How to increase the size of icons on the Android Xiaomi desktop

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to adapt the interface to their visual preferences or vision. The standard size of icons in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS may seem too small, especially on high-resolution screens where the density of pixels is very high. Fortunately, the developers have provided several ways to solve this problem without the need for superuser rights.

Changing the scale of interface elements is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to make the use of the gadget more comfortable for older people or visually impaired users. In this article, we will discuss all the methods available, from simple settings in the menu to more advanced options through the engineering menu, you will learn how to safely change the display settings without disrupting the system.

It’s worth noting that the Android interface on the Chinese brand’s devices has its own unique features, and some methods may work differently depending on the firmware version (Global, China, EEA) and the processor model, so it’s important to follow the instructions carefully and check the result after each parameter change.

Use of built-in screen scale settings

The safest and most recommended way to resize icons is to use standard system functions, and in MIUI and HyperOS shells, this is done by a parameter that is often called "Text Size" or "UI Element Size," and despite the name, this slider affects not only letters, but graphic elements as well.

To access these settings, you need to go to the Settings menu → Screen. → Size of text and elements. As you move the slider to the right, you'll see not only the labels grow larger, but also the app icons, the widgets, and the indentations between them. This is a system change that applies to all applications at once.

⚠️ Note: With a large increase in scale, some interface elements may “go” beyond the visible area or overlap, especially in horizontal orientation.

If a standard slider is not enough, you can try changing the DPI (dots per inch) through advanced settings. However, this method requires caution. Excessive increases in pixel density can lead to some applications being displayed incorrectly or become unreadable. Always check the often used programs after making changes.

Configure through the menu "For developers"

A more subtle icon size setting is available in the hidden developer menu. This section is designed to test applications, but contains useful tools for customizing the interface. To activate this menu, you need to go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times.

Once activated, a new option will appear in the settings menu, "Developers" and search for a section related to drawing or interface, and look for "Minimum width" (or "Smallest width"). The default value is usually around 360-400 dp. Reducing this number will lead to an increase in all elements on the screen, including icons.

• 📱 Write down the original value of the parameter before changing so you can go back.
• 📉 Reduce the importance by steps 10-20 Check the results after each change.
• 🚫 Do not set extremely low values (less than 300 dp) as the interface may become unusable.

Changing the DPI is a more powerful tool than a standard scale slider, and it affects how the system calculates the location of elements, but it's worth remembering that some applications may not support non-standard resolutions and will look stretched or cropped.

Use themes and launchers to change icons

If the system settings don't work, you can use third-party solutions. MIUI Themes offers thousands of customization options where icon sizes can be drastically different from stock icons. Some themes are specifically designed with larger graphics to improve readability.

An alternative launcher, such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher, is also an effective solution, and these applications allow you to flexibly adjust the desktop grid and icon size regardless of system constraints.

When using a third-party launcher, this can affect some Xiaomi-specific system gestures or widgets, but for the icon augmentation task, it is one of the most effective solutions that does not require deep system intervention.

Use of the “Extended” regime and special facilities

In the special settings (Settings → Additional settings → Special features), you can find features that help people with visual impairment. The zoom mode allows you to temporarily scale part of the screen with a triple press, but this does not change the size of the icons constantly.

More interesting is the Simple Mode (or Senior Mode), which is often built into the MIUI shell. When activated, the interface changes dramatically: icons become huge, fonts enlarge, and extra elements are removed. You can switch to this mode through Settings → Advanced Settings → Simple Mode.

Activation of special features can affect the performance of the device, as the system has to redraw the interface to take into account new parameters. If the phone is old or has little RAM, the animations may become less smooth, in which case it is better to limit yourself to changing the font size.

⚠️ Warning: Enabling certain features of special features may block banking or online banking applications for security reasons.

Editing system files (for advanced users)

For those who are not afraid to experiment and have root rights, there is an option to edit system files that are responsible for the density of the interface. build.prop file or launcher configuration files can contain parameters that specify the hard size of the icons. However, this method involves the risk of obtaining a “brick” if you make an error.

Changing system files requires the use of file managers with root access, such as Root Explorer or MiXplorer. Before any editing, be sure to create a full backup of the data. Even one extra letter in the code can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device.

# Example of the setting in build.prop (do not edit without knowledge!)


ro.sf.lcd_density=480

This method is recommended only for advanced users who understand the principles of Android. For the average user, the risks are too great compared to the benefits. It is much safer to use third-party launchers that give a similar result without having to break the system's security.

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Before any interference with system files, make a full backup via Mi Cloud or computer, which will save your data in the event of a critical error.

Frequent problems and their solution

Once the icons are resized, users may face a number of problems, such as the icons being placed in a chaotic order or some disappearing from the desktop, often by simply resetting the launcher or re-creating the shortcuts.

Another common problem is that the scale incompatibility between applications is that if the icons are large on the menu and the text is small inside the application, it means that the application does not support dynamic zoom, in which case only changing the system font or using the screen zoom mode helps.

• 🔄 Reset the screen settings to factory if the interface has become unreadable.
• 📱 Check for system updates as new versions MIUI Often fix scaling bugs.
• 🗑️ Remove recently installed themes if they cause display conflicts.

If nothing works, you can reset all settings to factory (Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset) and this will return the phone to its original appearance and resolve any software conflicts associated with displaying the interface.

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The safest and most effective way to increase icons is to use a standard scale slider or install a simple launcher with large elements.