Why is SMS on Xiaomi Redmi too large font and how to fix it?
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often face the problem of uncomfortable display of text in the standard application “Messages» (SMS/MMS). By default, the system MIUI uses a larger font for ease of reading, but this leads to the fact that the screen fits everything. 3-4 dialog lines instead of the usual ones 8-10. This is especially true for models with small displays (Redmi). 9A, Redmi 10C) or for users who are used to compact display of correspondence.
Unlike instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram, where text size is adjusted in chat settings, the standard is the same. SMS-Xiaomi does not have a direct option of "font size." 5 The working methods for reducing text, from system settings to alternative applications, are different depending on the version. MIUI (12/13/14) and smartphone models.
Before you start making changes, check the current shell version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This will help you avoid mistakes when choosing the right method.
Method 1: System scaling (universal method)
The easiest way to reduce the font in SMS is to change the overall scale of the display in the Android settings, which affects all applications, but allows you to quickly achieve the result without installing additional software.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Screen.
- 🔍 Find the item "Text size and display" (c) MIUI 14 may be called "Scope of the»).
- ⚙️ Move the text size slider to the left to Small or Normal.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to apply changes.
⚠️ Note: This method reduces the font in all applications, including the browser and social networks. SMS, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Configure special features (for MIUI 13/14)
Newer versions of MIUI have a hidden option to adjust the font through the special features menu, which allows you to more accurately customize the display of text without global changes.
Step-by-step:
- Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Vision.
- Activate the “Big Text” option (Yes, turn it on!).
- After activation, an additional “Scale of Text” slider will appear – move it 20-30% to the left.
- Go back to Big Text and turn off this option. The settings will remain.
This method works on Redmi Note 11/12, Redmi 10 2022 and other models with MIUI 13+. On older versions (for example, MIUI 12.5), the option may not be available.
Backup SMS (via Mi Cloud)
Check the MIUI version in the settings
Close the "Messages" app before changes
Reboot your phone after settings-->
Method 3: Using design themes (without root)
Not everyone knows that Xiaomi can change the font size by installing custom themes. Some themes from the official Themes store have built-in typography settings, including reduced text in SMS.
How to do this:
- 🎨 Open the “Themes” app (icon with brush).
- 🔍 Enter Compact Text or Small Font.
- 📥 Install one of the themes marked “Small Font” (e.g. Minimal Black Small Font).
- 🔄 Apply the theme and restart the phone.
💡 Useful tip: After applying the theme, you can return the standard application icon, and the font in the SMS It will remain reduced. Go to Settings for this. → Topics → Icons and select "Standard».
| Model Redmi | Supported versions of MIUI | Does the method work with topics? |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | 13.0.4+ | Yes (fully) |
| Redmi 10 2022 | 12.5.7–13.0.3 | Partially (only some topics) |
| Redmi 9A/9C | 12.0.8–12.5.5 | No (iron restriction) |
| Redmi Note 11S | 13.0.1+ | Yes (MicroText theme recommended) |
Method 4: Third-party SMS-type-tune
If system methods don’t work, the best solution is to install an alternative SMS application, many of which allow you to flexibly customize the display of correspondence, including text size.
Top.-3 Applications for Xiaomi Redmi:
- 📩 Textra SMS — has a separate “Font Size” slider in the chat settings (Customize menu) → Text Size).
- 💬 QKSMS — Supports dark theme and text scale settings for each dialogue separately.
- 🔄 Pulse SMS — Premium application with advanced typography options (including line spacing).
⚠️ Note: At the first start of a third party SMS-The system will suggest making it the default application. Agree - otherwise notifications of new messages will be duplicated.
How to transfer SMS from a standard application:
- Install one of the applications above.
- When you first start, select “Import Messages”.
- Confirm permission to access SMS.
- Wait until the transfer is completed (it can take 1-2 minutes for 10,000+ messages).
💡
Before installing a third-party SMS-Check the reviews about his work on MIUI. Some apps (such as Google Messages) may not display Cyrillic in the notifications on Xiaomi.
Method 5: Editing system files (for advanced users)
If none of the above methods worked, a radical method remains – manually modifying system files via ADB or TWRP. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and can cause failures if executed incorrectly.
🔧 Instructions for experienced users:
- Install ADB Tools on your PC.
- Activate "Debugging by" USB» in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 times).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put system font_scale 0.85 (significance 0.85 print down 15%; range 0.8 before 1.3).
- Reset the device.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect value font_scale It can make text unreadable. To get back the standard size, use a command:
adb shell settings delete system font_scaleWhat to do after ADB-The team font has become too small?
Comparison of all methods: which to choose
To determine the best way, evaluate your skills and model of the smartphone:
| Method | Difficulty | Required. root/ADB | Impact on the system | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope of the system | ⭐ (simple) | No. | Changes all apps | For beginners, MIUI 12-14 |
| Special facilities | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | No. | Only text | MIUI 13+, Redmi Note 11/12 |
| Castomy themes | ⭐ (simple) | No. | Changes the design. | Users who love customization |
| Third-party SMS-applications | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | No. | Only SMS | Those who are willing to migrate from the standard application |
| ADB-team | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | Yes (ADB) | Global change | Advanced users |
💡
For 90% of Xiaomi Redmi users, the best solution is a combination of system scale (mode 1) and custom theme (mode 3), which do not require root rights and are reversible.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When changing the font size in SMS, many users face typical problems, and here's how to prevent them:
- 🔄 Resetting settings after update MIUI: Postmajor update shell (for example, with MIUI 13 by 14) all custom font settings are reset. To avoid this, make a backup through Settings before updating. → My device. → Backup.
- 📱 Theme incompatibility: Some themes from the Themes store are optimized for flagship models only (Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60) And they may not show up properly on budget Redmis.
- ⚡ Closing the Messages app: After changing the font through system settings, be sure to forcefully close the application SMS (In the last app menu, swipe up. Otherwise, the changes will only apply after the reboot.
💡 Advice for owners of Redmi with AMOLED-Screens: When you reduce the font in a dark theme (Settings) → Screen. → The battery will be consumed more slowly, as black pixels on the battery will be used. AMOLED lightless.