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

Small icons on the Xiaomi Redmi desktop are a common cause of discomfort, especially for users with vision problems or those who are accustomed to large interface elements. Fortunately, the MIUI proprietary shell offers several ways to scale, and in extreme cases, third-party solutions will help. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including hidden settings that work even on the budget models of the Redmi Note and Redmi A series.

It's important to understand that the customization options are dependent on the MIUI version and the smartphone model. For example, on Redmi 12 with MIUI 14, the algorithm is different from the Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5. We took these nuances into account and put together universal instructions that cover 90% of the brand's devices. If your model is released after 2020, the methods will work exactly.

Before you start making changes, check the current version of the shell in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This will help avoid confusion with the location of menu items. Also remember: some methods require developer rights or install additional applications – we noted these points separately.

1. Standard method: settings of the MIUI launcher

The easiest method is to use the built-in options of the MIUI Launcher, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones without root rights and additional programs.

1. Touch and hold any free area on your desktop.
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear the toolbar – tap the icon “Settings” (cog).
3. Select the option “Icon Size” or “Desktop layout” (the name depends on the version of MIUI).
4. Move the slider to the right to enlarge the icons, 3-5 preset values are available.
5. Click on “Ready” or “Apply” to save the changes.

On some models (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the option “Size of text under icons” is also available in this menu. If you only need to enlarge the labels, not the icons themselves, activate this option separately.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13 and newer, after changing the size of the icons, their location may be lost. To return the previous arrangement, use the Settings function. → Desktop → Restore the layout.

2. "Close text" mode in the system settings

If standard launcher zooming doesn't work enough, try large text, which not only increases icons, but also increases fonts in all applications, which can be useful for visually impaired users.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Settings → Screen.
2. Select "Text Size."
3. Activate the slider "Big text" or manually move the regulator to the maximum value.
4. Return to the main settings menu and go to Special Opportunities → Vision.
5. Turn on the screen size option and adjust the magnification level (up to 200%).

This has a side effect: all interface elements, including notification panels and system windows, will be added to the icons, and if you only need to change the icons on your desktop, use the methods in the following sections.

3. Hidden settings via ADB (for power users)

If the built-in options do not give the desired result, you can use the ADB-This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and enabling debugging mode, but allows you to specify the exact size of the icons in pixels (from the 48x48 before 120x120) — What is not available on the standard menu.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to the main settings menu and open Additional → For Developers. Activate USB Debugging.

"File transfer"

ADB Tools

adb shell settings put global icon_size_scale 1.5

Here, 1.5 is the zoom ratio (you can set from 1.0 to 2.0).

Reboot your smartphone so that the changes take effect.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB-commands can cause interface failures. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

4.Use of third-party launchers

If standard methods don’t work, consider installing an alternative launcher. Popular solutions like Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher or Microsoft Launcher offer flexible customization of icon sizes, desktop grids, and even icon shapes.

Advantages of third-party launchers:

• 🔧 Accurate adjustment of icon size (in 1 pixel increments).
• 🎨 The ability to change the shape of icons (round, square, rounded).
• 📱 Support for gestures and additional animations.
• 🔄 Backup of the desktop layout.

How to adjust the size of icons in Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Assign it to the default launcher (the corresponding request will appear at the first start).
3. Touch and hold your finger on your desktop → select Settings.
4. Go to the desk. → Size of icons.
5. Set the desired value in percentages (from 50% to 150%).
6. In the Desktop Grid section, set the number of rows and columns for optimal location.

For Redmi models with low RAM (for example, Redmi 10A with 2 GB of RAM), we recommend using lightweight launchers like Lawnchair or Rootless Launcher to avoid slowdowns.

5. Customization through MIUI themes (alternative method)

A little-known way to resize icons is to use custom themes from the official MIUI Themes store. Some themes offer enlarged icons complete with a modified interface design.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the “Themes” app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Categories section and select Icons.
3. In the search bar, type in the query “big icons” or “large icons”.
4. Select your favorite theme and click “Apply”.
5. If the theme doesn’t change the size of the icons globally, try using it only for the desktop (the “Apply Partial” option).

Among the popular themes with large icons:

• 🎨 Big Icon Pack (increased by the 30-40%).
• 🖼️ MIUI Large Icons (specially for users with vision problems).
• 🌈 Colorful Big Icons (Colorful Big Icons) + colourful).

⚠️ Attention: Themes can reset user desktop settings (wallpaper, widgets). Before installing, take a screenshot of the current layout or use the backup function in Settings → Desktop → Save the layout.

6 Manual modification of system files (root only)

This method is only suitable for advanced users with root rights, it allows you to edit the system files responsible for displaying icons, but risks damaging the shell. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/media/theme/default.
3. Find the file. icon_size.xml (or similar to a name containing icon and size).
4. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines with the parameters: <dimen name="icon_size">48dp</dimen> <dimen name="icon_text_size">12sp</dimen>
5. Change the values to the desired ones (for example, 72dp for icons and 16sp for text).
6. Save the file, restart the device.

After such changes, we recommend backing up the modified file, as after updating MIUI, it can reset to standard values.

💡

Before editing system files, make a full backup via TWRP or Titanium Backup app. This will restore the smartphone to work in case of an error.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the size of the icons, users of Xiaomi Redmi often face typical difficulties, and let’s consider the most common ones and how to fix them.

If after all the manipulations the icons are displayed incorrectly (for example, they are cropped or superimposed on each other), try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find “Luncher” (or “MIUI Launcher”) and open its settings.
3. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data”.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

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Before resetting your launcher data, export the current layout through Settings → Desktop → Save the layout to quickly restore the location of the icons.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions