How to reduce the screen on Xiaomi Redmi: all the ways and hidden features

The screen of the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone seems too large? The text in the applications does not fit on the display, and the interface elements are difficult to reach with your finger? The problem is familiar to many users - especially owners of models with a diagonal of 6.5" and higher, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Redmi K60. In this article, we will discuss all working ways to reduce the display area of the screen, from standard MIUI settings to hidden functions for power users.

It's important to understand that screen shrinkage can mean things like scaling the interface (resizing icons and fonts), shrinking the active area (black margins) or adjusting gestures to make it easy to use one hand, and we'll look at all the options, including solutions for cases where the settings are gray and inactive, and you'll learn how to get it back if you don't like the result.

1.Scaling the screen through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to resize the content displayed in standard settings, which works on all Redmi models with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi 10C, Redmi Note 11 and the flagship K series.

Open the Settings menu → Screen and find text size and display (some firmware may call screen size) and three key parameters are available here:

• 📏 Font size – regulates only text (does not affect icons and menus).
• 🔍 Display scale – changes the size of all interface elements (recommended option).
• 🎨 Font style - cosmetic change, does not affect the scale.

Move the slider to the left to scale down. On models with a resolution of Full HD+ (1080×2400), the optimal value is 85-90% to keep the picture clear without losing functionality. Changes apply immediately, but some applications (for example, games) may require restarting.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI For Redmi Go or older versions (MIUI 11 and below) item The display scale may not be available. In this case, use the methods in the following sections.

2. One-Handed Mode (One-Handed Mode)

If the goal is not to shrink the screen itself, but to make it more convenient to control with one hand, activate a special mode. This feature is available on all Redmis with MIUI 10 and higher, including the Redmi 9A and Redmi Note 10 Pro.

Incorporation algorithm:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → One-handed mode.
2. Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
3. Select Standard (reduced to 70% of the screen) or Mini (reduced to 50%).
4. To quickly call the mode, swipe your finger on the touch button "Home" (if it is active) or use the swipe gesture down diagonally from the lower corner.

The mode runs on top of any application, but has limitations:

• ❌ Not supported in certain games (e.g, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• ❌ It may interfere with navigational gestures. MIUI.
• ✅ Maintains the original screen resolution (no loss of quality).

Change in screen resolution (for power users)

Some Redmi models (such as Redmi K50 Gaming or Redmi Note 12 Turbo) can manually set non-standard screen resolution, which will lead to a decrease in the active area, this method requires the activation of the Developer Mode.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the Minimum Width (or Smallest Width in English).
4. Set the value from 360 to 411 (the standard for most smartphones is 393). The smaller the number, the more compact the display will be.

The effect will appear after the device is restarted, and this method is especially useful for:

• 📱 Addressing display problems in apps (for example, when buttons go outside the screen).
• 🎮 Optimization of gameplay (reduced touch area).
• 🔧 Testing the adaptability of interfaces.

⚠️ Warning: Skillfully changing the setting Minimum width can cause system menus to fail.If the screen becomes unreadable after the change, reset the settings via fastboot or return the standard value (411 for most Redmis).

4. Use of third-party applications

If standard MIUI settings don't work, you can use Google Play apps that allow you to:

• 🔄 Dynamically change the screen size on schedule.
• 🎯 Create "hot zones" for gestures.
• 🖥️ Emulate other screen resolutions.

Top.-3 tested applications:

1. EasyTouch adds a floating panel with quick access to features including screen shrinkage. Supports gesture customization.
2. Second Screen creates a virtual second screen with a customizable resolution, useful for multitasking.
3. Display Changer - allows you to change the resolution and density of pixels (DPI) without root rights.

Example of Display Changer configuration:

1. Install the application and grant permissions to ADB (via Settings → Developer → USB debugging).


2. In the main menu, select Change DPI.




3. Set the value 380-400 (standard for Redmi is 420-440).




4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Annexes for modification DPI may conflict with MIUI Launcher.If the app icons are missing after the changes, reset the launcher settings: pinch the empty area on the home screen → Home screen settings → Drop it.

5. Reduce active area through ADB

For advanced users willing to work with ADB, there's a way to programmatically limit the active area of the screen, which will create black fields around the edges, mimicking a smaller display, and this works on all Redmis with the bootloader unlocked.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate Debugging over USB in the developer settings.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and type in adb shell wm overscan 0,0,0,-100 Here. -100 reduces the lower part of the screen to 100 For symmetrical reduction, use adb shell wm overscan. 50,50,-50,-50
3. To return the standard settings, perform: adb shell wm overscan 0.0,0,0.0

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI.
• ✅ No need to root.
• ✅ Changes apply instantly.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Black fields can block the navigation buttons.
• ❌ Some apps (like the camera) ignore these settings.

6. Solving screen markup problems

Sometimes after the screen decreases, display artifacts appear:

• 🖼️ App icons overlap with each other.
• 📱 The bottom navigation bar disappears behind the edge of the screen.
• 🔄 When the device is rotated, the markings are lost.

Methods of correction:

1. Reset Launcher Settings: Click the empty area on the home screen → Home screen Settings → Reset.
2. Clean up the MIUI cache: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher and click Clear Cache.
3. Disable animations (to speed up redrawing): In the developer settings, set: Windows animation: Off. Transition animation: Off. Animator duration: Off.

If the problem persists, check the compatibility of apps with the current resolution. For example, Instagram or TikTok may ignore the system settings to scale.

• Update the app to the latest version.
• Clear his cache in Settings → Apps.
• Write a complaint to the developer via Google Play (specify the Redmi model and MIUI version).

💡

If the system buttons (back, home, recent) are missing after zooming, activate navigation gestures in Settings → Screen → Navigation buttons. This will return control without losing the useful area of the screen.

7. Features for specific Redmi models

Some devices have unique screen settings that few people know about. Consider the nuances for popular models:

• Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Settings → Screen → Colors and Style Hidden is the Adaptive Scale parameter, which automatically adjusts the size of elements to the content.

For Redmi with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Redmi) K50 or Note 11 Pro+ 5G) Scaling down can cause pixels to burn out because of static black fields:

• 🔄 Return the standard settings periodically (once in a week). 2-3 day-day).
• 🌈 Use the settings. → Screen. → Colours and style → Dark Theme to Reduce the Load on the Matrix.

💡

On models with MediaTek Helio (e.g. Redmi 10 or Note 11) change resolution via ADB This can lead to graphic artifacts, in which case, use only standard settings. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen size