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

Small icons on the screen Xiaomi Redmi cause discomfort? You are not alone: according to surveys among MIUI users, one in three smartphone owners over 40 complains about too miniature app icons. Fortunately, the problem is solved in 2-3 minutes — without root rights, complex manipulations or installing third-party launchers. In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to increase icons, from basic launcher settings to little-known tricks with screen scaling.

It's important to understand that the methods differ depending on the MIUI version (12, 13 or 14) and the Redmi model. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13 has an extended zoom mode that is not available on the budget Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions that will suit 90% of the brand's devices. If your model is an exception, at the end of this article there is a list of alternative solutions.

Before you start, check the MIUI version: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. This will help avoid confusion with the menu. Also note that some methods will temporarily change the pixel density (DPI), which can affect the display of text in applications. But don’t worry — all settings are reversible.

📊 What kind of Redmi model do you have?

Redmi Note 10/11/12

Redmi 9/9A/9C

Redmi 8/8A

Redmi 7/7A

Another model

1. Standard method: changing the size of the icons in the launcher settings

The simplest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with a proprietary shell MIUI (from version 11 and later) is not necessary to install additional programs or dig into the developer – everything is done through the standard menu.

Instructions:

📱 Long pressing on the empty seat of the main screen (desktop).
⚙️ At the bottom of the screen will appear the toolbar – tap the icon “Settings” (cogs).
🔍 Scroll down to the Icon Size section (or the Scale of Icons in older versions).
📏 Move the slider to the right to zoom in on the icons, or to the left to shrink. Changes apply in real time.

Limitations of the method:

❌ Maximum magnification – up to 120% of the standard size (this is not enough for users with visual problems).
❌ Not all versions. MIUI Support smooth adjustment – sometimes only available 3-4 fixed-value.
❌ On some models (Redmi) 6/6A) This paragraph may not be available at all.

⚠️ Note: If after changing the size of the icon on the desktop became blurred, try to restart the smartphone. MIUI.

Make sure there are no important widgets on the desktop (they may get lost)

Close all background applications (for smooth interface operation)

Connect charging if the battery level is below 20%

Take a screenshot of the current location of the icons (in case of reset)

-->

2. Screen scaling through special features settings

This is a good way for those who don't like standard icon magnification, and here we're going to change the pixel density (DPI), which is a parameter that affects the size of all interface elements, including fonts, buttons and, of course, app icons. It works on all Redmi models, but requires developer mode activation.

Step-by-step:

Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. tap on MIUI Version 7 times (you will receive a notification “You became a developer”).

For developers

Minimum width

Least width

411dp

360dp

320dp

Reboot your smartphone so that the changes take effect.

Effects of changing DPI:

Value of DPI	Size of icons	Side effects
411dp (standard)	Normal.	No.
380dp	Increased by 15%	Minor misstatements in some applications
360dp	Increased by 30%	Some menus may not contain text.
320dp	Increased by 50%	Display problems in games and banking applications

⚠️ Attention: Change DPI It can cause some applications (especially banking and gaming) to crash, and if the screen is not displayed correctly after the reboot, return the standard value. 411dp.

How to return the standard DPI settings if the screen is unreadable?

If the DPI changes the interface becomes unusable, connect the smartphone to the PC and execute the command via ADB: adb shell wm density reset This will reset the pixel density to factory values. If the ADB is not configured, the only way is to reset the phone to factory settings (with loss of data).

3.Using third-party launchers for flexible setup

If standard methods don’t work, you can install an alternative launcher with advanced customization capabilities, which is suitable for users who want to not only increase the icons, but also change their style, add animations or hide unnecessary icons.

Top.-3 Launcher for Xiaomi Redmi with support for scaling icons:

🏆 Nova Launcher – allows you to change the size of icons from 50% to 150%, supports adaptive icons and gestures.
🎨 Apex Launcher is a free analogue with the ability to adjust the size of icons, indentations and transparency of folders. Supports backup of settings.
🔧 Microsoft Launcher is a simple launcher with the function of rescaling icons (up to 120%) and integration with Microsoft services (OneDrive, Office).

How to adjust the size of icons in Nova Launcher:

Install a launcher from Google Play.
Assign it to the default launcher (at the first start, an offer will appear).
Long press on the desktop → Settings → Desktop.
Select the size of the icons and move the slider to the right.
For fine-tuning, open Advanced Settings → The size of the app icon.

Important: Third-party launchers can increase battery consumption by 5-10% as they run on top of a standard MIUI shell. If autonomy is critical, return to the standard launcher after setup.

💡

Before installing the launcher, back up your current desktop settings. Go to Launcher Settings → Backup and Restore (available in Nova and Apex Launcher).

4. Change the size of icons through ADB (for power users)

This method is suitable for those who are not afraid of the command line and want to fine-tune without installing additional programs. ADB (Android Debug Bridge to change system settings. MIUI, But it requires a computer connection.

What you need:

🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
📱 Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB smartphone.

Step-by-step:

Connect Redmi to your PC and allow debugging over USB (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).
Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
Change the screen density (e.g. 360 DPI): Adb shell wm density 360
Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

To return the standard settings, use the command:

adb shell wm density reset

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) can block work on devices with modified devices DPI, If you're experiencing this problem, return the standard settings.

💡

Changing DPIs through ADB is the only way to increase icons by more than 120% without installing third-party launchers, but this method requires caution because it affects system settings.

Scaling in Safe Mode (for MIUI 14)

The latest versions of MIUI 14 have a hidden zoom mode that allows you to zoom in on interface elements without the risk of crashes, a method that does not require developer rights and works even on locked devices.

How to activate:

Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Increase.
Activate the "Big Text" switch.
Select Screen Size (may be called Display Size).
Move the slider to the right to a comfortable size. In MIUI 14, an increase of up to 150% is available without loss of quality.

Advantages of this method:

✅ It does not affect the operation of applications (unlike changes) DPI).
✅ Keeps the clarity of icons and text.
✅ It's easy to roll back changes with one tap.

Disadvantages:

❌ Available only on MIUI 14 and newer.
❌ Not all interface elements scale the same (for example, notification panels may remain the same size).

💡

If after zooming in, some apps don’t display correctly, try clearing their cache. Go to Settings → Apps → Select a program → Clear the cache.

Alternative solutions for older models (Redmi 5/6/7 series)

If you have an older Redmi model (such as the Redmi 5A or Redmi 6), standard methods may not work due to the limitations of the older version of MIUI.

Method 1: Installation of custom firmware

📌 LineageOS or Pixel Experience firmware supports flexible interface configuration, including icon sizes.
🔧 Requires unlocking the bootloader and installing through TWRP.
⚠️ The risk of loss of warranty and possible bugs (for example, non-functioning) NFC).

Method 2: Applications for changing DPI without ADB

🛠️ App Settings (requires root) – allows you to change DPI individual applications.
🔄 Texdroider DPI — It works without root, but requires a PC connection to activate it.

Method 3: Use themes with large icons

🎨 In Themes (Application from Xiaomi) find themes marked “Big Icons” or “Large Grid».
🔍 Examples of themes: Big Style, Easy Touch, Senior Mode».

For Redmi 4X and older, the POCO Launcher (even if you don’t have POCO) is also suitable, and it supports resizing icons and is optimized for weak devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing icons on Xiaomi Redmi

🔍 Why not after the change? DPI Some applications are not opened?

Some banking and government applications (Sberbank, Government Services, Tinkoff) block devices with changed system parameters, including DPI. This is a security measure, since attackers can use similar changes to bypass protection. To regain access: Return the standard DPI value (411dp). Clear the application data into Application Settings. → Reinstall the program. If the problem persists, try using Island (app sandbox) or Shelter to isolate banking programs from system changes.

📱 Can I enlarge icons only on the desktop without affecting the application menu?

Yes, but only with third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher). In the standard MIUI launcher, changing the size of icons is applied globally, both on the desktop and in the application menu. If you want to split the settings: Install Nova Launcher. In the launcher settings, select the size of desktop icons. For the application menu, set the size separately in Settings → Application Menu → Icon Size.

⚙️ Why After Updating MIUI Icon size settings have been dropped?

Major MIUI updates (e.g., version 12 to version 13) reset some user settings, including icon size and DPI. This involves changing the structure of system files. To avoid the problem: Before updating, take a screenshot of the current screen settings. Write down the DPI value (if you changed it manually). After updating, reapply the settings. If the icons become too large or, conversely, small, reset the DPI command adb shell wm density reset.

🔄 How to return the standard icon size if the screen is unreadable?

If, after experimenting with DPI or zoom, the interface has become unusable, there are two ways to return the standard settings: Method 1 (via ADB): adb shell wm density reset adb shell wm size reset adb reboot Method 2 (hard reset): Turn off the smartphone. Press Volume up + Power to log into Recovery. Select Wipe & Reset → Reset Settings (does not delete data, only resets).

🎨 Can you change not only the size, but also the shape of the icons?

Yes, MIUI has a built-in icon shape-shifting feature, but it doesn't work on all models. To try: Long-click on desktop → Settings. Select Icon Style (or Icon Shape). Available options: Round, Square, Round, Drop (on MIUI 14). If this item is missing, install a theme with custom icons through the Themes app. For example, the themes "iOS Style" or "Material Icons" completely change the design of icons.