How to increase icons on the Xiaomi desktop: from standard settings to hidden tricks

Small icons on Xiaomi desktop are a common problem for users with poor eyesight or those who prefer a minimalist design with large elements. In the MIUI shell, the change in the size of the icons is not always obvious: in some versions, the option is hidden in the depth of the menu, and in others, it is not at all in the basic settings. This article will help you understand how to increase the icons on the Redmi screen, POCO or flagship Mi regardless of the firmware version.

We will look at all available methods – from official tools to workarounds using launchers and ADB-We'll focus on the nuances for different versions. MIUI (12/13/14) and popular models: Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/X3, Mi 11 If you have tried to resize icons through Settings → Desktop, but you didn't find anything -- don't despair!

1. Standard method: desktop settings in MIUI

The easiest method is to use the built-in shell options, but there are pitfalls here, depending on the version. MIUI The path to settings may differ, and in some firmwares the function is not at all. MIUI 12/13/14.

For most modern Xiaomi smartphones (2020 and later), the algorithm is as follows:

1. Long click on the free desktop area → select Desktop Settings.
2. Go to the Style of Badges or Layout section (in MIUI 14, the size of the badges may be called).
3. Move the slider Size icons to the right to zoom in. Some versions have pre-patterns: Small, Medium, Large.

⚠️ Attention: POCO custom-made POCO Launcher path may be different. If there is no size slider in your desktop settings, try switching to a standard launcher. MIUI through settings → Annexes → Default launcher.

If the icons look blurry after resizing, upgrade to the latest version of the firmware. MIUI 14 adds support for adaptive icons that scale without loss of quality.

2. Use of alternative launchers

When standard settings don't work, third-party launchers come to the rescue, not only allowing you to flexibly adjust the size of the icons, but also offering additional features: gestures, themes, hiding applications.-3 solution.

• 🔹 Nova Launcher is the most popular choice, supports resizing icons in 1% increments, setting indentations, and even replacing icons through icon packs. The free version limits some features, but it's enough for basic zooming.
• 🔹 Lawnchair is a lightweight open source launcher that allows you to resize icons from 50% to 150%, supports adaptive icons and a dark theme. Perfect for weak smartphones (Redmi). 9A, POCO C31).
• 🔹 Microsoft Launcher - if you need Windows integration. Here the icon size changes in the Topic settings → Size of icons, but the choice is limited to three preliminary values.

Launcher installation:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click Home and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. In the launcher settings, find the Desktop → Icon Size (the name may differ).

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If the icons become too big or small after installing the launcher, try resetting it. In Nova Launcher, this is done via Long Press → Settings → Settings → Reset.

⚠️ Note: Some launchers (such as Action Launcher) may conflict with gestures MIUI. If swipes stop working after installation to return or call the menu, return to the standard launcher or turn off conflicting gestures in the settings.

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

If you're not afraid of the command line, this method will give you maximum control over the interface. Through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can change the system parameters that are responsible for the scale of icons, even if you do not have such an option in the MIUI settings.

Before starting, make sure that:

• 🔧 On the smartphone included debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press the assembly number → Come back to the extra. → For developers).
• 💻 Xiaomi drivers and tool are installed on the computer ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put secure icon_size 1.3

Where 1.3 is the scaling factor (1.0 is the standard size, 1.5 is the maximum magnification).

To apply the changes, restart the smartphone:

adb shell reboot

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Download the ADB Tools platform

Connect your phone to the original cable

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⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB They can disrupt the system, if you change the parameter. icon_size The interface is glitching, return the standard value:

adb shell settings put secure icon_size 1.0

4. Customize icons through MIUI themes

Few people know, but in MIUI, some themes automatically resize icons, which doesn't give you a precise setup, but allows you to quickly enlarge icons without installing third-party apps.

How to apply a theme with large icons:

1. Open the Themes app (icon in the form of a brush).
2. Go to the popular or recommended section.
3. In the search bar, enter large icons or large icons (in English: big icons).
4. Select your favorite theme and click Apply.

Among the topics tested:

• 🎨 Big Icon Pack – Increases the icons 20-30% without changing the rest of the interface.
• 🎨 Miui Large – a comprehensive theme with large controls, suitable for users with vision problems.
• 🎨 Simple Big – Minimalist design with enlarged icons and fonts.

⚠️ Note: After applying the theme, some system icons (such as Settings or Phone) may remain the same size. MIUI — These icons are tied to system resources and are not scalable.

Standard settings of MIUI

Third-party launchers (Nova, Lawnchair)

ADB-team

Design topics

Another option-->

5 Manually changing the size of icons through the system file editor

For advanced users who are willing to risk system stability, there is a way to edit system files. This method requires root rights and only works on unlocked bootloaders. If you don't know what Magisk or TWRP is, skip this section.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/media/theme/default.
3. Find the file. icon_size.xml (or similar, depending on the version MIUI).
4. Open the file in the text editor and change the <scale factor="1.0"> parameter to the desired value (for example, 1.4).
5. Save the changes, set the rights 644 (r-w-r--r---) and restart the device.

Attention! editing system files without a backup can lead to a device blink. Before making changes, back up via TWRP or Titanium Backup.

6. Additional tips for setting up the desktop

Boosting icons is just part of customization, and to make your desktop really comfortable, you need to look at these things:

• 📱 Change of the desktop grid: In the launcher settings (Long press) → Settings → Desktop grids can reduce the number of rows and columns. 4×5 instead 5×6 automatically increase the size of the icons.
• 🔍 Font scaling: Large icons will look organic with enlarged text. Go to Settings → Screen. → Text size and move the slider.
• 🎨 Transparency of folders: If you group icons into folders, Nova Launcher can make their background transparent so as not to distract attention from icons.
• 🔄 Resetting launcher settings: If after experiments the interface began to glittle, return the standard settings through Settings → Annexes → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.

For users POCO F3, Redmi K40 and other devices with AMOLED-We recommend using dark themes with large icons, which is not only convenient, but also extends the life of the display by reducing the burnout of pixels.

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The combination of large icons with enlarged text and a rare grid (for example, 4×4) makes the interface as convenient as possible for elderly users or people with visual impairments.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change the size of icons, users often encounter bugs, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Icons are reset after rebooting: This is typical for MIUI 12 when used ADB-Solution: Reuse the command or use the launcher.
• 🖼️ Blurred icons: Enable Adaptive icons in the launcher settings or upgrade the firmware to MIUI 14.
• 🚫 No Size Change Option: On Redmi 8/9 and other budget models, the feature may be disabled.
• 🔒 System icons don't change: Phone icons, Messages, and Settings are tied to system resources. Solution: installing a pack of icons through the launcher.

If after the changes, the smartphone began to slow down, clear the launcher cache (Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear cache) or roll back to standard settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions