How to increase icons on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: 5 proven ways

Small icons on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro screen can be uncomfortable, especially for users with vision problems or those who are used to large interface elements. Fortunately, MIUI offers several ways to zoom in icons, some of which are hidden in the depths of settings. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, from standard options to using third-party launchers and even editing system files for advanced users.

Many people mistakenly believe that resizing icons is only possible through the replacement of the launcher. In fact, even the standard MIUI Launcher allows you to adjust the scale, although with some limitations. It is important to understand that deep customization (for example, through ADB or modified firmware) can affect the stability of the system, so we will start with safe ways and gradually move to more complex ones.

If you’ve never changed your display settings on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, we recommend you try out the built-in MIUI tools first. They don’t require superuser rights and work on all firmware versions, from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14. For owners of custom firmware devices (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS), there is a separate section with nuances at the end of the article.

Standard settings MIUI: screen scaling

The easiest way to increase icons is to use the built-in interface zoom function, which resizes all elements (not only icons, but also text, notification bar, etc.), but often enough for comfortable use.

Open Settings → Special features → Display scale. Here you will see a slider with three presets: Small, Standard and Large. Move the slider to the right, this will increase all interface elements by 20-25%. The effect applies immediately, but some applications (for example, Google Chrome or Instagram) may need to restart.

Note that this method does not change the grid of the desktop. The number of icons per line will remain the same (usually 4×5 or 5×6), but the icons themselves will become larger. If you need to reduce the number of icons per line, read the next section.

⚠️ Attention: At maximum scale, some interface elements (such as the buttons in the top notification bar) may crop. MIUI, which occurs on devices with screen resolution FHD+ (2400×1080). The solution is to use an alternative launcher.

• ✅ Pros: does not require installation of additional programs, works on all versions MIUI.
• ❌ Cons: All elements, not just icons, are increased; visual bugs are possible.

Change the desktop grid in MIUI Launcher

If you want to not just zoom in on icons, but reduce the number of icons per line (like 5 to 4), you can do this through the standard launcher settings, which doesn't change the physical size of icons, but makes them visually larger by reducing density.

Click on the empty space on your desktop and select Desktop Settings (or Screen Settings, depending on the MIUI version). Next, go to Desktop Grid. There are options available: 4×5, 4×6, 5×5, 5×6 and 5×7. Choose 4×5, which is the most sparse option where the icons will look larger.

Once the grid is changed, the icons will be automatically redistributed, and if some of them merge with the wallpaper, go back to the launcher settings and turn on the Shadow under the icons option (if available in your version of MIUI), which will add a contrasting background under the icons.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13.5 for the global version of Redmi Note 9 Pro, the option to change the grid may be hidden.In this case, try updating the launcher through Google Play or use alternative methods from the following sections.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Update MIUI Launcher to Google Play

Backup the location of the icons (Option Backup layout in the launcher settings)

Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Using Nova Launcher to fine-tune

If standard methods don’t work, the best solution is to install a third-party launcher. Nova Launcher offers flexible size settings for icons, including the ability to change them individually for each icon.

Download Nova Launcher from Google Play and set it as the default launcher. Once you start, press the empty space on your desktop and select Settings → Icon Size. Here you can:

• 📏 Change the overall size of the icons (from 70% to 130% of the standard size).
• 🎨 Set up folder sizes and widget shortcuts separately.
• 🔄 Include adaptive icons (automatic resizing depending on the free space).

For fine-tuning, go to Additional Settings → Grid Size. Here you can set the custom number of rows and columns (for example, 3×4 for huge icons) or turn on Free Placement mode, where icons can be scaled manually.

Pro: Nova Launcher has an adaptive icon option (in icon settings) that automatically cuts icons into the shape of masks (circle, birdhouse, etc.) making them visually larger by removing the extra pixels around the edges.

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If after changing the size of the icons in Nova Launcher they look blurry – turn on the option High quality icons in the launcher performance settings.

Editing system files (for advanced ones)

This method requires superuser rights (root) and can lead to unstable operation of the system. Use it only if other methods have not helped.

MIUI Stores the interface scaling settings in the file /system/build.prop. To change the size of the icons globally, you need to edit the parameter. ro.sf.lcd_density, pixel-density (DPI). By default, the Redmi Note 9 Pro is equal to 440 (resolution-screen 2400×1080).

To reduce DPI (and thereby increase interface elements), follow the following steps:

1. Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Open the file. /system/build.prop and find a line. ro.sf.lcd_density=440.
4. Change the value to 400 (moderate increase) or 380 (maximum increase).
5. Save the file, restart the device.

The effect will be noticeable immediately: all the elements of the system, including icons, text and panels, will become larger.

• 🔧 Some applications (such as games) may not display correctly.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Changes to build.prop will be reset.
• ⚠️ Wrong value DPI It can lead to bootloop (a looped load).

Configure with ADB (without root)

If you don't have root permissions, but you're ready to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can change the DPI without editing system files. This method is temporary - after a reboot, the settings will reset, but it's safer than editing build.prop.

Connect Redmi Note 9 Pro to your computer, enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers) and execute the command:

adb shell wm density 400 && adb shell wm size 1080x2280

Here:

• Wm density 400 sets the DPI to 400 (the smaller the number, the larger the elements).
• wm size 1080x2280 – adjusts the screen resolution for the new DPI (optional, but recommended for correct display).

To return the standard settings, do:

adb shell wm density reset

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI team ADB If you see a Security Exception error, try to disable it. MIUI Optimization in the settings for developers (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Turn off optimization MIUI).

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Changing DPI through ADB is the only way to increase icons without root and third-party launchers, but it requires a PC connection and is reset once you reboot.

Features for custom firmware

If your Redmi Note 9 Pro has custom firmware installed (e.g., Pixel Experience, LineageOS or ArrowOS), standard MIUI methods won’t work.

1. Built-in firmware settings:

• In Pixel Experience, go to Settings → System → Advanced → Display Size. You can choose Big Text or Huge Text, which automatically zooms in on the icons.
• In LineageOS, open Settings → Interface → Font and display size and set up the slider Display Scale.

Customization support launchers:

On custom firmware, it is recommended to use the Lawnchair Launcher or Hyperion Launcher - they are better adapted for the use of the system. AOSP-systems (which are the basis of most custom firmware) and offer more options for scaling icons, including:

• 🎯 Dynamic Size Change When Dragging an Icon.
• 🖼️ Adaptive icons with support for dark theme.
• 🔄 Automatic backup of the layout when updating the firmware.

Magisk modules:

If your firmware supports Magisk, install the App Systemizer or LSposed module with the Iconify plugin.

• 🔧 Change the size of the icons separately for each application.
• 🎨 Use custom icon packages with non-standard sizes.
• 🔒 Block changes to system icons after updates.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the size of the icons on the Redmi Note 9 Pro, users often face the following problems:

1. Icons have become blurry: This is due to automatic raster scaling. Solution: In Nova Launcher: enable High-quality icons. In MIUI Launcher: install a high-resolution icon package (like Whicons or Delta from Google Play).
2. Not all icons have changed size: Some apps (like Google Play Games or Banking apps) ignore system zoom settings. Solution: Use Nova Launcher with the option of Forced Size Change icons. Install Iconify module for LSposed (Magisk required).

After the MIUI update, the settings reset:

This is standard behavior for methods related to editing system files.

• Create a backup of build.prop before upgrading.
• Use Nova Launcher – its settings are saved even after the system is reset.

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If after changing the DPI through ADB or build.prop, some applications (such as TikTok or AliExpress) are not displayed correctly, try clearing their cache in Settings → Apps.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions