How to reduce icons on the Xiaomi desktop: the complete guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face situations where the standard size of interface elements seems too cumbersome, especially for models with screen sizes less than 6.5 inches, where every pixel counts. The desire to free up space and place more widgets or app shortcuts is quite natural and easy to implement.

There are several proven ways to do this, from simple theme tweaks to deep customization. The visual part of the MIUI or HyperOS shell allows you to flexibly manage elements without having to obtain superuser rights. In this article, we will discuss all available methods in detail.

Before we start to make changes, it's worth noting that the launcher interface is directly related to the system fonts and the design you choose, so a comprehensive approach will give you the best result, and you can not just reduce the image of the applications, but also make the entire interface more compact and informatable.

Use of built-in design themes

The easiest and safest way to change the look of shortcuts is to use the official Themes app. The Xiaomi design store has thousands of options where the authors have already selected the optimal sizes of elements. Third-party themes often have a more minimalist design than stock.

To find the right design, go to the desktop Themes app. In the search bar, type in keywords such as "Small icons," "Compact" or "Minimal." Note the preview: if the icons in the screenshots look small, then after installation they will take up less space on your screen.

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Use tag search in the Themes app to find designs specifically designed to increase your workspace.

Once the theme is installed, the system can only suggest certain elements to be used, and select "Icons" and "Wallpaper" if you do not want to change the system sounds or fonts.

Adjust font size and display

In MIUI, the size of the desktop icons often correlates with the size of the system font. By reducing the textual support, you visually make the entire interface more compact. It doesn't change the physical size of the graphic file, but it affects the area you occupy in the grid.

To access these settings, open Settings and search for the Screen section. Here you are interested in Text Size and Display (or simply Text). As you move the slider downwards (usually left or downwards), you will see how the proportions of the interface elements change in real time.

Be careful: too small a font can make app names unreadable, especially for people with low vision. The balance between compactness and usability is a key factor. Once you change the settings, it is recommended to open several apps to make sure that the text inside them also remains readable.

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models with low-resolution screens, a smaller font may cause the app names under the icons to stop fitting in one line and to be cropped.

Change in the density of the desktop grid

One of the most effective ways to reduce the visual weight of icons is to change the number of elements in a row. The more columns and rows you put on the screen, the smaller each individual shortcut will appear, a standard launcher feature available in all versions of firmware.

To perform this operation, pinch your two fingers in the free space of the desktop or hold your finger on an empty area for a long time. In the bottom menu, select Settings (cog icon). Find the option Grid or Grid Size.

Here you will be asked to choose a configuration, for example, 4x5, 5x6 or 6x7. Choosing a variant with a large number of digits (for example, 6 columns instead of 4) will automatically reduce the size of all icons to fit within the specified boundaries, this is the most "clean" way, without needing to install additional software.

Applying scaling through an engineering menu

For advanced users who don’t have enough standard settings, it is possible to change the density of DPI (dots per inch) through a hidden engineering menu, which allows you to reduce icons and all interface elements proportionally, making them significantly less than standard values.

To get to the developer menu, go to Settings → About Phone. Find the MIUI Version (or OS Version) bar and quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row until the notification “You became a developer” appears. Then go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers.

In the list that opens, find Minimum Width (or Smallest Width) and remember or write down the current value (usually 360, 392, or 411) to be able to return everything back, increasing that number will reduce all interface elements.

Recommended change: +40 units from current value

For example, if it costs 392, try to set 432. Don't set too high values at once, as the interface may become unusable and the text microscopic. DPI affects the entire system globally, including the keyboard and settings menu.

⚠️ Attention: Change of parameter DPI This can cause some applications that are not customized to non-standard resolutions to be displayed incorrectly.Be prepared to reset to factory settings if the system becomes unstable.

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Changing the DPI is a powerful tool, but it requires caution. Always write down the original value before making changes to the developer menu.

Use of third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI shell features don’t satisfy you, you can install an alternative launcher from the Google Play Store. Apps like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher offer almost limitless customization options for icon sizes.

Once you have installed a third-party launcher and assigned it as the default, go to its settings. You are interested in Appearance or Desktop → Icon Size. Here you can set the exact size in percentages or pixels, and also choose a separate scale for app signatures.

The advantage of third-party solutions is that they are independent of Xiaomi system updates. However, it is worth considering that replacing the launcher can affect the operation of some system gestures and widgets specific to MIUI. Widget compatibility is the main aspect that you need to check.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher – standard customization, allows you to change the size of each icon individually.
• 🌿 Lawnchair – a lightweight launcher in the style of pure Android with a flexible grid.
• 🎨 Smart Launcher – automatically sorts applications and has its own scaling algorithms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)