How to increase icons on the Xiaomi desktop: all ways for MIUI

Small icons on Xiaomi desktop are a common problem, especially for users with visual impairments or those who prefer a minimalist design with large elements. The manufacturer offers several built-in ways to zoom, but not all of them are obvious. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for resizing icons, including hidden MIUI settings, third-party launchers and even teams for developers.

Unlike Samsung or Google Pixel, where the icon scale varies by two clicks, the MIUI interface requires more profound manipulation. For example, in MIUI 13/14 firmware, the standard zoom slider may not be available on some models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5). Even budget Xiaomi phones support flexible configuration through developer mode or alternative launchers. It is important to consider that some ways can reset after a system update – more about this in the section on saving settings.

If you use Xiaomi with a MIUI 12 shell and newer, most of the methods in this article will work without additional programs. For older versions (MIUI 11 and below), you may need to install third-party software. Also note that on some models (Redmi 10A, POCO M4 Pro), the manufacturer limits the scaling due to the hardware features of the screen.

Before you start settings, check the current version of MIUI in the Settings menu → About Phone → MIUI version. This will help avoid errors when choosing a method. For example, in MIUI 14 based on Android 13, the Adaptive Icons function works differently than in MIUI 12 on Android 10.

1. Standard method through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in zoom options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14. However, on some devices (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), this section may be hidden.

To increase the icons:

1. Open the Settings → Screen.
2. Select text size and display (on some firmware - Screen size).
3. Move the slider to the right, and the optimal value is 120-130 percent for a noticeable increase without distortion.
4. Click Ready and confirm the changes.

⚠️ Attention: This method scales not only icons, but also fonts, interface elements and some applications. If you only need to change the size of the icons, move to the next section.

On some devices (such as the POCO F4 GT), instead of the slider, you can display a preview of three options: Small, Medium, Large. In this case, choose Large, but note that this will also increase the indentations between the icons.

2. Change the size of the icons through the launcher

If the standard settings don’t work, you can use third-party launchers with advanced customization options, which is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including those that do not have built-in scaling.

The best launchers for changing the size of icons:

• 🔹 Nova Launcher supports separate scaling of icons (50 to 150%) and desktop grids. The free version is limited, but for a basic increase enough.
• 🔹 Apex Launcher allows you to adjust the size of icons and indentations between them. Supports gestures and themes.
• 🔹 Hyperion Launcher – optimized for Xiaomi, retains corporate identity MIUI, But it adds flexibility to the customization of icons.
• 🔹 Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher that supports adaptive icons and scaling up to 200%.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Press and hold the empty space on the desktop → Settings.
3. Go to the desk. → Size of icons.
4. Select a value from 100% (standard) to 150% (maximum).
5. To save the changes, restart the launcher (long press Home → select Nova Launcher as the main one).

Download APK official website|Allow installation from unknown sources|Make a backup of current settings|Restart the phone after installation-->

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, branded functions may disappear MIUI, such as:

• Quick Ball gestures.
• App Vault pop-ups.
• Integration with Xiaomi Cloud to synchronize the desktop.

To return the standard launcher, go to Settings → Applications → Default → Launcher and select MIUI Launcher.

3. Developer Mode: Hidden Scale Settings

For power users, there is a way to resize icons through developer mode, which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires care — incorrect settings can lead to interface failures.

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version (you will be notified of becoming a developer!).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

You need to change the minimum width (dp):

1. In the For Developers section, find the Minimum Width (usually the default value is 360 or 411).
2. Reduce this by 20 to 30 units (e.g., 411 to 380). The smaller the number, the larger the icons and interface elements will be.
3. Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

⚠️ Warning: Too low (below 300) can lead to:

• Overlaying interface elements.
• Incorrect display of some applications.
• Problems with sensor responsiveness.

If after the changes the phone started to brake, return the standard value and restart the device.

4.Use MIUI themes for customizing icons

Few people know, but MIUI has themes that automatically resize icons, which doesn’t require root rights and works on all models, including the Redmi 9A and POCO M3.

How to use a theme with large icons:

1. Open the Themes app (the icon with a brush on your desktop).
2. Go to the Icons or Desktop section.
3. In the search bar, enter queries: big icons large icons (in Russian)

Apply

Popular themes for increasing icons:

• 🎨 Big Icon Pack – Increases icons by 30-40% without distortion.
• 🎨 Minimal UI — Minimalist design with large icons.
• 🎨 Xiaomi Super Size – specially designed for users with poor vision.

⚠️ Note: Some topics may conflict with system fonts. If the text in the applications becomes blurred after applying the topic, return the standard theme and use another method from this article.

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Before you use the theme, take a screenshot of your current desktop, and some of the themes reset the icons, and you have to re-arrange them.

5. ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If none of the previous methods helped, you can use it. ADB-This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with Android Debug Bridge.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools on PC.
2. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (see Section 3).
3. Connect your phone to your computer and type in the command line: adb devices (you should display your device).
4. Execute the command to scale icons: adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_scale 1.3 (significance 1.3 substitute 1.1–1.5).
5. Reboot the phone.

Additional commands for fine tuning:

• Change the size of the icons: adb shell settings put secure launcher_icon_text_scale 1.2
• Replace the standard settings: adb shell settings delete secure launcher_icon_scale

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB may lead to:

• The launcher will stop opening (MIUI Launcher will stop opening).
• Loss of desktop data (location of icons will be reset).
• Conflicts with system updates.

Before experimenting, make a backup through Settings → System → Backup.

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ADB-Teams are the most powerful tool for customization, but also the riskiest. Use them only if other methods have failed.

6.Save settings after the MIUI update

One of the main problems when changing the size of the icons on Xiaomi is resetting after the system update. To avoid this, follow these tips:

How to keep the scale of icons:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto-update.
• 📱 Use backup through Settings → System system → Backup. Select System Settings and Desktop.
• 🛠️ For ADB-Create a script with commands and run it after each update.
• 🎨 When using themes, save your favorite ones in My Themes (Save themes in the app).

If after the update the icons still dropped:

1. Check if the settings are reset in Settings → Screen → Text size.
2. For launchers (like Nova Launcher), import the saved configuration from a backup.
3. If you have used ADB, repeat the commands (see section 5).

⚠️ Note: On some devices (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after major updates (e.g., with MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) a full launcher reset may be required:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or your third-party launcher).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Customize the icons again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing icons on Xiaomi