How to make a strip like on the iPhone on Xiaomi with MIUI 12: instructions with nuances

The activity strip at the top of the screen is one of the visual features of the iPhone that many Xiaomi users would like to see on their devices. MIUI 12 does not have a built-in feature to add it, but there are several workarounds: from hidden settings to using third-party tools. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods, their pros and cons, and also warn about the possible risks.

It's important to understand that the strip on the iPhone is not just a decorative element, but an indicator of camera, microphone and geolocation activity. On Xiaomi with MIUI 12, similar functionality can be reproduced in part, but with limitations. For example, system indicators in the statusbar will be displayed differently, and some applications may ignore the settings. However, the result will visually approach iOS — and this is the main thing for most users.

What is a strip on the iPhone and why it is needed on Xiaomi

The strip at the top of the iPhone screen (officially called the activity indicator) appears when the app uses a camera, microphone, or geolocation. It signals the user that their data can be transmitted or recorded. On Android, including MIUI 12, there is no such feature by default, instead using small icons in the statusbar, which are easy to miss.

On Xiaomi, the strip can perform two roles:

• 🔍 Visual imitation of iOS – for those who love the design of Apple and want to make the interface of your smartphone similar to the iPhone.
• 🛡️ Additional privacy protection – a bright indicator draws attention to the activity of applications that can monitor the user.

But there are nuances: on MIUI 12, the strip won’t work as well as on iPhones. For example, some system applications (e.g., com.miui.securitycenter) may ignore it, and after updating the firmware, the settings may reset, but the result is worth the effort — especially if you value customization.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5 and later, some methods may not work due to changes in Xiaomi's security policy. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 1: Configure through hidden MIUI settings (without root)

The safest method is to use hidden MIUI 12 settings that enable the display of activity indicators in the statusbar, which does not require superuser rights (root) and is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 9, Mi 10 and POCO X3.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to About the Phone. → Press 7 times on the version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.
4. Find the option to Show Activity Indicators (or Status Bar icon manager on English firmware) and turn it on.
5. Reset the device.

After the reboot, icons will appear in the statusbar, signaling the use of the camera (📷), microphone (🎤) geolocation (📍). They will be smaller than the bar on the iPhone, but they will perform the same function. To make them more visible, you can use themes from the Theme (for example, iOS-like themes from the Xiaomi community).

Developer mode activated |Important data backup |Battery charge > 50%|Device connected to Wi-Fi (for downloading themes)

-->

Method 2: Use ADB to activate indicators

If the hidden settings didn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a debugging tool that allows you to change system settings without root, which is more versatile and works even on devices with a locked bootloader.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB smartphone.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the adb.exe folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Execute the command to activate indicators: adb shell settings put global privacy_indicators 1
5. Reset the device.

When you reboot, you'll have green or orange dots in the statusbar, which indicate the activity of the camera/microphone.

adb shell settings put global privacy_indicators 0

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (for example, MIUI EU) This command may not work because of modified system files, so try the alternative command: adb shell settings put secure. icon_blacklist ""

Hidden settings MIUI|ADB-team|Third-party annexes|I don't know, I haven't tried it yet.

-->

Method 3: Third-party apps to simulate iPhone strips

If the first two methods don't work, you can install specialized apps from Google Play, which won't replace the system indicators, but will visually add a strip to the top of the screen.

• 📱 iOS 14/15 Control Center -- it simulates not only a strip, but also a control center, like an iPhone, and requires permissions to display on top of other apps.
• 🔴 Privacy Indicator - shows notifications when using the camera/microphone.
• 🎨 Nacho Notch – allows you to customize the statusbar area by adding strips and icons.

Cons of this method:

• ⚠️ Applications may conflict with MIUI 12, calling out the lags.
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption due to background activity.
• 🛡️ Data breach risk (some applications request suspicious permissions).

Recommendation: Check the reviews and ratings of the application before installing. Give preference to open source programs (such as the Privacy Indicator on GitHub). It is also worth creating a restore point in Settings → System → Backup to roll back changes if necessary.

Problems and Solutions: Why the Strip Doesn't Appear

Even after all the instructions are followed, the strip may not appear. Let's look at the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

If none of the methods worked, the reason may be:

• 🔒 Blocked bootloader – some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11) require unlocking.
• 🛠️ Castom firmware - modified versions MIUI (For example, Xiaomi.eu may have its limitations.
• 📱 Hardware restrictions on budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Some functions are disabled at the iron level.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ The methods described in this article may not work due to tighter security policies, and consider alternatives such as installing custom firmware based on Android. 12/13 activity-indicated.

-->

Comparison with other brands: how things are at Samsung, Realme and others

Xiaomi isn’t the only manufacturer that doesn’t have an inbuilt activity bar, and let’s look at how other brands have implemented this feature:

• 📱 Samsung (One UI): Starting with Android 12, in Settings → Privacy is an option called Access Indicators, which shows a green dot when using a camera/microphone.
• 🔄 Realme/OPPO (ColorOS: A similar feature is called Privacy Dashboard and is available in Settings → Privacy. The strip appears in the statusbar.
• 🤖 Google Pixel (Stock Android): In Android 12+ There are built-in indicators, but they're less visible than on the iPhone. → Confidentiality → Privacy panel.

Xiaomi with MIUI 12 doesn’t have the same convenience as its competitors, but it can be fixed with Magisk or custom firmware (like LineageOS).If privacy is critical to you, consider switching to a device with Stock Android or One UI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about stripes on Xiaomi

-->