How to reduce font on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide for all versions of MIUI

Small text on the screen of Xiaomi’s smartphone can be a real problem for users with poor eyesight, but what to do if the font, on the contrary, seems too large? Excessively large letter size not only spoils the aesthetics of the interface, but also reduces the amount of information displayed on the screen. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to reduce the font on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices – from standard MIUI settings to hidden functions and third-party applications.

It is important to understand that the manufacturer regularly updates the shell, so the location of some menu items may vary depending on the firmware version.We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will be suitable for most current models (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5). If you are using a device older than 2020, pay attention to a special section with features for legacy versions of MIUI.

Before you start settings, check the current firmware version: go to Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI. This will help you determine more precisely what options are available on your device. Also remember that some methods require administrator rights or enable developer mode – we will note these cases separately.

1. Standard font size setting in MIUI

The easiest and safest way to resize text is to use built-in shell tools, which works on all Xiaomi devices without any additional apps or superuser rights.

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
  2. Go to the Screen section (some versions may call it the Display).
  3. Select text size or font size.
  4. Adjust the font size with the slider. The available values usually range from Small to Very Large.
  5. Click Ready or Apply to save the changes.

Note that in some versions of MIUI 14+, this option can be combined with a scaling adjustment for the entire interface.

  1. In the same section, select the screen size.
  2. Disable the text scaling option (if it is active).
  3. Manually adjust the slider font size regardless of the overall scale.

⚠️ Note: On devices with version MIUI 12.5 and below, after changing the font size, you may need to restart the phone. Otherwise, some system applications (such as Camera or Gallery) may display text incorrectly.

If standard settings don’t produce enough fine print, move on to the next method – it allows you to control the size of the text more accurately.

2. Change the display scale (DPI) through the developer settings

To make the font size and interface elements more flexible, you can use the DPI (dots per inch) setting, which requires activation of the developer mode, but allows you to achieve more accurate calibration.

First, turn on the developer mode:

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ The phone.
  2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row. You will be notified of becoming a developer!

Now set up the DPI:

  1. Return to the main Settings menu and select a new section Additional (or Developer)
  2. Find the Minimum Width option (this is the DPI setting).
  3. The default value is usually 411 or 393. Reduce it to 360-400 for a more compact display.
  4. Save the changes and restart the device.

The effect will be noticeable immediately after the reboot: the font and icons will become smaller and more information will fit on the screen. However, note that too low a DPI value (below 360) can lead to problems with the display of some applications.

Make sure the text is read | Check the display of icons on the home screen | Open 2-3 frequently used apps | Check the keyboard (no button trimmings should be made) |Reboot your phone at the first sign of glitches-->

⚠️ Attention: Change of parameter DPI It may disrupt some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) If you cannot log in to financial services after setting up, return the standard value. DPI Or use alternative methods from this article.

3. Use of design themes to change the font

The MIUI shell supports custom themes that can include not only new wallpaper and icons, but also modified fonts, a method suitable for those who want to not only reduce the size of the text, but also change its style (for example, to thinner or narrower).

Here’s how to set a theme with your font:

  1. Open the Themes app (usually preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices).
  2. Go to the Popular or Fonts section (in some versions you need to select Categories β†’ Fonts).
  3. Choose your favorite font marked Small or Compact in the description.
  4. Click Apply and confirm installation.

Some themes offer complex changes, including reducing the spacing between interface elements. For example, the Minimal UI or Compact Mode theme (available in the official theme store) are specifically optimized to maximize the use of screen space.

If there are no suitable options in the standard theme directory, you can download fonts from third-party sources (for example, from the MIUI Themes website), but this requires caution:

  • πŸ” Check other users’ reviews before installing.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Install topics only from verified sources (virus risk!).
  • πŸ”„ Once installed, restart your phone so that the changes apply to all apps.

πŸ’‘

If after applying the theme, some system applications (such as Settings or Phone) display text incorrectly, reset the font to the standard in the theme settings. To do this, go to Themes β†’ My β†’ Fonts and select by default.

4. Third-party applications for fine-tuning the font

If the built-in MIUI tools don't offer enough flexibility, you can use third-party tools, and we tested a few applications and selected the most reliable and functional options.

Top.-3 Apps to change the font on Xiaomi:

AnnexFeaturesRequired. ROOT-rights?Download link
FontFixAllows you to change the font size for individual applications, supports custom fontsNo.Google Play
iFontLarge font library, the ability to reduce text size by 20-30%No (but some features require ROOT)Google Play
Textra Font SizeSpecializes in changing the font in SMS and messengers, supports XiaomiNo.Google Play

Let’s take a closer look at FontFix, as it is one of the most versatile solutions:

  1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
  2. Run FontFix and provide all the necessary permissions (access to special features settings).
  3. In the main menu, select Global Font Scaling.
  4. Move the slider to the left to reduce the size of the text, and the recommended value for a compact display is 85-90%.
  5. Press Apply and restart the device.

The advantage of FontFix is that it allows you to customize the font separately for each application, for example, you can leave large text on WhatsApp, but reduce it in Chrome or Telegram.

FontFix|iFont|Textra Font Size|Other |Do not use third-party apps-->

5. Manual editing of system files (for advanced users)

This method is suitable only for users with ROOT-It allows you to resize the font at the system settings level, but if you do not act correctly, it can cause device malfunctions.

Warning! Incorrectly editing the build.prop file can render the phone inoperable.Be sure to back up the system via TWRP or MIUI Backup before you start.

Instructions for changing font size through build.prop:

  1. Install a file manager with ROOT support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
  2. Go to /system/build.prop.
  3. Find a line. ro.sf.lcd_density (If not, add it to the end of the file).
  4. Change the value to ro.sf.lcd_density=360 (for smaller prints) or ro.sf.lcd_density=400 (standard).
  5. Save the file, restart the device.

After the reboot, all interface elements, including the font, will become smaller. If you don’t like the result, return the standard value (usually 440 or 480 for Xiaomi devices).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) 11 or Redmi K50) parameterization lcd_density It can cause a camera or graphic artifact to malfunction. If you notice a display problem after editing, return the original settings immediately.

What if the phone does not turn on after changing build.prop?
If the device is stuck on the logo or not loading, try to go to Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume up when turned on) and perform a reset (Wipe Data).If this does not help, you will need to reflash the phone via Fastboot using the official firmware from Xiaomi.

Features for older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5)

If you are using a device with MIUI version 11 or older (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 9, Redmi Note 8), some of the methods described above may not work. In older firmware, the font setting is implemented differently, and you will need to change it:

Method 1: Through setting up special features

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Special Opportunities β†’ Vision.
  2. Select font size or screen size.
  3. Turn off the option of Automatic font size (if it is active).
  4. Manually set the minimum value.

Method 2: Through the Hidden Menu of Engineering Settings

This method works on most MIUI 10-12 devices:

  1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###.
  2. The CIT (Factory Test Mode) menu will appear.
  3. Select Version info β†’ Hardware info.
  4. Find the Font Size parameter and set the Small value.
  5. Save the changes and restart the phone.

On devices with MIUI 9 and below may require use. ADB-Here's an example of a command to reduce text:

adb shell settings put system font_scale 0.85

Where 0.85 is the zoom factor (1.0 is the standard size, 0.85 is reduced by 15%).

7 Problems and Solutions: What to Do When the Font Has Not Changed

Sometimes even after you've applied all the settings, the font size remains the same, and this can be due to several reasons:

  • πŸ”„ System cache: Clear the cache in the Settings section β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Three dots (menu) β†’ Clear the cache of all applications.
  • πŸ“± Firmware Update: On some devices after the update MIUI Resets the user's font settings. Check the firmware's relevance in Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system.
  • πŸ› οΈ Topics conflict: If you've installed custom themes, they can block font changes. Return the standard theme to the settings.
  • πŸ”’ Manufacturer restrictions: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi for the European market) have been artificially blocked from changing the option. DPI without ROOT-rights.

If the problem persists, try resetting the screen settings to standard:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Resetting settings.
  2. Select Reset Screen Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
  3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

πŸ’‘

If none of these methods worked, check if your device has any corporate policy restrictions (e.g., Android Enterprise) and you can only change the font after you delete your work profile.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you reduce the font only in individual applications (for example, in Telegram or Chrome)?
Yes, FontFix (described in section 4) can do this, and allows you to customize the font size for each application. Some messengers (e.g. Telegram) have built-in text scale settings: Open Telegram and go to Settings β†’ Size of font. Choose Small or Very Small. Chrome allows you to use page zoom (press the text and select Reduce).
As the font was reduced, some icons on the screen became blurred. How do you fix this?
This is a typical problem when changing the DPI setting. To get back to clarity: Return the standard DPI value (usually 411 or 440). Use instead the method with setting the font through Settings β†’ Screen β†’ Text Size. If blurring remains, try setting a high-resolution theme icon (such as the HD Icons Pack from the theme store).
Will resetting the settings to factory return the standard font size?
Yes, a full reset (Settings β†’ System β†’ Settings β†’ Delete all data) will return all display settings to factory settings, including font size and screen scale. However, it will also delete all your data, so pre-back up through Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ Backup.
Can you change the font to Xiaomi without superuser rights (ROOT)?
Yes, most of the methods in this article (standard settings, themes, third-party apps like FontFix) do not require ROOT-Superuser rights are only required for manual editing of system files (Section 5) or for using some advanced features in iFont.
Why did the MIUI update reset the font size?
This is standard system behavior: when major updates (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14) reset many user settings, including font and scale. To avoid this in the future: Before updating, take screenshots of current screen settings. Use themes instead of manually adjusting the font - they are saved after updates. Install the MIUI Backup app and save the settings profile.