How to increase icons on Xiaomi: from standard settings to hidden MIUI features

Small icons on Xiaomi or Redmi screen create discomfort when using? You are not alone: users of smartphones based on MIUI often face the problem of too small app icons, especially on devices with large screens (6.5"+). Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to scale, from basic launcher settings to hidden developer settings.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for increasing icons, including the official MIUI 14/15 options and alternative solutions for advanced users. You will learn how to resize icons without root rights, what restrictions apply on different versions of Android (12-14), and how to return standard settings if the result does not suit you.

1. Standard settings of the MIUI launcher

The easiest way to increase icons is to use the built-in MIUI launcher options.This method works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices with a shell version at least MIUI 12.

To change the size of the icons through the launcher:

• 📱 Long pressing in the free place of the main screen → Select Screen Settings (or Home Screen on some models).
• 🔍 Scroll down to the layout or icon size section (the name may vary depending on the version). MIUI).
• 📏 Move the slider Size of icons to the right to zoom in (available) 3-5 predetermined).
• ✅ Click Ready or Apply to Save Changes.

Note: on some devices (e.g. Poco X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12) the option is hidden in the submenu Additional. If there is no slider, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone. For MIUI 11 and below, this method is not suitable.

⚠️ Note: When you zoom in on the launcher, the number of rows and columns on the screen automatically decreases, for example, when you have a maximum icon size on Xiaomi. 13 remains 4 Icons in a row instead of standard 5-6.

2. Size change via "Developer Settings"

For users who don’t have the standard launcher options, MIUI has hidden interface scaling options that allow them to increase icons to 130% of the standard size, but require developer mode activation.

Instructions for setting up and setting up:

1. Activate the Developer Mode: 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone. 📱 7 times press the version MIUI (A notification will appear saying, “You have become a developer»).
2. Customize the scale of the icons: 🔧 Back to Settings → Additional settings → For developers. 🔍 Find the minimum width (dp) (or the smallest width) option). 📏 Set a value of 411 (standard: 360 or 393), which will increase all interface elements, including icons.

The effect is applied after restarting the device. To fine-tune the value in 10-15 units increments (for example, 380 → 395 → 410) and check the result. On Xiaomi 12T and Redmi K50, the optimal value was 400 - it increases the icons by 20% without distorting the layout.

Back up settings | Remember the current value of the parameter | Connect the charger (in case of freeze) | Check the free space (at least 1 GB)

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3. Use of third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI options are not satisfied, the alternative will be third-party launchers with advanced icon settings.

• 🎨 Nova Launcher – allows you to adjust the size of icons with an accuracy of 1%, supports adaptive icons and gestures.
• 🔄 Apex Launcher – offers 5 preset icon sizes + manualization.
• 📱 Microsoft Launcher – optimized for large screens, has built-in scaling patterns.
• 🖼️ Action Launcher – Supports dynamic icons and customization of their shapes.

For installation of Nova Launcher (for example):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. 📱 Open Nova Settings → Desktop → Icon Layout.
3. 🔍 Select Icon Size and move the slider (values from 70% to 130 are available%).
4. ⚙️ In the Advanced section, set up the indentations (Icon Padding) for accurate positioning.

Third-party launchers have the advantage of flexibility in settings, for example, Nova Launcher allows you to increase icons up to 150% without loss of quality, whereas in the standard one, the icons can be increased by a small number of different types of devices. MIUI-Launcher maximum is 120%, but please note that some system functions (e.g. gestures) MIUI) They may not work properly.

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Before installing a third-party launcher, back up the home screen layout in the standard MIUI launcher: long press → Screen settings → Backup.

4. ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

For those who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method of changing system zoom parameters is available, which is suitable for Android 12-14 devices and requires a connection to a PC. The advantage is that it allows you to increase the icons to 150% without loss of quality, but if used improperly can lead to interface failures.

Step-by-step:

1. 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on PC.
2. 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB In Settings → For developers.
3. 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 1.0 adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 1.0 adb shell wm density 440 (significance 440 — magnify 20%; standard HD+ — 400-420).
4. 🔄 Reset the device.

To return the standard settings, use the command:

adb shell wm density reset

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly selected pixel density can make text and interface elements blurry. 13 Ultra (permission) 3200×1440) maximum-safety — 480. On devices with HD+ screens (e.g. Redmi) 10A) It is not recommended to exceed 400.

5. Manual editing of theme files (for experienced)

The most radical method is editing the theme system files, which is suitable for users with root rights or an unlocked bootloader, allows you to increase icons to 200%, but requires caution: an error can lead to a “bootloop”.

Algorithm of action:

1. 📁 Install Root Explorer or Mixplorer (with root rights).
2. 🔍 Cross the path: /system/media/theme/default/ or MIUI 14+): /product/media/theme/default/
3. 📄 Find the file. icon_size.xml or styles.xml (name may differ).
4. 🖊️ Open the file in the text editor and find the lines: <dimen name="icon_size">48dp</dimen> <dimen name="icon_text_size">12sp</dimen> Change the values to 60dp and 14sp respectively.
5. 🔄 Save the file, set the rights 644 (rw-r)--r--) and reboot the device.

This method allows maximum customization, but is only suitable for power users. On Xiaomi 12S Ultra with MIUI 14, after such changes, you may need to clear the launcher cache (com.miui.home) through ADB.

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Editing system files without backup is a risk of data loss. Always create a /system partition backup before making changes!

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of how to increase the icons depends on your skills and the model of the smartphone. Below is a comparison table with the pros and cons of each method:

For most Xiaomi users, the best solution is a combination of launcher settings (for basic zoom) and Nova Launcher (for fine-tuning). Methods with ADB and system file editing are recommended only if you are confident in your skills or ready for potential problems.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing icons