Have you ever looked into the top of your Xiaomi and wondered what all these little icons mean? An antenna icon, a strange symbol with two arrows, a flashing eyeball β each of them carries important information about the state of your device, but it can be difficult to understand all this diversity without a hint.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the icons on Xiaomi that appear in the status bar, notification bar, and lock screen. You will learn not only their meaning, but also how some of them can be hidden or customized to your needs.
The material is relevant for all modern models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO base MIUI 14/15 And HyperOS. If you use an older version of the shell, some icons may look different, which we'll talk about in the relevant sections.
Basic icons in the status bar: what they mean
The status bar (aka "top bar") is the bar at the top of the screen that displays the time, battery level and various icons. Let's take a look at the most common icons you see every day:
- πΆ Network signal strength -- the number of sticks -- shows the strength of the mobile network signal, and if the icon is crossed out, the phone is not catching the network.
- πΆ 4G/5G/H+ β Type of mobile internet connection H+ signifies 3G, a E is a slow Edge.
- π Battery charge: percentage of charge or battery icon. If there's lightning nearby, the phone is connected to charge.
- π Sound mode - speaker with waves means on sound, crossed out - silent mode, and the bell - Do not disturb mode".
- πΆ NFC β badge NFC It appears when the function is enabled. On some models, it only appears when you are in active use (for example, when you pay for a service).
These icons are found on all Xiaomi smartphones, but their appearance may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI. For example, in HyperOS, icons have become more minimalistic, and the animation of charging the battery has changed.
There are also less obvious icons that appear from time to time:
- π Synchronization β spinning arrows mean that data is synchronized (for example, with Google or Mi Account).
- π± OTG β appears when connecting a flash drive or other device through USB OTG.
- π VPN β The small key signals an active key. VPN-connection.
- π‘ Access Point β If you give away the internet, an icon with two up and down arrows will appear.
- π§ Bluetooth devices β headphones or speakers connected via Bluetooth.
Some icons can flash or change color. For example, the notification icon is usually white, but turns blue if you touch the notification bar. NFC may flash when looking for devices to pair.
Rare and hidden icons: what they mean
In addition to the standard icons, Xiaomi has some that only appear in specific situations, and their meaning is not always obvious, so we have collected the most incomprehensible icons and their decoding:
| Badge | Name of name | What does it mean? | When it comes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ποΈ | Reading mode | Blue light filter switched on | When activated manually or on schedule |
| π§ | Developer mode | Debugging by USB Other functions for developers are active | After activation in settings |
| π‘οΈ | Safe regime | Phone is loaded with disabled third-party apps | After a special reboot. |
| π¦ | Delivery mode | Limited functionality for saving charge during transportation | Activated manually or automatically at low charge |
| π | Link Turbo | Technology to combine Wi-Fi and mobile Internet to speed up loading | When using the function actively |
One of the most mysterious icons is a little lock on the status bar, which appears when the phone is locked (the screen is off), and means that the network lock function is enabled, which prevents you from automatically connecting to open Wi-Fi networks without your knowledge.
What if there is an exclamation mark in a triangle?
Another rare icon is the two arrows that form a circle, which appears when you are actively transferring data over Wi-Fi Direct or when you use the Quick File Transfer feature from Xiaomi. If you are not transferring files, but the icon is burning, check if there is a third-party device connected to your phone.
β οΈ Warning: If the status bar shows a red cross icon on the battery, it means that the phone battery is bloated or damaged.Switch off the device immediately and contact the service center!Continued use may cause fire.
How to remove unnecessary icons from the screen
Some icons on the status bar can be annoying or distracting, and fortunately, many of them can be hidden or disabled. Here's how to do this:
- Disabling notification icons: Go to Settings β Notifications and status bar β Icon management. Here you can turn off the display of icons for specific applications. For example, if you're annoyed by the Mi Video icon, just uncheck the box in front of it.
- Hiding system icons: Some system icons (e.g, NFC Bluetooth or can be removed through Settings β Screen. β Status bar. Here are options for hiding network, battery and other indicators.
- Disable unnecessary features: If you are annoyed by the Read Mode or Sync icon, simply turn off these features in the settings. For example, the blue light filter can be deactivated in Settings β Screen. β Reading mode.
On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or X-ray) POCO F5) You can completely disable the icons in the status bar:
Go to Settings β The phone.
Press 7 times on the version MIUI (to enable the developer mode)
Back to the Settings β Additional β For Developers
Find the option Hide icons in the status bar and enable it-->
Note that hiding icons doesn't turn off the functions themselves. For example, if you hide the Bluetooth icon, Bluetooth itself will remain active. It's just a visual change.
β οΈ Note: On some firmware (especially custom ones), hiding system icons can cause notifications to work incorrectly. If notifications stop coming after changes, return the settings to the factory.
The icons on the lock screen: what they mean
Xiaomi's lock screen also displays various icons and notifications, which may differ from the ones you see on the status bar.
- π Missed call - appears if you haven't answered the call. tap to call back.
- π¬ Unread messages β the envelope icon with a number shows the number of new ones SMS or messaging.
- π Notifications from apps β here are displayed alerts from WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook and other programs.
- π Smart Lock β if the unlock function is enabled on a trusted device (for example, a smartwatch), the corresponding icon will appear.
- πΈ Camera β Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) show quick camera access.
Quick action icons, such as a flashlight or calculator, can also appear on the lock screen. β Lock screen β Labels.
If you see an unfamiliar icon with a lock and arrow on the lock screen, it means that the phone is locked by corporate policy (for example, through Microsoft Exchange or Mi Enterprise), in which case some functions may be limited by the administrator.
π‘
To quickly clear all notifications on the lock screen, swipe down the notification bar and click on the basket icon in the upper right corner.
Icons in the notification panel: decryption and configuration
When you lower the status bar down, you open the notification bar, and you see, in addition to app alerts, you see additional icons and switches, and you break them down into groups.
Quick settings switches
- πΆ Mobile data β turning on/off mobile internet.
- πΆ Wi-Fi β Control of wireless network.
- π Sound/Vibration/No Sound β Switching sound profiles.
- π¦ Flashlight - quick access to the flashlight.
- βοΈ Autoturn β locking/unlocking the screen autoturn.
System notifications
- π System Update β Appears when a new version is available MIUI or hyperos.
- π‘οΈ Security β alerts from Mi Security about potential threats.
- π₯ Downloads β progress of downloading files.
- π Battery Optimization β Tips for Saving Charge.
The set of switches in the notification panel can be edited.
- Deploy the notification bar in its entirety (pull down twice).
- Click on the pencil icon (βοΈ) top-right.
- Drag the icons to change their order or remove unnecessary ones.
Some firmware (e.g. HyperOS) displays a thermometer icon in the notification panel, which signals that the phone is overheating.Β°C, the device can automatically reduce performance to cool down.
Icons in the settings menu: hidden functions
Xiaomi's settings themselves also have icons that aren't always obvious, which can indicate hidden features or special modes.
- π Search is in the top right corner of the settings, and it allows you to quickly find the right parameter.
- π± Double app β a double layer icon means that the cloning mode is enabled for this application (for example, two WhatsApp on the same phone).
- π Application protection β a lock next to the program name indicates that it is protected by a password or fingerprint.
- π Regional settings β Check box next to some options means they depend on the region you choose (e.g. date format or unit of measurement).
- π Resetting β Reset icon next to some settings warns that changing them will return settings to factory settings.
In the Settings section β Annexes β You can see three-point icons next to some programs, which means that additional actions are available for them, such as clearing the cache, turning off notifications or forcing them to stop.
If you see an exclamation mark icon in a red circle in your settings, it's a warning of a potential problem, for example, in the Battery section, it might mean that an application is using too much power.
π‘
The icons in the settings often duplicate those in the status bar, but here they can lead to more detailed parameters. NFC In the settings, open all contactless payment options, and not just turn on / off the function.
Badges on the screen during the call
During a phone call, Xiaomi displays special icons that help manage the call.
- π The tube - to receive the incoming call.
- π The wave tube - switching to speakerphone.
- π Microphone β Turning off/on the microphone.
- π± Two arrows - switching between SIM-maps (on two-symbol models).
- πΈ Video camera β switching to video call (if supported).
- β±οΈ Timer β displays the duration of the conversation.
- π Dynamics - volume control.
- π‘ Antenna β Signal strength during a call.
If you see a recording device icon (a microphone with a red circle) during a call, it means that the conversation is being recorded. On Xiaomi, this feature is available in the standard Phone app, but in some countries it may be disabled due to legal restrictions.
On models with VoLTE support (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) During the call, a badge may appear. HD This means that high-definition voice technology is used through 4G-network.
β οΈ Note: If the network signal icon disappears or flashes red during the call, this may indicate problems with the network signal. SIM-You can try restarting your phone or manually selecting the network in Settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Choice of network.
What to do if an unknown badge appears
If your Xiaomi has a new icon, don't panic.
- Tap the icon β many icons in the status bar are interactive. For example, clicking on the icon. NFC You can open a contactless payment menu.
- Check the notification bar β roll the curtain down and see if thereβs a decryption icon or a related notification.
- Use search by settings - enter in the search (Settings) β Search for keywords associated with the icon (for example, "NFC", "VPN", "Synchronization").
- Look in the user manual β for your Xiaomi model, you can download the official manual on the manufacturerβs website.
- Take a screenshot and search the web β upload the icon image to Google Images or to thematic forums (for example, 4PDA or Mi Community).
If the icon appeared after installing a new app, chances are it is associated with it.Try to delete or disable this app and see if the icon disappears.
In rare cases, unknown badges may indicate a virus infection or unauthorized access to the phone.
- Unusually fast battery discharge,
- Unintentional activation of the Internet or Bluetooth,
- Unknown applications in the list of installed,
It is recommended to check the phone with antivirus (for example, Mi Security or Dr.Web) and, if necessary, reset the settings to factory.
π‘
To quickly find out which app is responsible for an unknown icon, install Notification History Log from Google Play. It keeps a log of all notifications and associated icons.