How to increase icons on Xiaomi phone: all the ways from standard to hidden

Small icons on Xiaomi’s screen interfere with the comfort of using a smartphone? This problem is especially relevant for users with visual impairments or owners of devices with large displays (for example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5 Pro). Fortunately, the MIUI system offers several ways to scale icons – from basic settings to hidden functions for power users.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods, including:

• 🔧 Standard scale settings in MIUI (It works on 90% of models)
• 📱 Use of alternative launchers with flexible icon settings
• 🔍 Hidden Developer Parameters for Accurate Calibration
• 🛠️ Manual editing of system files (for advanced users)

Importantly, not all methods are universal — some require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, and we've marked these methods with special warnings, and we'll start with the simplest and safest options.

1. Standard resizing of icons through MIUI settings

The most obvious way is to use built-in interface scaling options, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, including the Redmi 10/11/12 series, POCO X3/X4/X5 and Xiaomi 13/14 flagships.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Display size
2. Move the Size of Text and Elements slider to the right to zoom in
3. To fine-tune the tap additional → Screen size and select between 80% and 130%

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ All interface elements are increased, not just icons.
• ⚠️ In some models (POCO M4 Pro, Redmi 9A) maximum scale: 120%
• ⚠️ The location of widgets on the main screen may be confused

💡

If after the zoom change the icons in the status bar (clock, battery) are missing, restart the phone - this is a temporary MIUI bug.

2.Use of the “Convenient Screen” mode (for older users)

The Handy Screen (formerly Older Mode) streamlines the interface dramatically, increasing icons to the maximum possible size in MIUI without rooting rights, a mode available on all MIUI 13+ devices.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Convenient screen
2. Activate the switch and select Simplified Mode
3. Click Ready and confirm the change

What's gonna change:

• 🔍 The app icons will be in 2-2.5 bigger
• 📱 Increase the font in the menu and notifications
• 🎨 The color scheme will become more contrasting
• ❌ Widgets and animations will disappear (the interface becomes minimalistic)

⚠️ Warning: This mode disables some features, such as navigation gestures and a split screen. To return the normal interface, repeat the steps and select Standard Mode.

3. Alternative launchers with icon size adjustment

If built-in options aren't enough, install a third-party launcher.The best options for Xiaomi are:

Instructions for Nova Launcher (recommended for Xiaomi):

1. Install a launcher from Google Play
2. Press the free screen space for a long time → Settings
3. Select Size and Style of Icons → Size and Move the Slider
4. For fine-tuning: Settings → Home screen → Grid (select 4×5 or 3×4)

Backup home screen | Check compatibility with MIUI | Disable battery optimization for launcher |Reboot phone after installation-->

4. editing system files (for power users only)

This method allows you to resize the icons selectively without affecting the rest of the interface.

• 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (instructions for unlocking)
• 📱 Root rights (Magisk)
• 💻 System file editor (for example, MT Manager)

Step-by-step:

1. Install MT Manager from Magisk
2. Go to /system/product/overlay or /vendor/overlay
3. Find files with the.apk extension that contain the launcher or icon name
4. Open the file and find the lines with parameters: icon_size="48dp" Change the value to 64dp or 72dp
5. Save the changes and restart the phone

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop (cyclic reboot). /system through TWRP.

5. Configure via ADB (no root)

The method is for users who don’t want to root but are willing to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and works on MIUI 14 and some MIUI 13 builds.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) → More → For Developers
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global icon_scale_factor 1.3 (where 1.3 — scale ratio can be specified from 1.0 before 1.5)
3. Reset the device

Limitations:

• ⚠️ On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 NFC) team is not working
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI settings are reset
• ⚠️ Not all icons scale the same (system icons may remain the same size)

💡

ADB-commands are the safest method among the "advanced" methods, since it does not require changing system files.

Change in Screen Density (DPI) 6

The DPI (dots per inch) setting determines how many pixels fit in an inch of the screen. Reducing that value increases all interface elements, including icons. The method works on all Xiaomi with MIUI 12+.

Methods of changing DPI:

1. Through ADB (no root): Adb shell wm density 400 (standard value for most Xiaomi is 440, reduce in 20 increments)
2. Through Developer Settings: Activate Developer Mode (as in the previous section) Go to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Minimum Width Set 360dp or 380dp (the smaller the bigger the icons)

Effects of DPI change:

• 🔍 Icons and text are getting bigger.
• 📱 The space between the elements is increased.
• ⚠️ Some applications (such as games) may not display correctly
• ⚠️ Possible artifacts in the system menu

7 Special MIUI themes with major icons

The MIUI Dark Store has themes optimized for visually impaired users, which change not only icons, but also fonts, contrast and layout of elements.

How to determine:

1. Open the Topics app
2. Enter: Big icons, large icons or a handy screen
3. Choose one of the themes: 🌙 Big Icon Dark is a dark theme with icons 120% size ☀️ Easy Vision – High contrast + major 🔄 Classic Large – imitation of the old interface with large buttons

Apply

Advantages of the method:

• 🎨 Completely changing the design of the interface
• 🔄 It's easy to bring back a standard theme.
• 📱 Does not require rooting or ADB

⚠️ Attention: Some topics from the store MIUI They contain ads or collect data. Before installing, check the reviews and rating of the topic.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing icons on Xiaomi