Modern smartphones have high-resolution screens, which allow them to display a lot of detail, but sometimes standard interface elements seem too small. Users Xiaomi, Redmi i Poco often face the need to adapt the visual part of the system to their needs, especially if vision is not perfect or the device is used by older people. Increasing the size of icons on the desktop is not just an aesthetic change, but a way to make device management more comfortable and intuitive.
In the ecosystem MIUI and new HyperOS there are several methods for solving this problem, from simple grid settings to deep customization through third-party applications. It is important to understand that the interface of shells from a Chinese manufacturer has its own specifics, which differ from pure Android. In this article, we will look at all the available methods to make icons larger without losing desktop functionality.
Before you start making changes, it is worth noting that some methods require installing additional components, while others are available out of the box. The choice of a specific method depends on the model of your smartphone and the installed firmware version. We will look at options for different use cases so that you can choose the optimal solution specifically for your case.
Changing the density of the desktop grid
The simplest and most effective way to visually enlarge icons is to reduce the number of cells in the desktop grid. When you reduce the number of icons that fit on one screen, the system automatically scales the remaining elements, making them larger and more visible. This method does not require the installation of third-party software and works stably on all current firmware versions.
To access these settings, you must perform a long press (tap and hold) on an empty area of the desktop. In the lower menu that appears, select the item Settings or the gear icon. Next, find the section responsible for the grid configuration. It may be called differently in different versions of MIUI, but the essence remains the same - choosing the ratio of the number of rows and columns.
The standard configuration often offers a 5x6 or 6x6 grid, which provides maximum capacity but sacrifices the size of the elements. By switching to the 4x5 or even 4x4 option, you will immediately notice how application icons they begin to take up more space. This is especially true for models with a screen diagonal of less than 6 inches, where every millimeter matters for ease of pressing.
- 📱 Long press on an empty area of the screen.
- ⚙️ Click on the “Settings” button in the bottom menu.
- 🔢 Select “Advanced” or “Grid”.
- ✅ Set a value with fewer cells, for example, 4x5.
It is worth considering that changing the grid affects not only the size of the icons, but also the location of the widgets. Large weather or clock widgets may become misaligned or require reconfiguration. After applying the changes, the system may prompt you to restart the launcher to display all elements correctly. Do not ignore this requirement, as without a reboot the new settings may not be fully applied.
⚠️ Attention: If you select a grid that is too large (for example, 3x4), some system widgets may no longer fit on the screen or display incorrectly. It is recommended to experiment gradually.
Setting the font size and screen scale
Another system tool that affects the perception of the size of interface elements is global scaling. The settings Xiaomi provide the ability to change not only the text size, but also the overall display scale of all elements, including application icons. This approach changes the pixel density (DPI) at the software level.
To activate this feature, go to the main phone settings menu and find the section Screen. Inside this menu you will find a slider responsible for text size. However, for maximum effect you need to go to the advanced settings. In some versions of the firmware, a separate slider for the size of elements is placed next to the font settings, in others it is hidden in the “Special Features” menu.
Increasing the screen scale causes all objects, including navigation buttons, status bar and app icons, to become proportionately larger. This is a universal solution that helps people with low vision. However, it is worth remembering that at high magnification, less information may fit on the screen, which will require more frequent scrolling of pages and menus.
There is also a hidden method for changing density through the menu for developers, but this requires caution. If you decide to use it, remember that an incorrect DPI value can make the interface unreadable. The standard sliders in the "Display" menu are a safe and recommended way to adjust.
- 👁️ Open Settings and go to the "Display" section.
- 📏 Find the "Text Size" slider and move it to the right.
- 🔍 Check for the "Element Size" item in the same menu.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply global changes.
If the element size slider is not in the regular menu, check the section "Advanced settings" → "Accessibility" → "Visual settings".
Using themes to change the appearance of icons
Theme Store Themes, preinstalled on all smartphones Xiaomi, offers enormous opportunities for customizing the appearance of the system. Many users do not know that there are themes in which designer icons are initially made in a large format. This allows you to change the visual style without interfering with the system scale settings.
To find a suitable design, open the Themes application and search for keywords such as "Big icons", "Large" or "Big font". The catalog contains both free and paid options. When choosing a theme, pay attention to the screenshots in the description: they usually show how the icons on the desktop and in the application menu will look.
Using a theme affects not only icons, but also the control panel, lock screen and system sounds. If you are only interested in the size of the icons, after applying the theme, you can go to the theme settings and select the option “Apply icons only” or “Apply desktop only”. This will allow you to maintain your usual style of the remaining elements, changing only the dimensions of the labels.
| Theme type | Impact on icons | Impact on the system | Where to find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | No changes | Minimum | Default |
| Theme with large icons | Significant increase | Full style replacement | Category “Popular” |
| Modular theme | Selective change | Only selected components | Section “Constructor” |
It is important to note that some third-party themes may not display correctly on new versions HyperOS due to changes in the launcher architecture. If after applying a theme the icons become blurry or move around, try clearing the cache of the Themes application or returning to the standard design. The quality of rendering directly depends on the resolution of the source graphic files in the theme package.
How to remove a bad theme?
If a theme has ruined the appearance of your desktop, go to the "Themes" application, go to your profile (person icon) → "Themes", select "Default" and click "Apply". This will return the standard view in a couple of seconds.
Using third-party launchers
When the built-in capabilities of the system are not enough, third-party launchers come to the rescue. These are applications that completely replace the standard desktop MIUI, providing advanced customization options. The leaders in this area are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Smart Launcher, which allow you to control in detail the size of each icon individually.
After installing such a launcher from Google Play you need to give it the appropriate permissions and select it as the default application for the home screen. In the settings of the new launcher there is usually a “Desktop” or “Grid” section where you can set the exact size of the icons in percentages or pixels. This provides maximum flexibility, unattainable by standard means.
However, the use of third-party launchers on Xiaomi has its own characteristics. The system may aggressively unload them from memory, resulting in resets or delays in opening. To avoid this, you need to pin the application in memory and disable power saving for it. You may also need permission to display on top of other windows for gestures to work correctly.
- 📥 Download the selected launcher from the application store.
- 🏠 Press the “Home” button and select the new launcher as the main one.
- ⚙️ Go to the launcher settings and find the “Icon size” section.
- 🔒 Pin the application in memory through the multitasking menu.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party launchers may conflict with Xiaomi's proprietary navigation gestures. If gestures do not work correctly, try switching to the classic navigation buttons in the screen settings.
☑️ Preparing to install the launcher
Simple interface mode for older people
In firmware Xiaomi a special mode is provided, aimed at older users or those who prefer the most simplified interface. It's called "Lite Mode". When activated, the interface changes dramatically: the icons become very large, the font is enlarged, and unnecessary functions are hidden.
Activation occurs through the menu Settings → Advanced settings → Simple mode. After turning on, the phone will ask you to confirm the action, and the desktop will be transformed. Only the most necessary applications will remain on the screen, arranged in three columns with huge icons and captions. This is an ideal option for handing over a smartphone to grandparents.
In this mode, many customization functions are not available, since the system blocks changing the grid so as not to confuse the user. Exiting the mode is done through the settings or a special button on the desktop. It is worth considering that in simple mode, some gestures and swipes may work differently or be disabled to prevent accidental clicks.
Using this mode also affects the operation of notifications and widgets. They are simplified to the maximum so as not to overload the screen with information. If your goal is to simply make the icons larger for yourself, but retain all the functionality, this mode may seem too restrictive. But for the task of maximum readability, it has no analogues.
Simple mode is not just large icons, it is a complete change in the logic of the interface, eliminating complex menus and settings.
Additional accessibility settings
Hidden in the depths of Android settings are tools designed for people with visual impairments, which can also help increase interface elements. The “Zoom” function allows you to use the screen as a magnifying glass, but there are also more subtle settings in the “Improve Visibility” section.
Here you can find options to increase the contrast of text and elements, which visually makes them clearer and larger. The “Remove Animations” setting is also available, which, although it does not physically enlarge the icons, makes transitions between screens instantaneous, which subjectively simplifies the perception of the interface. Disabling animations is often recommended for older devices, but is also useful for improving readability.
Some users use the Window Enlargement feature, which allows you to select a part of the screen and stretch it across the entire display. This may be useful for one-time viewing of small details, but is not suitable for ongoing use as a replacement for larger icons. However, a combination of these settings can have an unexpected positive effect.
Remember that any changes to the accessibility section affect the operation of the entire device. If you accidentally activated a function that interferes with controls (for example, color inversion or talking with screen voiceover), you can return everything back through the same settings section or the volume key combination if it was configured as a hotkey.
⚠️ Attention: The accessibility menu interface may differ on different versions of Android. If you cannot find the item you need, use the search in the settings by entering the word “visibility” or “magnification.”
Hotkeys for zooming
On many Xiaomi smartphones, triple tapping on the screen activates the magnifying glass mode. This feature can be enabled in the accessibility settings to quickly view small text or an icon.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the icons become square and ugly after changing the grid?
This is due to the fact that some icons do not have a rounding mask in the selected theme or mode. Try changing the theme to another one or enabling the “Icon Mask” option in the desktop settings if your version of MIUI supports it. Restarting the launcher also helps.
Is it possible to enlarge only one specific icon?
This cannot be done using standard system tools. All icons are scaled evenly. To change the size of an individual shortcut, you will need to use third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher, where you can adjust the grid size for each widget or shortcut individually through editing.
Does enlarging icons affect the performance of the phone?
No, changing the size of graphic elements does not have a significant impact on processor performance or battery consumption. The system simply renders images at a different scale. The exception is heavy third-party launchers with an abundance of animations that can load weak devices.
How to return all the settings back if it becomes inconvenient?
To return to the original state, just go to the desktop settings and select the standard grid (usually 5x6). If you changed the screen scale, return the slider to the center position. When using a third-party launcher, simply remove it or change the main screen in the system settings.
Do these methods work on HyperOS the same way as on MIUI?
Yes, the setup principles remain the same, since HyperOS is based on the MIUI architecture. Menus may differ slightly visually or have a different name, but the logic of changing the grid, font and applying themes is fully preserved.