Xiaomi smartphone owners often aim to personalize the device, making it not only functional but also visually unique. One of the most sought-after tweaks is changing the look of the battery indicator, as the standard icon may seem boring or not informative enough. On Redmi Note 9 models, the MIUI system provides several built-in ways to modify the interface, but also opens the door to deeper changes through third-party tools.
Before you start to set up in detail, it is worth understanding that there is a difference between changing the style of the icon itself in the status bar and installing the widget on the desktop. Standard means you can switch between percentages, a pie chart or a classic silhouette, but installing radically new designs will require the use of those or specialized applications. In this article, we will look at all the available methods, from simple menu switches to more complex manipulation of system files.
Deep customization not only brightens the screen, but also improves the ergonomics of the device, so you can see the exact percentage of charge without unlocking the phone, or track the discharge rate in real time.
Standard Charge Display Settings in MIUI
The easiest and safest way to change how a charge is displayed is through standard Android settings adapted by the MIUI shell. Manufacturers have provided a few basic options that do not require additional software installation and guarantee stable operation of the device. To access these settings, you need to go to the Settings section, then select the Notifications item and the status bar (or the Lock Screen and the status bar depending on the firmware version).
Inside this menu is a Battery Indicator switch that allows you to choose from three main display modes. The first option is a classic battery silhouette icon that displays a percentage inside. The second option is a pie chart around the icon, which looks more modern and compact. The third option completely hides the digital values, leaving only a graphical designation of the charge level.
⚠️ Note: In some versions of the firmware MIUI 12 and MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 9, the circular indicator option can be hidden or replaced with other visual effects depending on the region.
The choice of the particular style depends on your personal preferences and the theme you use. Some themes can force the battery to change the display without the system settings, so if standard switches do not give visible results, try temporarily changing the theme to the standard one, which will help you to understand whether the current design blocks the change in parameters.
Using themes to change the style of the icon
The most popular way to radically change the battery view on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is to install third-party themes through the Themes app. Unlike standard settings, themes replace graphical interface elements, including app icons, settings menus and, of course, status indicators. To do this, open the Themes app, type in keywords like "Battery style", "iOS style" or "Minimal battery" and choose your favorite option.
Once you download and apply the theme, the system will automatically replace the standard images with new ones. It is important to note that not all themes change the icon in the status bar; some only affect the widget on the lock screen or in the control menu. Before installing, carefully study the screenshots in the theme description to make sure that the desired effect will be achieved on your device.
If the battery icon hasn’t changed after the theme is applied, it’s possible that the current version of MIUI blocks the replacement of system icons with third-party resources, in which case you can try to activate the developer mode or use special patches, although this already applies to more advanced modification methods. The standard mechanism of theme work in Xiaomi is flexible enough, but has limitations imposed by developers to ensure stability.
- 🎨 iOS themes: often change the battery to the style of “island” with a percentage inside, like on the iPhone.
- 📉 Minimalist themes: Offer thin lines and monochrome colors for interface rigor.
- 🌈 Neon themes: add bright glow and gradients that are noticeable even in the bright sun.
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When installing themes from unofficial sources, always check the author’s rating and downloads to avoid malware.
Installation of battery widgets on the desktop
If you're not comfortable with the small size of the icon at the top of the screen, a great solution is to install the battery widget on the home screen. Widgets provide much more information and customization, allowing you to see not only the current charge, but also the status of connected devices such as headphones or smart watches. To add a widget, swipe around the desktop or keep your finger free for a long time, then select Widgets.
In the list of available widgets, find the Battery category. Xiaomi's standard set of widgets offers several options, from a simple digital indicator to a complex scheme with displaying temperature and time to full discharge. Choose the option you like and drag it to the desktop. The widget can be adjusted by stretching its boundaries, allowing it to fit organically into any grid of icons.
For users who lack the functionality of standard widgets, Google Play apps such as Battery Widget Reborn or AccuBattery are available, which allow you to create a fully custom widget with a transparent background, selected font and color scheme that is ideal for your wallpaper or style.
| Type of widget | Informativeness | Impact on the battery | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard. | Average (percentage) | Minimum | Widget menu |
| Expanded | High (temperature, time) | Low. | Widget menu |
| Third-party (App) | Maximum (statistics) | Medium (background work) | Google Play |
☑️ Checking before installing the widget
Advanced Customization through Apps
For those who want to have full control of the look of the indicator, there are specialized applications that work on top of the system interface. One of the most powerful tools is the Battery Widget & Circle app, which allows you to create a floating widget in the form of a ring or a stripe that displays real-time charge.
Another popular method is to use apps to create custom themes, such as zTheme or Substratum (requires root rights (PNG-Images that are responsible for rendering the battery at different charge levels (100%, 80%, 50%, etc.) This method requires care, as replacing system files can lead to display errors if files are damaged or incompatible.
When using third-party applications, it is important to pay attention to the permissions they request. To display the widget on top of other windows, the application will need permission to display on top of other applications, and to work accurately, access to usage statistics. Do not give applications access to contacts or a microphone unless their functionality involves working with this data.
⚠️ Note: Apps requiring Root rights to replace system icons may result in loss of warranty and inability to receive official updates MIUI.
How to install a custom icon without Root?
Setting up the lock screen and Always on Display
Special attention should be paid to the display of the battery on the lock screen and in the Always On Display mode. AMOLED-This feature is particularly impressive on the screen. To change the display style, go to Settings. → Always on screen and lock screen. Here you can choose different watch styles, which often include a charge indicator.
Xiaomi Theme Store offers hundreds of designs for the lock screen, where the battery can be represented as an animated character, a filling vessel or abstract graphics. Using such a theme will only affect the lock screen without changing the interface of the main system, which is a great compromise for those who like variety but are afraid to change system files.
Also worth mentioning is the Important Notifications feature, which can display the battery icon when off if the charge level is critically low, which helps you quickly assess the state of the device with one glance without touching the screen. The settings for this feature are in the same menu as the settings. AOD.
- 🔒 Lock screen: allows you to use complex animations and large fonts.
- ⌚ AOD: Save energy by showing only the contours and percentages.
- 🎨 Dynamic topics: change the type of battery depending on the time of day or level of charge.
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The combination of a standard interface theme and a custom lock screen theme gives a better balance between stability and visual diversity.
Solution and resetting of settings
While experimenting with the look of the battery, Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 users may experience various problems, such as the icon disappearing, turning black, or displaying the wrong percentage of charge, often due to a conflict between the installed theme and the current firmware version. The first step in solving a problem should always be to return to a standard theme through the Topics menu. → Profile → Topics → Classic (or Standard).
If the problem persists, try clearing the System UI app cache. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find System UI (or System UI), select Memory and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse this with data cleanup, as a data reset can bring all interface settings back to factory, including the layout of icons on the desktop.
In rare cases, especially after an Android or MIUI update, third-party widgets may stop updating, in which case it helps to remove the widget from the desktop and re-install it. If this does not help, check the energy saving settings: the system may limit the background activity of the application responsible for the battery widget.