Owners of branded smartphones Samsung often face the desire to place more applications on one screen. The standard One UI is designed with ergonomics in mind, which can make controls appear large. This is especially noticeable on models with large diagonals, where empty space could be used more efficiently. Changing the scale of elements is an easy way to increase the productivity of working with the device.
Fortunately, the system Android in conjunction with the shell from the Korean manufacturer provides flexible tools for customization. You do not need to have superuser rights or install third-party software. In most cases, it is enough to go to the standard display settings. We will look at all available methods: from built-in functions to advanced settings through the developer menu.
Understanding how it works desktop gridwill help you organize the space in a way that is convenient for you. Some users prefer large icons for ease of clicking, while others find it critical to see as much information as possible without scrolling. In this article, we'll break down every nuance of scaling so you can find the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality of your desktop grid. Standard screen grid settings. The easiest and safest way to change the visual size of applications is to adjust the grid density. In the shell Galaxy.
Standard screen grid settings
The easiest and safest way to change the visual size of applications is to adjust the grid density. In a shell One UI this parameter directly affects how many rows and columns will fit on the screen. The more cells you select, the smaller the icons themselves and the captions under them will become.
To access these settings, you need to follow a simple sequence of actions. Press your finger down on an empty space on the home screen until the bottom menu appears. Then select item Settings. In the window that opens, you will see the option Screen grid. By clicking on it, the system will offer several preset options, for example, 4x5, 5x5 or 5x6.
Selecting the 5x6 configuration will automatically make the interface elements the minimum possible within the standard launcher. This allows you to place up to 30 applications on one screen without creating additional pages. However, it is worth considering that if the density is too high, the accuracy of hitting the desired icon with your finger may decrease.
⚠️ Attention: When switching to a grid with a large number of cells, some widgets may not fit or change their size disproportionately. Always check the functionality of important widgets after changing the settings.
After applying the settings, the system will instantly redraw the desktop. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can always go back and select a less dense mesh. This is a reversible process that does not require rebooting the device or resetting data.
Changing font size and screen scale
The size of icons on Samsung often depends not only on the grid, but also on the global interface scaling parameters. In the display settings there is a separate section responsible for the size of text and controls. Changing these settings affects the entire system, including the settings menu and third-party applications.
To find these adjustments, go to Settings and select the section Display. Here you will find two sliders: Font size and style and Screen image scale. The second parameter is key for making icons smaller. Shifting the slider towards the minus side will cause all interface elements to shrink.
Scaling works differently than simply changing grids It reduces the physical size of each UI pixel while maintaining the original number of elements per line. This means that the icons will become smaller, but the number of icons in a row may remain the same unless you change the grid separately.
- 📱 Reducing the screen scale frees up more usable space for content inside applications.
- ✍️ Reducing the font size makes captions appear under icons less noticeable, which visually makes it easier to perceive.
- ⚙️ The global change affects the keyboard, notification panels and system dialogs.
Experiment with the position of the sliders, finding a compromise. A scale that is too small may make text unreadable for people with low vision. The best solution is often a combination of a 5x6 grid and a slightly reduced screen scale.
If after changing the scale the text becomes too small, try increasing only the font size, leaving the screen scale at its minimum. This will keep the icons compact, but will return the readability of the captions.
Using the Easy Mode
Sometimes users confuse the concepts and look for a way to enlarge the icons, but in the context of optimizing space, it is important to mention the inverse function. Mode Easy Mode (Simple mode) is designed to simplify the interface, making the elements gigantic. If your phone suddenly switched to this mode, the icons became huge and there was little space.
You can check the current mode in the menu Settings -> Display -> Screen mode. If Simpleis selected there, you need to switch the toggle switch to Standard. This action will instantly return the normal size of the grid and icons, freeing up a significant part of the screen.
This mode is often activated accidentally during the initial setup of a new smartphone or after resetting the settings. Understanding the difference between the standard and simplified interface helps to quickly solve the problem of suddenly increasing controls.
| Option | Standard mode | Easy mode |
|---|---|---|
| Icon size | Medium / Customizable | Very large |
| Font | Normal | Large |
| Number of applications on screen | Up to 30 (5x6) | Up to 12 (3x4) |
| Home Screen Buttons | Standard | Simplified Large |
Make sure you are in Standard mode before attempting to zoom out icons in other ways. Being in the mode for easier access blocks many fine adjustments of the grid.
Advanced adjustment via DPI (Minimum Width)
For those for whom standard methods are not enough, there is a hidden developer tool - changing the DPI density (Dots Per Inch). This parameter determines how many physical pixels correspond to one logical interface pixel. Lowering the DPI value causes the system to think that the screen has a higher resolution, causing all elements to shrink.
To access these settings, you must first activate the developer menu. Go to Settings -> Phone information -> Software information. Quickly press 7 times on the item Number assemblyuntil a message appears indicating that developer mode is activated.
Now return to the main settings menu, where a new section has appeared at the very bottom Developer options. Find the item Minimum width (or Smallest width) in the list. Remember or write down the original value (usually around 360-411 dp for modern Samsung) so you can change everything back.
Recommended change: reduce value by 20-40 units.
For example: it was 384 -> now 350.
After entering a new number, the interface will instantly be rebuilt. Icons will become noticeably smaller, and there will be more space on the desktop. However, be careful: reducing the DPI too much may render elements unusable or cause some applications to display glitches.
⚠️ Warning: Do not set DPI values to extremely low values (below 300). This may cause the control buttons to become too small to press with your finger, and you will have to reset the settings via a computer or recovery.
How to return the settings if the screen has become unreadable?
If you entered a value at which you cannot control the phone, try connecting a mouse via an OTG adapter to get to the settings and return the old number. If this does not help, you will need a complete reset (Wipe Data) via Recovery Mode, which will delete all data from the device.
Third-party launchers for complete customization
If the built-in capabilities One UI limit you, the best solution would be to install a third-party launcher. Applications like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher provide unprecedented control over the size of each individual icon.
In such launchers there is a separate menu Grid settingswhere you can set any number of rows and columns, not limited by system presets. Moreover, the slider Icon size allows you to shrink icons to a minimum, turning them into neat dots, or increase them to gigantic sizes.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher allows you to change the size icons for each application individually through the editing menu.
- 🎨 Possibility of overlaying icons on top of each other or creating complex folders with a transparent background.
- 📐 Fine-tuning the margins between icons and the edges of the screen for perfect symmetry.
Installation of an alternative launcher does not require removing the standard one. You can switch between them in the system settings in the Applications -> Selecting default applications -> Home screensection. This makes it possible to test different design options without the risk of data loss.
Third-party launchers are the only solution that allows you to make icons smaller than the system minimum without risky manipulations with DPI.
Features of models of different Galaxy series
The interface behavior may vary slightly depending on the series of your smartphone. Flagship series models S and Z usually have more flexible default grid settings compared to the budget series A or M.
On devices with curved screens (Edge), the system can automatically limit the number of columns so that icons do not fall on the curved part of the glass, where pressing may be inaccurate. In such cases, reducing the size of icons via DPI is the only way to fit more elements into the central flat area.
It is also worth considering screen resolution. On models with QHD+ resolution, icons initially look sharper and can be reduced further without loss of readability than on screens with HD+resolution. Pixel density plays a decisive role in the perception of scale.
⚠️ Note: One UI is updated regularly. The location of menu items may change in new versions of Android. If you do not find the described item, use the search in settings (magnifying glass icon at the top of the settings screen).
☑️ Desktop optimization checklist
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why, after reducing the icons, the text under them became unreadable?
This is due to the fact that when the grid density increases or the screen scale decreases, the font size of the captions decreases proportionally. Try going to the display settings and increasing the slider Font size, leaving the screen scale unchanged. This will return readability to the text while maintaining the small size of the icons.
Is it possible to change the size of just one specific icon?
In the standard Samsung launcher, this function is not available - all icons have the same size, determined by the grid. To change the size of an individual icon, you need to install a third-party launcher, such as Nova Launcher, which supports individual scaling for each shortcut.
Is it safe to change the DPI value in the developer options?
Changing the DPI is safe as long as you operate within reasonable limits (plus or minus 50 units from the factory value). The system will not be damaged, but the interface may become inconvenient. The main thing is to remember the original number in order to be able to return the settings back if necessary.
Why are the grid settings inactive (gray)?
Most often this means that it is enabled Simple mode (Easy Mode). Disable it in display settings. Also, the grid may be blocked if there is a widget installed on the home screen that takes up all the space or has fixed dimensions that conflict with the selected density.
Does reducing icons affect the performance of the phone?
No, changing the visual size of icons or grid density does not have any effect on the processor, RAM or smartphone speed. This is an exclusively cosmetic change to the interface, which is processed by the graphics accelerator without loading the main computing power.