Modern smartphones, such as devices in the Xiaomi Redmiseries, are equipped with displays with a high pixel density and a large diagonal. This provides excellent image detail, but sometimes results in standard interface elements appearing too small to the user. This problem is especially common among people with low vision or those who are used to larger controls on older phone models. Increasing the size of application icons is not just an aesthetic requirement, but also a way to improve the ergonomics of using the device in everyday life.
The operating system Android in conjunction with a proprietary shell MIUI or a new one HyperOS provides users with a wide range of tools for customizing the appearance. Unlike “pure” Android, where the capabilities are often limited, the ecosystem Xiaomi allows you to change the scale of system elements, the desktop grid, and even fonts without the need to obtain superuser rights. However, the settings can be scattered across different menus, which sometimes causes difficulties for beginners.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to change the size of icons on your Redmi. We will look at both standard system customization tools and additional methods, including the use of themes and third-party launchers. You'll learn what settings affect the visual experience of your desktop and how to find a balance between screen capacity and clickability.
Using built-in screen and scaling settings
The easiest and safest way to make icons larger is to use the system display settings. In new firmware versions from Xiaomi engineers have moved element size controls to a separate menu so that users can quickly adapt the interface to their needs. Changing this setting affects not only application icons, but also the size of text in menus, buttons and widgets.
To access these settings, you need to open the main menu and find the section Settings. Next, you should go to item Screen or Display, depending on the translation version of your firmware. In this section you will find the option Element size or Scale display. Moving the slider to the right will enlarge all visual elements of the interface.
It is worth noting that this action reduces the amount of visible information on one screen. If you are used to placing 5-6 icons in a row, then after enlarging them they may take up more space, and some applications will “move” to the next pages of the desktop. This is a trade-off between readability and capacity.
⚠️ Attention: When zooming in to the maximum, some interface elements in third-party applications may not be displayed correctly or extend beyond the screen, since software developers do not always test their products at extreme DPI values.
Changing the scale is applied instantly, but for A complete update of some system windows may require a device restart. This method is the most stable and is guaranteed to work on all Redmi models, from budget series to flagships.
If, after changing the scale, the text in some applications has become too large and unreadable, try changing only the font size in the same screen settings, leaving the scale of the elements at a medium value.
Setting the desktop grid in the Themes application
The second effective method, which is often overlooked, is to change the desktop grid configuration. The standard grid in MIUI usually is 4x6 or 5x6 icons. Reducing the number of cells in the grid automatically causes the remaining icons to become larger, taking up the free space.
This setting is hidden not in the main phone settings, but in the system application Themes. Go to the application, go to the Profile tab (the little man icon in the lower right corner) and select Settings. In the menu that opens, find the section Additional settings and further Desktop grid.
Here you will be asked to select a layout option. To increase the size of your icons, you must select a grid with fewer columns, such as 4x5 or 4x6 instead of the standard 5x6. After selecting, the system will prompt you to apply the changes, and the desktop will be rebuilt. Application icons will become visually larger and easier to click.
- 📱 Selecting a 4x5 grid makes the icons as large as possible, but reduces the number of applications on the screen.
- 📐 The 5x6 grid is the standard for most modern smartphones with a diagonal of about 6.5 inches.
- 🔍 Some themes may block grid changes, in which case try applying the standard theme before customizing.
It is important to understand that this method only changes the arrangement of objects on the home screen and in the application menu. The size of elements inside running apps remains unchanged. This is an excellent solution for those who care about the convenience of launching applications from the desktop.
Changing the font size and its impact on the interface
Although there is no direct connection between the font size and the size of the icons, these parameters are closely related in the user’s perception. Large text under the icons creates a visual effect of the massiveness of the element. Settings Xiaomi often offer complex changes to text size, which can indirectly affect how you perceive the size of icons.
Go to menu Settings → Screen → Text size. Here you can adjust the slider. Increasing the font size will make app captions more readable, which is especially important for older users. In some versions of the shell, when you select the “Large” or “Huge” mode, the system may offer to automatically increase the scale of the interface.
DPI (dots per inch) is a technical parameter of pixel density. In smartphones Redmi the user usually does not need to manually enter DPI values through the engineering menu, since the element size slider performs the same function programmatically. However, understanding this term will help you better understand the technical characteristics of your screen.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to change the DPI value through hidden engineering codes or ADB commands unless absolutely necessary. An incorrectly set value may make the interface unreadable, and a reset to factory settings will be required to return it.
The combination of a larger font and a modified desktop grid often gives a better result than changing only one of these parameters. Experiment with the settings to find the perfect combination for your eyes.
Using third-party themes to change the style of icons
Theme Store MIUI i HyperOS is a powerful customization tool that allows you to completely change the appearance of the system. Many users do not know that there are themes in which icon packs are initially drawn in a larger size or have thicker outlines, which visually makes them larger.
To find a suitable design, open the application Themes and use the search. Enter queries like "Large icons", "Big icons" or "Large icons". By downloading and applying this theme, you will replace the standard icons with custom ones. Please note that some themes only change icons without affecting system menus, which is a safe option.
Before applying the theme, the system will create a restore point. If you don't like the new design or the icons become too bulky, you can easily roll back the changes. The Profile → Themes section stores the history of your downloads, where you can return the classic style in one click.
| Theme type | Influence on icons | Impact on the system | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official (from the store) | Complete replacement of graphics | Menu, curtain, settings | High |
| Third-party (port) | Possible distortion | Full customization | Average |
| Icons only | Replacement icons | Does not change | High |
| Classic | Standard size | Standard view | High |
Using themes is a creative process. You can mix elements of different designs, creating a unique interface where the size of the icons will correspond to your preferences.
What to do if the theme breaks the interface?
If after applying the theme the desktop freezes or the icons disappear, hold down the power button and volume button (or use the forced reboot gesture, depending on the model) to restart the phone. Usually, the system automatically rolls back the problematic theme when loading.
Installing alternative launchers
If the built-in capabilities of the shell MIUI do not suit you, you can install a third-party launcher from the store Google Play. These are apps that completely replace the desktop and application menu, providing much more flexible settings for the size of icons.
Popular solutions, such as Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Microsoft Launcher, allow you to set the size of icons in percentages or specific units of measurement. You can make them as large as the screen allows, or, conversely, reduce them to a minimum. In the settings of such launchers there is usually an item Icon size in the section Desktop.
To install an alternative launcher, download it from the store, run it and follow the instructions on the screen. The system will prompt you to select a default application for the home screen. Select the installed launcher. Now all clicks on the Home button will open a new interface.
- 🚀 Nova Launcher is considered the standard of flexibility, allowing you to customize every pixel of the interface.
- 🌿 Lawnchair offers a clean Pixel-like style with simple size settings.
- 🏢 Microsoft Launcher integrates perfectly with the company's services and has convenient widgets.
It is worth considering that third-party launchers may consume a little more RAM than the standard shell. On older Redmi models with a small amount of RAM, this may lead to more frequent unloading of applications from the background.
Third-party launchers give maximum freedom in customizing icon size, but may not work correctly with MIUI/HyperOS navigation gestures, so it is recommended to use classic button navigation.
Easy mode for older users
In firmware Xiaomi there is a special mode designed specifically for people who find it difficult to interact with the standard interface. It's called Simple mode (or Second Space / Lite Mode in different versions). When activated, the phone interface changes dramatically: the icons become huge, the font is enlarged, and unnecessary functions are hidden.
You can activate this mode through Settings → Advanced settings → Simple mode. After turning on, the phone will ask you to confirm the action. The desktop will turn into a large grid with a minimum number of applications, but the maximum size of each element. This is an ideal solution for handing over a smartphone to grandparents.
This mode also simplifies the settings menu and screen locking. Large “Call” and “Message” buttons are always visible. You can exit Simple Mode through the settings or by holding the power button, depending on the software version.
⚠️ Attention: In Simple Mode, many customization functions are not available, widgets may work with restrictions, and the installation of third-party launchers may be blocked by the system until you exit this mode.
Using Simple Mode is a a radical but very effective way to solve the problem of small elements. It changes the logic of interaction with the device, making it as intuitive as possible and protected from accidental clicks.
☑️ Preparing to change the launcher
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why were the icon size settings reset after updating MIUI?
With major firmware updates (for example, moving from MIUI 12 to 13 or to HyperOS), the system often resets the user interface settings to factory values to ensure stability. You will need to re-adjust the grid and scale in the display menu.
Is it possible to enlarge icons for only one specific application?
This cannot be done using standard system tools. Scaling is applied globally to the entire interface. The only option is to use application-specific widgets, the size of which can be changed independently with gestures on the desktop.
Does enlarging icons affect the performance of a smartphone?
No, changing the graphic scale or desktop grid does not have a noticeable effect on processor performance or system speed. This is a purely visual interface adjustment.
What to do if the icons become too large and do not fit on the screen?
Go to the screen settings and reduce the element size slider. If you used a third-party launcher, go to its settings and return the icon size to the default value (usually 100%). As a last resort, resetting the launcher settings in the application menu will help.
Does zooming in on icons work in split-screen mode?
Yes, the system zoom settings also apply to applications running in split-screen mode. However, if the application itself does not support a responsive interface, some of the content may be cut off at high magnification.