The interface of modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones provides users with ample opportunities for personalization, but standard settings often hide really useful options. Many device owners wonder how to change the status of the bar in Xiaomi to optimize the display of the screen usable area or simply make the appearance of the system more unique. The status bar located at the top of the display is a key element of navigation, where time, charge level, network indicators and application notifications are displayed.
Deep customization of this area allows not only to improve aesthetics, but also to improve the usability of the gadget in everyday life. In the operating shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, there are hidden menus and special applications that give access to the management of interface elements that are not available through the standard settings menu. Understanding the principles of these components will help you adapt your smartphone to your own usage habits.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can modify the top panel, from basic switches to advanced methods using third-party software. You will learn how to hide unnecessary icons, change the style of the watch or even completely redraw the design of the status bar. Full customization is possible only on devices with unlocked bootloader and superuser rights. However, even without complex system intervention, you can achieve impressive results using the built-in functionality.
Basic display settings in the system
The interface transformation should begin with a look at the standard features that the manufacturer provides. In most cases, users simply switch a few switches in the settings menu to significantly change the visual perception of the top of the screen, and then go to Settings → Notifications and the status bar, where the main management tools are concentrated.
Here you will find options for displaying Internet speed, which is especially important for those who monitor traffic or communication quality, and there is also a feature that shows the percentage of battery power directly inside the battery icon, which saves space and looks more aesthetic. Some models allow you to choose the format of the time: 12-hour or 24-hour, and change the font of the display of the clock if you set the appropriate theme.
Importantly, the range of options available depends on the version of the firmware installed and the specific smartphone model. Flagship devices in the Xiaomi 13 or Xiaomi 14 series often have a more advanced personalization menu compared to the budget models of the Redmi Note series. If you did not find the right switch, it may have been removed by developers in your version of the shell or moved to another subsection of the menu.
Don't ignore the Notifications section, as this is where app icons are set to bar status, and you can prevent certain program icons from being displayed to avoid cluttering the top bar with only system indicators, which is especially useful when multiple messages from instant messengers and games are constantly flashing in front of your eyes, distracting from work or leisure.
Use of themes and shops of design
One of the easiest and safest ways to radically change the appearance of the status bar is to install third-party themes. The MIUI Themes store contains thousands of design options that modify not only wallpaper and icons, but also system elements, including the status of the bar. When choosing a theme, pay attention to the preview, which often shows how the top panel will look after applying the design.
Many themes offer alternative styles for hours, dates and signal indicators that can be more contrasting or minimalist. Once the theme is installed, the system will automatically apply new graphic elements, replacing the standard fonts and icons with copyright ones. If you only liked the style of the bar status and the rest of the theme does not fit, you can apply the theme settings selectively, leaving only modifications to the system elements.
- 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to Status Bar or search Status Bar".
- 📥 Download your favorite theme and click the "Apply" button, having previously checked compatibility with your version of Android.
- ⚙️ Go to the theme settings and select the option "Components" to activate only the status bar changes without touching the wallpaper.
It is worth considering that some elements may not apply correctly if the version of your MIUI shell is different from the one for which the theme was created. Theme developers often focus on specific versions of Android, and new system updates may show graphic files with errors, in which case it is better to look for a fresher design or return to the standard style.
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Before installing a new theme, take a screenshot of the current settings screen to quickly return everything as it was if you don’t like the new style.
Hiding and managing interface elements
The functionality of the bar is not only about displaying information, but also about hiding unnecessary data to create a clean workspace. In the notification settings, you can customize in detail which apps have the right to display their icons to the top line, which helps to eliminate visual noise when dozens of icons interfere with the time or charge level.
To access the fine-tuning, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Status bar. Here's a list of all the apps with switches installed. By disabling unnecessary programs, you'll see the status bar become cleaner and more informative. This is especially true for users who get a lot of background notifications from games and news aggregators.
⚠️ Warning: Hiding system icons, such as signal strength or battery power, through third-party apps can cause you to miss an important call or device discharge at the wrong time.
In addition, some firmware versions have an "Advanced Format" feature for watches that allows you to display the date and day of the week directly in the status bar. This requires a sufficiently wide screen or compact font, so on small displays, text can be cropped. Experiment with in-store fonts to find a balance between text size and readability.
☑️ Checking the bar status settings
Element visibility management also includes setting the behavior of the status bar when watching a video or playing. In Game Turbo, you can completely hide the status bar so that it does not overlap the application interface. This software solution works more effectively than manually disabling elements, since it activates automatically when you start a game.
Advanced Customization through Third Party Apps
For users who don’t have the standard tools, there are specialized applications that allow you to penetrate the system interface deeper, and one of the most popular tools is the Material Status Bar app, which allows you to completely redraw the top panel, changing the color, transparency, style of icons and even adding new features.
These applications often require special permissions through ADB or root permissions, because they modify the system interface in real time. Once installed and configured, you can change the background color of the bar status for each application separately, create gradients or make the panel completely transparent, opening up opportunities to create a unique visual style that is impossible with regular means.
| Annex | Necessary rights | Substantive function | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Status Bar | ADB / Root | Complete redrawing of elements | Medium |
| Good Lock (analogues) | No rights. | Color customization and transparency | Low. |
| Xposed Modules | Root / LSPosed | Deep System Modification | Tall. |
| NSB Manager | ADB | Managing the concealment of elements | Medium |
Using modules for the Xposed or LSPosed framework gives maximum control, allowing you to change the behavior of the bar status at the code level. You can make the clock blink when notified, change the location of the indicators or add widgets directly to the status bar. However, installing such modules requires unlocking the bootloader, which can lead to loss of warranty and data reset.
Risks of using third-party software
System Limitations and Version Compatibility
When trying to change the status of the bar, it is important to understand that each version of MIUI and HyperOS has its own security limitations. Since Android 10 and up, access to the system interface has been significantly limited, so many of the methods that worked on older versions are now irrelevant, this is done to protect user data and ensure the stability of the operating system.
Owners of HyperOS-based devices may face even stricter security policies that block some interface modifiers from working, and if a customization application doesn’t start or crashes immediately after it’s turned on, it’s likely incompatible with your firmware version, and in such cases, you’ll only rely on official themes or updates from software developers.
- 📱 Check the Android version in the About Phone menu before installing the interface modifiers.
- 🔒 Make sure that the developer settings include “Debugging by” USB", if you plan to use ADB-team.
- 🔄 Regularly update customization applications, as developers often release patches for new versions. MIUI.
Global ROMs often have fewer customization restrictions than Chinese ROMs, which can block uncertified applications from being installed. If you use the Chinese version of a smartphone, you may need to take the extra step of installing Google services and unlocking regional restrictions.
⚠️ Warning: Modifying system files without proper qualifications can lead to a disruption of the touch screen or loss of brightness, since the display drivers are closely related to the rendering of the interface.
Solving and restoring settings
When experimenting with the appearance of the bar, users often encounter problems such as the disappearance of the clock, incorrect display of colors or a full black screen at the top. The first step in solving such problems should always be to restart the device, since many graphical bugs are temporary and associated with the cache of the system.
If after installing a theme or application, the status bar stopped responding to touch or disappeared altogether, try clearing the application data "Themes" or "System UI." To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the desired system process and select "Clean Data." This will return the interface elements to factory state without losing personal files.
In cases where standard methods do not help, you may need to reset the interface settings through the engineering menu or ADB-But it's an extreme measure that you can only use when you're confident in your actions, and the easiest way to remove recently installed themes or modifier apps that might have caused conflict is to remove them.
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Any changes to the system interface are reversible: removing a problematic theme or modifier application automatically restores the standard bar status.
To restore the standard view without deleting data, you can use Safe Mode. Press the off button on the lock screen (or physical on button) before the suggestion to go to Safe Mode appears. In this mode, only system applications are loaded, which allows you to remove the culprit of the problem if it interferes with normal operation.