Icons on the screen of the smartphone Xiaomi: full decryption and concealment

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often notice different characters appearing at the top of the display, the so-called status bar. Sometimes these indicators appear suddenly, scaring the user or simply taking up useful space. Understanding what a particular icon means is critical to effective device management.

MIUI, and now HyperOS, is packed with many visual cues that tell you the status of the network, battery, running processes and connected accessories. Unlike pure Android, Xiaomi’s shell adds custom characters specific to their ecosystem. In this article, we’ll go into detail about the purpose of each element.

Having extra icons can not only distract from content, but also indicate background processes that consume battery power, so it is important not only to know their meaning, but also to be able to manage them. Let's start with the most common indicators of communication and the Internet, as they are most common.

Indicators of mobile communication and Internet connection

The top status bar is the main source of information about how your smartphone interacts with the outside world. The symbols here change dynamically depending on the quality of the signal and the type of network used. If you see the letter G, it means that the device is operating in 2G mode (GPRS), which is typical for areas with very poor coverage or with energy savings.

Higher speeds are indicated by the letters E (EDGE) and 3G. In modern conditions, this is considered a slow connection, sufficient only for messengers. When 4G or LTE is lit on the screen, the phone uses a high-speed fourth-generation network. In models with support for the fifth generation, a 5G icon can be displayed.

⚠️ Attention: If the icon 4G/LTE flashing or constantly changing 3G/E, This indicates an unstable base station signal, which can lead to a rapid battery discharge due to constant attempts to reconnect.

Special attention should be paid to indicators related to SIM-As most of Xiaomi devices support two. SIM-The cards, the status bar can display the numbers 1 and 2 next to the divisions of the signal, which helps to understand which slot is transmitting data or making a call.

• 📶 Signal divisions: show the operator's level of network reception.
• 🔼🔽 Up and down arrows: flash when data is transmitted actively (download or download).
• 🌐 Globe: Appears in the absence of the Internet, even if the network catches.
• 📵 Crossed-out phone: Do not disturb or no network.

Users often confuse the Wi-Fi icon with mobile Internet. When Wi-Fi is active, the mobile data icon (G/3G/4G) is usually hidden unless the Smart Wi-Fi feature is enabled, which duplicates channels to speed up. Arrows next to the Wi-Fi icon also indicate the activity of exchanging data packets with the router.

Battery status and energy saving modes

Battery charge is the second most important parameter that users are watching. The standard battery icon shows the current percentage of charge. However, there are many nuances in the Xiaomi shell, for example, if lightning appears near the battery, it means that the device is connected to a power source.

There's a special mode that not everyone knows about, and if you see a battery icon split into two parts (one of which is sort of disconnected), it's Ultra Energy Saving mode, which turns off all the extra functions and leaves only calls, SMS and basic apps, turning into a caller for a few days.

⚠️ Warning: An overheating icon (a thermometer or red thermometer) appears if the temperature of the processor exceeds critical values, in which case the system forcibly limits the performance and brightness of the screen.

For gamers and active users, the Game Turbo indicator is important. It can be displayed as a small joystick or a specific icon in the corner, indicating that the game mode with resource optimization is running. It can also appear the NFC symbol if the contactless payment function is enabled, but it is active only when the card is submitted.

Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode

This menu allows you to customize in detail when the smartphone should go into economical mode. Some users are unaware that the battery icon can change color depending on the chosen theme of design, but its functional value does not change.

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To extend the life of the battery, use the original charger and avoid charging in the cold or in direct sunlight.

Notifications, calls and system messages

The status bar is also a notification center, and it shows characters for missed calls, new messages, and calendar events. Unlike other systems, Xiaomi allows you to flexibly customize which icons will be visible all the time and which will disappear in a few seconds.

The alarm sign appears when at least one alarm is active. It's a useful feature that reminds you that the alarm will ring in the morning. If the alarm is off, the symbol disappears. Similarly, the Bluetooth indicator works: it is visible only when the module is on, even if the device is not connected to anything.

A separate point to mention is the VPN icon, which appears as a small key or a VPN label when a virtual private network is activated, and it's an important security indicator that tells you that all traffic is encrypted and goes through a third-party server.

Specific icons MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi’s shell is famous for its unique features that are reflected in the interface. One of the most recognizable is the Second Space icon, which looks like two overlapping circles or a person’s profile, and indicates that you are in an isolated environment with other applications and data.

Another important symbol is USB debugging. If you see an icon that looks like a hammer and a screwdriver or just a USB sign, it means that the developer mode is on, and for the average user, it's a signal that you can access the phone completely from your computer, which can be insecure.

⚠️ Warning: Never connect your smartphone to other people's computers for charging if you have a debugging icon on fire USB, Because it gives you access to your data.

New versions of HyperOS have privacy indicators, a little green dot in the corner of the screen lights up when an app uses a camera or a microphone, and it's a surveillance shield that lets you know instantly if you're listening to software that's running.

• 🧹 Cleaning: Broom badge appearing after the Cleanup work».
• 📥 Downloads: File load indicator in the background.
• 🎧 Headphones: Displays the type of connected audio device.
• 📷 Screenshot: Temporary icon after creating screenshot.

How to hide badges in the status bar

A lot of icons clutter up the screen and get in the way of view, and fortunately Xiaomi allows you to hide most of them, so you don't have to be a programmer, you just go to the standard settings, and the path can vary a little depending on the version of the shell.

To control visibility, go to Settings → Notifications and status bar. Here you will find switches for each type of indicator. You can only leave the signal level and battery, removing everything extra, which will make the interface cleaner and more minimalist.

Settings → Notifications and status bar → Hide icons

You can turn off NFC icons, alarm clocks, Bluetooth and other services from this menu, but remember that by hiding the icon, you will stop seeing the status of the function visually until you open the notification curtain completely.

Problems with displaying icons and their solution

Sometimes the system crashes and icons either don't appear where they should or stick on the screen after the feature is turned off. For example, the Bluetooth icon may burn even though the module is off. In such cases, a simple reboot of the device helps, which resets the interface cache.

If the problem is systemic, you may need to reset your interface settings, which won’t delete your personal data, but will return the system to a factory state, and it’s also worth checking for MIUI updates, as new patches often fix visual bugs.

In rare cases, status bar “glitch” is associated with conflicting applications that have permission to draw over other windows. Check the list of such applications in special features settings and disable suspicious ones.

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If icons stop showing correctly after installing a new theme, return the standard theme – this often solves the problem.