Many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face a situation where standard sizes of interface elements seem too small, especially for users with reduced vision or those using high-resolution devices, where the density of pixels makes graphic objects microscopic. Increasing the size of icons not only improves visual perception, but also increases the ease of navigation, reducing the likelihood of accidental clicks.
There are several proven ways to scale graphics without having to get root rights. The built-in MIUI and HyperOS shells offer flexible personalization tools that are often hidden in the depths of menus or require activation of special modes. We'll look at all the methods available, from simple display settings to more complex manipulation of system parameters.
Before we make any changes, it's important to understand that system-scale modifications can affect the layout of some applications. However, in most cases, the Android operating system correctly redistributes interface elements while retaining functionality. Changing the density of the DPI is the most radical method, affecting all elements of the system at once.
Use of built-in theme and screen settings
The safest and easiest way to make things bigger is to use the standard customization features provided by Xiaomi developers. The MIUI shell allows you to change not only the images themselves, but also their proportions relative to the desktop. To start, go to the Settings menu and select the Screen section. Here you will find a slider Size of text and elements that affects the overall picture.
Another effective method is the Themes app, which allows you to choose fonts and themes that have larger graphics by default, and some users prefer to simply change the theme to a larger one without changing the system settings, which is especially useful if you need a temporary solution for a particular case.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party themes from unverified sources, the system may not work stable. Use only official themes from the GetThemes store or verified files with the.mtz extension.
Also worth paying attention to the Simple Mode (or mode for older people), which radically changes the interface, making all icons and fonts as large and clear as possible. This mode is ideal for transferring the device to the older generation. You can activate it through Settings → Simple Mode.
Setting the font size and interface elements
In the Android operating system that runs Xiaomi smartphones, there is a direct relationship between the font size and the size of many system icons. When you change one setting, you often automatically zoom in on another. To access these settings, open Settings, then go to Additional (or Advanced Settings) and select Text Size.
So here you'll see a scale with multiple divisions, and moving the slider to the right will lead to more text in the menu, messages, and, importantly, some desktop elements. UI-Don't be afraid to experiment with the slider, because the changes are applied in real time, and you can see the results immediately.
But remember, over-expanding font can cause text in some applications to crop or overlap. MIUI tries to adapt the layout, but not all third-party developers take these extremes into account. So the best solution is to find a balance where text is easy to read, but the structure of the menu is not broken.
☑️ Checking the display settings
Activate Developer Mode for Accurate Customization
To more nuanced control over the display of graphic elements, you need to activate the hidden menu for developers. This is a standard Android feature that gives access to engineering settings. To activate the menu, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version (or OS version).
In the menu that opens, scroll down to Drawing, and we're interested in Minimum Width, which is measured in dp, which reduces the number of pixels, and increases all interface elements, including application icons.
⚠️ Warning: Write down the initial value of the "Minimum Width" parameter before changing! If you set a number too small, the interface can become unreadable, and it will be difficult to return everything back without resetting the settings.
It is recommended to change the value in small steps, for example, to reduce by 20-30 units from the factory value. The standard value for most smartphones is 360 or 392 dp. Reducing to 320 or 340 dp will give a noticeable increase effect without critically disrupting the layout.
What to do if the screen becomes unreadable?
Change of DPI density through system parameters
The Dots Per Inch (DPI) setting determines the pixel density per inch and directly affects the size of all objects displayed. Unlike simple zoom, changing the DPI recalculates the sizes of elements at the system level. This is the most effective way to make icons really big, but it requires caution.
You can change DPI through the same developer menu we discussed earlier, or with special applications if you have access to ADB. However, the built-in method through Minimum Width is actually changing the DPI. For advanced users, there is the possibility of changing the value in configuration files, but this requires superuser rights.
Below is a table showing the approximate effect of the width value (in dp) on the visual dimension of the elements:
| Wideness value (dp) | Scaling effect | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 480+ dp | Very small elements. | For devices with small screens |
| 392 dp | Standard size | Factory setting Xiaomi |
| 360 dp | Major elements | Optimal for comfortable use |
| 320 dp | Very large elements | For users with poor vision |
After changing the setting, the system may require a reboot to apply the changes to all running processes. Android usually handles this well, but some heavy-duty applications may require a reboot.
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The optimal range for increasing icons without losing the quality of the interface is considered to reduce the minimum width to 320-340 dp.
Application of third-party launchers for customization
If the built-in HyperOS or MIUI tools don't work, a third-party launcher is a great solution, and these are programs that completely replace the desktop and app menus. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allow you to flexibly adjust the size of each icon separately.
In the settings of such launchers, there is usually a separate Desktop or Desktop section where you can set the grid size (for example, 4x5 instead of the standard 6x6) and the scale of the icons in percentages. This gives maximum freedom: you can make the icons huge, while leaving the system fonts standard.
Installing a third-party launcher does not require complex manipulations, just download the application from Google Play, launch it and select the "Default" option when you press the "Home" button. All your widgets and folders can be moved or recreated in the new interface.
- 📱 Nova Launcher – a classic customization with a huge number of grid settings.
- 🔵 Microsoft Launcher is a great option with service integration and easy icon size management.
- 🚀 Smart Launcher 6 – automatically sorts applications and has convenient presets for element sizes.
It’s worth noting that some features in paid launchers can be limited, but basic icon size settings are usually available for free.It’s a flexible solution for those looking to move away from MIUI standards.
Use of special opportunities to improve visibility
Android has a powerful Accessibility section that is designed to help people with disabilities, but can be useful to anyone. Magnification allows you to temporarily scale part of the screen by triple pressing or floating a button.
In addition, enabling high contrast or color inversion mode sometimes visually makes icons sharper and more noticeable, which is subjectively perceived as an increase in their significance and size. These settings are along the way of Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features.
Also in this section, you can find a large pointer setting that helps you see where you're clicking on the screen. While it doesn't increase the app icons themselves, it makes it much easier for people with hand tremors or reduced motor skills to navigate the interface.
⚠️ Attention: Special features may consume extra battery power as they constantly monitor user activity.