Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi are equipped with displays with high pixel density, which allows you to display many elements without loss of quality. However, the standard desktop grid in the shell MIUI or new HyperOS is often configured with large elements for the convenience of users with low vision or those who prefer minimalism. This leads to the fact that only 4x5 or 5x5 icons fit on one screen, which limits quick access to applications.
For many users accustomed to a dense interface layout, this situation becomes inconvenient. There is a need to scroll through screens or create unnecessary folders, although the physical display space allows for much more information. Fortunately, the system provides flexible tools for customizing the appearance, including changing the grid size and replacing launchers.
In this guide, we will examine in detail all the available methods for reducing icons: from standard system settings to using third-party software. You will learn to optimize the workspace to suit your needs, making the interface more informative and compact.
Using the built-in desktop grid settings
The easiest and safest way to change the visual perception of the size of icons is to edit the grid parameters. The system settings Xiaomi provide the ability to select the number of rows and columns. As the number of cells increases, the system automatically scales application iconsso that they fit into the allotted space.
To get to the desired menu, you need to hold down an empty space on the desktop with your finger. After a second, an action bar will appear at the bottom of the screen. Select item Settings (gear icon). In the menu that opens, find the section Advanced or immediately the item Grid, depending on the firmware version.
Here you will see layout options such as 4x5, 4x6, 5x5 or 5x6. Choosing an option with a large number of rows and columns (for example, 6x5) will cause icons to become visually smaller. This is a standard method that does not require the installation of additional software and does not violate the device warranty.
☑️ Checking grid settings
It is worth noting that changing the grid affects not only the icons themselves, but also the widgets. Large widgets may no longer fit into the updated grid or may require reconfiguration. Also, the font under application names may remain the same, which sometimes creates a visual imbalance.
Changing the theme to change the style of icons
Shell MIUI is famous for its theme store, which allows you to radically change the appearance of the system. Many users do not know that there are special themes where designers deliberately draw icons in a smaller size or in a minimalist style. This is an effective way to change the aesthetics without deep intervention in the settings.
Open the application Themes on your smartphone. In the search bar, enter queries like "Small icons", "Minimal", "Compact" or "Tiny". When viewing the results, pay attention to the screenshots in the theme card - you can often see how small the icons look compared to the standard.
⚠️ Attention: When installing third-party themes from unofficial sources or with changed certificates, the system may require a reboot or temporarily limit some security functions. Always check the theme's rating and number of downloads before installing.
After applying the theme, changes affect not only the size, but also the shape, color scheme and wallpaper style. If you like the size of the icons but don't like the rest of the design, some themes allow you to apply components selectively. Go to the theme profile and try to apply only the section Icons, leaving the wallpaper and lock screen as standard.
Some system icons (settings, phone, messages) may not change even when changing the theme, if the theme developer has not provided their own options for these applications. In this case, only a third-party launcher will help.
Installing third-party launchers for maximum control
If the built-in capabilities of the system are not enough, third-party shells called launcherscome to the rescue. These are applications that completely replace the standard desktop, providing advanced customization options. The most popular solutions are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Smart Launcher.
After installing such an application from Google Play and activating it as the main one, you get access to advanced grid settings. Unlike the standard menu Xiaomi, here you can set absolutely any number of rows and columns, for example, 8x6 or even 10x8, making the icons extremely small.
In the launcher settings there is usually a separate section Icon size or Scale. Here you can move the slider, reducing the icons to the smallest possible size at which they remain readable. In addition, many launchers allow you to hide captions under icons, which further saves space and visually reduces the occupied area.
| Launcher name | Grid flexibility | Size settings | Memory consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | High | Fine slider | Average |
| Lawnchair | Average | Presets | Low |
| Smart Launcher | Automatic | Adaptive | Low |
| Microsoft Launcher | High | Slider | High |
Using third-party software gives complete freedom of creativity, but requires getting used to. Navigation gestures and animations may differ from those usual in HyperOS. However, for those who want to get the most out of the screen, this is the best option.
Setting the display scale in the menu for developers
For advanced users, there is a more radical method that affects the scaling of all elements of the system interface, not just icons. We are talking about the parameter Minimum width (Smallest Width), which is in the menu for developers. Changing this value causes the system to redraw the interface, thinking the screen is wider than it actually is.
You must first activate developer mode. Go to Settings -> About phone and quickly click on the item MIUI Version (or OS Version) about 7-10 times until a notification of successful activation appears. Then return to the main settings menu, scroll down to the section Additional and select For developers.
In the list of parameters, find the item Minimum Width (sometimes called "Smallest width"). Remember or write down the original value (usually around 360-392 dp) so that if you fail, you can return everything. Increase this number to, for example, 450 or 500. After applying the settings, the screen will blink and all elements, including icons, text and menus, will become significantly smaller.
⚠️ Warning: Excessively increasing the minimum width value may make text unreadable and controls too large small enough to be pressed with your finger. Proceed carefully and change the value in small steps (10-20 units).
This method is universal and works at the level of the entire operating system Android. It is especially useful if you want to reduce not only icons, but also the font size in settings or application menus that cannot be customized normally.
How to return the settings if everything has become too small?
If you have increased the value too much and cannot get your finger into the desired buttons, try using a stylus or connecting a mouse via an OTG adapter. If this is not possible, reboot the phone into safe mode (usually by holding down the power button), where the developer settings can be reset, or reset the settings through the Recovery menu if access to the system is completely lost. But usually it’s enough to carefully tap on the edges of the screen, where the elements remain larger.
Specifics of working with widgets when reducing icons
When reducing the size of icons, the problem of incompatibility with widgets often arises. Standard weather, clock or music widgets MIUI have fixed sizes, tied to a grid. If you make icons smaller via a theme change or launcher, the widgets may look disproportionately large compared to smaller applications.
The solution is to use widgets from third-party developers or built into installed launchers. For example, Nova Launcher offers its own search and weather widgets, which can be scaled independently of the grid. Also, many applications (calendars, notes) have their own widgets of different sizes, which can be adjusted to the new desktop density.
It is important to consider that a dense layout increases the risk of accidental clicks. When there is minimal free space between icons, your finger may touch a neighboring application. In such cases, it is recommended to enable the function Lock layout after completing the setup, so as not to accidentally move elements.
Some users prefer to completely remove widgets from the home screen, moving them to separate pages or using the lock screen to display important information. This allows you to keep your desktop clean and functional even with very small icons.
The optimal balance is achieved by combining a larger grid (for example, 6x5) and themes with minimalist icons, without extreme changes in the system DPI.
Returning to standard settings and troubleshooting problems
If experiments with the size of icons led to inconvenience or malfunctions in the interface; you can always return to the original state. If you use a standard grid, just go to the desktop settings and select the default option (usually 4x5 or 5x5).
When using a third-party launcher, just go to the phone settings, section Applications -> Manage applications, find the installed launcher and click Clear data or simply delete the application. The system will automatically offer to return to the standard launcher MIUI.
If you changed the parameter Minimum width in the developer menu, simply return the original value that you wrote down before changes. This will instantly restore the usual scale of all interface elements.
Sometimes after changing themes or launchers, display artifacts may appear - black squares instead of icons or incorrect display of captions. In this case, clearing the application cache Themes or rebooting the device helps. You should not ignore such signals, as they may indicate a software version conflict.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS). If you do not find the specified item, use the search in your phone settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the icon size not change after changing the theme?
Not all themes support changing the size of system icons. Some icon packs only replace the graphics, but do not change the geometry. Try finding a theme marked "Icon Pack" separately, or use a third-party launcher that forces the icon shapes from the theme.
Does shrinking icons affect battery consumption?
Icon size itself does not affect power consumption. However, using heavy third-party launchers with active animation and live wallpaper can increase battery consumption by 5-10% compared to the standard shell. MIUI.
Is it possible to make icons without captions at all?
Yes, most third-party launchers (for example, Nova) have a “Show Label” setting, which can be disabled. In standard MIUI, this possibility is limited and depends on the specific version of the shell and theme.
Is it safe to change settings in the developer menu?
Changing the "Minimum width" parameter is safe if you do not set extreme values. The system will not break, but may become inconvenient to use. All changes are reversible and are reset when the original value is returned or the phone is reset.
Why did the icons in the application menu remain large, but on the desktop they were smaller?
The desktop and application menu (the curtain with all apps) can be configured independently in some versions of the launcher. Check the settings separately for the lock screen, desktop and application menu in your theme or launcher options. Xiaomi The desktop and application menu (curtain with all apps) can be configured independently in some versions of the launcher. Check the settings separately for the lock screen, desktop and application menu in your theme or launcher options.