How to Make Badges Less on Xiaomi: All Ways for MIUI 14 and 15

Are the icons on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO screens too big to annoy you? You're not alone: Statistically, one in three MIUI users has tried to reduce desktop icons at least once. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to customize them, from basic interface settings to hidden features for power users.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of reducing icons on Xiaomi smartphones (including models from 2023-2026), taking into account the features of the firmware MIUI 14 and MIUI 15.

• 🔧 Change the size of the icons through standard settings
• 📱 Set up a desktop grid for compact display
• 🖼️ Apply themes with small icons from the official store
• 🔍 Hide unnecessary icons without removing apps
• 🛠️ Use it. ADB-Deep Customization Teams (for Advanced Customization)

Important: Not all methods work on custom firmware (like Pixel Experience or LineageOS). If your smartphone runs on pure Android, go to the ADB section.

1. Standard MIUI settings: changing the size of icons

The easiest way is to use built-in personalization options. In MIUI 14/15, the path to settings may vary depending on the model, but the general logic is maintained:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select the icon style or icon size (on some devices the option is hidden in Additional).
3. Move the slider to the left to reduce the size. Available values: 75% to 125% of the standard.

⚠️ Note: On devices with screen resolution below FHD+ (Like Redmi. 9A or POCO M3) The minimum size of the icons may look blurry, in which case we recommend combining the reduction with the setting of the grid.

If the icon size option is not on the menu, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Update the firmware to the last stable through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Firmware Region: on Global Versions (MIUI Global) more functional than Chinese (MIUI China).
• 🎨 Theme used: Some themes from the Mi Theme Store block the resizing (the solution is to reset the theme to a standard one).

2. Desktop grid setting

You can reduce the visual density of icons by increasing the number of rows and columns on the screen, which does not change the physical size of the icons, but allows them to be placed more compactly.

Instructions:

1. Press the empty space on the desktop → select Desktop Settings.
2. Go to the Desktop Grid (or Layout on some devices).
3. Select the maximum number of columns (usually 5×6 or 6×7).

💡 Useful tip: After changing the grid, drag the frequently used icons to the bottom row – so they will always be at hand, even if the screen is filled with widgets.

Set the maximum number of columns

Reduce the font size in the display settings

Disable icon animation (Settings → Special Opportunities → Remove animation)

Use static wallpaper (without paralax)-->

3.Themes with small icons from Mi Theme Store

The official Mi Theme Store offers hundreds of styles with reduced icons, a technique that has the main advantage of keeping images sharp (as opposed to forced scaling).

How to find the right topic:

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. In the search bar enter the requests: 🔍 small icons or mini icons 🔍 compact UI compact 🔍 Minimalist icons (minimalist icons)

Before applying the theme, check the reviews – some styles only change icons, while others affect fonts and animation.

⚠️ Attention: Topics from Third-Party Sources (APK-files) may contain malicious code. Install only themes from an official store or trusted repositories like Xiaomi.eu.

Recommended themes for small icons (2026):

• 🎨 Minimal OS — Minimalist monochrome icons (size) ~60% of the standard).
• 🎨 Compact Dark is a dark theme with a compacted grid and small icons.
• 🎨 Pixel Icons – Google Pixel-style icons (supports adaptive size).

4. Hiding unnecessary icons without removal

If you are disturbed by icons of system applications (for example, Mi Video, Mi Music or GetApps), they can be hidden without root rights.

Ways of concealment:

• 📂 Through the app menu: Open the list of all apps (swipe up from the dock panel). → Select Hide. Confirm the action (the app will disappear from the desktop, but will remain on the menu).

Through settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Select App] → Hide

🔹 Limitations:

• You can not hide system services (for example, Settings or Phone).
• On some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) the concealment option is blocked for pre-installed applications.
• Hidden icons still take up space in memory (ADB is needed to remove them completely).

💡

To return the hidden icon, open a list of all apps, swipe left and click Show Hidden.

5.Use of launcher from third-party developers

If the standard methods don't work, install an alternative launcher, popular options with support for small icons:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – allows you to adjust the size of icons from 50% to 150%, supports adaptive icons.
• 🎯 Lawnchair is an open source lightweight launcher optimized for Xiaomi.
• 🔄 Hyperion Launcher – offers dynamic resizing based on screen orientation.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Click the empty space on the desktop → Settings → Icon size.
3. Set up the parameters: 📏 Width/Height — width and height of the icons (recommended) 80%). 📌 Icon Shape – shape (circle, squarel, etc.). 🎨 Adaptive Icons – Enable dynamic icons.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ When using third-party launchers, there may be conflicts with system gestures (for example, swipe from the edge to return). MIUI In Settings → System system → Gestures.

6. ADB-Detailed commands for deep tuning (for advanced ones)

If you need to resize your icons at the system level (for example, for icons in the notification bar or quick settings menu), you will need to connect to ADB. This method works on all versions of MIUI, but requires caution.

📌 Preparation:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a separate folder.

🔧 Size resizing commands:

Reduce desktop icons (0.8 = 80% of the standard)


adb shell settings put secure icon_size_scale 0.8




Reduce icons in the notification panel



adb shell settings put secure status_bar_icon_size 16




Reset the settings to standard



adb shell settings delete secure icon_size_scale




adb shell settings delete secure status_bar_icon_size

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect values (e.g., incorrect values, icon_size_scale 0.5) This can cause icons to disappear or interface failures. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → System system → Backup.

💡

ADB-commands allow you to change the size of the icons where the standard settings MIUI powerless (for example, in the notification bar or the multitasking menu).

7. Additional Screen Optimization Tips

In addition to reducing the icons, pay attention to these settings for comfortable use:

• 👁️ Font reduction: Settings → Screen. → Type size (select Small or Very Small).
• 📱 Disabling animation: Settings → Special opportunities → Remove animation (accelerates navigation).
• 🔄 Horizontal location: Turn on autorotate and use your phone in landscape orientation – icons will look more compact.
• 🎨 Dark subject: On AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5 Pro) dark background visually “reduces” bright icons.

💡 Useful Lifehack: If you only need small icons for individual apps (like Telegram or WhatsApp), create a folder on your desktop and put those apps there%.

FAQ: Frequent questions