How to reduce the distance between the icons on Xiaomi: detailed instructions with pictures

The standard layout of icons on Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI is often a source of frustration. Too large indentations between icons not only spoil the aesthetic appearance of the desktop, but also reduce the useful screen space, a problem that is especially relevant for devices with small displays or for those who are used to placing the maximum number of shortcuts on the home screen.

Many people mistakenly believe that you can only change the distance between icons through an engineering menu or through root rights. MIUI There are standard ways to configure the desktop grid, and for advanced users there are additional methods using the ADB-In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including hidden settings and workarounds for different versions of the shell.

It's important to understand that the manufacturer specifically lays these indentations for ease of interaction with the touch screen, but habit and individual preferences often dictate their rules. If you're willing to sacrifice a little convenience for the sake of compactness, then start setting up.

Method 1: Resize the grid through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in shell capabilities, which is suitable for most modern Xiaomi devices (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14) and does not require special knowledge.

Go to Settings → Desktop. You are interested in "Grid Size." Depending on the version of MIUI, it can be called variously: "Desktop layout", "Screen setting" or "App grid". Choose the option with the maximum number of rows and columns (usually 5×6 or 6×7).

After the changes are applied, the icons will automatically compact and the distance between them will decrease, and this method has a limitation: the minimum indentation will still remain, since the system does not allow you to completely remove the spaces between the icons.

• ✅ It works without root and ADB
• ✅ Retained after updates
• ⚠️ It does not allow to completely remove the indentations
• ⚠️ In some models (POCO F3, Redmi 9A) The maximum size of the grid may be limited. 4×5

Method 2: Use of alternative launchers

If standard MIUI settings don’t suit you, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. Popular options — Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Hyperion Launcher — offer flexible customization of indentations between icons, including the ability to completely remove them.

Let’s look at the Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play
2. Launch it and select as the default launcher
3. Go to Nova Settings → Desktop → Grid Size
4. Set the maximum number of rows/columns (e.g. 10×8)
5. In the Nova Settings → Desktop → Retreats, reduce the "Wide Retreat" and "Height Retreat" values to a minimum

The advantage of this method is that you have complete control over the appearance of the desktop, and you can not only adjust the indentations, but also change the size of the icons, hide the names of applications, apply the themes, but it is worth remembering that some system functions of MIUI (such as navigation gestures or weather widgets) may not work properly.

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Nova Launcher Premium features Adaptive Icons, which automatically adjusts icons to the selected style, maintaining the uniformity of the design.

Method 3: ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

For those who are not afraid to work with the developer tools, there is a method of changing the system parameters through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to reduce indentations more than through standard settings, but requires a connection to the computer and basic knowledge of the command line.

Warning: improper use of ADB may cause shell malfunctions. Make a backup copy of the data before starting.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version)
2. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → More → For Developers
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put secure launcher_grid_size 5x6 (substitute 5x6 the ratio you want, for example. 6x7)
4. To change the indentations, use: adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_padding -0.2 (significance -0.2 reduces, 0.2 — heighten)
5. Reset the device

Critical: on some firmware (MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 11), these commands may reset after the system update, in which case the procedure will have to be repeated.

Method 4: Editing system files (requires root)

For owners of devices with unlocked bootloader and superuser rights, the most radical method available is direct editing of system files, which allows you to completely remove the indentations between icons, but with high risks.

You will need to:

• 🔧 Root access (for example, via Magisk)
• 📱 File Manager with support for root (Solid Explorer, FX File Explorer)
• 💾 Backup of the system (required!)

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/MiuiHome.apk
2. Copy the file to your computer and open it with APK Editor
3. Find the file. res/values/dimens.xml and change the parameters: <dimen name="workspace_cell_width">60dp</dimen> <dimen name="workspace_cell_height">60dp</dimen> (reduce the values to 50dp or 45dp)
4. Save the changes, reassemble the APK and install it back.
5. Clear the cache of the Settings application → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache

⚠️ Note: Incorrect editing of system APK-If the phone does not turn on after rebooting, you will need to flash it through the Fastboot.

Method 5: Hidden settings through the engineering menu

Some versions of MIUI (especially older models like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1) have hidden interface settings, accessed via an engineering menu.

To open the hidden settings:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Enter the code ##4636##
3. Go to the "Telephone Information" section (or "Testing")
4. Find Launcher Provider Settings (also known as Home Screen Settings)
5. Change the Icon Scale (Icon Scale) and Grid Size (Grid Size) settings

This method doesn’t work on all devices and may not be available in newer versions of MIUI 14.If nothing happens after you enter the code, your model doesn’t support it.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the distance between icons, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: After changing the grid through ADB, the settings are reset.

Solution: This is due to MIUI's security policy. To record changes, do:

adb shell settings put global device_provisioned 1

Problem 2: Icons overlap or are cropped.

Solution: Reduce the number of rows/columns in the grid or increase the value of indentations in the grid ADB-team (e.g. with the -0.2 on -0.1).

Problem 3: Navigation gestures do not work after the launcher change.

Solution: In MIUI settings, turn off system gestures and use the launcher’s gestures (in Nova Launcher, this is configured in Settings → Gestures and Inputs).

Make a backup copy of the data

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Install ADB drivers (when using a computer)

Prepare original USB-cable

Disable screen lock (PIN/pattern lock) at the time of setting-->

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

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For most users, the best solution is a combination of standard MIUI settings (maximum grid) + fine tuning through ADB (indentations -0.1), which gives a good balance between compactness and stability of the system.