The standard interface of the operating system Android often seems too conservative and boring to users. Many smartphone owners strive to personalize their device, making it unique. One of the most requested elements for customization is the battery indicator, which we see every day. However, changing the usual white or black icon to a bright neon shade is not as simple as it might seem at first glance.
Gadget manufacturers often block the ability to change system icons without obtaining special access rights. However, there are several working methods to achieve the desired result. In this article we will look at all the available options: from built-in shell settings to advanced methods using root access and third-party applications.
Before taking active steps, you need to understand which version Android and which custom shell you are dealing with. The behavior of the system on a pure Google Pixel will be radically different from the behavior of a smartphone Xiaomi or Samsung. Let's look at all the nuances in order.
Built-in capabilities of custom shells
Some manufacturers build customization functions directly into their proprietary firmware. This is the safest and easiest way, which does not require the installation of additional software. Owners of devices from brands Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo often have more freedom in appearance settings compared to users of "pure" Android.
For example, in the shell MIUI from the company Xiaomi there is a built-in tool "Themes". Through it you can download not only wallpapers, but also entire sets of icons, including the battery icon. The user just needs to go to the application Themes, select a section Icons and look for packages with the desired design. After applying the theme, the color of the indicator will change globally.
In devices based on ColorOS (brands Oppo, Realme) the situation is different. The System Style feature is often available here, which allows you to change the accent colors of the interface depending on the wallpaper. If you choose a dark wallpaper with red tints, the system can automatically recolor the controls, including the battery icon in the notification shade.
⚠️ Attention: Built-in themes can change the design of all application icons at once. If you only need a different color of the battery, this method may be redundant and disrupt the usual visual style of the desktop.
It is worth noting that in the latest versions Android 12 and newer a function has been added Material You. It dynamically adjusts the interface colors to match the dominant color of your wallpaper. Although this does not directly select the battery color from the palette, experimenting with different background images can achieve the appearance of the desired shade in the status bar.
Using third-party launchers
If the built-in settings do not provide the required flexibility, third-party launchers come to the rescue. These are special applications that completely replace the standard desktop and often take over control of the status bar. The most popular solutions are Nova Launcher, Lawnchair and Smart Launcher.
It is important to understand that most launchers can only change the battery widget on the desktop, and not the system icon in the top bar. However, some advanced launchers in conjunction with plugins allow you to simulate the status bar or move indicators to the bottom of the screen, where their design can be fully controlled.
To implement this idea, you will need to perform the following sequence of actions:
- 📲 Install the selected launcher from the store Google Play and assign it as an application by default.
- 🎨 Download the Icon Pack, which supports customization of system elements.
- ⚙️ In the launcher settings, find the "Status Bar" or "Status Bar" section and activate the custom view.
- 🔋 Select the battery display style and specify preferred color scheme.
Using launchers is a compromise solution. On the one hand, you get huge scope for creativity. On the other hand, replacing the system interface may lead to a slight increase in consumption RAM and a decrease in the autonomy of the device.
Before installing a new launcher, take a screenshot of the location of your icons. After changing the shell, you will have to rearrange widgets and shortcuts, and the old screenshot will help restore order faster.
Using widgets and overlays
The most accessible way to change the color of the indicator without deep intervention in the system is to use widgets. There are many apps on the Google Play Store that create a transparent layer on top of the standard status bar. These apps draw their own battery icon on top of the system one.
Popular applications such as Battery Widget Reborn or Custom Battery Barallow you to customize the appearance of the indicator in detail. You can choose any color from the spectrum, adjust the transparency, add charge percentages or even animation. Such widgets are often located at the top of the screen, completely covering the standard icon.
The main advantage of this method is that there is no need for root access. You can install the application, configure it in a couple of minutes and delete it at any time if the result does not suit you. However, this approach also has significant disadvantages related to energy consumption.
| Method | Root required | Impact on the battery | Complexity of setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in themes | No | Minimum | Low |
| Third-party launchers | No | Medium | Medium |
| Widgets (Overlays) | No | High | Low |
| System mods (Substratum) | Yes (often) | Minimum | High |
When using overlays, the system constantly processes an additional graphic layer. This may cause your phone to drain faster than usual. If maximum autonomy is critical for you, this method may not be suitable.
Deep customization through root access
For users who want to gain full control over their device, the only option is to obtain root access. This gives superuser privileges, allowing you to modify system files that are normally protected from editing. Using Root, you can change the color of the battery at the firmware code level.
One of the most powerful tools for such customization is the framework Substratum or its modern analogues. These applications allow you to apply themes to any elements of the system, including SystemUI.apkwhere the graphic resources of the battery icon are stored. You can choose a ready-made theme or create your own.
The process of changing color through system files is as follows:
- Get Root access using the utility Magisk.
- Install a file manager that supports superuser rights, for example Root Explorer or Mixplorer.
- Locate the file
SystemUI.apkin the directory/system/appor/system/priv-app. - Make a backup copy of the original file before making any changes.
⚠️ Attention: Any editing system files carries the risk of turning your smartphone into a “brick”. If you make a mistake when replacing a file or changing its permissions, your device may stop booting. Always have a computer and tools at hand for recovery via mode Recovery.
What is Magisk?
Magisk is a modern tool for obtaining root access on Android. Its main advantage is the system of modules and the ability to hide the presence of superuser rights from banking applications and games, which used to be a big problem for modders.
An alternative to manual editing is to install special modules for Magisk. In the repositories you can find packages like "Colored Battery Icon", which automatically replace graphic resources when the system boots. This is a safer method, since the module can be disabled at any time through the manager menu.
Settings for specific Samsung and Xiaomi models
Device owners Samsung are in a privileged position thanks to the application Good Lock. This official tool from the manufacturer allows you to fine-tune the interface without root access. The package contains a module QuickStar, which controls the status bar.
Although QuickStar does not always allow you to change the color of the battery icon itself to an arbitrary one, it makes it possible to hide percentages, change the display style and customize the behavior of the indicator when the battery is low. In combination with theming through Theme Park (another Good Lock module) you can achieve a unique appearance.
Users Xiaomi should pay attention to global themes. There are threads in the developer community that change the color of the battery depending on the charge level. For example, at 100% it can be green, at 50% it can be yellow, and at 15% it can be red. This dynamic display is very convenient and informative.
To activate such functions on MIUI often you need to log in to an account Mi Account with the region "India" or "Indonesia", since in some regions the catalog of topics is limited. This is a small workaround that opens up access to thousands of additional designs.
Using official tools like Good Lock or MIUI themes is safer than modifying system files and does not void your device warranty.
Possible problems and solutions
During the customization process, users may encounter a number of technical problems. The most common of them is the incompatibility of the selected method with the Android version. What worked on Android 10may cause crashes on Android 13 due to changes in the security architecture.
If after installing the widget the battery begins to disappear or is displayed incorrectly, try clearing the application cache System UI. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Show system processes → System UI → Memory → Clear cache. Rebooting the device also often resolves minor graphical glitches.
In cases where the phone starts to overheat after installing a custom launcher or theme, the culprit is often the constant redrawing of the interface. Try turning off live wallpapers or lowering the screen refresh rate to see if the problem goes away.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and system settings may change with software updates. If you do not find the described option in the menu, check the official help for your specific smartphone model or firmware version.
Sometimes third-party applications for changing the battery color require the "On top of other windows" permission. If you've given this permission but the widget doesn't appear, check your power saving settings. The system can automatically "kill" the background process of the widget to save energy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to change the battery color through third-party applications?
Using widgets from trusted sources (Google Play) is safe for data, but may affect battery life. Changing system files without root access is impossible, and with root access there is always a risk of system failure.
Why did the battery icon turn black after changing the theme?
It depends on the selected theme. Some designers create dark icons for light wallpapers. Try changing the wallpaper to a darker one or select a different theme where the icons are automatically inverted.
Is it possible to make the battery transparent?
The system icon cannot be made completely transparent, since it must be visible on any background. However, you can use widgets with a high degree of transparency or choose a theme where the battery blends into the background of the status bar.
Is the color setting reset after a reboot?
If you used built-in themes or launchers, no, the setting is saved. If you used a temporary overlay without autoplay, it may disappear. System mods via Magisk are saved permanently until they are disabled.
Does the color of the icon affect the actual performance of the battery?
No, the color of the icon is a purely visual element. It has nothing to do with the chemical processes inside the battery and does not affect the discharge rate, except in cases of using heavy overlay widgets.