Budget smartphone owners often face the urge to personalize their device’s interface, and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A is no exception. The standard design of the MIUI shell, while functional, can seem boring after months of use. One of the first things that a user falls for when unlocking the screen or while using the gadget is the status bar at the top of the display.
Changing the look of a charge indicator is not just a cosmetic fix, but also a way to improve the visual perception of information about the state of the battery. In this article, we will discuss all the methods available, from simple theme settings to advanced system changes, you will learn what risks exist and how to safely modify the interface of your Redmi 9A.
It’s worth noting that customization options are directly dependent on the version of the operating system installed and the regional firmware. Global versions often have fewer limitations but also fewer built-in design features compared to Chinese builds. However, there are universal solutions that work on any Android device.
Standard theme settings in MIUI
The safest and easiest way to change the graphical display of charge is to use the built-in Themes app. The MIUI shell allows you to replace system icons without interfering with deep system settings.
Open the Themes app on the home screen or in the Tools folder. Type a query in the search box, such as "Battery Icon" or "Status Bar." The system will offer a variety of design options that change not only the style of the battery, but also other interface elements. Choose your favorite theme and click "Download".
Once downloaded, take your time to apply the theme fully if you are only interested in battery. Some themes can change the view of all application icons, which is not always desirable. The preview menu often features the option “Tune theme”, where you can choose to apply only to certain components, such as System icons or Status Bar.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party themes from unofficial sources, the system interface can become unstable. If the theme has gone out or artifacts appear, press the volume and power button for a forced reboot, the theme will reset to a standard one.
It’s important to understand that not all themes support the percentage of charge displayed inside the battery icon itself. This depends on how the designer has arranged the graphic elements in the theme files. If the percentages are missing, check the settings in Settings → Notifications and Status Bar → Battery Charge.
Use of the Themes Editor app
If the finished themes don't offer the right design, you can create your own battery style with Themes Editor, a technique that takes a little longer, but gives you complete control over the look. APK-Editorial file, as in global versions MIUI often hidden or removed.
Once installed, launch the app and select the option to create a new theme. You'll need to find a folder in the file structure that handles system resources, usually called framework-res or has a similar name depending on the version of Android. Inside, we're interested in files with the.png extension that contain images of the battery in different state of charge.
Replace standard images with your own, while respecting the original resolution and file name. This is critical, otherwise the system will not be able to correctly display the new graphic element. After replacing all the necessary files (discharged, charging, full), save the project and install the resulting.mtz file through the standard theme application.
It is worth considering that after a major update to the MIUI system, your changes may be reset, as the system files will be overwritten with new versions, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure again using a backup of your custom theme.
Application of third-party launchers
A radical solution to the standard design problem is to install an alternative launcher. Although the launcher primarily changes the desktop and app menus, many of them, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, allow you to install plugins for status bar.
This feature often requires an additional widget or plugin to cover the standard Xiaomi status bar, and once installed, you get access to dozens of battery styles, interest fonts, and color schemes, which gives you more freedom than standard MIUI themes.
However, this method has a significant drawback: resource consumption: Third-party launchers and status-bar plugins use RAM and CPU time, which on the budget processor Helio G25 in Redmi 9A can lead to reduced autonomy.
- 📱 Nova Launcher – the most popular launcher with a huge number of settings and support for plugins.
- 🎨 KLWP — Live wallpaper that can mimic a status bar with a unique battery design.
- 🔋 Battery Widget Reborn – a widget that can be stretched to the full screen or placed in a status bar (requires permissions).
If you choose to use this method, be sure to close unused applications in the background. On a device with 2 or 3 GB of RAM, every megabyte counts. Optimizing background processes will help maintain the balance between beauty and performance.
Modification of system files (Root Requires)
For users who are not afraid of complex technical manipulations, there is a way to directly replace system files, which requires obtaining superuser rights (Root) through utilities like Magisk, without these rights, access to the system partition will be closed.
Once root access is obtained, you need to use a file manager with support for system partitions, such as Root Explorer or MT Manager. The path to the battery graphics files usually looks like /system/framework/framework-res.apk or is located in the resources of the system UI SystemUI.apk. The specific path depends on the version of Android (10 or 11) on your Redmi 9A.
/system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/
stat_battery_15.png
stat_battery_100.png
stat_battery_charge_anim.pngYou have to find the files that match the charge levels and replace them with your own, keeping the original names. It's important to respect the format of the image and its transparency. Any error in the color code or size can cause the battery indicator to disappear altogether or to appear black square.
⚠️ Attention: Direct editing of system APK-files without backing up can lead to a "bootloop" (cyclical reboot).Always backup through Recovery before making changes to the partition /system.
This method is the most stable result, as the changes are sewn into the system and do not depend on third-party applications. However, when updating the firmware "over the air", all changes will be lost, and in rare cases, the update may not be installed on the modified system.
Configuring the percentage of charge display
Often, users' "change icon" means wanting to see exact percentages of charge. In the Xiaomi Redmi 9A, this feature is built-in, but can be hidden depending on the regional setting. The standard icon may be too small to understand how much power is left.
To activate the display of numbers, go to the Settings menu. Find the Notifications and Status Bar section (in some versions it is in the Screen subsection), where you will see the Battery Charge switch, and activate it, you can choose the display format: inside or next to the icon.
If standard settings don’t allow you to place percentages as you like, you can take advantage of hidden opportunities through the engineering menu or the Activity Launcher app.Look for the com.android.settings system process in the activity list and look for hidden battery testing menus.
| Parameter | Description | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the icon | Figures are displayed on top of a graphic image | Minimum, standard function |
| Next to the icon | Interests are placed in a separate text block | Increases the amount of space in the status bar |
| Always on screen. | The indicator burns even when the screen is locked (AOD) | Increased energy consumption (if IPS screen) |
| Color indicator | Change of color depending on the level of charge | Requires third-party themes or plugins |
Do not forget that the constant display of bright elements on the screen, even in the status bar, theoretically can contribute to the burnout of the matrix, although for the sake of the system, the lighting of the screen is not enough. IPS-redmi screen 9A This risk is minimal compared to AMOLED.
Frequent problems and their solution
In customization, users often encounter common mistakes, such as when a new theme is installed, the battery icon may turn black or transparent, which means a conflict of graphical resource versions, and the solution is to clear the theme app data through the application management menu.
Another common problem is that you can de-synchronize the display, and the system can show 50%, and the graphic indicator will be full. This is treated by calibrating the battery. To do this, completely discharge the phone before you turn it off, then charge it and, not turn it on, hold it to 100%.
If you used a third-party launcher and it stopped working correctly after the Android update, try removing updates to the launcher itself or rolling back to the previous version. Compatibility of older versions of apps with new security patches by Google and Xiaomi is not always guaranteed.
- 🔄 Resetting – If nothing helps, returning to the theme’s factory settings will solve most visual bugs.
- 📲 Check for Updates – Make sure the Themes app is updated to the latest version via GetApps.
- 🛡️ Antivirus – sometimes defenders block the modification of system icons, considering it suspicious activity.
Remember, Redmi 9A is an entry-level device, and having too many widgets, live wallpapers, and heavy themes can slow down the interface, and if you notice lags when you scroll through the menu, you better go back to lighter design.