Owners of modern Xiaomi smartphones often encounter visual imbalances after updating the system or purchasing a new device. Screens are getting larger and resolutions are getting higher, but the standard size of app shortcuts can seem too bulky, taking up valuable real estate and obstructing the view of widgets. This is not just an aesthetic issue, but an ergonomic problem, because overly large interface elements make navigation difficult and create a feeling of clutter.
Fortunately, the shell MIUI and its successor HyperOS provide users with ample opportunities to customize the appearance. You are not limited to the standard settings that the manufacturer offers by default. There are several proven ways to change the scale of graphic elements, from simple switches in the menu to more advanced methods of adjusting the system font.
In this guide, we will examine in detail all the available methods that will help you make the interface more concise and convenient. We will look at standard functions, hidden developer settings and the capabilities of third-party launchers so that you can choose the best option for your smartphone model.
Using built-in theme and font settings
The safest and easiest way to change the perception of icon size is to adjust the system font. In the ecosystem Xiaomi text size directly affects the padding and dimensions of surrounding interface elements, including application shortcuts. By changing this parameter, you can achieve significant visual reduction without losing image quality.
First, you need to go to the settings menu of your device. Find the section Settings → Display → Text size. By moving the slider downwards, you will notice how not only the font changes, but also the density of the elements on the desktop. This happens because the system recalculates the interface grid depending on the selected scale.
However, you should be careful: too small a value can make the text unreadable in menus and messages. It is recommended to find a balance in which the icons become more compact, and the readability of the system text remains comfortable for the eyes. This method works on all current versions MIUI and HyperOS.
Try setting the font size one division smaller than the standard one - often this is enough to visually “free up” space on the screen without compromising the readability of the interface.
Additionally, you can experiment with the design theme. In the application Themes there are thousands of skins, where the design size of the icons is initially set smaller than in the stock firmware. Installing such a theme is a quick way to radically change the look of your desktop.
Customizing the desktop grid through the Themes menu
Another effective standard tool is changing the number of grid cells. The more cells you place on the screen, the smaller the size of each individual icon will be, since the system will have to fit them into the given boundaries. This is a classic method, available without installing additional software.
To use this function, pinch an empty space on the desktop with two fingers or go to Settings → Desktop. In the menu that opens, select Grid or Grid size. Here you will be offered layout options, for example, 4x6, 5x6 or even 6x8 depending on the diagonal of your screen Xiaomi.
- 📱 Select the option with a large number of columns to minimize the shortcuts.
- 📐 Pay attention to the aspect ratio: the vertical grid stretches out the icons, and the horizontal grid makes them more compact.
- 🔄 After applying the settings, the system will automatically redistribute all shortcuts and widgets.
It is important to understand that as the grid density increases, some widgets may no longer display correctly or require manual reconfiguration. This is normal system behavior, as widgets often have a fixed minimum size.
If the standard grid options do not suit you, you can resort to more fine-tuning through the engineering menu or third-party launchers, which will be discussed in the following sections. But for most users, changing the grid through the standard menu is the optimal solution.
Using third-party launchers for complete customization
When the capabilities of the standard shell MIUI become insufficient, third-party launchers come to the rescue. These are special applications that completely replace the desktop and application menu, providing unlimited possibilities for customizing the size, shape and behavior of icons.
Popular solutions are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher. After installing such an application and making it the default one, you get access to detailed settings. In the section Launcher settings → Desktop → Grid you can set an arbitrary number of rows and columns, for example, 10x10, which will make the icons extremely small.
The key advantage of third-party launchers is the ability to scale the icons themselves regardless of grids You can set up a 6x6 grid, but still reduce the size of the labels to 80% or 70% of the cell size, creating unique visual effects and leaving more air between elements.
Why might icons appear blurry?
When icons are greatly reduced on low-resolution (HD+) screens, there may be a loss of clarity. This is because the graphic element is compressed below its native size. On AMOLED screens with FullHD+ resolution and higher, this effect is almost invisible.
It is worth noting that using a third-party launcher may require some time to get used to and initial setup. However, the result is worth it if you want to achieve ideal ergonomics that are not available in stock solutions.
Changing size through Developer Mode (DPI)
For advanced users who want full control over pixel density, there is a method of changing DPI (Dots Per Inch) through Developer Mode. This setting determines how many logical dots are displayed per inch of screen. Increasing the DPI value causes the system to think that the screen has a higher resolution, which is why all interface elements, including icons, become smaller.
To activate developer mode, go to Settings → About phone and quickly tap 7 times on the item MIUI version (or OS version). After a notification appears that you have become a developer, a new section will appear in the settings menu Advanced → For developers.
Inside this section you need to find the item Minimum Width (or Smallest width). Remember or write down the original value so that you can return everything back if necessary. By increasing this number (for example, from 360 to 400 or 420), you will see the interface shrink.
⚠️ Attention: Do not set the DPI to extremely high values. This can lead to interface elements becoming microscopic and unusable, and in the worst case, the system may stop rendering the image correctly, requiring a reset.
This method is the most powerful, as it affects the entire application, not just the desktop. However, it requires caution and understanding of what you are doing. Changing DPI can also affect the display of photos and videos in the gallery, making them smaller.
☑️ Safely changing DPI
If after changing the settings the interface begins to behave unstable, you can always return the original value of the minimum width that you wrote down at the beginning of the process. This will return the system to its factory appearance.
Comparison of methods for resizing icons
To make it easier for you to choose the appropriate method, we have prepared a comparison table of the main methods. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on your goals and level of technical training.
| Method | Complexity | Impact on the system | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Font settings | Low | Text and padding only | High |
| Change grid | Low | Desktop only | High |
| Third-party launcher | Medium | Complete interface replacement | High |
| Change DPI | High | Entire system and applications | Medium (requires caution) |
As can be seen from the table, for most users a combined approach will be optimal: using the built-in grid and a small font adjustment. This gives a good visual result without risks to the stability of the device.
The DPI method is recommended to be used only if other methods did not give the desired result, and you know exactly how to return the settings back in case of failure.
Features of the HyperOS interface on Xiaomi
With shell release HyperOS, which replaces MIUI, the algorithms for working with graphics and scaling have changed somewhat. A new system for smooth animations and uniformity of elements, so some old tricks may work differently.
In HyperOS improved work with adaptive icons that automatically adjust to the shape specified by the theme. This means that when reduced in size, these icons can retain better readability than static images in older versions of Android. Also, the updated application Themes offers more flexible customization settings.
Users of new smartphones Xiaomi s HyperOS should pay attention to the function "Enlarged font and elements" which is sometimes enabled by default for accessibility purposes. Disabling this function in the section Settings → Screen can instantly return the icons to a compact appearance.
In new versions of Xiaomi firmware, priority is given to comprehensive configuration through the "Themes" application, where you can find ready-made packages with small icons, which is safer than manual intervention in system files.
The interface continues to develop, and functionality may change. Always check for system updates, as manufacturers often add new personalization features in response to user requests.
⚠️ Attention: Mobile operating system interfaces are updated regularly. The location of menu items or names of functions may vary depending on the specific firmware version and regional version of the device. If you do not find the described item, use the search in the settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the icons become large after the system update?
Often with major updates Android or MIUI the user display settings are reset to factory values. Also, the new version of the shell may have a changed design code, suggesting larger elements to improve accessibility.
Is it possible to reduce only certain icons?
It is not possible to resize selectively using standard system tools. However, using third-party launchers, you can create folders or widgets with individual parameters, which visually solves the problem.
Does reducing icons affect battery consumption?
No, changing the size of graphic elements does not have a significant impact on the power consumption of the processor or screen. Battery consumption depends primarily on the brightness of the backlight and the activity of background processes.
What should you do if, after changing the DPI, the text in the menu disappears?
This means that the pixel density value is too high for the current screen resolution. You need to quickly return to developer mode (if access to the menu is saved) and return the original value. If access is lost, you may need to reset your phone to factory settings.