Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to adapt the interface to individual needs of vision or just for ease of use. Standard icon sizes provided by the developers of the shell MIUI or HyperOS, may seem too small on modern high-resolution screens, this is especially true for users with reduced visual acuity or for those who purchased a device with a diagonal of more than 6.5 inches.
Fortunately, Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers flexible customization tools that allow you to change the visual experience of the desktop without having to obtain super-user rights. In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from built-in theme settings to hidden engineering menus, learn how to manage the scaling of the interface and make navigation on your smartphone as comfortable as possible.
It’s worth noting that the size resizing algorithms can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the shell modification.We’ll look at universal methods that are suitable for most current models, including the Redmi Note series and the flagship Mi. Get ready for the fact that after you set up your desktop will become much more convenient and informative.
Basic settings through the “Themes” menu
The easiest and safest way to change the look of icons is to use the built-in Themes app, which is a regular tool that is pre-installed on all the brand devices, and you can not only download new icons, but also resize them relative to the desktop grid. Go to the application and select the Profile tab in the lower right corner of the screen.
Next, you need to find Settings, which is usually presented as a gear. In the menu that opens, look for the icon size section. The system will offer several options: small, standard, large and very large. The choice of the Big option will instantly apply changes to all application shortcuts on the home screen and in the program menu.
⚠️ Note: When choosing the maximum size of the icons, their number on one screen will decrease. If you have many apps installed, you may need to create additional pages or folders to accommodate all the shortcuts.
This method does not require a device reboot and works consistently after any system updates. However, it only affects application shortcuts without changing the size of the text below them or in other sections of the interface.
Change the font size and screen scaling
Often the problem is not only the size of the icons themselves, but also the readability of the captions underneath. If the text merges or seems too small, you should use the system settings of the display. Go to Settings → Screen (or Display).
By moving the slider to the right, you not only zoom in on the letters, but you also change the indentations proportionally between the interface elements. This creates a sparse effect, making the icons visually larger and isolated from each other. In some versions of MIUI, you also have the Size of Display Items feature, which scales the entire picture, including the control panels and the settings menu.
- 📱 Go to the main settings of the smartphone.
- 👁️ Select the "Screen" or "Display" section».
- 🔤 Find the item "Size of text" and "Size of elements».
- 📏 Move the sliders to the right to a comfortable value.
It's important to understand the difference between simply zooming in font and DPI (dots per inch) -- the first option changes only text labels, the second option recalculates the pixel density for all graphic elements. Scaling is a more powerful tool, but can cause some applications to display incorrectly, cropping some content at the edges.
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Use the "Extended Text" function in special features if the standard font enlargement is not enough for comfortable reading.
Using the “Simple” regime for the elderly
Xiaomi’s shell features a special mode designed for people with low vision or those who prefer a simplified interface, called the Simple Mode (or Lite Mode), which dramatically changes the logic of working with the device, making the icons huge and easily distinguishable.
To enable, go to Settings → Simple Mode and press the activation button. The screen will reset: unnecessary widgets will disappear, fonts will become as large as possible, and application shortcuts will occupy a significant part of the screen area. This mode simplifies navigation, enlarged dialing and message buttons, which is ideal for basic smartphone use.
| Parameter | Standard regimen | Simple mode. |
|---|---|---|
| Size of icons | Medium/Tuneable | Very large (fixed) |
| font | Customizable | Big, fat. |
| Widgets | Full functionality | Only the main ones (Time, Weather) |
| Settings menu | Complete. | Simplified |
The exit from this mode is also simple: just press the exit button on the desktop or in the settings. However, it is worth remembering that Simple Mode disables some visuals and personalization options, so it is more a temporary solution or option for specific use of the device.
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Simple mode is a separate shell that changes not only the size, but also the logic of interaction with the smartphone, hiding complex functions.
Advanced scaling through “For Developers”
If you don't have enough regular funds, you can use hidden system settings. The Developer Menu allows you to control the screen width (DPI) at a deeper level. To activate this menu, you need to go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI version (or OS version) 7 times.
After the message “You became a developer” appears, go back to the main settings menu and find the additional section. → For developers, scroll down to the Drawing block. We're interested in Minimum Width. This is the numerical value in dp (density-independent pixels).
⚠️ WARNING: Write down the initial minimum width before changing! Too much reduction in this number can make the interface unreadable, and zooming in can blur the picture or cause some applications to crash.
Reducing the minimum width leads to an increase in all interface elements, because the system "seems" that the screen has become smaller. For example, if you have a value of 392, try changing it to 360. It is not recommended to change the value by more than 20-30 units at a time. It is a thin tool that requires accuracy, but it gives the most accurate result in customizing the interface.
What to do if the interface becomes unreadable?
Application of third-party launchers
When MIUI is exhausted, third-party shells called launchers come to the rescue. Replacing a standard desktop with a Launcher from another manufacturer (for example, Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair) gives you full control over the grid, indentations and size of each element.
Once you install the launcher from Google Play and assign it to the default, you get access to advanced grid settings. You can set the grid 3x4 or 4x5, which automatically makes the cells for the icons larger. In addition, many launchers allow you to change the size of the icons in percentages regardless of the grid, as well as change the fonts and signature styles.
- 📥 Download the selected launcher from the Play Market.
- ⚙️ Assign it to the default app in the settings.
- 🎨 Go to the launcher settings (usually a long drag on an empty place).
- 📐 Change the grid settings and icon size in the “Desktop” menu».
Using a third-party launcher is the best way to completely change the look of a smartphone, making it unique.However, it is worth considering that third-party shells can consume more battery and RAM than the optimized Xiaomi system launcher.
☑️ Criteria for the selection of launcher
Frequent problems and their solution
Users may face a number of common problems during the setup process, such as when icons are enlarged, they may bump into each other or move outside their designated area, such as changing the desktop grid, pressing your finger on the blank spot of the screen, selecting Settings, and reducing the number of cells horizontally and vertically.
Another common situation is the mismatch of icon sizes in the app menu and on the desktop, which is often treated with a single theme. Make sure that the theme settings don't include the "Mix Elements" box, which can take icons from one theme and backgrounds and fonts from another, causing visual imbalance.
If after all the manipulations the interface is unstable (shortcuts disappear, animation slows down), it makes sense to reset the launcher settings. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the System Launcher (or the name of a third party) and click Clear Data. This will return the desktop to its factory state.
⚠️ Note: Clearing the launcher data will remove all folders, widgets and icons you created on your desktop. Use this method only if other methods do not help fix visual glitches.