Personalization of the appearance of a smartphone is one of the key functions of modern operating systems, and the shell MIUI from the company Xiaomi provides users with ample opportunities for customization. However, changing the size of desktop icons is a task that does not always have an obvious solution through the standard settings menu. Users often encounter a situation where standard icons seem too large or, conversely, small, which affects the ease of navigation and interface aesthetics.
In this material we will analyze in detail all the available methods for resizing interface elements on Xiaomi devices. We will look at both standard system tools and advanced methods using third-party software. Depth of customization Your smartphone depends on the version of Android and the specific modification of the shell, so it is important to understand the differences between the approaches.
Changing the visual parameters of the desktop directly affects the number of applications that you can place on one screen. Correctly selected size of icons allows you to optimize space and make using your smartphone more ergonomic. Let's move on to a detailed look at the tools at your disposal.
Standard desktop grid settings
The easiest and safest way to influence the size of icons is to change the density of the desktop grid. In the shell MIUI and its new version HyperOS this parameter is strictly linked to the scale of the displayed elements. When you increase the number of cells in the grid, the system automatically reduces the size of each icon so that they fit in the allotted space.
You do not need to install additional software or get root access to access these settings. Just a few taps on the screen are enough. Go to the settings menu, find the section Desktop and select item Grid. Here you will see layout variations, such as 4x5, 5x5 or 6x6.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the grid may cause some widgets that you previously placed on the desktop to move or change their size, since they are tied to grid cells.
Choosing a denser grid, such as 6x6, visually shrinks application icons, making them more compact. This is especially useful on smartphones with large screen sizes, where standard icons can take up too much space. If you prefer large elements for easy clicking, choose a configuration with fewer columns.
- 📱 A standard 4x5 grid provides large, easy-to-click icons.
- 📐 A dense 5x6 or 6x6 grid visually reduces the size of icons.
- 🔄 Changing the grid automatically redistributes all applications across screens.
- 🎨 Widgets may require manual position adjustment after changing the grid.
Before changing the grid, take a screenshot of the current arrangement of widgets to quickly restore their position in case of failure layout.
Using a theme to change the scale
In the Xiaomi ecosystem, the theme store Themes is a powerful tool that allows you to radically change the appearance of the system without deep intervention in the firmware files. Many users do not know that using a certain theme can change not only the wallpaper and colors, but also the scale of icons.
Theme developers often create their own sets of graphic elements, which by default have a different size from the stock one. Some themes are specifically designed for minimalism and use very small icons, while others, aimed at children or people with low vision, offer larger options.
To use this method, open the application Themes and search for terms like "small icons", "compact" or "minimal". When viewing the theme preview, pay attention not only to the wallpaper, but also to the size of the application shortcuts. Applying a theme will only affect the visual shell, without deleting your data.
How to roll back a theme if it doesn’t fit?
If you don’t like the applied theme or the icons are too small, go to the Themes application → Profile → Themes → select "Classic" or "Default" theme and click Apply. This will return the standard appearance of the system.
It is important to note that not all themes support full customization of third-party application icons. In such cases, the system may leave default icons for apps not included in the theme package, which creates a visual imbalance. Always check the compatibility of the theme with your version Android.
Adjusting font size and display
Global display settings on Android also have a direct impact on the size of interface elements, including desktop icons. This method resizes the entire system, not just the launcher, so the result will be noticeable in all menus and applications.
Go to the Settingssection, then select Screen and find the item Text and display size (or similar, depending on the version of MIUI). Here you will find a slider that adjusts the overall scale of the interface. Moving the slider downward (“Smaller”) will make all elements, including icons, more compact.
| Settings parameter | Influence on icons | Influence on text | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default | Standard size | Readable size | For most users |
| Smaller (S) | Icons become smaller | Text becomes smaller | To accommodate more content |
| Enlarged (L) | Icons become larger | Text enlarged | For users with low vision |
| Maximum (XL) | Very large icons | Very large text | For maximum accessibility |
The use of this method has its own nuances. If you zoom out too much, text in some apps may become unreadable and controls may become too small to press accurately with your finger. This is a compromise between the amount of information on the screen and ease of use.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may differ on different Xiaomi models (Redmi, POCO, Mi). If you don't find the "Display size" item, try looking for it in the "Advanced settings" or "Accessibility" section.
Changing the display size in system settings is a global change that affects all applications, not just the desktop.
Using third-party launchers
If The built-in capabilities of the shell MIUI do not satisfy you, the most effective solution would be to install a third-party launcher. These are apps that completely replace the standard desktop, providing limitless customization options, including fine-tuning the pixel size of each icon.
Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher, allow you to set the exact width and height of icons in the grid settings menu. You can make them square, round, or change the proportions altogether. This gives complete control over the appearance of the device.
The installation process is simple: download your favorite launcher from Google Play, open it and press the "Home" button when the system asks which application to use for the default home screen. Select the new launcher and the "Always" option. After this, you will have access to advanced appearance settings.
☑️ Installing a third-party launcher
It is worth considering that third-party launchers may consume a little more RAM than the standard Xiaomi launcher. On older or budget smartphone models, this may slightly affect the speed of animations. However, for modern devices this difference is almost invisible.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher provides the most flexible settings for size and grid.
- 🎨 Lawnchair offers a style that is as close as possible to pure Android (Pixel).
- ⚙️ Smart Launcher automatically sorts applications and allows you to change the size of folders.
- 🔋 Third-party launchers may consume a little more battery in the background.
Advanced methods through the engineering menu and ADB
For experienced users who are not afraid to experiment, there are methods for changing the screen density (DPI) through USB debugging or the engineering menu. This method allows you to reduce icons to the minimum possible size, which is sometimes not available even through standard display settings.
Using the command line ADB requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having the driver installed. The command wm density allows you to set a specific pixel density value. For example, the standard value may be 420, and changing it to 320 will make all interface elements much smaller.
adb shell wm density 320This method is the most risky. The wrong DPI value can make the interface completely unreadable, and you will have to reset your phone to factory settings to get everything back to how it was. This is an extreme measure for those for whom screen space is critical.
⚠️ Attention: Changing the screen density via ADB may lead to incorrect operation of some applications that are not adapted for non-standard resolutions. Use this method only if you understand the risks.
How to return the standard screen density?
If the interface has become unreadable, connect the phone to the PC and enter the command: adb shell wm density reset. This will return the pixel density to factory settings. If the phone does not turn on, you will need to reset via Recovery.
Setting features on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi regularly updates its shell, and with each major update (MIUI 12, 13, 14, HyperOS) the desktop algorithms may change. What worked in one version may be moved or removed in another.
Recent versions HyperOS have seen a trend toward simplifying settings for the average user, with some in-depth settings moving to developer sections or becoming accessible only through themes. It is important to check the latest guides for your specific software version, since interfaces are dynamic.
If you updated your smartphone and the usual settings disappeared, do not panic. Most likely they have been moved to another menu or replaced with a new tool. Check the "Advanced settings" section or try updating the "Themes" application to the latest version.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the icons become square instead of round after changing the grid?
The shape of the icons depends on the applied theme. When changing the grid, the system may reset some of the theme's visual effects to standard ones. Try reapplying your current theme in the Themes app or select a theme that supports round icons.
Is it possible to change the size of icons for only one specific application?
This cannot be done using standard MIUI tools. The size of icons changes globally for all applications at once. To customize the size of a specific shortcut, you will need to use a third-party launcher that supports the creation of custom shortcuts with unique parameters.
Does the size of icons affect the speed of a smartphone?
No, the size of graphical interface elements does not affect processor performance or the speed of applications. However, using heavy third-party themes or launchers with lots of animations may slightly increase RAM consumption.
How to return all desktop settings to factory settings?
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → find “Desktop” (or Launcher) → Memory → Clear everything. This will reset the icon layout and grid settings to the out-of-the-box state, but will not remove the applications themselves.