Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the desire to personalize the appearance of their device, going beyond the standard features. One of the most noticeable details of the interface is the charge indicator, which by default has a standard look familiar to all Android users. However, the built-in shell of MIUI or HyperOS to change the very shape or style of this icon in the system status bar is impossible without the use of third-party methods.
There are several proven ways to implement this plan, from the secure installation of those to more complex manipulation of system files. The choice of a particular method depends on your version of the operating system, smartphone model and the availability of Root rights. It is important to understand that deep modification of the interface always carries certain risks, so before starting any actions, it is recommended to create a full backup of data.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the options available for replacing the graphics battery, evaluate their safety and effectiveness, learn how to use the built-in theme store, third-party launchers and specialized tools for modifying the system partition /system.
Official method: use of the "Themes" app
The safest and most affordable way to change the appearance of the battery icon is to use the official Themes app, which is preinstalled on all devices of the company. This method does not require advanced access rights and is completely reversible. The mechanism of work is that the theme replaces not only the wallpaper and icons of the application, but also system resources, including the status bar graphics.
To implement this method, you need to open the application, go to the search section and enter keywords such as “Battery”, “Charge” or “Status bar”. In the search results, you should pay attention to the preview, which often shows exactly what the charge indicator looks like. After choosing the appropriate design, just click on the “Download” button and then “Apply”.
Note that the application of the theme changes the appearance of the entire system or a significant part of it. If you liked only the design of the battery and the rest of the theme elements do not fit, you can use the combination function. Go to the user profile within the the theme application, select the option "Configuration of components" and only leave active "Battery icon" or "System notifications", if such separate control is supported by a particular firmware version.
- 🎨 Open the Topics app and go to the Battery category or use search.
- 📥 Download your favorite theme, making sure it is compatible with your model.
- ⚙️ Apply the theme in full or use a hybrid method of customizing components.
- 🔄 To return to the standard, simply select the theme “Classic” or “No subject” in your profile.
However, this method has its limitations: Theme developers do not always have access to all elements of the system interface, especially in new versions of HyperOS. Sometimes after applying the theme, the battery icon may remain standard if the the theme author did not provide for its replacement or if the system blocks the change of this resource for security purposes, in which case you will have to look for alternative options.
Change of launcher and battery widgets
If you don't want to change the entire visual style of the system, you can use third-party launchers to replace the system icon through themes. Installing an alternative shell, such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher, allows you to flexibly customize the desktop, but does not change the system status bar directly.
Many modern launchers and specialty widget apps offer controls with a unique battery design. You can place a large, stylized charge indicator on your desktop that will overlap or complement the standard status bar. This is especially convenient on large-screen smartphones, where space allows you to place additional interface elements.
To install this solution, go to Settings → Desktop and select a third-party application as the default launcher. Then, long-tap will open the widget add-on menu at the blank spot of the screen, among which you can find stylish charge indicators with percentages, animations or custom shapes.
⚠️ Warning: Third-party launchers may consume more RAM resources than standard shell MIUI. On devices with less than 4GB of RAM, this can lead to more aggressive offloading of background applications.
The advantage of this approach is that it is completely independent of system constraints. You can change the design of the battery every day just by installing new widgets. In addition, many widgets provide additional statistics, such as battery temperature or time to fully charge, which makes them functionally richer than the standard icon.
Why can’t the system icon be replaced?
Modification of system files (requires Root)
For users with Root rights and an unlocked bootloader, the most powerful, but also the most risky, method is to directly replace graphics files in the system, which allows you to change the icon that is displayed in the status bar near the time, regardless of the applications running or theme.
The process starts with finding or creating a suitable image. You will need a.png file that will replace the standard system images (usually called the "P" image). stat_sys_battery.png, stat_sys_battery_charge.png And variations for different percentages of charge. These files are in the directory. /system/framework/framework-res.apk or /system/systemui.apk, Depending on the Android version and firmware type.
To perform the operation, you will need a file manager with access to the root of the system, such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer. Once you get the superuser rights, you must mount /system in write mode (R/W). Then you should find the original battery files, rename them (creating a backup) and place new images with identical names.
Example path to battery resources (may differ):
/system/framework/framework-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/
/system/systemui.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/It is critical to respect the resolution and format of the source files. If you insert an image of a different size or color depth, the SystemUI system process may end in error, leading to a “bootloop” (cyclic reboot) or black screen. Before replacing, be sure to copy the original files to a secure location, such as a cloud drive or computer.
- 🔒 Make sure the device has an unlocked bootloader and Root installed.
- 💾 Make a full backup section /system or copy the replaced files.
- 🖼️ Prepare. PNG-Images that correspond exactly to the size of the originals.
- 📂 Replace the files in framework-res.apk or systemui.apk via the root file manager.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
☑️ Checklist before system modification
Use of Magisk and LSPosed modules
More advanced and flexible customization tools are the Magisk modules and the LSPosed framework (formerly Xposed), which allow you to make changes to your system on the fly without directly editing files in the /system partition, making the process safer and easier to roll back changes in case of problems.
There are many modules specifically designed to change the status bar «AOSP Mods or specialized tweaks for MIUI/HyperOS allow you to choose the style of the battery from dozens of ready-made options: round, vertical, in the form of a number, with a gradient, etc. Installation of such a module occurs through the Magisk Manager application: you download the archive of the module, add it in the Modules section and reboot it.
For users who prefer fine-tuning, the LSPosed + Xiaomi EU Tool or GravityBox (if supported by your version of Android) bundle opens the hidden developer menus where you can customize the behavior and appearance of the charge indicator in detail, including its color, transparency and position.
⚠️ Note: Installing LSPosed modules requires the exact match of the framework and Android versions. Using an incompatible module can lead to unstable system operation or loss of access to the settings menu.
The main advantage of this method is modularity: you can disable or remove the module at any time, and the system will return to its original state without the need to flash it again. In addition, the community constantly updates the modules, adding support for new versions of MIUI and HyperOS, making this method relevant even for new models of smartphones.
Comparison of customization methods
The best way to replace a battery icon depends on your skills, goals and willingness to risk the stability of your device. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the method that is suitable for your case.
| Method | The need for a Root | Difficulty | Risk to the system | Flexibility of settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annex “Themes” | No. | Low. | Minimum | Medium |
| Third-party launcher | No. | Low. | Absent. | High (widgets) |
| Direct file replacement | Yes. | Tall. | High-pitched | Maximum |
| Magisk/LSPosed modules | Yes. | Medium | Medium. | Very high. |
As you can see from the table, for most users, official themes or widgets are the best solution, providing a balance between appearance and stability. Root-rights methods should only be considered by experienced enthusiasts who understand the consequences of their actions and have at hand the tools for system recovery (TWRP, Fastboot).
💡
If you choose to use the direct file swap method, always check checksum for downloaded system files from trusted sources to avoid damaging the system partition.
Possible problems and solutions
You may encounter various technical difficulties in customization. One of the most common problems is the bootloop, which is that the smartphone is endlessly rebooted after applying a theme or module. This happens when the resource is incorrect or corrupted. In the case of themes, it is usually helpful to log into Recovery mode and clear the cache, or connect to a PC and delete the problematic theme through the file system if you have access.
Another common situation is that the battery icon has changed but stopped showing percentages or the color has changed to unreadable, which indicates a resource conflict or a bug in the theme/module code. The solution is to find an alternative version of the theme or update the Magisk module. It is also worth checking whether the Power Savings mode is turned on, which can force the indicator to change color to yellow, ignoring your settings.
If the module is lost after installation or Wi-Fi stops working, then the module conflicts with the system libraries of your firmware version, in which case you must immediately remove the module through Safe Mode or Recovery. Never ignore the unstable operation of the system after the modification, this can lead to a complete failure of the device.
For users using global firmware versions, some features of Chinese themes or modules may not be available, and in such cases, it is recommended to use regional settings (change region in the phone settings to China or India) to expand the catalog of available content, although this may affect the operation of some Google services.