How to reduce icons on the Xiaomi desktop: all the ways from simple to complex

App icons on Xiaomi desktop seem too big? You're not alone - many MIUI users face this problem after upgrading or when they first turn on their smartphone. Fortunately, there are several ways to scale icons in firmware, and hidden settings are also available for advanced users.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of reducing icons on the Redmi screen, POCO, Black Shark and other Xiaomi devices – from standard features MIUI to manual editing of system files, special attention will be paid to the nuances for different versions of the shell (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) and smartphone models.

If you're looking for a way to make the interface more compact, optimize the screen space, or just get it back to normal after the update, here are step-by-step instructions with illustrations and warnings about possible risks. Let's start with the simplest solutions that don't require superuser rights.

1. Standard MIUI settings: resizing the grid

The most obvious and safe way is to use built-in MIUI options. Most shell versions (starting with MIUI 9) have a desktop grid size setting available, which indirectly affects icon size.

To find this parameter:

1. Click on the empty area of the desktop for a long time.
2. Select Desktop Settings (or Screen Settings in older versions).
3. Go to the Desktop Grid section.

Here you'll see some previews (like 4×5, 5×6, or 6×7). The more numbers in the format, the smaller the icons, but the harder it will be to press them with your finger. The optimal balance for most users is 5×6 or 5×7.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) If you change the grid, you may lose the location of the widgets. Take a picture of the current grid layout in advance to quickly restore it.

If your MIUI version does not have an explicit icon size setting, try an alternative path:

Settings → Display → Font size and display → Screen size

Scaling down to Small or Default sometimes reduces the size of the icons, but also reduces the entire interface.

2.Use of launcher from third-party developers

If the standard MIUI settings don't work, you can install an alternative launcher (desktop management software).

• 🔹 Nova Launcher – supports fine-tuning the size of icons (from 50% to 150%), the distance between them and even the shape of the icons.
• 🔹 Apex Launcher – allows you to change the scale of icons and folders separately.
• 🔹 Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher optimized for Xiaomi.
• 🔹 Hyperion Launcher – Suitable for devices with MIUI 14, has built-in themes for Xiaomi.

To change the size of the icons in Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Take a long time to click on the desktop → Settings → Desktop.
3. Select the size of the icon and move the slider to the left.
4. For fine-tuning, activate Advanced Settings in the launcher menu.

The advantage of this method is flexibility: you can adjust not only the size, but also the style of icons (for example, make them round or square), animations and gestures. However, note that some system features of MIUI (for example, Dual App or Mode for children) may not work correctly.

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Before installing the launcher, back up your current desktop settings through Settings → Applications → Application Management → MIUI Launcher → Storage → Backup.

3. editing system files (for advanced users)

If you're willing to take risks, you can manually change the icon display settings through system files, which requires root rights or access to ADB, but gives you maximum control over the interface.

Method 1: through ADB (without root)

1. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times on the line with the version, then return to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global icon_size_scale 0.8 Meaning 0.8 can be changed 0.5 (very small 1.5 (large-scale).
3. Reset the device.

Method 2: Edit framework-res.apk (requires root)

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
2. Go to /system/framework/framework-res.apk.
3. Extract the file, open it in the editor APK Editor and find the lines with the parameters: dimen name="launcher_icon_size" Change the value (e.g., with) 48dp on 36dp).
4. Save the changes, overwrite the file and restart the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped reboot). TWRP or MIUI Backup on Dynamic devices RAM (For example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, this method can reset the settings of virtual memory.

4. Customization through MIUI themes

Few people know, but some MIUI themes from Themes Store automatically resize icons, a method that does not require root rights and is suitable for devices with MIUI 12 and later.

How to find the right topic:

1. Open the Themes app (Themes).
2. In the search bar, enter the requests: 🔍 small icons 🔍 compact desktop 🔍 minimalist icons

Look for those where the icons are visually smaller than the standard ones.

Set up your favorite topic and apply it.

Popular themes with small icons:

Note that after applying the theme, some system icons (such as Settings or Phone) may remain the same size, due to the fact that MIUI uses separate resources for standard applications.

📌 View the rating of the topic (not lower than 4.5)

📌 Read reviews (see mentions of icon sizes)

📌 Check the date of the update (current topics are updated every 1-2 months)

📌 Make sure it is compatible with your version MIUI-->

5. Special Applications for Changing Icons

If you want to reduce the size of individual icons (rather than all at once), you can use customization apps that run on top of a standard launcher, allowing you to resize, shape, and even replace images.

Top.-3 apps:

• 🎨 Icon Changer – allows you to reduce icons one by one, create your own icon packages.
• 🎨 XIconify supports dynamic icons and resizes them from 50% to 200%.
• 🎨 Shortcut Maker – Creates custom size shortcuts, bypassing restrictions MIUI.

Instructions for Icon Changer:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Click on the icon you want to change.
3. Select Resize Icon and move the slider to the left.
4. Save the changes – a new label will appear on the desktop.

Important: Some applications (e.g. XIconify) require special permissions to be enabled via ADB:

adb shell pm grant com.xiconify android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

Without it, they will not be able to change the system icons.

6.Resetting the MIUI launcher settings

If after experimenting with the size of the icons, the desktop began to glittle (for example, icons disappeared or overlapped), resetting the launcher settings will help, which will return the standard look without losing the application data.

How to reset your settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or System Launcher on POCO).
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Once reset, all shortcuts and widgets will disappear from the desktop, but the applications themselves will remain installed.

• 🔄 The icons are displayed in a blurred form.
• 🔄 Size settings are reset after rebooting.
• 🔄 New icons appear in standard size despite changes.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic RAM (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro or Redmi K60 Ultra) Launcher reset may temporarily increase RAM consumption. After restart, the performance will return to normal.

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Resetting the launcher is the safest way to return the standard look of the icons if other methods have caused failures, but it will not help if the problem is caused by damage to the system files (in which case you need to reset via Recovery).

7. Alternative methods for specific models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique features or limitations that affect the size of the icons.

For POCO F4/F5 and Redmi K50:

For Black Shark 5/6:

For Xiaomi 12T/13 Lite:

ADB is only for deep customization (Section 3).