Smartphones Xiaomi are famous for their functionality and flexible settings, but users are often faced with the need to customize the appearance of the system. One of the most common tasks is changing the size of application icons. This is especially true for people with low vision or those who prefer a minimalist design with large elements. The standard launcher MIUI offers several built-in tools to solve this problem without requiring superuser rights.
The interface optimization process may vary depending on the version of the shell HyperOS or MIUI. Developers periodically change the menu layout, but the basic principles remain unchanged. We will look at both standard methods available out of the box, as well as more advanced methods using third-party apps. Correctly setting the screen grid is the first step to making icons more visible and easier to click.
Changing the desktop grid in MIUI settings
The easiest and safest way to make icons larger is to change the number of rows and columns on the screen. When you reduce the number of cells in a grid, the system automatically expands the contents of each cell, including application shortcuts. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works on all modern models, from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14.
First, you need to go to the device settings. Find the section responsible for visual design, which is usually called “Desktop”. Inside this menu you will find a “Grid” option. By clicking on it, you will see several configuration options, such as 4x5, 5x6 or 6x8. Choosing a configuration with fewer cells (for example, 4x5) will cause the size of each icon to increase in proportion to the freed space. It is worth considering that changing the grid affects not only the size of the icons, but also the number of applications that fit on one screen. If you choose a grid that is too large, you will have to swipe between pages more often. This is a compromise between ease of clicking and information density. After selecting the appropriate scheme, the system will apply the changes instantly by rebooting the launcher. the size of each icon will increase in proportion to the freed up space.
It is worth considering that changing the grid affects not only the size of the icons, but also the number of applications that fit on one screen. If you choose a grid that is too large, you will have to swipe between pages more often. This is a compromise between ease of clicking and information density. After selecting the appropriate scheme, the system will apply the changes instantly by restarting the launcher.
⚠️ Attention: On some global firmware versions, the grid change item may be hidden or absent. In this case, try changing the region in the phone settings to “India” or “China”, but do this with caution, as this may affect the operation of some system services.
Using the “Simple Mode” mode for older people
The company has a special function designed to simplify interaction with a smartphone. It's called "Easy Mode" (or "Senior Mode"). Activating this mode radically changes the interface: fonts become huge, and application icons increase to the maximum possible size, occupying a significant part of the screen. This is an ideal solution for those for whom the standard settings are not enough. Xiaomi There is a special feature designed to simplify interaction with your smartphone. It's called "Easy Mode" (or "Senior Mode"). Activating this mode radically changes the interface: fonts become huge, and application icons increase to the maximum possible size, occupying a significant part of the screen. This is an ideal solution for those for whom the standard settings are not enough.
To enable this function, go to the main Settings devices. Scroll down the list to “Advanced Settings” or directly look for the “Easy Mode” section. After activation, the phone will ask you to confirm the action, and the interface will reboot. Only the most necessary applications will remain on the desktop, and unnecessary widgets and small elements will be hidden to reduce visual noise.
It is important to understand that Simple mode changes the logic of the entire phone. Application folders disappear, and the settings menu becomes more linear and clear. Exiting this mode is done by long pressing a special button on the desktop or through the same settings. This is not just an increase in icons, but a complete change in the paradigm of using the device.
- 👴 Ideal for people with poor vision or motor impairments.
- 📉 Simplifies navigation by removing unnecessary tabs and complex menus.
- 🔋 May slightly reduce power consumption due to the disabling of some animations.
If you enable Simple Mode for a relative, set up a list of contacts on the main screen in advance so that they can call with one click.
Customizing a theme through the Themes application
Store theme Themes, preinstalled on all smartphones Xiaomi, is a powerful customization tool. Many users don't know that installing a new theme is the most aesthetically pleasing way to change the size and style of icons. There are thousands of packs available in the catalog, where the icons are intentionally made larger than the standard ones or have a more contrasting design.
To find a suitable design, open the application Themes. In the search bar, enter queries like “Large icons”, “Big icons” or “Simple”. Filter results by rating or number of downloads. Before applying a theme, be sure to use the Preview feature to get an idea of how the icons will look on your specific screen resolution. Not all themes scale correctly on different models.
After applying the theme, the icons will change not only in size, but also in graphic design. Some themes replace the default MIUI icons with their own designs, which can be more readable. If you only liked the size, but not the style, you can try mixing the settings: apply the theme, and then in the launcher settings return the standard system icons, if such an option is supported by the selected theme.
| Theme type | Icon size | Impact on the battery | Installation complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard MIUI | Average | Minimal | None |
| Themes with large icons | Increased | Insignificant | Low |
| Third-party launchers | Any (manual) | Medium/High | Medium |
| Simple Mode | Maximum | Low | Low |
⚠️ Attention: When downloading themes from third-party sources (not through the official application Topics) there is a risk of downloading malware. Always check the author's rating and reviews before installing unverified content.
How to delete a downloaded theme?
Go to the Themes application → Profile → Themes. Find the active theme, click on it and select “Delete” or apply the “Default” theme to reset all changes.
Using third-party launchers for complete freedom
If the built-in tools MIUI and HyperOS do not give the desired result, third-party ones come to the rescue launchers. These are applications that completely replace the standard Android desktop. The leaders in this area are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair i Smart Launcher. They provide granular control over every pixel of the interface.
By installing such a launcher from Google Play, you get access to the “Look and Feel” or “Desktop Grid” menu. Here you can manually set the icon size in percentage or absolute values. You can make the icons giant while keeping the labels small, or vice versa. The flexibility of settings allows you to create a unique interface that is impossible with stock firmware.
However, it is worth remembering about resource consumption. Third-party shells often require more RAM and CPU time than the native launcher Xiaomi. On older or low-end models, this can cause micro-lags when opening menus or scrolling through pages. Before installation, check the compatibility of the application with your version of Android.
☑️ Installing a third-party launcher
After setting, do not forget to set the new launcher as the main one. The system may periodically prompt you to return to the standard interface, especially after firmware updates. In the menu Default applications make sure that in the “Desktop” item the application you installed is selected, and not “System Launcher”.
Adjusting font size and display scale
Sometimes there is a problem with the perception of icons is not related to their physical size, but to the overall scale of the interface. In the settings Android there is a “Screen” section where you can change the font size and display scale (DPI). Increasing these parameters causes the system to redraw all elements, including icons, making them visually larger.
Go to Settings → Display → Text and display size. As you move the sliders, you will see changes in real time. Please note that zooming in too much may cause some UI elements to extend off the screen or overlap each other. This is especially critical for applications that are not optimized for high DPI values.
This method affects the entire application at once: messages, browser, settings and games. This is a global change that may improve text readability but reduce visibility in work apps. Use this method if you need to enlarge not only icons, but also all content on the screen for comfortable use without a magnifying glass.
- 👁️ Enlarges all interface elements, not just labels.
- 📐 Allows you to find a balance between the size of text and icons.
- ⚠️ May break the layout in some third-party applications.
Globally changing the screen scale is the best solution for comprehensively improving visibility, but it requires getting used to the new arrangement of elements in the menu.
Solving problems with fixed icon size
Users sometimes encounter a situation where icons do not change size or appear blurry after scaling. This may be due to the launcher cache or bugs in a specific firmware version. If standard methods do not work, try clearing the Launcher application data in the settings.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find “Launcher” (or MIUI Home) in the list. Select “Clear” and click “Clear all data.” Important: this action will reset the arrangement of icons on the desktop to the factory state, so you will have to rearrange widgets and shortcuts. However, this often solves problems with incorrect display of graphics.
Another reason may be that the “Fix icons on the desktop” function is enabled. If it is active, the system blocks changing the grid and moving elements. Go to your desktop settings (long press on empty space → Settings) and turn off this switch. Only after this, changes to the grid configuration will be available.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing launcher data will delete all folders you created on the desktop and reset the order of icons. Take a screenshot of the current location of applications before performing this procedure to quickly restore the familiar structure.
Why do icons become soapy?
When raster images (ordinary icons) are greatly enlarged, they lose their clarity. Use vector themes or high-resolution icon packs to maintain quality when scaling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to enlarge only one specific icon on Xiaomi?
It is impossible to change the size of just one label using standard system tools. All icons on the desktop follow a common grid. To individually change the size of a specific icon, you will need advanced third-party launchers that support the creation of shortcut widgets with customizable parameters, or the use of “Shortcut” widgets instead of standard application icons.
Does the size of icons affect the speed of a smartphone?
The size of a graphic element itself does not affect processor performance. However, if you use live themes with animations or heavy third-party launchers to achieve the desired size, this can increase the load on the RAM and graphics accelerator, which will lead to faster battery drain.
What should you do if the MIUI update resets your grid settings?
Major system updates often reset the user launcher settings to factory settings values. You will need to go into your desktop settings again and select the grid configuration you want. To avoid this in the future, some launchers allow you to create configuration backups that can be restored after an update.
Why do some apps disappear in Simple Mode?
Senior Mode by default only displays the basic set of apps (Calls, Messages, Contacts, Camera). Other apps are hidden so as not to overload the interface. To add the desired application, you usually need to click on the plus sign or a special add button on the Simple mode screen and select it from the full list.