How to change the battery icon on Android: from standard settings to ADB commands

The battery icon in the Android status bar is one of the most visible interface elements that users see hundreds of times a day. For many, a standard icon with a charge percentage or an abstract symbol seems boring or uninformative. Fortunately, Android allows you to change its appearance - from simply displaying percentages to completely replacing the design through system tools or third-party applications.

In this article we will examine all current methods changing the battery icon: from the built-in functions of MIUI and One UI to manual editing through ADB and installing custom launchers. We will pay special attention hidden settings that manufacturers do not advertise, but which work on most modern smartphones (Android 10–14). You will also learn how to return everything back if something goes wrong, and what pitfalls await you when using unofficial methods.

1. Standard Android settings: where to look for battery options

On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi or ColorOS from Oppo) the option to change the battery icon is hidden in the depths of the menu. Most often, it is available without superuser rights and does not require the installation of additional apps.

Here is where to look for it:

• 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI): go to Settings → Display → Status bar → Battery indicator style. Here you can choose between a percentage icon, a circular scale or a text display.
• 🤖 Samsung (One UI): open Settings → Notifications → Advanced settings → Battery indicator. The options are “Icon”, “Percentage” or a combined view.
• 📲 Google Pixel (Stock Android): by default there are few options, but in Settings → Battery → Battery charge indicator you can enable the display of percentages next to the icon.

If there are no such items in your menu, then the manufacturer has not added this function. In this case, you will have to use alternative methods (more on them below).

⚠️ Attention: On some models Huawei i Honor (EMUI) option to change the icon batteries may be missing even in hidden settings. This is due to the manufacturer’s policy of limiting interface customization.

2. Using ADB: how to change the icon without root

If the settings do not have the desired option, but you have a computer, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on most smartphones with Android 8.0 and later does not require root access, but will require enabling developer mode.

Here are step-by-step guide:

1. Enable Developer mode: go to Settings → About phone → Build number and tap on it 7 times.
2. Go back to Settings → System → For Developers and activate USB Debugging.
3. Connect your phone to the PC, install ADB drivers and open Command line in the folder with platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   If the device is displayed, run:

   adb shell settings put global battery_percentage 1

   This will enable the display of percentages next to the icon (works on pure Android and some custom firmware).

For deeper customization (for example, changing the icon itself), additional commands or installation of modules will be required Magisk. However, this already requires unlocking the bootloader and may lead to loss of warranty.

Install ADB drivers on the PC

Enable developer mode on the phone

Activate software debugging USB

Connect the phone to the computer with the original cable

Check the connection with the adb devices command-->

⚠️ Attention: ADB commands may vary depending on the version of Android and firmware. For example, on some devices Samsung another command is used to turn on battery percentage:

adb shell settings put global show_battery_percent 1

If the standard command did not work, check the current syntax for your model on the forums (for example, XDA Developers).

3. Third-party launchers: quick change icons without risk

If you don’t want to delve into the settings or use ADB, the easiest way is to install alternative launcher. Many of them allow you to change not only application icons, but also status bar elements, including the battery indicator.

Best launchers for this task:

• 🎨 Nova Launcher (paid version): supports customization of the status bar through plugins, for example Nova TeslaUnread.
• 🔧 Action Launcher: has built-in options for changing battery icons (Premium version required).
• 🌈 Lawnchair: free open source launcher, supports icon themes, including battery.
• 📱 Hyperion Launcher: offers flexible interface customization, including charge indicator style.

Setup example in Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher and make it the main one.
2. Go to Nova Settings → Notification panel → Battery indicator.
3. Select a display style (text, icon, round indicator, etc.).
4. Apply changes and restart the launcher.

The advantage of this method is no risk to the systemsince the launcher works on top of the standard one interface. However, some functions (for example, changing the icon in the notification drop-down menu) may be limited.

4. Applications for customization: top 5 utilities

If launchers are not suitable, you can use specialized applications. They offer more design options, but may require additional permissions or access to notifications.

The most popular solution is Energy Bar, as it does not require root and works on most devices. The charge bar is displayed along the top or side edge of the screen and can be customized to match the color. Wallpaper. However, on some smartphones (for example, Samsung with One UI), for correct operation you will need to disable the standard battery indicator in the settings.

⚠️ Attention: Applications like Hex Installer or Substratum require an unlocked bootloader or superuser rights. to data reset or loss of warranty, especially on devices with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi for the European region).

5. Manual editing of system files (for advanced)

If you are willing to take the risk and have root access, you can manually replace the system battery icons. This method gives maximum freedom, but requires caution: incorrect actions can lead to bootloop (loop loading).

Here is what you will need:

• 📱 A smartphone with unlocked bootloader and rights root (Magisk).
• 💻 PC with installed ADB i Fastboot.
• 🖼️ Set of custom icons in format .png (can be downloaded from XDA Developers or created yourself).
• 🔧 File manager with root access (for example, Solid Explorer or Root Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Download the archive with battery icons (for example, from here) and unpack it.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and copy the icon files to the folder /system/framework/framework-res/res/drawable-xxhdpi/ (where xxhdpi —your screen resolution).
3. Find standard icon files (usually called stat_sys_battery_*.png) and replace them with your own.
4. Change file permissions:

   adb shell
   su
   chmod 644 /system/framework/framework-res/res/drawable-xxhdpi/stat_sys_battery_*.png

5. Restart the device.

If the phone does not turn on after a reboot, you will have to restore the system via TWRP or reflash the device. On some firmware (for example, MIUI), system icons are stored in a file SystemUI.apk, and replacing them will require decompilation and reassembly APK.

adb pull /system/framework/framework-res/res/drawable-xxhdpi/stat_sys_battery_*.png
adb push original_icons/ /system/framework/framework-res/res/drawable-xxhdpi/
adb shell chmod 644 /system/framework/framework-res/res/drawable-xxhdpi/stat_sys_battery_*.png

6. Alternative solutions: widgets and wallpapers with an indicator

If all of the above methods seem too complicated or risky, you can take a workaround - use widgets or dynamic wallpaperthat display the level battery charge.

Popular options:

• 📊 Battery Widget Reborn: widget with detailed information about the battery (temperature, voltage, operating time).
• 🎨 KWGT Kustom Widget Maker: allows you to create your own panel with charge indicator (requires design skills).
• 🖼️ Muzei Live Wallpaper: wallpaper that changes depending on the charge level (for example, darkens when the charge is low).
• 🔋 Battery Charge Animation: animated charging icon on the main screen.

The advantage of this approach is full securityso as it does not affect system files. However, the widget will only be displayed on the main screen and not in the status bar.

Example setup in KWGT:

1. Install KWGT and download a suitable template (for example, from here).
2. Add a widget to the main screen.
3. In the editor, find the variable $bi(level)$ (charge level) and configure its display.
4. Save and apply changes.

7. How to return the standard battery icon

If after experiments you want to return to factory settings, here is what you need to do, depending on the method:

adb shell settings put global battery_percentage 0

If after the rollback the icon is still displayed incorrectly, try:

• Clear cache System UI in application settings.
• Restart the phone.
• Reset interface settings (on some firmware there is an option "Reset launcher settings").

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung with One UI after using ADB commands, you may need to reset settings System UI through the menu Settings → Applications → Three dots → Show system → System UI → Storage → Clear cache.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions