “Minimal” or “Compact.” Pay attention to the preview: often the theme writer demonstrates how small the items on the desktop look.

• 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the Profiles or My Pages section».
• 🔍 In search, type in the keyword “Mini” or “Small” to find compact designs.
• ⬇️ Download your favorite theme and apply it by selecting the System component or Desktop component».

It's important to understand that using a third-party theme can change not only the size, but also the style of all system icons. If you like only the size and the design remains native, this method may not work. However, there are trick themes that leave the original style but change the scale.

⚠️ Note: Some topics may contain ads or require you to watch videos to activate. Be careful when downloading designs from unknown, low-rated authors.

After applying the theme, it is recommended to restart the device, which will allow the system to completely redraw the interface and apply new zoom parameters to the launcher, if you do not like the result, you can always go back to the standard theme "Classic" in the same menu.

Adjust font size and screen scale

In Android, icon sizes are often tightly tied to the size of the system font. When you shrink the font, you automatically make smaller app shortcuts. This is a standard feature that doesn't require you to install additional software.

Go to the Settings menu, then select Screen, and you're interested in Text Size and Display (or simply Text), and if you move the slider to the left, you'll see the text on the menu shrink and the desktop icons shrink.

But there's a caveat: all the other text in the system will shrink along with the icons, which can make reading news or messaging less comfortable, so it's a method that's suitable for those who are willing to sacrifice readability for the sake of a compact interface.

There's also a hidden Minimum Width (DPI) setting available through the developer menu, which allows you to reduce all interface elements globally without affecting the quality of the fonts as much as the previous method. But beware: setting a DPI too high can make the interface unusable, and you'll have to reset the settings.

Application of third-party launchers

If the standard MIUI launcher doesn’t offer the flexibility you need, the best solution is to install an alternative shell. Third-party launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair give you full control over the desktop grid and icon size.

Once you install the app from Google Play, the system will ask you to select the default app for the Home screen. Select the launcher installed. Now you can configure the grid, for example, 6x6 or even 8x8, which will automatically reduce the size of each cell and the icons inside it.

• 📲 Download Nova Launcher or analogue from the app store.
• 🔧 Go to the launcher settings and select “Desktop» → «Grid».
• 📐 Set the maximum number of rows and columns to minimize elements.

The main advantage of this method is that it is independent of Xiaomi system updates. Even if a new version of HyperOS comes out, your launcher will save all settings. In addition, many launchers allow you to set the icon size as a percentage regardless of font size.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models may miss unlock animations when installing a third-party launcher or only work with one multi-touch finger. MIUI.

Third-party shells often require special permissions to function properly, and the system may restrict background work, so the battery settings should set “No Limits” for the launcher you select, which will prevent it from being uploaded from memory and returning to the standard interface.

Use of Developer Modes (DPI)

For advanced users who want to maximize their impact without installing launchers, there is a method of changing the density of dots per inch (DPI).

First, activate the developer menu. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version) option. A notification will appear “You became a developer”.

Next, you go to Settings → Advanced Settings → For developers, find Smallest width, write down the original value (usually 360, 392 or 411) to be able to roll back.

Recommended change: +40-60 units to current value.


Example: 392, put 450.

Increasing the DPI reduces the size of objects on the screen. If you set too much, the interface can become unreadable, and some controls will move away from the screen. Act gradually, checking the result after each change.

This method affects all applications at once. The interface will become very dense, which is ideal for multitasking. However, in some poorly optimized applications, text can overlap, as the layout will not have time to adapt to the new pixel density.

Comparison of methods of changing the interface

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the risks and benefits of each method for your particular smartphone model.

As you can see from the table, changing the theme is the safest way, but it's the least predictable design outcome. Changing the DPI gives you maximum control, but requires technical literacy. Launchers are the middle ground for those willing to spend 10 minutes on initial setup.

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Combining methods (e.g. theme + reduced font) often yields a better result than using a single tool.

Remember that on different models, such as the Redmi Note or the flagships of the Xiaomi 13/14 series, the behavior of the system may differ. On more powerful processors, the launcher change is invisible, while on public sector employees there may be micro-freeze of animations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In this section, we will answer the most popular user questions that arise in the process of customizing the Xiaomi interface.

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Before making a global interface change, back up your important data to the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud, which will take a couple of minutes, but save your contacts and photos in case of a software failure.