Personalizing a mobile device is the first step that makes a new smartphone truly “yours.” Device owners Xiaomi Redmi get one of the most flexible shells on the Android market, known as MIUI or new HyperOS. Unlike stock Android, here the system offers deep possibilities for changing the visual style, behavior of icons and organization of space without the need to obtain root access.
The correct configuration of the home screen affects not only aesthetics, but also the speed of operation. A well-configured grid allows you to find applications faster, and turning off unnecessary animations can save battery power. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the hidden and explicit settings that will turn the standard interface into a convenient tool for your personal tasks.
The customization process begins with basic parameters that are often ignored by users. However, they form the foundation of the user experience. Let's move on to the practical steps to transform your lock screen and desktop.
Basic customization of the grid and icon size
The first thing that catches your eye when using a smartphone is the layout of the elements. The standard grid in Xiaomi is often too spacious or, conversely, cramped. To change the number of rows and columns, you need to hold down an empty space on the desktop with your finger for 1-2 seconds. A toolbar will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Click on the gear icon or item Settings in the lower corner. Here you will find the section Grid. The system will offer several options, such as 4x5, 5x5 or 5x6. Choosing a 5x6 configuration allows you to place up to 30 application icons on one screen, which is ideal for those who do not like to create unnecessary folders.
Next to the grid setting there is usually a slider Icon size. By moving it, you can make icons larger for easier one-handed use, or smaller to make room for widgets. Changes are applied instantly, which allows you to immediately evaluate the result.
Managing widgets and application folders
Widgets in the shell MIUI i HyperOS evolved from simple clocks to Full interactive controls. To add a widget, press and hold an empty area of the screen again and select Widgets. You will see two tabs: Android system widgets and Xiaomi branded widgets.
Branded widgets are distinguished by a stylish design and deep integration with the system. For example, the Notes widget lets you view your to-do list right from the screen, while the Battery Status widget shows the exact charge percentage of connected devices. Drag and drop is done by long pressing on the selected element.
It is recommended to use folders to organize applications. Just drag one icon on top of another. The system will automatically create a container. You can click on the folder name to rename it, or choose a background color. In new versions of the firmware, a function is available infinite scrolling inside folders, if they contain many elements.
- 📁 Use color coding of folders for quick visual search (for example, red for games, blue for work).
- ⚡ Add quick access widgets to turn on a flashlight or voice recorder in one tap.
- 📂 Group rarely used applications in the “Tools” folder on the last screen.
⚠️ Attention: An overloaded desktop with dozens of widgets can lead to increased RAM consumption and reduced interface responsiveness. Use only those widgets that you use daily.
To quickly create a folder, select several icons with a long press, and then drag them all at the same time to an empty space - the system itself will offer to combine them.
Changing wallpapers and setting up a wallpaper carousel
The visual perception of a smartphone depends 80% on selected wallpaper. The item Wallpaperis available in the desktop settings. Here you can choose a static image from the gallery or use the online catalog. However, the most interesting feature is Wallpaper Carousel.
This feature automatically changes the image on the lock screen and desktop at certain intervals. Collections are updated daily and include high-resolution photography of nature, architecture and abstract art. You can activate it in the wallpaper selection menu by toggling the corresponding toggle switch.
For those who prefer “live” wallpaper, the system provides a section with animated backgrounds. They respond to touches or movement of the phone. It is worth remembering that the use of complex live wallpapers can slightly increase battery consumption, although modern processors Snapdragon and MediaTek handle this effectively.
| Wallpaper type | Impact on the battery | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Static (photo) | Minimum | Daily use, max. autonomy |
| Wallpaper carousel | Low | For variety, updated once a day |
| Live (animation) | Medium/High | Demonstration of screen capabilities, short sessions |
Where are the carousel pictures stored?
Wallpaper carousel files are saved in a hidden system folder. They can be found through the file manager along the path: MIUI/theme/.miTheme/wallpaper. However, copying them manually is not recommended due to the complex naming structure.
Customizing fonts and text style
Text readability is a critical ergonomic parameter. Devices Redmi have a built-in theme store where you can download thousands of free fonts. Go to the application Themes, go to the section Fonts and select the option you like.
In addition to the font style, you can also change the text size. This is done through the standard Android settings, available in the desktop menu. The path looks like this: Settings → Display → Text size. By moving the slider, you scale the font in all applications that support system settings.
In the latest updates HyperOS it became possible to configure the style of headings and font weight separately from the main text. This allows you to make the interface more airy or, conversely, contrasting. Experiment with combinations to find a balance between beauty and readability.
- ✒️ Choose sans-serif fonts for better readability on small screens.
- 👁️ Increase the text size if you often read news or books on your smartphone.
- 🎨 Download fonts only from the official theme store to avoid system conflicts.
Transition animations and response speed
The smooth operation of the interface largely depends on the animation settings. By default, they are set to “Beautiful”, which means long and smooth transitions between screens. If speed is important to you, these settings can be changed. Xiaomi they're set to "Beautiful," which means long, smooth transitions between screens. If speed is important to you, these settings can be changed.
Long-press an empty space on the screen, select Settings and find the item Advanced (or immediately “Animation”). There are three modes available here: “No animation”, “Fast” and “Smooth”. Selecting the “Fast” mode reduces the time of opening folders and switching between desktops, creating a feeling of instant system response.
For advanced users, access to hidden settings is available through the developer menu. You can activate it by clicking 7 times on the build number in the About phonesection. Then in the menu Advanced settings → For developers you can manually scale the animations of the window, transition and animator duration to 0.5x.
⚠️ Attention: Complete disablement animations (“No animation”) can make the interface jerky and less understandable, since the visual connection between the user’s actions and the system’s response disappears. The “Fast” mode is recommended.
Optimizing animations is the easiest way to subjectively speed up the operation of an old smartphone without resetting data and losing the warranty.
Hiding applications and protecting privacy
Sometimes there is a need to hide certain applications from prying eyes. In the MIUI shell, this function is implemented at the system level. In the desktop settings menu, find the item Hide applications.
After activating this function, the selected icons will disappear from the desktop and from the menu of all applications. They can only be accessed through a special gesture or search. In some versions of the firmware, to open a hidden folder, you need to move two fingers on the desktop in different directions.
For greater security, you can set a password or fingerprint to enter the hidden space. This ensures that even if someone unlocks your phone, they will not be able to find personal messengers or banking applications without additional authorization.
Opening gesture: Spreading two fingers apart on the desktop (setting in the "Hide applications" menu)Frequently asked questions about setting up the interface (FAQ)
How to return standard weather widget, if it disappeared?
Long-press an empty space on the screen, select “Widgets”, find “Weather” in the list and drag it to the desktop. If the widget does not work correctly, check the permissions for the Weather application in the privacy settings.
Why do application icons change size on their own?
This can happen when the global theme is changed. Some third party themes forcefully resize the grid and icons. To fix this, return the Classic theme in the Themes app or manually recheck your grid settings.
Is it possible to remove desktop ads in folders?
Yes. Open the folder, click on its name, and in the menu that appears, turn off the “Recommendations” or “Receive recommendations” toggle switch. This will remove ad units from the bottom of the folder.
How to disable the Google News Feed to the left of the desktop?
Long-press an empty space on the screen, select “Settings” and disable the “Google Feed” item (or -1 screen). This action will hide the news feed and speed up the transition to the main screen.