How to increase the icons of applications on Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to personalize the interface to their needs. Especially relevant is the question of resizing items for people with low vision or for those who prefer a minimalist desktop with large controls. The standard shell MIUI or the new HyperOS provides ample opportunities for customization, but not all options are located on the surface.

Changing the scale of icons is not just a matter of aesthetics: large app icons make it easier to navigate in stressful situations when you need to start a program quickly, and it helps to adapt the smartphone for older users, making the interface more understandable and readable without the need to wear glasses.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from standard theme settings to advanced manipulation of the screen grid. You will learn to manage the desktop space and make use of your gadget as comfortable as possible.

Standard settings of the theme design

The easiest and safest way to change your visual style is to use the built-in Theme app, which is a central hub for personalization in the Xiaomi ecosystem, where you can not only download the finished design, but also edit the individual elements of the current shell.

Open the Themes app and go to Profile (the person icon in the lower right corner). Select Set up the theme. The system will suggest changing wallpaper, lock screen, system sounds and, most importantly for us, Icons. Click on this item and you will be taken to the gallery of available sets.

It's important to understand the difference between styles here. Some icon sets are larger or bolder by default, making them visually larger. After choosing a set you like, click Apply. This action will affect the entire interface, making app icons uniform in style and often size.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party themes from unofficial sources (through modified clients), there is a risk of malware or system stability being compromised.

If standard sets don't give you the magnification you want, you should look at scale in some advanced themes, although this option is often hidden in stock firmware for the global market, so let's move on to the next, more efficient method.

Change of the desktop grid

The most effective way to physically increase the size of each app icon on the screen is to reduce the number of cells in the grid, and the logic is simple: the fewer icons that need to fit on the screen, the more space the system will allocate to each.

To access these settings, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Press the empty area on the desktop with your finger before the menu appears.
• ⚙️ Click on the Settings (cog) button in the lower right corner.
• 🔢 Select the Grid or Additional settings → Grid.
• 📉 Set the minimum possible value, for example, 4x5 or 4x6 opportunistic 5x6 or 6x6.

And as you change the process, you'll notice that all the shortcuts are noticeably larger, not just for third-party applications, but also for system widgets, but there's a downside to this: fewer programs will fit on the desktop, and you'll have to use swipes or folders more.

It is worth noting that on different models of smartphones (Redmi Note, Xiaomi Mi, POCO F), the maximum number of available grid options may vary, depending on the resolution of the matrix and the version of the MIUI shell.

Adjust font size and screen scale

In the Android operating system that powers Xiaomi smartphones, font size and screen size directly affect the rendering of interface elements, including app icons, a system setting that changes the proportions of all objects.

To find these options, go to Settings → Screen → Text and Font Size. Here you will see a slider. Moving it to the right, you zoom in not only the letters on the menu, but also the app icons themselves. This is because the system recalculates the DPI (dots per inch) for all the elements.

Excessive zoom can cause some interface elements in applications to move off-screen or overlap, so it’s important to find a balance where icons are comfortable, but the functionality of the programs is not compromised.

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Before you scale, take a screenshot of your current settings, and if the interface becomes uncomfortable, you can quickly return the original values by looking at the numbers.

Some versions of HyperOS have introduced a feature called "Enlarged Text," which activates special availability modes, making the interface elements as large as possible, which is ideal for users with severe visual problems.

Use of the Simple Mode

For older people or those who want to simplify the interface, Xiaomi smartphones have a special Simple Mode. It is not just a theme, but a separate launcher that completely changes the logic of working with the device.

In this mode, the app icons become huge, occupying a large part of the screen, the text below them also increases to maximum values, disappears unnecessary widgets and complex menus, leaving only the essentials for calls and messages.

You can activate it via Settings → Simple Mode (or Advanced Settings → Simple Mode). Once turned on, the phone will prompt you to confirm the action. You can just as easily return to normal mode via the settings or power button (depending on the version of the software).

Using this mode dramatically changes the experience of interacting with a smartphone, eliminating the possibility of accidentally removing important applications or changing critical settings, making it a great choice for transferring the device to children or parents.

Application of third-party launchers

If the built-in MIUI shell capabilities aren't enough, third-party launchers will come to the rescue, programs that completely replace the desktop and application menus, providing limitless customization options.

One of the most popular solutions is Nova Launcher, which allows you to set the grid size to pixel accuracy, zoom in on icons regardless of text, and apply any icon packages. Installing a third-party launcher requires special permissions.

Once you install the app from Google Play, the system will ask you to select the default app for the home screen. Select the launcher installed. Now in its settings (Nova Settings → Desktop → Grid), you can set any values, such as 3x4, which will make the icons giant.

It’s worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more battery life than a standard shell.In addition, some specific Xiaomi features, such as swipes gestures or double tapping to turn on the screen, may not work properly or require additional customization.

Settings for the visually impaired (Special Opportunities)

At the heart of Android’s system settings lies a powerful tool for people with disabilities. The Special Features section contains features that can benefit anyone who wants to zoom in on the interface.

Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → Special features. Here you're interested in the item Size of the object being displayed (or element size). Unlike screen size, this setting changes the physical size of all the objects. UI-elements, including navigation buttons, notification bars and, of course, application icons.

And if you move the slider to the right, you'll see the interface "bloat up." This is the most radical magnification method. It ensures that no element is left small. But, as with scaling the font, it can lead to cropping content in some applications that aren't big enough.

⚠️ Note: When activating the maximum element size, some buttons in the settings menu may become unclickable as they will be outside the screen.Be prepared to reset through recovery or reset. ADB, If you block the interface.

Use this feature with caution when checking frequently used applications. For banking applications and instant messengers, this can become critical if important buttons are hidden.

Table of comparison of methods of increase

To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have systematized all the methods in a summary table that will help you quickly assess the pros and cons of each option in the context of your needs.

As you can see from the table, resetting the grid is a middle ground — it's safe, it's charge-free, it's visually noticeable. Third-party launchers offer maximum flexibility, but they require resources.

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The best solution for most users is a combination of changing the screen grid (up to 4x5) and easily zooming in the font, which gives the best balance between readability and functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)