How to change the charging icon on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: official and unofficial methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its standard battery icon in the status bar can get bored. Whether you want to make it color, animated or even replace it with the style from iOS or Samsung, in this article we will discuss all the working ways to change the charging icon without the risk of β€œbricking” the device.

It's important to understand that Redmi 9A runs on MIUI (usually 12-14), where customization is limited by the manufacturer. However, there are both official settings (available without root rights) and advanced methods for power users. We analyzed all the solutions that are relevant for 2026, from simple themes of design to deep modifications of system files.

Before you start, check the version of MIUI in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI version. This depends on the availability of certain features. Also note: some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which may deprive you of warranty.

πŸ“Š Why you want to change the battery icon?
I am getting tired of standard badges.
I want animation when charging.
You need a color level indication
Experimenting with customization
Other

1. Official method: changing the subject of design

The safest method is to use built-in MIUI themes, and many themes change not only wallpaper and fonts, but also icons in the status bar, including the battery icon.

Go to Settings β†’ Themes (or open the Themes app from the desktop). In Popular or For You, find themes marked "Battery icons" or "Statusbar." For example, "Dark Mode Pro" or "iOS Style" themes often change the display style of charge.

  • βœ… Pros: does not require root rights, reversible, free.
  • ❌ Cons: The choice of icons is limited (usually) 3-5 Options), some topics paid.
  • πŸ”„ Nuance: After the topic change, you may need to reboot.

⚠️ Note: Not all topics from the store MIUI compatible with Redmi 9A. Check reviews before installing – some users complain about bugs with the display of percentage of charge after changing the topic.

Title of the topicType of battery iconCompatible with Redmi 9APrice.
iOS 15 StyleStrip (like on iPhone)Yes (MIUI 12+)Free of charge.
Material You DarkRound with gradientYes (MIUI 13+)199 rubles.
Minimalist BlackMonochrome thinYes.Free of charge.
Samsung One UIIcon with a number insidePartially (may not display %)99 rubles.

2.Configure the display of percentage charge

If you're happy with the icon itself, but you want to add a percentage of charge next to it, it's done in two taps. Open Settings β†’ Notifications and status bar β†’ Show battery percentage. There are three options available here:

  • πŸ”’ Inside the icon (the number is displayed on top of the icon).
  • πŸ“Š Next to the icon (classic view, like on the iPhone).
  • ❌ Hide (only icon without numbers).

On the Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5 and later, there is also a hidden option: if you select β€œInside the icons”, but activate the β€œSaving charge” mode (Settings β†’ Battery), the figure will appear in orange at a level below 20%.

πŸ’‘

If you don't have any interest after you change your settings, restart your phone. Sometimes the status bar freezes and doesn't update the display.

3. Use of customization applications (without root)

For those who don't want to be limited to standard themes, there are third-party apps that run on top of the system and can change the appearance of the status bar, including the battery icon. 9A:

  1. Energy Bar (Play Market) β€” adds a colored charging bar over a standard icon, and you can customize the color, thickness and animation.
  2. Battery Icon Changer – replaces the icon with a custom one (requires to enable β€œSpecial Features” for the application).
  3. Hex Installer is a tool for installing Magisk modules (if you have root), which allows you to change system icons.

Example of setting up the Energy Bar:

  1. Install an app from the Play Market.
  2. Launch and grant permission to "Overlap on top of other applications".
  3. Select the "Dynamic Island" or "Gradient Bar" style.
  4. Adjust the color (for example, green when charging, red when charging).

⚠️ Note: Battery Icon Changer applications may conflict with MIUI Optimizations. If after installation the phone started to brake, disable optimization in Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ Special facilities β†’ MIUI Optimizations (requires an unlocked bootloader).

Why don’t apps change the icon forever?
Third-party utilities run on top of the system, so after a reboot or a MIUI update, their settings can be reset.

4. Change icons via ADB (for advanced)

If you’re ready for deeper modifications, you can change your icon system files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that doesn’t require root, but requires unlocking the bootloader and enabling debugging over USB.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

Install ADB on PC (download from [developer.android.com](https://developer.android.com)

Enable USB debugging in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI Version (7 times tap) β†’ Additional β†’ For developers β†’ Debugging by USB

Connect Redmi 9A to your PC and confirm your trust in your PC

Download an archive with custom icons (for example, from the forum) [XDA Developers](https://forum.xda-developers.com))-->

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/Download/battery_icons/* /system/framework/framework-res/res/drawable/




chmod 644 /system/framework/framework-res/res/drawable/battery




reboot

Where:

  • battery_icons β€” folder with your custom icons (should be in.png format and be referred to as original files, for example, stat_sys_battery_100.png).
  • chmod 644 – establishes the correct access rights.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing system files can lead to bootloop (cyclical reboot).Before experimenting, backup through an adb backup or TWRP. On the Redmi. 9A especially vulnerable files in /system/framework β€” Damage often requires reflashing.

πŸ’‘

The ADB method is only suitable for users who understand the implications of modifying system files, and if you are unsure, use themes or third-party apps.

5. Installation of custom firmware (maximum customization)

For complete freedom in changing icons (including animations, color schemes, and even 3D-effects) will require custom firmware installation, for example:

  • πŸ”§ LineageOS – pure android open source.
  • 🎨 Pixel Experience – firmware with Pixel style and advanced icon settings.
  • πŸ”₯ Havoc-OS – firmware with maximum customization (including dynamic battery icons).

The installation process on Redmi 9A (codename dandelion)

  1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires Xiaomi account binding and wait 7 days).
  2. Install TWRP Recovery for dandelion (download from [officialtwrp.me](https://twrp.me)).
  3. Download firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience for dandelion) and GApps (if you need Google services).
  4. Download to TWRP (Power + Vol Up) and run Wipe β†’ Format Data.
  5. Install firmware and GApps via Install.

After installing custom firmware, you can:

  • Select the style of the battery icon in Settings β†’ System β†’ Statusbar.
  • Install themes from Substratum or Layertheme.
  • Adjust the color indication (for example, red at 15%, yellow at 30%).
FirmwareSupport for Redmi 9ABattery customizationComplexity of installation
LineageOS 20Official (dandelion)Basic (style, %)Medium
Pixel Experience 13InformalExtended (animations, colors)Tall.
Havoc-OS 5.12InformalMaximum (3D, dynamic)Very high.

⚠️ Note: Install custom firmware on Redmi 9A Cancellation of warranty and may cause problems with Widevine L1 (lack of HD into Netflix/Disney+). Before firmware, check if your model has working ports with fixed DRM.

6. Hidden MIUI chips for battery

MIUI has a few hidden battery display features that few people know about:

  • πŸ”‹ Color Indication in Games: In Settings β†’ Special facilities β†’ The color filter can be enabled in the mode "Saving charge in games", in which the battery icon will flash red at low charge.
  • ⚑ Charging animation: If you connect charging when the screen is off, on Redmi 9A Hidden animation is displayed (activated by a double tap on the screen during charging).
  • πŸ“‰ Chart of discharge: In Settings β†’ Battery β†’ The schedule of use can be seen exactly how the charge is consumed (useful for diagnosis).

On the Redmi 9A with MIUI 13+, there is an undocumented option to enable β€œDeveloper Mode for Battery” – if you type in the dial ##4636##, the test menu will open, where you can reset battery statistics in the Battery information section (useful after replacing the battery).

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing the battery icon, Redmi 9A users face typical problems:

Problem.Reason.Decision
The icon does not change after the theme change.Cash status linesRestart your phone or clear the cache in Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Systemic β†’ Systemic UI
Charge percentages are missing after the updateResetting MIUI settingsGo to Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Show the percentage of charge and turn it on again
The customization application is not workingThe conflict with MIUI OptimizationsTurn off optimizations in Settings β†’ Additional β†’ For developers
After ADB, the icon became a squareIncorrect file sizesUse icons with a resolution of 24x24 pixels in PNG format

If the phone stopped booting after the experiments, try:

  1. Download to Fastboot (Power + Vol Down) and flash the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
  2. If you have TWRP, make Wipe β†’ Format Data and reinstall the firmware.
Can I change the battery icon without rooting and unlocking the bootloader?
Yes, but the choice is limited: Change theme in MIUI Themes (3-5 icons), apps like Energy Bar (overlaid on top of the standard icon), enable percentages in the settings, and completely replace the icons will require root rights or ADB.
Why did the icon settings drop after the MIUI update?
MIUI updates often reset custom settings because they overwrite system files. To avoid this: Before upgrading, backup through adb backup. Use themes from the official store - they are saved after updates. If you used ADB, repeat the procedure after updating.
How to return a standard battery icon?
Resetting Methods: For those: return the standard theme to Settings β†’ Themes. For ADB: backswipe the original icon files or reset via Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Reset. For custom firmware: return to stock MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.
Can I make an animated battery icon on the Redmi 9A?
Yes, but with reservations: Through MIUI Themes: some themes (like "Dynamic Battery") support simple animation when charging. Through Magisk modules: Battery Styles adds animation but requires root. On custom firmware: Havoc-OS or Pixel Experience support dynamic icons. On stock MIUI without root, animation is impossible.
Is it safe to use ADB to change icons?
Relatively safe if: You follow the instructions exactly and do not delete system files. Before you change, backup through adb backup. Use proven sources to download custom icons (for example, XDA Developers); Risks: If you confuse files, bootloop is possible. Some banking applications can block work on modified devices.