How to Change the 4G Icon on Xiaomi Smartphones: All Ways (including MIUI 14)

The standard 4G or LTE icon in the status bar of Xiaomi does not always suit users: someone wants to return the usual 3G icon to save charge, others want to replace it with 5G (even if the network is not supported), and still others just want to personalize the interface. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change the mobile network icon on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones – from standard MIUI settings to hidden commands and third-party utilities.

The specific method depends on the firmware version (especially for MIUI 13/14), the device model and the availability of root rights. We will look at options without loss of warranty, as well as advanced solutions for power users. Importantly, some changes may reset after the system update, we will warn you about this in advance.

If you’re looking for a way to simply hide the 4G icon or replace it with a different style (like the monochrome in MIUI 14), standard tools will suffice.

I want to get it back. 3G battery-saving|I like the design of the badge. 5G|Personalization of the interface|The badge is not displayed correctly|Other-->

1. Standard MIUI settings: network mode change

The easiest way is to switch the mobile network mode in the settings. This won’t change the icon itself, but will force the smartphone to use a different type of connection (for example, 3G instead of 4G), which will automatically update the icon in the status bar.

How to do this:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Go to Network Type or Preferred Network Type (name depends on MIUI version).
4. Install 3G Only or 2G Only – the icon will change after the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Forced use 3G This can affect internet speed and connectivity stability on some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro).+) This option is hidden – it must be activated through the engineering menu (more on this below).

If you need to return 4G, but the icon appears as LTE (or vice versa), try resetting your network settings:

1. Settings → Memory and SIM-map → Resetting network settings.
2. Confirm the action and restart the device.

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On some Xiaomi firmware icon 4G+ It only appears when the carrier is actively aggregated (Carrier Aggregation). To see it, turn on the option Enable 4G+ customized SIM-cards (if any).

2. Engineering menu: hidden options for advanced

The engineering menu (#4636##) can be used to change the network display settings, but this requires caution. Incorrect settings can lead to loss of communication or the need to reset to factory.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
4. Select the mode you want (e.g. LTE only for forced 4G or WCDMA only for 3G).
5. Click Update (or Refresh) and restart your smartphone.

On some models (POCO F5, Xiaomi 13) the engineering menu may be blocked.

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It opens the calibration menu, where you can also change the network settings in the Network section.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 14 and later, the engineering menu may not save the settings after the reboot. If the icon resets, repeat the procedure or use the method with ADB-teams (section 4).

3. Applications for customization of icons (without root)

If you need to change the look of the icon (for example, make it color or animated), but do not want to dig into the settings, use third-party utilities. They work on top of the system and do not require superuser rights.

The best apps for Xiaomi:

• 🎨 Icon Changer for MIUI — It allows you to replace standard icons with custom ones (including network icons). MIUI 12-14, but may conflict with the subject of design.
• 📱 Network Signal Guru – displays alternative icons 4G/5G In the notification panel (works like an overlay) minus: the icon is duplicated, not replaced by the standard one.
• 🔧 MIUI Hidden Settings – reveals hidden options MIUI, including network display settings. Requires permission to access settings.

How to use Icon Changer for MIUI:

1. Download the app from Google Play (or APKMirror if it’s not in your area).
2. Open it and provide all the permissions you request (including Overlay over other apps).
3. Go to the Status Bar Icons section → Network Type.
4. Choose your favorite icon style (there are options from 2G to 5G+, as well as custom PNG).
5. Apply the changes and restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: Customization applications can increase battery consumption because they are in the background.

Make a backup copy of settings|Check the reviews of the app (especially for compatibility with your model)|Disable battery optimization for utility|Check for app updates (some stop working after updates) MIUI)-->

4. ADB-Teams: changing system parameters

For users who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), There's a way to change the network icon at the system level. USB-cable.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap according to the version → return to → For developers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Commands to change the icon:

adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 9 # Forced 4G (LTE)


adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 10 # Forced 3G (WCDMA)




adb shell settings put global preferred_network_mode 20 # Forced 5G (if supported)

Once you have entered the command, restart your smartphone. If the icon has not changed, check the current network mode:

adb shell settings get global preferred_network_mode

On some firmware (MIUI 14 Global), these commands may not work due to manufacturer limitations, in which case, try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings

It opens the developer’s hidden settings, where additional network options are sometimes available.

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ADB-commands are the most reliable way to change an icon without root, but it requires a computer and basic knowledge of how to use the console. ADB, First, practice on less critical commands (e.g., changing the animation system).

5. Change the icon through root (for experienced)

If you have superuser rights, you can edit the system files that display the icons, which gives you maximum freedom, but it is risky: wrong actions can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the device.

What needs to be done:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Follow the path /system/media/theme/default/ (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Find the files: stat_sys_signal_4g_fully.png — icon 4G full-blown; stat_sys_signal_lte_fully.png — icon LTE; stat_sys_signal_5g_fully.png — icon 5G (if).

Copy the original files to a backup folder (in case of rollback).

Replace them with your images (size and format should match!).

rw-r--r--

Reset the device.

Where to get custom icons:

• 🖼️ Create your own in Photoshop or GIMP (size 24×24 or 32×32 pixels, format PNG transparently).
• 🌐 Download ready packs from forums XDA Developers or 4PDA (Look for themes on your Xiaomi model).

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Your custom icons will reset to standard ones as system files will be overwritten. To avoid this, use Magisk modules (e.g., Magisk, MIUI System Icon Changer).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change the 4G icon, Xiaomi users often encounter typical errors, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of these methods helped, check:

• 📶 Updates MIUI: Additional options may appear on new versions (or old ones may disappear).
• 🔄 Resetting to factory: sometimes helps to restore the network (but deletes all data!).
• 🛠️ Fastboot firmware: If the problem has occurred after the update, rolling back to the old version can help.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions