How to reduce icons on the screen Xiaomi Redmi: from standard settings to hidden chips

App icons on the Xiaomi Redmi screen seem too big? you're not alone: many users are faced with the standard icon size in MIUI taking up the lion's share of the display, leaving little room for widgets or additional shortcuts. The problem is compounded on models with compact screens (like the Redmi 10A or Redmi Note 11), where every pixel counts.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce icons, from basic launcher settings to installing third-party shells or even editing system files (for advanced users). In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 14/15 based on Android 13/14, including hidden chips that are not written in the official guides. Importantly, some solutions may differ depending on the Redmi model (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro + vs Redmi A2+), so we will specify the nuances for each version.

1. Standard settings of the MIUI launcher: fast and without risk

Starting with the safest method, the built-in MIUI launcher options, which do not require super-user rights (root) and works on all Redmi models with official firmware. However, note that the functionality can vary depending on the version of MIUI and regional build (global, Chinese, European).

To reduce icons through standard settings:

1. Long tap on the free seat of the main screen → select Screen settings (or Home screen settings in English).
2. Go to the App icon size section.
3. Move the slider to the left to reduce the size, and the available values are 75 to 150 percent of the standard size.
4. Click Ready or Apply to save the changes.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 8) the option to resize the icons may not be available in the basic configuration. In this case, try updating the firmware to the latest version. MIUI or use alternative methods from the following sections.

2.Resize screen grid: More icons on one screen

If the smaller icons themselves don't work, try resizing the home screen grid to allow more icons to be placed on one screen, visually reducing their relative size, and this works for all Redmis with MIUI 12 and later.

Instructions:

1. Long press on the free screen space → screen settings.
2. Select the Home Screen Grid (Home Screen Grid).
3. Set a maximum value (e.g. 5×6 or 6×7 instead of the standard 4×5).
4. Confirm the change. The icons will get smaller by increasing the number of icons on the screen.

💡 Useful tip: If after changing the grid icons look too small, try the combination of reducing the size of the icons (section) 1) + increase the grid (this section), for example, set the size of the icons on the 85%, net — 5×6. This will give a balance between compactness and readability.

3. Third-party launchers: full control of icons

If the built-in MIUI settings don't work, install an alternative launcher that not only reduces icons, but also customizes them, adds animations, and even hides app names. We tested 5 popular launchers on Redmi and selected the best ones for this task.

Top.-3 launcher:

• 🔹 Nova Launcher – supports scaling icons from 50% before 150%, flexible grid settings (10×10 Adaptive icons and more: Premium paid version for some features.
• 🔹 Apex Launcher is a free analogue of Nova with the ability to resize icons and indentations between them.
• 🔹 Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher optimized for Xiaomi, which allows you to reduce icons to 60% and customize their shape (round, square, rounded).

📌 Instructions for setting up (for example, Nova Launcher):

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Long press on the screen → Settings → Icon size.
3. Set the value from 60% to 90% (we recommend starting with 75%).
4. In the Home Screen Grid section, select the maximum value (e.g. 9×6).
5. Restart the launcher (in settings → Restart Nova).

Download APK from the official website (not from third-party sources)

Backup of current screen settings

Disable battery optimization for launcher (in MIUI settings)

Check compatibility with the Android version-->

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) may experience animation delays or widget display problems when using third-party launchers MIUI (This is due to the limitations of the Xiaomi shell, solution: disable animations in the launcher settings or use the launcher settings. ADB-commands to unlock additional functions (see Section 5).

4. editing the build.prop file: for advanced users

If you are willing to take risks for the sake of maximum customization, you can resize the icons by editing the system file build.prop. This method requires root rights or access to ADB, as well as accuracy - an error can lead to a crash of the launcher or even bootloop ( looped boot).

🔧 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Install an editing app for build.prop (like BuildProp Editor from Google Play).
2. Find a line. ro.miui.home.grid_size (If it's not, create it).
3. Set the value in width, height. Examples: 5.6 is the standard grid; 7.8 is the maximum compactness; 6.7 is the balance between icon size and readability.

ro.miui.icon_size=70

70

Save the changes and restart the device.

Critical information: On models of Redmi with MIUI 14+ Android 13/14 Editing build.prop can only work when the function is disabled MIUI Optimization (optimization) MIUI). To turn it off, do it in ADB team:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

After that, restart the device and repeat the steps to edit the file.

5. ADB-Teams: Reduce icons without root

If you do not have root rights, but you want to dig into the system settings, you can use it. ADB-This method allows you to resize icons and grids without editing files, but requires a computer connection and enabled Debugging. USB.

🖥️ Instructions:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. On Redmi, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number to activate Developer Mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (your device should appear).
5. Follow the commands to resize icons and grids: adb shell settings put system laf.grid_size 7x8 adb shell settings put system laf.icon_scale 0.7 where 7x8 — the size of the net, and 0.7 — scale of icons (from 0.5 before 1.0).
6. Reboot Redmi.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (especially Chinese teams laf.grid_size and laf.icon_scale They may not work because of the manufacturer's limitations, and then try alternative settings:

adb shell settings put system miui_home_grid_size 7x8


adb shell settings put system miui_icon_size 70

💡

ADB-Teams are the safest way to customize without root, but their action can reset after an update MIUI. To fix changes, create a script to automatically apply commands after a reboot.

6 MIUI themes: The hidden way to change icons

Few people know, but MIUI has a built-in theme feature that allows you to change not only the color scheme, but also the size and shape of the icons. Some themes from the official Xiaomi store offer compact icons optimized for small screens.

🎨 How to find and apply a theme with small icons:

1. Open the Themes app on your Redmi.
2. In the search bar, type small icons or compact icons.
3. Choose a theme marked Mini Icons or Compact Layout: 🔹 Minimal UI — Minimalist icons of size ~60% of the standard; 🔹 Pixel Style – round icons with a reduced scale; 🔹 Dark Compact – a dark theme with small icons and a tight grid.

Apply the theme and restart the device.

💡 Tip: If after applying the theme icons became too small, but in the launcher settings there is no slider to increase them, try mixing themes:

1. In the Topics app, click on My Topics → Edit.
2. Select the current theme and click on the icons.
3. Use icons from another theme (e.g. standard MIUI) while saving the remaining elements (wallpaper, fonts).

7.Reset launcher settings: if nothing helps

If after all the manipulations the icons still look disproportionate or the settings are lost, reset the MIUI launcher. This will return the standard settings, after which you can re-apply the desired changes.

🔄 How to Reset Launcher Settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (MIUI Launcher) application and open its page.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.
4. Confirm the action. The main screen will reset to the factory settings.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting the launcher will remove:

• 📌 Location of icons on screens;
• 📌 Widget settings;
• 📌 Application folders;
• 📌 Main screen wallpaper.

We recommend that you take screenshots of the current icon arrangement before reset or save the configuration through a third-party launcher (if you use it).

FAQ: Frequent questions about reducing icons on Redmi