How to reduce the screen size on Xiaomi Redmi phone: from fonts to system interface

The screen size on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is often a cause of discomfort: too large icons, blurred fonts or uncomfortable display of interface elements. The problem is relevant for owners of new models (Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Redmi 12) and for older devices (Redmi 9A, Redmi 7), where by default can be set to scale up for ease of reading. In this article, we will discuss all working ways to reduce the scale – from basic MIUI settings to hidden functions for power users.

It's important to understand that screen scale is often a different word, like font size, pixel density (DPI), MIUI scale, or even browser zoom effect. We'll look at each case separately so you can fine-tune the display to your needs. If some apps are not displayed correctly after changes, don't worry: this is a typical problem when manually changing the DPI, and it's easy to fix (see the zoom section on zoom restoration).

1.Scaling down through standard MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use built-in shell options MIUI. They are available on all Xiaomi Redmi models, including the budget series (Redmi). A2+, Redmi 10C) and flagships (Redmi) K60 Pro) Instructions are relevant for versions MIUI 12–14.

Open the Settings menu → The screen. Here you're interested in three key parameters:

• 📱 Text size – only regulates fonts in system applications and menus, does not affect icons or interface layout.
• 🔍 Screen size changes the size of all the elements (icons, buttons, panels) and some models are called "Screen density».
• 🖼️ Screen resolution – available on devices with AMOLED-Displays (e.g., Redmi Note 12 Pro)+). It allows you to choose between HD+, FHD+ or QHD.

For most users, simply move the Screen Size slider** left to Small or Default. If you don't have the option, your model doesn't support global scaling via MIUI (see the developer settings section for the solution).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially global versions for Europe) may not have the Screen Size option, due to Xiaomi’s policy of simplifying the user interface.

2. Separate setting of font size and style

If the problem is only in too large fonts, and icons and buttons are satisfied - just adjust the text parameters. MIUI This is done separately from the general:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Text Size.
2. Move the slider to the left to the value of Small or Very Small.
3. Click on Font Style to select a more compact option (like Roboto Condensed or Mi Sans).

On models with MIUI 14 (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro), the option Fat text is now available – it is better to turn it off, as it visually enlarges the fonts. Also check the settings of individual applications (for example, Chrome or Telegram have their own text scale settings).

Set the size of the text on "Little".

Choose a compact font style (Mi Sans or Roboto)

Disable "Bold Text" in MIUI 14+

Check the scale in the browser (Chrome/Safari)-->

3.Gestural scale reduction (for MIUI 12–14)

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden gesture-scale feature that works even on devices that don't have Screen Size slider in the settings, and it activates this way:

1. Open any menu or main screen.
2. Put three fingers together (as if you were plucking a photo).
3. The screen will blink for a split second, which is a signal that the scale has changed.
4. Repeat the gesture several times to achieve the desired size of the elements.

The reverse gesture (three fingers apart) zooms in. This feature works on all Xiaomi Redmi models with MIUI 12 and later, but can conflict with other applications' gestures (e.g., a three-finger screenshot). If the gesture zooming doesn't work, check if the option is disabled in Settings → Additional → Special Features → Scaling Gestures.

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If the zoom gesture conflicts with screenshots, turn off screenshots with three fingers in Settings → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot and use physical buttons (Loudness down + Power).

4. Manual change of DPI density (for power users)

If standard settings don’t scale enough, you can manually change the DPI (dots per inch) parameter, which is a system parameter that affects the size of all interface elements. On Redmi models with Snapdragon processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), changing the DPI can cause malfunctions in games and some applications (for example, banking).

To change the DPI:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to the main settings menu, open Additional → for developers.
3. Find the option Minimum Width (Dp) (or Lowest Width).
4. Set the value in the range 360-400 (usually 411 or 440 by default), the smaller the number, the more compact the interface will be.
5. Reset the device.

After changing the DPI, some applications (such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff) may not display correctly, because they ignore the system's scale settings.

• 🔄 Reinstall the problem app.
• 📱 Use compatibility mode in the application settings (if available).
• 🛠️ Bring it back. DPI to a standard value for a particular application through ADB (instruction).

5. Advanced settings via ADB (no root)

If changing the DPI in the developer settings doesn’t work, or if you want to scale for individual applications, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will help. This method does not require root rights, but requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
2. On the phone, activate debugging over USB in the developer settings.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC and execute: Adb devices Make sure the device is defined.
4. To change the global DPI, type: adb shell wm density 400 (where 400 is the desired value).
5. To apply the changes, restart your phone: adb reboot

To return the standard settings, use the command:

adb shell wm density reset

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10A or Redmi 9C) team ADB This might not work because of manufacturer restrictions, and only manual editing of the build.prop file would help, but it would require root rights.

6. Correction of problems after a change in scale

After manually changing the DPI or scale through the developer settings, you may encounter the following problems:

• 📱 Distorted display in some applications (e.g. banking or gaming).
• 🔄 Spontaneous resetting of settings after updating MIUI.
• 🖱️ Failing gestures (such as swipe to return).

Decisions:

1. For banking applications: Use the ADB command to reset DPIs only for them (see the DPI section).
2. After the MIUI update: Scale settings are reset. Write down the DPI values you use in advance or create a script to automatically apply ADB commands.
3. For gestures: disable gesture scaling in Settings → Special features → zoom gestures.

If the interface is completely unreadable (for example, after experimenting with ADB), reset the screen settings to factory:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset screen settings (not a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

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Changing the DPI through ADB or the developer's settings doesn't require root rights, but can cause compatibility issues.Always test new settings on backup data.

7. Features for specific Redmi models

Some Xiaomi Redmi models have unique nuances when scaled up:

On devices with AMOLED-screens (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, Redmi K60) not recommended to be installed DPI below 380, which can lead to blurring of text due to subpixel rendering. IPS-matrices (Redmi) 10A, Redmi 9: No restrictions.

Frequently asked questions