Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer users the widest possible personalization, allowing them to turn the standard interface into something unique. One of the most noticeable details that attract the attention of the owner is the charging indicator, which by default is often performed in neutral white or yellow colors. The color change of this element is not just pleasing to the eye, but also helps to visually distinguish modes of operation, for example, fast charging from normal, or simply complements the selected color scheme of the the the theme.
The built-in MIUI shell and its current version of HyperOS provide multiple levels of access to control the visual elements of the system. The user can limit himself to standard settings of the themes that are available to everyone, or go further, using engineering menus and third-party utilities for deep customization. It is important to understand that color change can be both a software emulation and a real change in the parameters of the system interface, depending on the model of your device.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods, from simple menu actions to more complex manipulations, you will learn why some Xiaomi models change color automatically, and others require intervention, and we will also touch on the security of using third-party software and explain how to avoid potential system conflicts.
Standard methods of customization through theme
The safest and most common way to change the look of the interface, including the animation and color of the battery indicator, is to use the built-in Themes app. MIUI shell is built around the concept of theme, where visual elements such as icons, wallpaper and system widgets are combined into a single style. When you install a new theme, the design of the charging window, which is activated when you connect the power cable, often changes.
To get started, open the standard Themes app on your smartphone. In the search box, type in a query related to the desired style, such as "Neon charge", "Battery animation" or simply the name of a popular style such as "iOS style". Notice the preview of topics: many developers specifically indicate in the description or show in screenshots what the charge indicator looks like. After choosing the appropriate option, click "Download" and then "Apply".
It is worth noting that not all themes change the color of the strip or percentage numbers. Some only modify the display style (for example, make it minimalistic or conversely overloaded with details). If after applying the theme the color remains the same, try to find a theme marked "Global" or specifically designed for your Redmi or Poco model, as regional versions of firmware may have restrictions.
- 🎨 Open the Themes app and go to the Profile section to manage installed components.
- 🔍 Use search for keywords like “Charge style”, “Battery” or “Animation” to find specialized topics.
- 📱 Make sure the theme is compatible with your Android version and MIUI, avoiding display bugs.
- 💾 Before using a new theme, back it up in the settings to quickly return to the original state.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes from third-party sources or modified versions of the theme store, there is a risk of system stability being compromised.Always check author ratings and other users' reviews before downloading.
Using the Mi Pilot app for hidden features
For more advanced users who want to access hidden system features without installing suspicious software, there is an official but hidden Mi Pilot application.This tool is designed for testers and allows you to activate additional options in MIUI that are not normally available in the standard menu. Among other things, you can find settings that affect the visualization of system processes, including status indicators.
To activate Mi Pilot, you will need to enter a special code in the Phone app. However, just opening the application is not enough – you often need to log in to your Mi Account with tester rights or use specific activation commands that change with the release of new versions of the firmware. In some cases, activation allows you to access the Advanced Settings menu, where sliders are present to change the color gamut of the interface.
It is important to understand that the Mi Pilot functionality is highly dependent on the regional version of the firmware. On the global versions (Global ROM), many functions may be blocked or missing, while on the Chinese versions (China ROM) the customization options are much wider. If you are looking for a way to change the charging color through this tool, you may need to switch the region in the phone settings or install the appropriate version of the application.
How do I activate Mi Pilot?
Using system utilities to change the appearance is a balance between functionality and stability. Mi Pilot gives more control than conventional themes, but requires more technical literacy from the user. It is not recommended to change parameters that you do not understand, especially those related to power management and display.
- 🛠 The Mi Pilot app provides access to beta features that may include new interface styles.
- 🌍 Feature availability depends on the region specified in the phone settings (e.g. India, Russia, Global).
- 🔐 Some options require you to log in to your Mi Account with your phone number tied.
- 🔄 Regularly update the app through the official store to access new test features.
Engineering menu and codes for display diagnostics
One of the most powerful, but also the most dangerous, areas to experiment with is Xiaomi's engineering menu, which is accessed through a special set of commands in dialer code. The most common command to enter the full engineering menu is ##64663## or ##4636##. Here are hardware tests, including checking the display, sensor and, importantly for us, LED indicators.
Inside the engineering menu, you can find a section related to the LED indicator or Display color test. However, it is worth making it clear right away: the regular engineering menu rarely allows you to permanently change the charging color for the average user. Most often these functions are designed to check the performance of different color LEDs (RGB) in the factory. However, some older Redmi and Xiaomi models have the ability to reassign the notification and charging colors through hidden configurations available using the code ##MIUI# (where MIUI is replaced with a digital code that depends on the version).
If you decide to explore these depths of the system, be extremely careful. Changing the parameters in the engineering menu can lead to incorrect touchscreen performance, battery calibration, or even to "bricking" the device if you change the critical flags. Changing the color profiles of the display in the engineering menu without a calibrator can permanently distort the color reproduction of the screen.
☑️ Check before entering the engineering menu
There is a myth that code #2846579## (ProjectMenu) allows you to change the color of the charger, which is actually a design information menu where you can see the software version and battery information, but direct editing of charging color schemes is usually not available there without root rights and specialized modules.
Third-party applications for customization Charge Effect
When MIUI is not available, Google Play apps come to the rescue. Developers have created a variety of utilities that block the standard charging window with their interface. Apps like Battery Charge Animation, Custom Battery & Charging, or Charging Battery Sound allow you to set any color, gif animation, or even video when you connect the charger.
The way these programs work is to create their own layer over the system window (Overlay), and when the phone detects the power connection, the app starts its own script, you can choose not just a static color, but dynamic gradient pouring, simulated lightning or neon glow, which gives you maximum creative freedom that standard tools do not have.
However, this method has its drawbacks: Third-party applications consume additional battery power, as they must constantly monitor the status of the connection.In addition, on newer versions of Android (12, 13, 14), the system tightens control over the permissions to display on top of other windows, so the application may not work correctly or require permanent permissions that annoy the user.
- 🎞 Applications allow the use of video and GIF-animations as background charging.
- ⚙️ You need permission to “Draw over other apps).
- 🔋 Background operation of the application can slightly increase the power consumption in standby mode.
- 📱 On some models with aggressive battery optimization, the application must be added to exceptions (Whitelist).
⚠️ Note: Only download applications to modify system interfaces from trusted sources, such as the Google Play Store. Programs from unknown sources may contain malicious code that steals data.
Root rights and system modifications
There are endless possibilities for users who are not looking for easy ways and have superuser rights (Root), and root access allows you to edit the system files responsible for the interface framework, in particular, changes are made to resource files such as framework-res.apk or miui-system.apk, where the colors of the interface elements are written, including the charging dialog box.
The process is as follows: using file managers with root access (for example, MT Manager or Root Explorer, you find the right apk file in the system partition. Then, using the built-in resource editor, you find the string or color values that are responsible for the system partition "charging_color" Or similar settings, and you change their hex code to what you want, and once you save it and reboot it, the phone will display charging in a new color.
This is the most reliable method, because the change occurs at the system level without requiring third-party applications to run or using up the battery. However, the risk is maximum: one error in the hex code or file syntax can lead to a bootloop.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk to the system | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI themes | Low. | Minimum | Depends on the topic. |
| Appendices (Overlay) | Medium | Low. | Tall (visually) |
| Engineering menu | Tall. | Medium. | Low (often unavailable) |
| Root modifications | Expert | critical | Maximum |
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Before editing system files, copy the originals to a safe place on your computer, which will restore the phone to work in case of an error.
Features of the indicator on different models
It is important to consider that Xiaomi uses different types of screens and technologies in its devices. AMOLED-screens (series Mi, Xiaomi) 11/12/13/14, Redmi Note Pro, the color change of charging is perceived most vividly due to the deep black and contrast. Here customization gives the greatest visual effect.
At the same time, on budget models with IPS-With screens and standard refresh rates, complex animations can look less smooth. In addition, in new versions of HyperOS, the company is implementing a single ecosystem where charging style can sync with a Mi Band watch or tablet if they are connected to a single account. This creates a single color space, but limits the ability to manually customize individual elements.
Also worth mentioning is the physical LED light (a small bulb on the end of the case), which is not available on all models. If your Redmi or Poco is equipped with such an indicator, its color when charging (usually orange or green) is programmatically impossible to change, since this is a characteristic of the LED itself. Software methods only change the image on the screen.
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The physical LED indicator on the phone body has a fixed color, which is determined by hardware and does not change programmatically.
Understanding the technical limitations of your device will help avoid frustrations: If you are a flagship owner, chances of finding a working theme or mod are higher. For budget devices, it is better to rely on lightweight overlay applications that will not load the processor.