Owners of modern Samsung smartphones are often faced with the desire to place more useful information on the main screen. The default One UI shell settings offer fairly large interface elements, which is convenient for some, but seems redundant for other users. Minimizing icons allows you not only to visually free up space, but also to improve the ergonomics of using the device, especially on models with a screen diagonal of 6 inches and above.
B In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for changing the scale of interface elements. You will learn how to use built-in system functions, hidden developer menus and specialized utilities from Samsung. One UI shell provides flexible customization tools that often go unnoticed by ordinary users.
Before you start making changes, it is important to understand that the reduction of icons directly affects on the density of the desktop grid. This means that there will be less white space between applications, and the number of visible widgets may change. Visual layout It will become denser, which will take some getting used to, but will significantly improve the efficiency of working with the device.
Standard screen grid setup in One UI
The easiest and safest way to change the size of icons is to use the built-in grid options. The shell Samsung One UI allows you to adjust the number of rows and columns, which automatically changes the size of the icons. To access these settings, you need to long press on an empty area of the desktop and select Settings in the lower right corner.
In the menu that opens, you are interested in the “Home screen screen grid” and “Applications screen grid” options. By changing values from, for example, 4x5 to 5x6 or 6x8, you'll see application icons instantly shrink in size, making room for new shortcuts. This is a standard method that does not require the installation of additional software.
It is worth noting that the available grid options depend on the screen resolution of the specific smartphone model. On the flagship series Galaxy S or Note the choice will be wider than in the budget series Galaxy A. If the standard options are not enough, you can try changing the font and screen scale in the general system settings, which will indirectly affect the size of the icons.
⚠️ Attention: If you select a grid density that is too high (for example, 8x10), the icons may become excessively small, making it difficult to accurately hit them with your finger, especially when using the device on the go or with one hand.
Changing the grid is the first step to customization. However, if you need more fine-tuning that goes beyond the standard steps, it's worth paying attention to the advanced capabilities of the system. Pixel Density (DPI) plays a key role here, and its change is available through the developer menu.
Using Developer Mode to fine-tune DPI
For users who lack the standard steps for changing the grid, there is a more advanced method - changing the minimum width (DPI) in the developer menu. This parameter determines how many pixels are allocated to one logical inch of the interface. Increasing the DPI value causes the system to think that the screen has a higher resolution, which is why all elements, including icons on the desktop, appear smaller.
To activate developer mode, go to Settings → About the device → Software information and quickly tap on the "Build number" item seven times. After activation, a new section “Developer Options” will appear in the main settings menu. Inside this section, you need to find the item “Minimum width” (or “Smallest width”)
Write down the standard value before making changes so that you can return to the original settings if necessary. The recommended change step is 20-40 units. For example, if the standard value is 384, try setting 410 or 440. This will allow reduce the size of icons smoothly, without disturbing the proportions of other interface elements.
☑️ Safe DPI change
It is important to understand that changing DPI affects the entire system globally. This means that not only the size of the shortcuts will change, but also the fonts in the menu, the size of the keyboard and elements in third-party applications. Android interface will recalculate the indents and sizes of all components according to the new density value.
⚠️ Attention: Do not set extremely high DPI values (for example, above 600-700 on standard screens), as this can make the interface unreadable or lead to the disappearance of important control buttons, the restoration of which will require resetting the settings.
Using the Good Lock module for customization
Samsung has developed a unique application Good Lock, which is the official tool for deep interface customization. To work with icons you will need a module Home Up (in some regions available as Home Screen). This application is downloaded through the Galaxy Store and provides features not available in the standard settings.
After installing the Home Up module, go to the Home Screen section and find settings related to layout or icon size. Here you can not only change the grid more flexibly than in the system, but also adjust the padding between icons, as well as their location relative to widgets. Good Lock module allows you to create unique desktop configurations that are ideal for your usage habits.
One of the key functions is the ability to change the size of folders and the number of items in them. This is especially useful if you store many applications in groups. Reducing icons inside folders allows you to place more apps there, while maintaining visual order on the main screen.
Where can I download Good Lock if it is not available in your region?
If the Good Lock application is not displayed in the Galaxy Store for your region, you can find it in the Galaxy Store application catalog by entering "Good Lock" in the search. If it is also empty, there is an alternative application NiceLock or FineLock from Google Play, which acts as a loader of Good Lock modules.
The use of official tools from Samsung, such as Good Lockguarantees the stability of the system. Unlike third-party launchers, this module does not conflict with system processes and receives updates along with the One UI shell, ensuring compatibility with new versions of Android.
Third-party launchers as an alternative to the standard interface
If the built-in system capabilities and Good Lock modules do not meet your needs, there is always the option of installing a third-party launcher. Applications like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair offer almost limitless possibilities for customizing the size of icons, grids and animations.
In such launchers, the icon size can be set in percentages or specific pixels, which allows you to achieve the perfect visual balance. You can make icons as small as the physical resolution of your screen matrix allows. Third-party skins They often allow you to customize the size of each icon individually or in groups.
However, it is worth considering that replacing the standard launcher may affect the operation of some Samsung widgets and features, such as Edge Panels or transitions between applications. Integration One UI with the native launcher is very deep, and switching to a third-party solution may deprive you of some ecosystem chips.
| Parameter | Standard launcher | Nova Launcher | Microsoft Launcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grid flexibility | Limited (4 steps) | Maximum | High |
| RAM consumption | Optimized | Average | High |
| Widget integration | Full | Partial | Partial |
| Stability | High | High | Medium |
By choosing a third-party launcher, you take responsibility for optimizing the interface. This is a great way reduce icons to a minimum, but it takes time for initial setup and getting used to the new operating logic.
The influence of screen resolution and scaling
The size of icons on the screen directly depends on the physical resolution of the matrix and the software interpretation of this resolution by the system. On Samsung smartphones with high resolution screens (FHD+, QHD+), standard icons may appear larger due to the high pixel density. Changing the screen resolution in the display settings can also affect the perception of the size of elements.
In the menu Settings → Display → Screen resolution you can choose between FHD+ and WQHD+. Switching to a higher resolution (WQHD+) makes the picture clearer, but with standard scaling settings, elements may be visually smaller, since more pixels are placed on the same physical area.
It is also worth mentioning the “Screen scale” function in the main display settings. The slider that regulates this parameter changes the size of all interface elements at once: fonts, buttons, input fields and, of course, application icons. Moving the slider downward (“Smaller”) is the fastest way to make the interface more compact without using complex settings.
For maximum effect, combine changing the screen grid and screen scale. First, adjust the grid to the maximum number of cells, and then reduce the screen scale slightly for the perfect balance.
A comprehensive approach to display settings allows you to adapt your smartphone to any style of use. Whether you prefer large, touch-friendly icons or compact, information-dense layouts, the system provides the tools.
Common problems and their solutions
During the setup process, users may encounter a situation where icons do not shrink or are displayed incorrectly. This is often due to the system's selected font size being too large for the selected grid density. The system automatically limits the minimum size of the icon so that the text underneath it remains readable.
Another problem is the desynchronization of icons after a system update. After a major update One UI grid settings may be reset to factory settings. In this case, you need to go through the setup procedure again by long pressing on the desktop.
If you use a dark theme or certain wallpapers, small icons may blend into the background. In such cases, it is recommended to add a contrasting background or change the color scheme of the icons via Settings → Wallpaper and style → Colors. This will improve visual perception reduced elements.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and available settings may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and modification One UI shell. If you do not find the item, check for software updates in the "Software Update" section.
System restrictions may not allow you to reduce icons below a certain threshold in order to maintain the usability of the interface.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to change the size of only one specific icon?
You cannot change the size of an individual icon using standard One UI tools - a global rule is applied for the entire grid. However, using third-party shortcut widgets or launchers like Nova Launcher, you can create an app shortcut of any size you want and place it on your desktop.
Why does the text underneath the icons become unreadable after shrinking the icons?
This happens when the grid density is too high for the current system font size. You can solve the problem by reducing the overall font size in the display settings (Settings → Display → Font size and style) or slightly increasing the screen scale.
Are grid settings reset after rebooting the phone?
No, the desktop grid and application screen settings are saved in system memory and should not be reset after a normal reboot. If this happens, you may have installed a third-party launcher or theme that conflicts with system settings.
Does reducing icons affect the performance of a smartphone?
Icon size itself does not affect processor performance or application speed. However, using heavy third-party launchers to achieve this effect can consume more RAM, which on weak devices can lead to micro-delays in the interface.
How to return all the settings back if it becomes inconvenient?
The easiest way is to reset the launcher settings. For the standard Samsung interface, this can be done via Settings → Applications → Samsung One UI Home → Storage → Clear data. This will return the grid and icon layout to the factory state.