Owners of MIUI and HyperOS smartphones often find it hard to put more controls and apps on their desktops. The standard icon size can seem cumbersome, especially on models with screen sizes less than 6.5 inches. Reducing icons not only allows visually unloading the interface, but also increases the ergonomics of using the device with one hand.
There are several proven ways to scale up interface elements without obtaining superuser rights. We'll look at the regular features of the system that are safe for warranty maintenance, and also touch on advanced customization methods. The depth of immersion in the system settings allows you to flexibly manage the appearance of your Xiaomi.
In this guide, you'll find step-by-step instructions to help you tailor your desktop to your personal preferences, whether it's the need to see more widgets or just the desire for minimalism, all solutions are available in a couple of taps, and it's important to act consistently so that the interface is not disruptive.
Using font settings to reduce icons
The easiest and most effective way to reduce the size of icons on Xiaomi screens is to change the system font. In the MIUI shell, the size of the text tags under the apps directly affects the dimensions of the icons themselves. By reducing the font, you automatically compress the graphic elements of the desktop.
To start, you need to go to the settings menu of your device, find the look section and select the text size item, and if you move the slider to the left, you will see how the letters on the menu and, more importantly, the application icons themselves decrease.
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the Screen section.
- 🔤 Select Text Size and Font Size or Font Size.
- 📉 Move the slider to the minimum position (usually the value of "S" or"XS").
- ✅ Click "Apply" and return to the desktop to evaluate the result.
⚠️ Note: When setting a minimum font size, the text under the icons can become difficult to read for people with visual impairments. It is recommended to find a balance between the size of the icons and the ease of reading the names of applications.
This method is standard and does not require the installation of additional software. It works on all modern models, including the Redmi Note series and the flagship Mi. If the standard reduction is not enough, you can use the theme design, which originally laid down smaller dimensions of elements.
Setting up the desktop grid
The second critical parameter is the density of the elements, known as the grid of the screen, and by changing the number of rows and columns, you force the system to recalculate the size of each cell, and the more cells you set, the smaller each cell, including the app icon, will become.
You don't have to go deep into these settings to access them, you just have to press your finger for a long time in the free space of your desktop, and you'll have to select Settings or Grid from the bottom menu that appears, and you'll have a few layout options, like 4x6, 5x6, or even 6x8.
Choosing a grid with more columns automatically reduces the size of the icons, as they have to fit within the specified boundaries, this is especially true for users who prefer to keep many shortcuts on the first screen. After changing the grid, the system may suggest rebooting the launcher to apply the changes.
☑️ Optimizing the desktop
Hiding signatures under annexes
One radical but visually effective way to reduce space is to completely hide text signatures, where there's no text underneath the icon, the system often allows for denser elements and a cleaner, more minimalist interface, a popular technique among clean design enthusiasts.
To activate this function, you need to call the desktop editing menu again with a long tap over the empty area. In the appearance settings, look for the option “Hide App Names” or similar. Once this function is enabled, all shortcuts will remain only in the form of graphic images.
It has its own features. First, you have to remember the location of applications or rely on their logos. Second, it frees up vertical space, which allows you to visually reduce the perceived size of the icons. For devices with AMOLED screens, it can also slightly reduce the power consumption of the black interface.
Why can't signatures be hidden?
Comparison of methods of reducing icons
Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages: the choice of the particular method depends on your smartphone model and personal preferences in ergonomics. Below is a table that helps determine the optimal strategy for customizing the interface.
| Method | Impact on readability | Difficulty setting up | The effect of reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce the font | Medium (small text) | Low. | High-pitched |
| Re-griding | High (text remains) | Low. | Medium. |
| Concealment of signatures | Low (remember) | Low. | Visually |
| Third-party launcher | Customizable | Tall. | Maximum |
Combining these methods is the best way to do this, for example, if you put a 6x8 grid together with a minimal typeface, you can fit a lot of elements on the screen, but you have to remember the limit of reason: too small elements make it difficult to get a finger right.
⚠️ Note: On some models with heavily curved edges (waterfall), the extreme icons in a dense grid may be less responsive to clicks.
Use of third-party launchers
If MIUI is not available, third-party launchers come to the rescue, programs like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair offer almost limitless customization options, and you can set the exact size of the icon in percentages or pixels, ignoring system constraints.
Installing an alternative launcher requires a boot APK-Once installed, the system will ask permission to use this application as the default primary interface. It's a secure procedure, but it completely changes the look of your smartphone.
These launchers often have a separate "Grid" or "Desktop" section in their settings, where you can manually enter the width and height of the icons, which allows you to create unique layouts that are not available in standard firmware, and the flexibility of the configuration is limited only by the user's imagination.
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When using a third-party launcher on Xiaomi, be sure to enable auto-run for this application in the battery settings, otherwise the system may force it to close for energy savings.
Compatibility and adaptation issues
When icons are greatly reduced, users may encounter display artifacts. Some icons, especially those designed for larger sizes, may lose detail and become blurred, due to the bitmap image zooming algorithms used in older applications.
In addition, on different versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14) and shells (MIUI 12, 13, 14, HyperOS), the paths to settings may differ slightly. If you do not find an item, try searching by settings by typing a "font" or "grid".
It’s also important to consider your device’s screen resolution: On low-resolution (HD+) displays, a massive reduction in fonts will make the interface unreadable, and FullHD+ and 2K screen owners are more fortunate to have high pixel density matrixes.
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The optimal balance between icon size and usability is achieved experimentally: start with a minimal font, then pick up a grid that doesn’t require squinting.