Owners of modern Xiaomi smartphones often face situations where the interface elements seem too large, whether it is after a system update, a change in theme or simply because of the individual preferences of the user, scaling is a key parameter that is responsible for how much information is placed on the display.
Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide flexible tools to customize the visual space. You don't have to be a technician to change the resolution or font size. In this article, we'll break down all the methods available, from simple menu settings to more advanced options for developers.
The right screen settings not only improve ergonomics, but also increase productivity. Smaller elements allow you to see more text in apps and browsers without constantly scrolling. Let's figure out how to adapt the interface to your eyes and habits.
Standard display settings in MIUI
The first thing you need to do if you want to change the visual size of the content is to go to the basic settings of the system. Xiaomi has provided a convenient section where you can adjust the font size and the scale of the interface independently of each other, which is the safest and easiest way.
To start, open the Settings menu and find the Screen. In some versions of the firmware, it may be called the Display. This is where the scaling sliders are located. And as you move them around, you see the changes immediately to the preview.
⚠️ Note: Do not set minimum scales if you have poor vision. Too small text can lead to rapid eye fatigue during prolonged reading.
The system allows you to flexibly customize Android to suit yourself. If standard sliders are not enough, you can try changing the theme. Some themes have enlarged interface elements by default, and replacing them with a standard or minimalist theme often solves the problem of giant buttons.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Screen.
- 🔍 Find the section Text size and element size.
- 📉 Move the sliders to the left to reduce the scale.
- 💾 Click Apply or OK preserve.
It's worth noting that changing the font size only affects text blocks, whereas changing the size of elements affects icons, buttons and input fields, and combining these two parameters, you can achieve a perfect balance.
Using Developer Mode to Accurately Set Up
If you don't have enough standard tools, the developer menu comes to the rescue, and here's the Minimum Width (or DPI) parameter, which directly affects the pixel density, and changing that value is the most effective way to drastically reduce the size of all the elements at once.
To get into this menu, you need to click on the build number several times in the About Phone section. Once the mode is activated, a new option will appear in the Settings menu, Additional or Advanced Settings.
In the settings list, look for the bar Minimum width. The default is 392 or 411 dpi. Increasing that number will make the interface smaller and more information fit on the screen.
⚠️ Attention: Do not change the meaning DPI Make it big, step in. 20-30 Too high a value can make the interface unreadable or cause malfunctions in some applications.
When you change the setting, the screen can blink, and all the elements will change their size immediately. If you accidentally set too much value and you can't see anything, don't panic. Just reset the settings to the factory settings or try to guess the value to get it back.
Comparison of scaling-change techniques
Users are often lost in their choice of customization method, some prefer secure standard settings, others seek radical solutions through the engineering menu, and understanding the difference between these approaches will help avoid errors and data loss.
Below is a table that will help you choose the best way to reduce screen size depending on your goals and level of training.
| Method | Difficulty | Impact on the system | Security |
|---|
| Slideer in Settings | Low. | Just the font and icons. | Tall. |
| DPI (Min. width) | Medium | The interface. | Medium |
| ADB team | Tall. | Depth parameters | Low. |
| Third-party launchers | Low. | Only the desktop. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, standard tools are enough for most users, but if you want complete control of every pixel, you'll have to take risks and use more sophisticated methods.
Some programs may not display correctly with non-standard DPI.
Some Xiaomi models, especially the flagship Mi and Redmi Note series, allow you to change the physical resolution of the matrix. This is not just zooming, but real change in the number of working pixels, which can significantly affect the clarity and size of the picture.
These settings often require you to enter special codes into the engineering menu. One of the common codes is ##6484##, but it doesn't work on all devices. You can find information about the current resolution on the CIT menu, but you can't usually change it there.
Codes for the engineering menu
Type ##4636## in the call. This will open a test menu where you can see the current settings in the Display information section, but the resolution change is often blocked by the manufacturer for the tab.--%> A more reliable way to change the resolution is to use commands through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer. The command is: wm size. 1080x1920 Using this command compulsorily sets the resolution, but after rebooting the device, the settings may reset if not fixed with the corresponding script or application. 💻 Connect your phone to a PC with installed ADB. 🔌 Allow debugging on USB developer-menu. ⌨️ Enter the adb shell wm size command 1080x1920. 🔄 Reboot the device to check the result. This method is only suitable for advanced users. A numerical error can cause you to be unable to see the image on the screen and have to do a complete reset. The impact of the themes on the size of the elements Often the problem of too large a screen is not in the system settings, but in the installed theme. In the GetThemes store thousands of designs, and many of them have their own font and icon settings that overlap the system settings. If you recently changed the theme and noticed changes, try to go back to the standard theme theme or Default. To do this, go to the Topics app, click on the profile avatar and select My themes, and indirectly check the screen size of the themes, you can also make the text more compact the application. If you notice that after the system update, the interface has floated or become too large, removing the third-party theme is the first thing to do for diagnosis. Problems and their solution after the scale change After you have reduced the screen size, there may be unforeseen situations. For example, some apps may stop displaying buttons correctly, and the text on the menu may become too small to read, and compatibility is the main enemy of customization. If the interface is unreadable and it is impossible to return the settings back via the menu (you just can’t see the Back or Menu button), use the Google Assistant or Si voice assistant. DPI by default, if the command is supported. 💡Always write down the initial value. DPI change. Standard values are often multiples of 8 or 16 (e.g. 360, 392, 420), which will help you remember the native parameter faster, and in extreme cases, resetting settings through Recovery will help. This will remove all data from the phone, so this method is only worth using if the device has become completely unusable due to the screen settings. ⚠️ Warning: Recovery removes all photos, contacts, and apps, and only use this method in an emergency when other methods are not available. Often, the problem is solved by simply restarting the device in Safe Mode. To do this, press the off button, and when the off icon appears on the screen, press and hold it.The phone will prompt you to go to Safe Mode, where third-party themes and launchers will not work. Desktop and launcher optimization Even if the system scale is set up perfectly, the desktop can look cluttered. MIUI It allows you to change the desktop grid. The more cells you choose, the fewer icons and widgets you'll have. Click the empty space on your desktop, select Settings, and find More or Grid. Here you can select a configuration, such as, 5x6 or 6x7, So, visually, it will reduce the size of the icons and increase the usable screen area, and the alternative is to install a third-party launcher, like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, which provides even more flexible size settings for icons and fonts, allowing you to customize the screen to pixel-precision. 💡Using a third-party launcher is the best way to get a unique interface without affecting system settings. DPI Without risking the stability of Android. Remember that installing a third-party launcher can affect some system gestures and animations, especially in newer versions of HyperOS. However, for most users, this is a great way to personalize the device. What if the status bars are lost after changing the DPI? If you lose the status bar or navigation bar after changing the minimum width, try reducing the DPI value back to 20-30 units. Also check if the full screen mode is included in the display settings that hides these elements for immersion in the content. Are the DPI settings reset after updating the system, if you lose the status bar or the manufacturer makes changes to the factory menu, including the changes to the factory menu. Does the shrinking screen size affect the battery? Scale alone doesn't affect battery consumption. However, if you use third-party launchers or live wallpaper to compensate for the changes, it can increase power consumption. ADB some AMOLED-In theory, the matrixes can reduce power consumption because they burn fewer pixels. Can I go back to the same way I did if I forgot the original values? Yes, there's a developer menu button that resets all the settings for the developer at the top of the screen. You can also do a full reset of your phone, but that will delete your personal data. DPI.