Why Xiaomiβs indicator color is important and can it be changed?
Xiaomiβs LED notification indicator is a small but extremely useful element that signals missed calls, messages or low battery power. By default, the manufacturer sets standard colors: red for missed calls, blue for messages, green for charging. However, many users want to personalize these settings β make the indicator more visible, harmonious with the case or just original.
The possibility of changing color depends on several factors: device model, version MIUI, screen-type (IPS or AMOLED) And even regional firmware. AMOLED-displays (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60 Ultra, the indicator is often implemented software-based through pixel lighting, which gives you more freedom to customize. IPS-screens can only have a physical LED with a limited palette.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to change the color of the indicator, from standard MIUI settings to hidden functions and third-party applications. You will learn which models support flexible configuration, and where you will need to unlock the bootloader or install custom firmware.
MIUI Settings: What Can Be Changed Without Root
Most Xiaomi smartphones with the latest MIUI 14/15 have built-in options to control the notification indicator. However, the functionality varies greatly depending on the model. For example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has color change for different types of notifications, and Poco X5 only has the backlight on/off.
To check the available options:
- Open Settings β Notifications and Status bar.
- Go to the Notification Indicator section (some firmware may call it LED indicator).
- If a partition is missing, try the Settings path β Additional β Special features β Notification indicator.
Hereβs what you can set up in the standard menu:
- π΄ Color for missed calls: usually red, but some models have orange shades available.
- π Color for messages: blue or blue, sometimes you can choose green.
- π’ Charging color: green or yellow (on devices with fast charging can flash).
- β‘ Frequency of flashing: Slowly, fast or constantly burning.
β οΈ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Black Shark 5) the built-in indicator may be physically missing, instead using the Always-on Display function (AOD), where the notification color is configured in the Settings section β Screen. β Always-on and lockdown.
Hidden MIUI features: how to enable advanced settings
Even if the standard menu does not have options for changing the color of the indicator, on some firmware MIUI There are hidden functions that can be activated through the codes of the engineering menu or ADB-This method works on devices with MIUI 12-15 and does not require root rights, but requires a connection to a computer.
First, check if your model supports advanced settings:
adb shell settings list | grep notification_lightIf the team returned the parameters, notification_light_pulse or notification_light_color, So you can change the color programmatically:
- Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
- Connect your smartphone via USB and allow debugging (Settings β About Phone β MIUI version β press 7 times, then go back to Settings β Additional β For Developers β Debugging by USB).
- Execute the command to change color (e.g., purple): adb shell settings put system notification_light_color FF00FF Where FF00FF β hex-code color (you can find on sites like htmlcolorcodes.com).
List of popular colors for the indicator:
| Colour | Hex code | Example of use |
|---|---|---|
| Red. | FF0000 | Missed challenges |
| Blue | 0000FF | Telegram messages |
| Green. | 00FF00 | Successful charging |
| Purple. | 800080 | Notifications from games |
| Yellow. | FFFF00 | Low battery charge |
β οΈ Note: After restarting the device settings set through ADB, To detect changes, use the command: adb shell settings put global. notification_light_pulse 1 This will include constant preservation of parameters.
Install Platform-Tools on PC|Enable debugging on USB Xiaomi|Connect your phone to the original cable|Check the connection with the adb device command-->
Applications for customization of the indicator: top-5 utility
If the built-in settings and ADB-You can use third-party apps, which are suitable for non-root devices, but some features may require overlay permission (for example, to display notifications on top of other windows).
The best apps to change the color of the indicator on Xiaomi:
- π± Light Manager β supports color settings for each app separately (e.g. red for WhatsApp, blue for Viber). MIUI 11-15, but requires special access in settings.
- π¨ Always on Edge β an alternative to the standard AOD for AMOLED-Allows you to adjust the animation and color of notifications at the edge of the screen (the effect of "luminous edges").
- β‘ Notification Light is a simple application for physical LED devices, and there are predefined patterns (like flashing green when you're low on charge).
- π§ MacroDroid β Automatic color change indicator depending on the conditions (time of day, connection to Wi-Fi, etc.
- π LED Blinker Notifications supports custom colors and blinking patterns. can emulate an indicator on devices without a physical LED.
How to set up Light Manager:
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Open the settings and enable the Special Opportunities Service for Light Manager.
- In the Notification Colors section, select an app (such as Telegram) and set the desired color.
- Set the duration of the blinking and the interval.
π‘
If the indicator does not change color after installing the application, restart the smartphone and check the permissions in Settings β Applications β Permissions β Special Access.
Root-access and custom firmware: maximum customization
To fully control the notification indicator on Xiaomi, you will need to unlock the bootloader and install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) or obtain root rights through Magisk. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it carries the risk of losing warranty and a possible βbrickβ of the device.
What gives root access to the indicator:
- π Full Color Palette: The ability to choose any shade from 16 million options.
- π Tweaking blinking patterns: Creating unique sequences (e.g., double blinking for important notifications).
- π Specific events: different colors for SMS, email, social networks and system alerts.
- π Brightness control: adjusting the intensity of the backlight depending on the lighting.
Instructions for changing color through Magisk:
- Unlock the bootloader on the official Xiaomi website (requires binding Mi Account).
- Install TWRP and run Magisk to get root.
- Download the LED Control module for Magisk (available on the XDA-Developers forum).
- In the module settings, select Custom LED Colors and set hex codes for each type of notification.
β οΈ Note: On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) after unlocking the bootloader may stop working Widevine L1, This will lead to a decrease in the quality of streaming on Netflix and Disney.+. Before the procedure, make a backup copy of the data!
How to return the Widevine L1 after unlocking?
AMOLED-Always-On Display: An Alternative to LED
On modern smartphones Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi) K70 Pro) a physical LED indicator is often missing; instead, it uses the Always-On Display function (AOD), It's a system that displays notifications directly on the screen that's turned off, and here the color and style of the alerts are configured differently.
How to change the color of notifications in AOD:
- Go to Settings β Screen β Always-on and Lock.
- Select the AOD style: Digital Watch, Analog Watch or Image.
- In the Notification Color (or Notification Style) section, select the palette. Some firmwares have gradients available.
- Activate the option to Show notification icons and adjust the color for each application.
For extended customization of AOD:
- π Appendix Always On AMOLED: It allows you to create your own themes with unique colors and animations.
- π¨ Edge Lighting: Adds the effect of highlighting the edges of the screen at notifications (similar to Samsung Edge Lighting).
On devices with AMOLED-The notification indicator uses minimal energy because only the pixels are illuminated. AOD More economical solution than a physical LED.
π‘
Nana AMOLED-screen color notifications in AOD You can change without root rights using standard settings MIUI or third-party applications like Always On AMOLED.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When changing the color of the indicator on Xiaomi, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Color does not change after setting | Conflict with the energy-saving regime | Turn off the battery β Power saving mode and restart the device. |
| The indicator flashes the wrong color | Failure in the system cache | Clear the cache to Settings β Applications β Application Management β System Applications β Settings. |
| ADB-commands are not applied | There is no permission to record settings | Execute the command adb shell pm grant [package_name] android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS. |
| The customization application is not working | Block MIUI | Enable Settings β Special Options β [Application Name]. |
| The indicator doesn't burn at all. | Disabled in settings | Check the settings β Notifications β Notification indicator. |
If neither method worked, your Xiaomi model may have hardware limitations, such as the Redmi 9A or Poco M3 LED is hard-coded to one color, and can only be changed by replacing the chip (which is impractical).