How to reduce icons on the Xiaomi desktop: detailed instructions

Owners of modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often face the need to personalize the interface MIUI or HyperOS. Standard size widgets and shortcuts applications can seem too large, especially on devices with a screen diagonal of less than 6.5 inches. Large elements occupy a significant part of the usable area, which is the main screen is less information placed, and navigation becomes less convenient for users accustomed to minimalism.

Fortunately, the Android operating system, paired with a Chinese manufacturer’s proprietary shell, provides flexible tools for managing visual style. Changing the size of icons is not just an aesthetic whim, but also a way to improve the ergonomics of using a gadget with one hand. In this article, we will examine all available methods, from standard settings to advanced manipulation of the system launcher.

It’s worth noting that the interface algorithms may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the basic principles remain the same for most models released over the past few years. Below are proven ways to help you customize your desktop exactly as you like.

Set up the desktop grid through standard settings

The easiest and safest way to change the visual experience of the workspace is to adjust the screen grid. In the MIUI and HyperOS shells, the size of application shortcuts depends on the number of cells that the user chooses to place. The more cells you set in the settings, the smaller each individual interface element will become.

To start, you need to go to the settings menu. Find the Desktop item in the list of main system parameters or search by settings. In this section, you are interested in the option Grid (or "Grid Size"). Here the system will offer several configuration options, for example, 4x6, 5x6 or even 6x9 for devices with high resolution.

Choosing a 5x6 or 6x9 configuration will automatically reduce the size of all standard shortcuts, making them more compact, allowing you to place significantly more applications on one screen without having to create additional pages. Once you choose the right scheme, the system will instantly apply the changes, and you will see the result on the home screen.

⚠️ Note: When selecting the maximum grid density (e.g, 6x9) Some weather or calendar widgets may stop showing correctly or become too small to read information comfortably.

It's important to understand that this method only affects the standard launcher of the system, and if you use third-party themes, they can ignore the grid's system settings and dictate their own element sizes.

Using design themes to change the size of icons

Xiaomi’s official Themes store offers thousands of design options, many of which include smaller icon packages.It’s a great way to not only resize shortcuts, but also completely update the device’s visual style.Some themes are specifically designed for minimalism and use very small, thin icons.

To find a suitable design, open the Topic app and go to the search section. Type in queries like "Small icons", "Minimalist" or "Tiny icons". The theme description often indicates that it contains reduced shortcuts. Before installing, it is recommended to look at the desktop preview to evaluate the scale of the elements.

Once you have the theme installed, the system will suggest you use all the components or select individual elements, so you can leave your wallpaper and fonts, but you must use the icon component, which will allow you to maintain the familiar environment, but get the desired size of the application shortcuts.

• 🎨 Open the “Themes” app and go to the “Profile” tab".
• 🔍 Search for “Small icons” to find minimalist packs.
• 📥 Download your favorite theme and use only the icon component.

It should be noted that third-party themes may not cover all installed applications. For programs that do not have a special icon in the topic, the system will use standard images, the size of which is regulated by the grid described in the previous section.

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Before applying a new theme, take a screenshot of the current location of the widgets to quickly restore them after changing the design.

Change the DPI (width) in the developer settings

For users who don't have enough standard methods, there's a more powerful tool called dots per inch density change, known as DPI (Dots Per Inch) or "Lesswidth," which forces the system to recalculate the sizes of all interface elements, including text, buttons and, of course, application icons.

To access this feature, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the build number seven times (MIUI Version). After the message "You became a developer" appears, go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers.

In the list of engineering options, find the item "Last width" (or "Min width"). Write down the initial value (usually 360, 392 or 411 dp) to be able to return to the factory settings. Increasing this number will lead to a decrease in all elements on the screen. For example, changing the value from 392 to 450 will make the interface much smaller.

The recommended value for starting experiments is +20-30 units from stock.

Changing the DPI affects the entire interface globally, which means that the fonts in the messages and settings menu will also become smaller, and this method is most effective for high-resolution devices, where standard pixel density can be excessive for comfortable reading.

⚠️ Note: Do not set extremely high values DPI (for example, above 600-700), As the interface may become unreadable, and some system elements may disappear or collapse, which will require resetting the phone settings.

Comparison of interface scaling methods

The best way to reduce icons depends on your goals and device model. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before making changes. Below is a table to help determine the most suitable option.

As you can see from the table, changing the grid is the safest and easiest way to do that, and it doesn't affect other parts of the system. At the same time, setting up the DPI is the most radical thing, but it takes care, and using themes is the middle ground for those who want beauty and functionality.

For owners of devices series Redmi Note and POCO X often enough just change the grid, as the screens of these smartphones have sufficient resolution for a comfortable display of reduced elements.

Installation of third-party launchers for flexible management

If the built-in MIUI or HyperOS capabilities don’t suit you, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher from the Google Play Store, with apps like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Niagara Launcher providing unprecedented control over icon size, shape and indentation.

Once you have a third-party launcher installed, it will suggest you set up your desktop grid to within millimeters, you can set any number of rows and columns, and you can adjust the size of the icons themselves, regardless of the grid, and this allows you to achieve the perfect balance between screen capacity and readability.

In addition, third-party launchers often run faster than standard ones and consume less battery life, as they are not overloaded with the heavy animations and visuals typical of Xiaomi shells.

• 🚀 Download Nova Launcher or analogue from the Play Store.
• ⚙️ In the launcher settings, select "Work table" → "Grid".
• 📏 Set the desired number of cells (for example, 7x7 or 8x8).
• 🎨 Adjust the size of the icons slider in the section "Exterior appearance".

Importantly, when using a third-party launcher, you may lose some of the integrations that are characteristic of MIUI, such as iPhone-style gestures or specific widgets. However, for most users, modern launchers are more than enough.

Technical nuances and screen resolution

The size of the display elements also depends on the physical resolution of the matrix of your smartphone. On devices with a resolution of 2400×1080 and above, even standard settings can look quite small. Owners of flagship models with WQHD+ or 4K screens have more room for maneuver.

The system automatically scales the interface depending on the detected DPI screen, but as mentioned earlier, manual intervention through the developer settings allows you to bypass the limitations set by the manufacturer, which is especially useful when using the phone in split-screen or multi-window mode.

Some users also use the installation of Magisk modules with root rights, which allows you to change the system files of the display configuration. However, this method is only for advanced users, since an error in editing system files can lead to a “boot” (cyclic reboot) of the device.

⚠️ Warning: Modifying system files via Magisk or editing build.prop requires a full backup of data.Any wrong action can render the device unusable without flashing it.

In most cases, a combination of grid settings and easy DPI corrections are sufficient for the average user. These methods are safe, reversible and do not require extended system access rights.

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The best way to reduce icons without risk to the system is to combine setting up a grid (5x6) and setting a minimalist theme.