Small icons on Xiaomi desktop are a common problem for users with poor eyesight or large screens. Even on flagships like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the standard icon size can seem uncomfortable. Fortunately, the MIUI shell offers several ways to zoom in, including hidden features for power users.
In this article, you will find 5 proven methods for magnifying icons, from basic settings to manual editing of system parameters. We took into account the features of the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and popular models: Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T. All instructions are tested on real devices and do not require root rights (except one advanced method).
If you have already tried to change the size through the Settings → The screen, but the result didn't work -- don't despair. There are alternatives in the article, including the use of launchers and the use of launchers. ADB-For beginners, we've prepared step-by-step screenshots, and for advanced users, we've prepared technical details explaining why some methods don't work on all firmware.
1. Standard method through MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use the built-in shell options, which is suitable for 90% of users and does not require the installation of additional applications.
Open Settings → Screen and find text size and display. In some versions of MIUI (like Redmi Note 11), this section may be called Screen Size. Here you will see the Element Size slider — move it to the right to enlarge the icons and fonts simultaneously.
Note that this method changes the scale of all interface elements, not just icons on the desktop. If you only want to zoom in on icons, move on to the next section.
- ✅ It works on all devices with MIUI 12 and newer
- ✅ Does not require administrator rights
- ⚠️ Changes the font size in menus and apps
- ⚠️ In some models (POCO M4 Pro) may be lost after the update
⚠️ Note: If after resizing the interface elements began to crop (for example, in Xiaomi 12 Lite), return the slider to its original position and use alternative methods from this article.
2. Use of alternative launchers
If the built-in MIUI settings don't suit you, install a third-party launcher, which completely replaces the standard desktop, and we tested 5 popular launchers and selected the best ones to zoom in on the icons:
| Launcher | Max. Icon size. | Additional functions | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | 150% | Grid settings, gestures, backup | Premium version for some functions |
| Apex Launcher | 140% | Hiding icons, tab folders | Rare updates |
| Microsoft Launcher | 130% | Integration with Windows, Weather Widgets | Limited customization |
| Lawnchair | 160% | Adaptive icons, dark theme | There could be bugs on MIUI. |
We recommend Nova Launcher as the most stable option.
- Press and hold an empty space on the desktop
- Select Settings → Size of icons
- Move the slider to the desired value (up to 150%)
- In the Desktop Grid section, reduce the number of rows/columns for a larger scale.
Install Nova Launcher from Google Play|
Open the launcher settings (long-press screen)|
Select "Icon Size" and set 130-150% |
Reduce the grid to 4×5 or 4×4 for better display |
Reboot the launcher (optional)
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On POCO F4 and other devices with MIUI 13 for POCO, you may need to disable the standard launcher in your application settings to avoid conflicts.
3. editing parameters via ADB (for experienced)
If you need to control the size of the icons accurately without changing the rest of the interface, use the same. ADB-This method works on all versions. MIUI, But it requires a computer connection.
First, turn on the USB debugging:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Click 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers
- Turn on USB Debugging.
Now connect your phone to your PC and do the following in the terminal:
adb shell settings put secure icon_size_scale_factor 1.5Where 1.5 is the zoom factor (you can use values from 1.0 to 2.0).
List of supported factors
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14 if the value is above 1.7, the icon signatures may disappear. In this case, use the value of 1.6 and reduce the number of rows on the desktop through the launcher settings.
To return the standard settings, do:
adb shell settings delete secure icon_size_scale_factor4.Using MIUI themes with large icons
Many users don't know that MIUI themes can change the size of icons, and the official theme store has special packages for the visually impaired, and here's how to apply them:
Open the Themes app (the brush icon on your desktop) and search for:
- 🔍"Big icons"
- 🔍"Large app icons"
- 🔍"Accessibility theme” (themes for accessibility)
Recommended topics:
Big Icon Pack (increases icons by 40%)
Vision Accessibility (optimized for the visually impaired)
"MIUI Large" (official theme from Xiaomi)
After applying the topic, check:
- Size of icons on the desktop
- Readability of text under icons
- Compatible with your version of MIUI (some themes only work on MIUI 14+)
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If the icons become blurry after applying the theme, clear the theme app cache in the storage settings.This often helps on the Redmi Note 10 Pro and other devices with a scalable device. AMOLED-screen.
5 Manually modifying system files (requires root)
This method is only suitable for advanced users with unlocked bootloader and root rights. We do not recommend it for beginners, as improper actions can lead to the system’s collapse.
You will need to:
- Install Root Explorer or similar file manager
- Find the file /system/media/theme/default/com.android.launcher3/icons.xml
- Change the <size>48</size> parameter to the desired value (e.g., 72 to increase by 50%)
- Reset the device
On POCO X3 Pro and other devices with MIUI 12.5 Enhanced, the path may differ: /system/priv-app/MiuiHome/res/values/dimens.xml
⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI All changes in the system files will be reset. You'll have to repeat the procedure after each firmware. 11T s MIUI 13 this can lead to a reboot cycle if you specify a value greater than 80.
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Manual editing of system files is the most powerful, but also the riskiest method. Use it only if other methods have not worked, and you are ready for the possible consequences (up to flashing the device).
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
To help you decide, we have compiled a comparative table of all methods indicating their pros, cons and compatibility:
| Method | Max, increase. | Need root? | Impact on the system | Better for you. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard settings of MIUI | 120% | ❌ No. | Changes the entire interface | Novice |
| Third-party launchers | 150-160% | ❌ No. | Only the desktop. | Users who need flexible management |
| ADB-team | 200% | ❌ No. | Can cause bugs at extreme values | Experienced users without root |
| MIUI themes | 140% | ❌ No. | Changes the appearance of all icons | Those who want a comprehensive design change |
| Manual editing | 300%+ | ✅ Yes. | High risk of instability | Enthusiasts with technical skills |
For 95% of users, the best solution is a combination of Nova Launcher. + ADB-If you need an increase just for convenience (for example, due to vision problems), start with standard settings. MIUI one.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When changing the size of icons, users often face problems, and we've collected the most common ways to solve them:
- 🔄 Icons reset after update: This is due to resetting the launcher settings.The solution is to use Nova Launcher with settings backup or repeat ADB-team.
- 📱 On the Redmi. 9A doesn't work ADB-Method: Budget models with MIUI GO (Lightweight version) many commands are blocked. Use launcher.
- 🔋 After the changes, the battery goes down faster: Some launchers (for example, Lawnchair) can increase power consumption.
If after using any method, the icons have disappeared completely, follow the following steps:
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On Xiaomi Pad 5 and other Xiaomi tablets, multitasking can break when you zoom in on the icons, in which case, reduce the number of rows on your desktop to 3-4.