Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9T smartphone often encounter what is known as a “drop” — a round cutout in the screen for the front camera. This design feature, called Dot Drop, can interfere with watching full-screen video or reading books, creating visual discomfort. Users often look for ways to programmatically hide this element or eliminate it physically if it appeared as an image defect.
It's important to make it clear that the droplet in this context is not a software bug, but a hardware feature of the matrix. Unlike the older models with wide frames, here the camera is built directly into the display area. It's not possible to completely "remove" the physical hole in software, but there are effective methods of camouflaging and interface tuning that minimize irritation.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to configure MIUI system settings for comfortable use, and also consider cases when users understand a broken pixel or glue trace that requires a replacement of the display module by “drop”; Understanding the nature of the defect is the first step to solving the problem.
Nature of the cutout and software masking
Screen of the Redmi smartphone 9T use IPS-It's a 1080 x 2340 pixel matrix, and the camera cutout is in the upper right corner, and the Android operating system is in conjunction with the shell. MIUI allows you to hide this area, painting the upper status bar in black, which visually merges it with the black frame of the cutout.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the system settings. Usually the path is: Settings → Screen → Hiding the notch. However, depending on the firmware version (Global, Europe, Russia), this item may be called differently or hidden in the Special Options menu.
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If there is no hiding option in the standard menu, try using the status bar customization apps from Google Play that can redraw the top bar.
It's important to understand that when you turn on the concealment mode, the useful area of the screen decreases slightly, as the system trims the top strip of the image, which is standard behavior for all smartphones with this display design.
Configure the MIUI interface for Redmi 9T
Xiaomi’s interface offers flexible tools to adapt the content display. If standard methods don’t work, you should pay attention to the design topic. Some third-party themes already contain a black background at the top, which automatically hides the cutout without the need for deep customization.
It’s also worth checking the settings of specific applications. Video players like YouTube or VLC often have their own zoom options, and in the player settings, you can choose the “Original” or “Stretch” mode so that the image does not overlap with the camera.
For advanced users, the Engineering Menu mode is available, but entering there requires entering special codes into the dialer, such as ##6484##. Be careful: changing the display parameters in the engineering menu without proper knowledge can lead to incorrect color reproduction.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to change the values in the engineering menu associated with the voltage of the backlight or calibration of colors if you are not sure of your actions.
Checking for broken pixels and artifacts
Sometimes users confuse the design cutout with a matrix defect. If the "drop" looks not like a black hole, but like a colored spot, a rainbow halo or a white dot that glows even against a black background, it is a bit pixel or a screen flood.
To diagnose, you need to run a test image of all black at maximum brightness. In a dark room, carefully examine the area around the front camera. If you see a glow or color distortion extending beyond the physical opening of the camera, this is a sign of damage.
- 🔴 Broken pixel: Burns in one color (red, green, blue) or black on a white background.
- 💧 Pouring: A characteristic spot that often changes shape or color, usually due to moisture.
- 🌈 Artifact plume: Stripes or ripples coming from the edge of the screen or cutout.
If the diagnostics reveal a matrix defect, the software methods are powerless, in which case hardware intervention is required, attempts to massage the screen or use programs to restore pixels (through rapid flashing of colors) have a low success rate and can finish the matrix completely.
Hardware repair of defect: replacement of module
The only radical way to get rid of a physical droplet or defect in this area is to replace the display module. 9T fixed IPS-It's a matrix, and there's no cutout for this model, and it's replaced with exactly the same module, but it's not defective.
The replacement process requires precision and tools, you'll need a suction cup, mediators, a dryer to soften the glue and a set of screwdrivers, and before you start, be sure to turn off the battery to avoid short circuits.
☑️ Preparation for screen replacement
First, the perimeter of the body is heated, and then carefully, using a suction cup and a mediator, the back glass panel is separated, and underneath it is a plastic frame that also needs to be removed to access the plumes of the display.
| Work phase | Tool. | Implementation time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removal of the back cover | Fryer, sucker. | 10 minutes | Medium |
| Shutting down the plumes | Plastic spatula | 5 minutes | Tall. |
| Installation of a new module | Tweezers | 10 minutes | Medium |
| Assembly and inspection | Screwdriver. | 15 minutes | Low. |
Once the new module is installed, the touchscreen and the matrix must be checked until the body is finally glued together, and if everything is functioning correctly, a new glue is applied and the device is assembled.
Use of custom launchers
If standard MIUI tools don’t deliver the perfect visual effect, third-party launchers come to the rescue, with programs like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair providing enhanced options for managing icon grids and indentations.
In the launcher settings, you can set a top-padding indentation, which will lower the widget and icon grid below the drop level, making it completely free of interface elements, which is especially convenient for those who like minimalism on the desktop.
Fine-tuning of indentations
In addition, custom launchers allow you to change the transparency of the status bar, making it completely invisible on the desktop, which also visually integrates the cutout into the overall design.
⚠️ Note: Installing third-party launchers may affect some Xiaomi system features, such as control gestures or the “Always on Screen” widgets".
Prevention and care of the camera area
The area around the front camera on the Redmi 9T is vulnerable, and this is where the most common microcracks occur when a phone falls flat, and to prevent artifacts and chips, it is recommended to use a full-glue or 3D-labeled protective glass that covers the entire screen area.
Ordinary flat glass may not stick around the edges of the cutout, creating an air cushion that looks like an extra stain. 3D-The glass repeats the curves and provides a uniform fit.
- 🧼 Regular cleaning: Wipe the chamber area with a soft cloth so that the greasy spots do not create the illusion of a defect.
- 🛡️ Protective case: Choose a case with raised sides so that the screen does not touch the surface when falling.
- 🚫 Avoid pressure: Do not place heavy objects on the screen area, especially in the notch area.
Keeping these simple rules in mind will extend the life of the display and preserve the aesthetics of the device. Remember that replacing the original display module can cost up to 50% of the cost of the smartphone itself, so prevention is cost-effective.
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The best way to remove a drop is to get used to it as a design feature, but if it gets in the way, use black wallpaper and themes for disguise.