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

Icons on Xiaomi’s screen seem too small? You’re not alone: many users experience discomfort when using standard icon sizes in the MIUI shell. Especially relevant is the problem for owners of devices with large screens (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Xiaomi 13 Ultra), where small icons are lost on the desktop. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to scale, from basic settings to advanced methods using ADB.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including official and alternative solutions, you will learn how to resize icons through the phone menu, third-party launchers, and hidden MIUI features that are not written about in the instructions. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights - we will separately note such cases and provide safe alternatives.

1. Standard MIUI settings: changing the size of icons without third-party programs

To start with, the simplest of them is the built-in shell tools. Xiaomi allows you to adjust the scale of icons and desktop grid without installing additional software. This method works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the POCO F5, Redmi 10C and the flagship Mi 13 models.

To increase the icons:

1. Open the Settings. → Desktop.
2. Select the Desktop Grid item.
3. Move the icon size slider to the right (maximum value is 120%).
4. Click Apply and confirm the changes.

Note that this only changes the size of the icons, not the distance between them. If you want to zoom in on the icons and reduce the number of rows/columns on the screen, move on to the next point.

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If icon size slider is not available in your MIUI version, upgrade to the latest stable version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

2. Change the desktop grid: reduce the number of icons in a row

If you don't get the desired result from the settings, try to reduce the density of the icons. In MIUI, you can adjust the number of rows and columns on your desktop, which will automatically increase the visual size of the icons.

Instructions:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Desktop → Desktop grid.
• 🔢 Select the minimum number of columns (for example, 4×5 instead 5×6).
• 🔄 Restart the launcher (hold your finger in the free screen space) → Settings → Reset).

This method is especially useful for devices with small screens (such as the POCO X3 Pro or Redmi 9A), where the standard 5×6 grid makes the icons too small.

3. Third-party launchers: Nova Launcher, Apex and others

If the built-in MIUI settings don’t work, the best solution is to install an alternative launcher, and apps like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher offer flexible customization of icon size, indentations, and even icon shapes.

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi:

How to adjust the size of icons in Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher and select it as the main one (the first start will be a proposal).
2. Keep your finger in the free screen space → Settings.
3. Go to the desktop → The size of the icons and move the slider.
4. To change the indentations, use the Desktop → Retreats.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🎨 More customization options (color folders, animations, gestures).
• 🔄 Ability to back up desktop settings.
• 📱 Support for adaptive icons (automatic shape change).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, some chips may stop working MIUI, For example, double-press lock or Super wallpaper. Before installing, check compatibility with your model.

4. ADB-commands: hidden settings MIUI power-user

If you’re willing to go beyond standard settings, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to change hidden MIUI settings.This method allows you to increase icons to 130% of the standard size – more than through a regular menu.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Follow the command to change the size of the icons (value) 1.3 = 130%): adb shell settings put global icon_size_scale 1.3
5. Restart the launcher or phone.

To return the standard size, use the command:

adb shell settings put global icon_size_scale 1.0

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change other settings through settings put global unless you are sure of their purpose. animation_duration_scale 0 Disable all animations in the system, which can worsen the user experience.

Install ADB Tools on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Connect your phone to the original cable

Check the connection of the adb device team

Make a backup copy of the data-->

5. editing system files: for advanced users (root required)

If none of the previous methods worked, the last option is manual editing of system files, which is only suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader and root rights (for example, through Magisk), and we will consider changing the parameters in the framework-res.apk file, which is responsible for scaling interface elements.

⚠️ Warning: Mistakes can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot) or data loss.We recommend creating a full backup through the TWRP beforehand.

Steps:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/framework/ and find the framework-res.apk file.
3. Then, copy it to another place (for example, to the SD-map) and open with an archiver (e.g., ZArchiver).
4. Go to the res/values/ folder and open the dimens.xml file.
5. Find the lines with the parameters: <dimen name="app_icon_size">48.0dip</dimen> <dimen name="folder_icon_size">48.0dip</dimen> Change the meaning. 48.0dip on 60.0dip (or more, but don't exceed 72.0dip).
6. Save the file, replace the original framework-res.apk and reboot the phone.

This method gives you maximum customization freedom, but requires technical skills. If the phone stopped loading after the changes, restore the original file through TWRP.

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Editing system files is the most powerful, but also the riskiest, way to use it only if other methods have failed, and you understand the consequences.

6. MIUI Special Themes: Ready-to-Purpose Icon Change Solutions

If you don't want to go through the settings, you can use the MIUI Theme Store themes, many of which include not only new icons, but also the scale of the interface elements, such as the "Big Icons" or "Easy Touch" themes, which are specifically designed for users with visual problems.

How to install a theme with big icons:

1. Open the Themes app (default installed on all Xiaomi).
2. In the search bar, enter big icons or large icons.
3. Select your favorite theme and click Apply.
4. If the theme doesn’t change the size of the icons, check its description – some require additional customization in Settings → Desktop.

Popular themes for increasing icons:

• 🔍 Big Icon Pack – Increases the icons 30-40%.
• 👓 Easy Vision – Optimized for the visually impaired (icons) +50%, large text).
• 🎨 Minimal Big – Minimal Icons of Extended Size.

The advantage of this method is that you don't have to manually adjust anything, but keep in mind that themes can change not only the size of icons, but also other interface elements (fonts, colors, animations).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To help determine the best way, we have compiled a comparative table:

For most users, the best solution is to combine standard MIUI settings with a third-party launcher. If you need a 30 percent increase, consider ADB or themes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing icons on Xiaomi