How to reduce icons on Android Xiaomi: all methods

Modern smartphones of the brand Xiaomi, running on the MIUI and HyperOS shells, often offer users a bright and rich visual interface. However, for many users, the standard size of application shortcuts may seem excessively large, especially on devices with a screen diagonal of less than 6.5 inches. This results in fewer icons fitting on the desktop, and navigation becomes less convenient when there are a large number of installed apps.

The interface scaling problem is one of the most common support requests. Fortunately, the Android system and proprietary add-ons from the Chinese manufacturer provide several flexible tools to solve this problem. You can change the size of icons using standard system tools or using third-party software, without requiring root access or complex USB debugging.

In this material we will analyze in detail all the available methods for changing the size of interface elements. We will look at the settings of the launcher itself, system scaling parameters, as well as customization options through third-party themes. Follow the instructions to adapt the visual style of your gadget to your personal preferences and improve the ergonomics of use.

MIUI and HyperOS system launcher settings

The easiest and safest way to change the visual perception of your desktop is to use the built-in theme settings. Shells from Xiaomi allow you to adjust not only the size, but also the display style of elements. To access these parameters, you need to hold down an empty space on the main screen and select the appropriate menu.

In the settings menu that opens, find the section responsible for appearance. In different firmware versions it may be called differently: “Advanced”, “Theme Settings” or have a gear icon. This is where the slider responsible for the dimensions of the labels is hidden. Moving the slider to the left will make the icons smaller, freeing up space for widgets or additional pages.

It is worth noting that changing the size of the icons in this menu often affects the size of the captions under them. If the font seems too large to you, you can change it separately in the general system settings. This will create a harmonious balance between graphic elements and text information on the display.

⚠️ Attention: In some global firmware versions, the ability to change the size of icons through the desktop menu may be blocked by the manufacturer. If you don't see the size slider, try changing the theme to the standard one or one of the official themes from the store.

Changing font size and screen scaling

If the launcher settings did not give the desired result, you should refer to the system display settings. Android has a built-in zoom feature that affects all interface elements, including icons, buttons, and settings menus. This decision is global and affects the entire operating system.

To access these settings, go to section Settings → Screen. Here you will find the “Text Size” and “Size of Interface Elements” (or “Scale”) items. Reducing the value in the “Element Size” item will cause the icons to become visually smaller, and more content will fit on the screen.

It is important to understand the difference between these two parameters. Changing the text size affects only the letter symbols, while scaling elements changes the proportions of all graphic objects. By combining these two tools, you can achieve the ideal balance of readability and compactness. Some models, such as series or flagships, may have additional screen density settings in the advanced developer menu, which we will discuss below. However, for most users, standard screen settings are quite sufficient.

Some models such as Redmi Note series or flagships Mi, may have additional screen density settings in the advanced developer menu, which we'll talk about below. However, for most users the standard screen settings are quite sufficient.

Using the developer menu for fine-tuning

For advanced users who need more subtle settings, there is a developer menu. This hidden section of the system allows you to change the minimum screen width (Smallest Width), which directly affects the pixel density (DPI) and, as a result, the size of all interface elements.

To activate this mode, you need to go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7-10 times on the “MIUI Version” or “OS Version” item. After a notification appears that you have become a developer, a new section “For Developers” will appear in the main settings menu.

Inside this section, find the item “Minimum width” (or “Smallest width”). The standard value usually varies from 360 to 411 dp depending on the model. Increasing this number (for example, to 450 or 500) will make all interface elements, including icons, significantly smaller.

Standard DPI values ​​for different resolutions:
Full HD+: 360-390 dp
2K screens: 480-520 dp

Be extremely careful when changing this parameter. Setting the value too high can make the interface unreadable and the controls too small to press with your finger. In the worst case, this can lead to unstable operation of the launcher.

⚠️ Attention: Do not set the minimum width value above 600-700 dp unless absolutely necessary. This may result in some applications being displayed incorrectly and system buttons becoming unclickable.

How to return the settings to default?

If you accidentally set the wrong value and the interface becomes unusable, try blindly going back to the developer menu and returning the old value. If this is not possible, rebooting into safe mode or resetting the screen settings through Recovery will help.

Use of third-party launchers

Stock launcher Xiaomi does not always satisfy user needs for customization. In this case, an excellent solution would be to install a third-party launcher from the Google Play store. Applications such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcherprovide unlimited options for customizing the size of icons.

After installing and activating a third-party launcher, you get access to a detailed desktop grid menu. You can set the number of rows and columns, for example 6x6 or even 7x7, which will automatically reduce the size of each cell and the icon placed in it.

In addition, many alternative launchers allow you to change the size of icons regardless of the grid size. This makes it possible to make the icons themselves small, but leave large spaces between them, or vice versa. Such flexibility is not available in the standard MIUI shell.

• 🚀 Nova Launcher - a recognized leader in settings flexibility, allows you to change the size of icons with pixel precision.
• 🌿 Lawnchair - a lightweight and open launcher that imitates the style of pure Android (Pixel), with simple grid controls.
• 📦 Microsoft Launcher - an excellent solution for integration with the Windows ecosystem, with convenient element size settings.
• 🎨 Smart Launcher —automatically sorts applications and offers unique widgets with customizable sizes.

When using a third-party launcher, it is worth considering resource consumption. Some heavy shells may consume more RAM, which is critical for budget smartphone models Redmi. Choose light versions of launchers if you have less than 4 GB of RAM.

Comparison of methods for resizing icons

To make it easier for you to choose the appropriate method, we have prepared a summary table. It reflects the main characteristics of each method, its complexity and impact on the operation of the system. This will help you make an informed decision without the need to experiment blindly.

Method	Complexity	Impact on the system	Customization flexibility
Theme settings	Low	Desktop only	Limited
Screen scale	Medium	Whole system	Medium
Developer menu	High	Global (DPI)	High
Third-party launcher	Average	Interface only	Maximum

As can be seen from the table, the safest method is to use theme settings, since it does not affect system applications. However, if you need to make the icons inside the settings menu or dialer smaller, you will have to use screen scaling or the developer menu.

Using third-party launchers gives better visual results, but requires getting used to the new control logic. If you often use MIUI gestures, switching to another launcher may require additional navigation settings.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI and HyperOS shell interfaces are updated regularly. The location of menu items may differ on your device depending on the firmware version (China, Global, EEA) and model year.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

During the setup process, users may encounter a number of typical problems. For example, after changing the DPI, icons may become blurry or disproportionately stretched. This is because icon bitmaps are not designed to be compressed or stretched much.

Another common problem is icons overlapping each other or falling outside the grid. This often happens when using custom themes that are not optimized for the current screen resolution of your smartphone. In this case, it is recommended to reset the grid settings to factory settings.

If, after installing a third-party launcher, the back gestures or minimize applications stop working, check your navigation settings. You may need to switch to three-button control or grant the new launcher special permissions in the accessibility menu.

Also worth mentioning is the bug with “disappearing” icons. Sometimes, when you zoom out too much, the system may consider that the icon does not fit on the screen and hide it. The solution is simple - increase the scale a little or free up space on the desktop.

Questions and answers (FAQ)

Why did they become fuzzy after reducing the icons?

This is due to the fact that you changed the screen density (DPI) through the developer menu, and the system's graphic resources are not scaled perfect. Try returning the DPI value closer to the standard one or use a third-party launcher that works better with a custom resolution.

Is it possible to reduce only the icons without changing the font?

Yes, it is possible. Use the grid settings in third-party launchers (for example, Nova Launcher), where the size of the icons and the font size of the captions are adjusted with separate sliders. In standard MIUI, such a separation is more difficult to do.

Are icon settings reset after updating the firmware?

Most often, yes. Major MIUI updates or switching to HyperOS can reset the launcher and theme settings to factory settings. It is recommended to remember your DPI values ​​or make a backup copy of the launcher settings, if such a function is supported.

Does the size of icons affect the speed of the smartphone?

The size of the icons itself does not affect the performance of the processor. However, using heavy third-party launchers with a lot of animations can increase RAM consumption and reduce the responsiveness of the interface on older models.