Many users are faced with a situation where the standard desktop layout seems inconvenient: either the icons are too large and take up a lot of space, or, conversely, there are too few of them for comfortable navigation. The operating system Android provides flexible tools for personalization, but access to them is often hidden in the depths of the menu or depends on the specific shell of the manufacturer. Changing the number of visible elements on the display is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to increase productivity with the device.
Depending on the model of your smartphone, be it Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi or pure Google Pixel, the paths to the settings may vary significantly. In some cases, you will need to activate hidden developer functions, in others, the standard launcher menu is sufficient. Understanding the principles of scaling and working with a grid will allow you to customize the space to suit your needs, be it minimalism or maximum information richness.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for changing the number of icons, from simple grid settings to advanced utilities. You will learn to control the density of elements and hide unnecessary things, turning the screen of your gadget into a convenient tool.
Using the built-in launcher grid settings
The easiest and safest way to change the number of icons is to use the built-in capabilities of your launcher (interface shell). Most modern manufacturers, such as Xiaomi with shell MIUI or Huawei with EMUI, allow you to adjust the density of icons through the standard settings menu. Usually, to do this, it is enough to pinch with two fingers on an empty space on the desktop or hold your finger on a free area for a long time.
After going to the editing menu, you need to find the item responsible for the grid settings. Here you can choose the ratio of rows and columns, for example changing the standard 4x5 to a denser 5x6 or 6x6. This action will instantly redistribute all widgets application shortcuts, making them smaller and more compact.
⚠️ Attention: If you select a grid density that is too high (for example, 8x10), the text under the icons may become unreadable, and it will become more difficult to hit the desired icon with your finger due to their small size.
On devices Samsung with a shell One UI this functionality is placed in a separate application called “Themes” or is available through the screen settings. You will need to go to section Settings → Display → Application grid. Here the system will offer multiple options or allow you to manually set the number of rows and columns. Changes take effect immediately, requiring only confirmation of the action.
If you want a small desktop icons, and there are a lot of menus; some launchers allow you to configure these parameters independently. Check for the "Separate grid" switch in your interface settings.
Setting the display scale in the system
If the standard grid is not enough and you want to globally change the size of all interface elements, including text, buttons and icons, setting the display scale will help you. This parameter is located in the main system settings and affects how Android the interface is rendered. Zooming out allows you to fit more information on the screen, effectively increasing the number of visible icons without changing the number of icons in the grid.
To access these settings, go to Settings → Display → Text size and scale. On some devices, this item may simply be called “Scale” or “Element Size”. By moving the slider downwards ("Less"), you will see how the interface shrinks, making room for additional rows and columns with applications.
- 📱 Standard size: Balance between readability and number of elements.
- 🔍 Reduced scale: allows you to see more content, but the font becomes smaller.
- 👁️ Increased scale: convenient for people with poor vision, but reduces the usable screen area.
It is worth noting that this function works differently on different screen diagonals. On large smartphones (Phablets), zooming out gives excellent results, allowing you to work comfortably with one hand. However, on devices with a diagonal of less than 5 inches, excessive reduction can make the interface unusable.
Before changing the scale, take a photo of the current settings on another phone to quickly return everything as it was if the interface becomes inconvenient.
Some manufacturers hide the exact scale adjustment in the engineering menu or require you to enter a special code. If the slider in your Display settings is too large, try searching for "DPI" or "Density" in the Settings app. This can open up access to more refined calibration.
Using Developer Mode to Change DPI
For advanced users who are not satisfied with the standard settings, it is possible to change the dots per inch (DPI) density through the developer menu. This is the most powerful tool that allows you to change the number of icons on the screen Android drastically, ignoring the limitations of the launcher. However, using this method requires caution, as incorrect values can make the interface unreadable.
To activate the developer menu, you need to go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the "Build number" item 7 times. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the main settings menu. Inside it you need to find the parameter Minimum width (or "Smallest width").
| DPI value | Effect on interface | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 360 - 400 | Standard size, large elements | Basic setting for most |
| 320 - 340 | Elements become smaller, more fits | Optimal for increasing the working area |
| 280 - 300 | Significant reduction, plenty of space | For experienced users with good vision |
| Below 240 | Critical small elements | Not recommended, may be unreadable |
Changing value Minimum width, you actually tell the system how many pixels to allocate per logical inch. Decreasing the number makes the elements smaller. Write down the original value before making changes so you can roll back. Enter values gradually, checking the result after each change.
⚠️ Attention: Setting the DPI value too low (for example, below 200) may cause the system interface SystemUI to become unresponsive or completely unreadable, which will require resetting the settings via Recovery.
This method is especially useful on devices with high screen resolutions, where standard settings do not allow you to use the full potential of the matrix. Changing the DPI also affects the display of the keyboard and notification panels, making them more compact.
Using third-party launchers
If the built-in system tools seem limited to you, the best solution would be to install a third-party launcher. Apps like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher offer unprecedented control over the number and placement of icons. They allow you to customize the grid independently for the home screen and application menu, ignoring system restrictions.
After installing and activating the new launcher as the main one, you get access to an extended settings menu. Here you can set an arbitrary number of rows and columns, for example, 10x10, which is not possible in standard shells. In addition, many launchers allow you to change the size of the icons themselves, making them more compact or, conversely, larger than the standard ones.
☑️ Selecting a third-party launcher
The “Sub-grid” function, available in premium versions of some launchers, deserves special attention. It allows you to place icons not in cells, but anywhere on the screen, freely moving them in increments of several pixels. This makes it possible to create a unique layout where the number of icons is limited only by your desire and screen resolution.
It is worth considering that third-party launchers may consume more battery and RAM resources than system solutions. On older or low-end devices, this may cause lag when scrolling through the screens. Therefore, before installing a heavy launcher, evaluate the technical characteristics of your smartphone.
Hiding and grouping applications into folders
Sometimes the task is not to fit more icons, but to visually reduce their number, freeing up space for widgets or important shortcuts. Grouping applications into folders is ideal for this. Creating folders is a basic but effective way to organize space, which is available on any device running Android.
To create a folder, simply drag one application icon onto another. The system will automatically create a container into which you can place dozens of applications. By naming the folder appropriately (for example, “Social Networks” or “Games”), you replace many disparate icons with one neat element on the desktop.
- 📁 Sorting: Within folders, applications can be sorted by name, frequency of use, or manually.
- 🎨 Design: Some launchers allow you to change the color and shape of folders.
- 🚀 Folder widgets: advanced shells allow you to open folders with a swipe, without taking up space.
In addition to creating folders, many modern shells offer the "Hide Applications" function. It allows you to remove icons of rarely used apps from the main screen and from the menu, leaving them accessible only through search or special folders. This helps maintain minimalism and focus on really important tasks.
How to hide system applications?
To hide system applications using standard means, root access is often required or the use of special utilities like Activity Launcher, since regular launchers do not allow you to remove them from the screen.
Using folders also helps to structure digital space, reducing cognitive load. Instead of searching for the desired icon among hundreds of others, you open a thematic group. This is especially true for users who install many applications for work and entertainment.
Problems with scaling across devices
When trying to change the number of icons, users often encounter scaling problems, especially on devices with notches, camera holes, or curved screen edges. The interface can overlap these areas, making the top icons unclickable or partially hidden. The solution often lies in the “Safe Area” or “Display Cutout” settings.
In the menu Settings → Display → Notch and status bar (the name may vary) you can change the behavior of the interface around the camera. Switching to Hide Notch mode will add a black bar at the top, pushing the app grid lower and making all icons accessible. This will visually reduce the number of visible lines, but guarantees functionality.
Another common problem is the grid being out of sync after a system update. After a major update Android (for example, from version 12 to version 13), the launcher settings may be reset and the icons will appear in a chaotic order. In this case, manually resetting the launcher settings through the app menu helps.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED screens and the Always-On Display function, changing the density of icons can cause them to burn out if they are static. Change your wallpaper periodically or use dynamic widgets.
It is also worth mentioning tablets on Android. On large screens, changing DPI works differently: the system can switch to split-screen mode or change the orientation of the interface. Here it is important not just to change the number of icons, but to adapt the desktop for horizontal use, using multitasking capabilities.
Correctly setting the grid and scale not only improves the appearance, but also extends the life of the screen, preventing static elements from burning out.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the number of icons without losing image quality?
Yes, changing the grid or DPI scale is a software change and does not affect the physical resolution of your screen matrix. The quality of the picture will remain the same, only the size and number of displayed interface elements will change.
Will the grid setting be reset after rebooting the phone?
No, if you changed the settings through the standard launcher menu or system screen settings, they will be saved after a reboot. However, changes made through the developer menu (DPI) may be reset on some custom firmwares when the power is completely turned off.
Why did some widgets disappear after changing DPI?
Some widgets have a fixed minimum size. If you zoom out too much, the widget may no longer fit into the grid cell or become incompatible with the current resolution, causing the system to hide it. Return the DPI to the original value or increase the size of the cells.
Does a large number of icons on the desktop affect the speed of work?
Yes, having dozens of active widgets and “live” wallpapers on the main screen can consume RAM and charge the battery. If you notice slowdowns, try removing unnecessary widgets or reducing the number of pages on the desktop.