The tag on the icon of the Xiaomi app: what does it mean and how to remove

Have you noticed strange colored dots, numbers or icons on the app icons in Xiaomi smartphone? MIUI, It uses visual tags to alert you and quickly access features, and these indicators can appear on any application, from WhatsApp to Settings, and their value depends on color, shape, and even location.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all types of tags on Xiaomi icons, their hidden functionality and management methods. You'll learn why a red dot on the Play Store doesn't always mean a new update, how to distinguish a notification from a system alert, and why some tags can't be removed by standard means. MIUI 14/15, which allow you to customize these indicators to your needs.

Types of tags on Xiaomi icons: full classification

Shell MIUI It uses four basic types of labels that are visually different and have different meanings, and they're easy to confuse, but by understanding the logic of the system, you can quickly navigate the interface.

The first and most common type is colored dots (usually red, green or blue) that appear in the upper right corner of the icon and signal unread notifications, such as a red dot on Gmail for a new email, and a green dot on WhatsApp for an unread message, and the important thing is that the color here is not random: it corresponds to the color palette of the app itself.

The second type is digital badges, which show the number of items that have not been read: "3" on Telegram, three new messages, "12".+" The mail has more than twelve letters. MIUI 15 such labels became adaptive: if there are too many numbers, the system automatically reduces them to "99"+".

The third, less obvious type is the system indicators. These are little lightning icons. ⚡, castle 🔒 or exclamation-mark ❗, These are icons that appear on Settings, Security, or Software Updates, which signal critical events: for example, lightning can mean low battery power, and a lock can mean activated lock mode.

The fourth type is dynamic tags that change color or shape depending on the context, for example, a snowflake may appear on a Weather icon. ❄️ In the cold, and on the calendar, a red circle on the day of a big event, these tags are often ignored, but they carry useful information.

• 🔴 Red dot – unread notifications (messages, letters, alerts)
• 🟢 Green dot – active processes (calls, broadcasts, downloads)
• 🔵 Blue dot – system alerts (updates, recommendations) MIUI)
• ⚡ Lightning – Battery, network, or performance warnings
• 🔒 Lock – locks, restrictions or security

Why do labels appear: the logic of work MIUI

Label system in MIUI It's built on three key principles: contextuality, priority and adaptability, and we'll go through each of them to understand why some icons are tagged all the time, while others are tagged only occasionally.

Contextuality means that the tag only appears when it is really important to the user. For example, if you have enabled Do Not Disturb mode, then notifications from Messages will not appear on the icon even if they come. The system analyzes your actions: if you often ignore notifications from a particular application, over time, the tags on its icon may become less noticeable (for example, gray instead of red).

Priority determines which labels are shown first. Xiaomi uses an internal hierarchy: system alerts (like low charge) are always more important than notifications from third-party apps. ⚡ The Settings icon blocks the red dot from an unread message in Viber. MIUI 14+ This hierarchy can be partially configured manually.

The adaptiveness is that the tags are tailored to your habits, and if you always clean Facebook notifications right away, the system may stop showing digital badges on its icon, leaving only a color dot, but for Banking apps or Mail, the tags will be displayed as prominently as they are considered critical.

Interesting fact: in MIUI for global firmware and MIUI The Chinese version uses dynamic icons (like animation on a Weather icon) and the global version focuses on color indicators, which is due to the perception of information in different cultures.

💡

If the tag on the icon flashes (for example, a green dot on the phone), it means an incoming call or an active conversation. MIUI 15 you can turn off this animation in the special features settings.

How to remove labels from icons: step-by-step instructions

If the colored dots and numbers on the icons annoy you, they can be turned off or adjusted. MIUI There are several ways to control labels, but not all of them are obvious. Below is a detailed guide for different versions of the shell.

First, try the standard method:

1. Open Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
2. Select the Application Icon (in some versions – Notification Indicators).
3. Turn off the Switch Show notification icons.

This way, you can remove all the tags, including the system tags, and if you want more flexibility, read on.

For selective deactivation of tags:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as WhatsApp).
3. Put it on the Notifications.
4. Turn off the icon (or Badge notification) option.

V MIUI 15 Here you can adjust the color of the label and its position (for example, move to the lower left corner of the icon).

If standard settings don’t help, try the developer mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode by pressing the MIUI version 7 times in Settings → About Phone.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to disable badge notifications and activate it.

⚠️ Note: In some firmware, this parameter may reset after the system update. MIUI.

Hidden Label Functions: What You Didn't Know About MIUI

Icon tags in MIUI — It's not just a piece of jewelry, it's part of an advanced system of interaction, and many users don't realize that they can do things quickly without opening apps:

Long tapping on the tag (on some models) opens a mini-panel with quick actions. For example, if a red dot appears on the Camera icon, holding a finger can show options: "Take a selfie", "Take a video" or "Open a gallery". This feature does not work on all devices, but it can be activated through Settings. → Special facilities → Gestures.

The color of the label varies depending on the type of notification. MIUI 14+ Red means a private message, blue means a system alert, and green means a group discussion, which helps you quickly distinguish important notifications from minor ones, for example, if a green dot is on Telegram, it means that the message came to a group chat, not a personal one.

Labels can be used to sort applications. When you're running out (if you swipe up and hold your finger), the icons with the active tags are highlighted, and this allows you to quickly find the applications that need attention. MIUI 15 this function has been expanded: now you can sort all icons by the number of unread notifications (you need to include the option in Settings). → Desktop → Sorting applications).

Some labels are interactive, like if a rain icon appears on a Weather icon. 🌧️, You can tap it to see the prediction for the next few hours without opening the app. Similarly, a tag on the Calendar works: clicking on a red circle will show you the list of events for today.

Label problems: why they don't disappear or appear

Sometimes the tags on Xiaomi icons behave illogically: they remain after reading messages, they do not update or disappear altogether, this can be due to system errors, or improper settings, and we will analyze the most common problems and their solutions.

The tag doesn't disappear after you read the notification, and most often it's because of the cache of an application or system.

1. Clear the cache of a particular application in Settings → Annexes → Application management.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. If the problem persists, turn off and re-enable notifications for this app.

V MIUI 14/15 There is a bug where tags from Google apps (such as Gmail or YouTube) are not reset.

Labels don't appear at all. It could be related to:

• 🔋 Power saving mode - check the settings → Battery and disable restrictions for the desired applications.
• 🛡️ Blocking notifications - in Settings → Notifications make sure that badge is allowed for the application.
• 🔄 Sync error – try to log out and log in to Mi Account again.
• 📱 Third-party launcher shell – some alternative launchers (e.g. Nova Launcher) conflict with the tagging system MIUI.

Tags are not displayed correctly (e.g., show "1" when there are no notifications) This is a typical problem after an update. MIUI. Decisions:

1. Reset notification settings: Settings → Notifications → Three dots (menu) → Reset the settings.
2. Clear the cache and app data MIUI System UI (Be careful – this can reset some visual settings).
3. If nothing helps, try to roll back to the previous firmware version via the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) post-update MIUI 15 icon tags can be displayed up to 5 minutes late, and this is due to optimizing background activity.

Icon tags in different Xiaomi models: what is common and how different

The logic of the tags is generally the same for all Xiaomi devices, but there are nuances that depend on the model, version. MIUI For example, on flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Mix Fold 3) tags support animation, and on budget models (Redmi). A2, POCO M6) — static indicators only.

The table below shows a comparison of the implementation of tags on popular devices. Note that the functionality may vary depending on the firmware version (global, Chinese, European).

On devices with AMOLED-With screens (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix 4), tags can automatically adjust their color to the desktop wallpaper. This feature is called Dynamic Icons and is included in Settings. → Screen. → The colors of the system. LCD-displays (e.g., Redmi) 10C) There's no such option.

Another difference is that the tags are in second-space mode, so if you use a dual desktop function (for example, to separate personal and work data), the tags will only show up in the space where the app was opened, for example, if you read Telegram in your personal space and a new message comes in your workspace, the tag will only appear on the icon in your workspace.

💡

On devices with Snapdragon chip 8 Gen 2 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) tags are updated in real time thanks to an optimized processor. On budget models with Helio G or Snapdragon 4 Maybe a delay before 1-2 minute.

Alternative launchers and tags: compatibility with MIUI

Many Xiaomi users install third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, Hyperion) to customize the interface, but this often breaks down the system tags, and we'll figure out how to keep the badge functionality alive when using alternative shells.

Nova Launcher is the most popular launcher for Xiaomi, but by default it doesn’t support tags MIUI. To get them back:

1. Install the Nova TeslaUnread plugin from the Play Store.
2. In Nova settings, select Notifications → TeslaUnread.
3. Enable the option to Use Availability and provide the necessary permissions.

Please note that in MIUI 15 for the correct operation of the plugin you need to disable battery optimization for Nova Launcher and TeslaUnread.

Lawnchair and Hyperion both have built-in tag support, but Xiaomi needs additional customization:

• 🔧 Enable the option to Show notifications on icons in the launcher settings.
• 📱 Give permission to access notifications (Settings) → Special facilities → Notification services).
• 🔄 Restart the device after settings are applied.

In these launchers, the tags are updated faster than in the standard MIUI, They may be in conflict with system alerts.

Compatibility problems are most often manifested in the following cases:

• 🚫 The tags are duplicated on the icon and in the status bar. Solution: in the launcher settings, disable duplication of notifications.
• ⏳ Update delay – tags only appear after the application is opened, due to limitations in background activity in the app. MIUI. Solution: Add Launcher to Battery Optimization Exclusion List.
• 🎨 Incorrect colors – tags are displayed in standard red, even if the application is set differently, and this can only be corrected through the plugin settings (for example, TeslaUnread).

If you use Root rights, you can completely replace the tag system through Magisk modules, for example. MIUI Badge Magisk Module:

• 🎯 Adjust the shape and size of the labels.
• 🔄 Change the display logic (e.g., show labels only for selected applications).
• 🎨 Apply custom animations.

⚠️ Note: Installing Magisk modules may disrupt Mi Account and some banking applications. → Additionally. → Backup.

FAQ: Frequent questions about tags on Xiaomi icons