Many smartphone users notice a small number with the letter “KB/s” or “Mbps” on the lock screen or in the top status bar. This indicator displays the current download or upload speed of data in real time. While this feature is useful for traffic monitoring for some, it often becomes unnecessary visual noise that distracts attention or takes up precious space on compact screens.
Android skin developers such as MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS and others add this option by default, considering it convenient. However, if you prefer minimalism or just want to clear the status bar of unnecessary elements, this feature can be disabled. The deactivation process may vary dramatically depending on the manufacturer of your device and the version of the operating system.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible methods of hiding the speed icon: from standard settings menus to using advanced tools like ADB. You will learn where to look for the required switch on popular models and what to do if the standard path does not work.
Standard Android system settings
The easiest and safest way to remove the icon is to find the corresponding switch in the settings menu. In “pure” Android (used in Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia), this option is often located in the section responsible for the lock screen or notification panel.
Usually the path looks like this: you need to go to Settings → Lock screen → Information display. Here you will find the item “Display network speed” or similar. Unchecking this item will instantly remove the numbers from the screen. In some versions of the firmware, this parameter is hidden deeper, for example, in the section Notifications and status bar.
If you do not see an explicit mention of speed, look for settings related to status bar. Manufacturers sometimes group all the top bar elements into one menu. Disabling unnecessary icons there may solve the problem. Be careful: the names of the items may vary slightly depending on the localization of the system.
If you cannot find the item you need, use the search bar inside the “Settings” application. Enter the request “speed” or “indicator”, and the system itself will suggest the required section.
It is worth noting that on some stock firmware this function may not be available to disable without obtaining superuser rights. In this case, the system forcibly displays network activity, considering this to be important system information.
Specifics of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO shells
Xiaomi devices with the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have one of the most detailed interface settings systems. Here, removing the Internet speed icon can be quite simple, but the path to this option is not always obvious for beginners.
You need to open the application Settings and scroll the list to the section Notifications and Control Center (in older versions of MIUI this could be called simply “Notifications”). Inside this menu, find the subsection Status Bar. This is where the toggle is hidden "Display connection speed".
After turning off this toggle switch, the icon will disappear from both the lock screen and the top bar notifications. If there is no setting in the specified location, check the section Additional settings.
- 📱 Path to MIUI 12-14:
Settings → Notifications and Control Center → Status bar → Connection speed. - 📱 Path to HyperOS:
Settings → Notifications and Control Center → Status Bar. - 📱 Alternative path:
Settings → Lock screen → Lock screen elements.
Users of custom Xiaomi-based ROMs, such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS, may find that this feature has been removed by the firmware developers for the sake of minimalism. In this case, the problem disappears by itself.
Settings in Samsung and OnePlus smartphones
Samsung smartphones with the OneUI shell and OnePlus devices with OxygenOS have their own unique approaches to organizing the interface. Unlike Xiaomi, here the speed settings are often associated with the lock screen, and not with the status bar.
For Samsung owners, the action algorithm is usually as follows: go to Settings → Lock screen. Scroll down to the Device Information or Clock & Information section. There may be a switch here that is responsible for displaying network activity. In some versions of OneUI, this option is integrated into the settings of the watch itself on the lock screen.
On OnePlus smartphones the situation is simpler. Usually it is enough to go to Settings → Personalization → Status bar. There you will find a clear switch "Show network speed". Disabling this function immediately clears the top panel of unnecessary numbers.
| Brand | Settings section | Name item | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Lock screen | Device information | Depends on the OneUI version |
| OnePlus | Personalization | Show network speed | Available in the status bar |
| Xiaomi | Notifications | Status bar | Separate toggle switch |
| Realme | Notifications and status bar | Display speed | Standard location |
If you updated the firmware and cannot find the usual item, check the section Device Manager or use the search in settings. Interfaces are constantly changing, and what was in one version can be moved to another.
Using the engineering menu and hidden codes
In cases where the standard settings do not offer the ability to disable the indicator, you can try using the engineering menu. This is a hidden section of the system designed for testing equipment and deep configuration of parameters.
To enter the engineering menu on most devices, you must enter a special USSD code in the “Phone” application. A popular code is ##4636##. After entering this combination, the testing menu should open. Find the “Phone Information” or “Phone Information” section.
Inside this section, look for an item related to displaying network data. However, be careful: changing parameters in the engineering menu without understanding their purpose can lead to unstable operation of the modem or loss of signal.
⚠️ Attention: Do not change the radio module type settings (for example, switching between LTE/NR) in the engineering menu if you do not know exactly what they are responsible for. This may temporarily deprive you of communication.
Some manufacturers block access to the engineering menu or remove the ability to control the interface from it. If the code does not work or the menu opens but the required items are not there, this method will not work for you. Return to standard settings or consider using a PC.
What to do if the code doesn't work?
If the code ##4636## doesn't open the menu, try codes specific to your brand (for example, *#800# for Xiaomi). However, remember that in new versions of Android, access to engineering functions is often limited to ordinary users.
Disable via computer and ADB
If the phone's software settings do not produce results, the most effective method is to use USB debugging and the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) utility. This method requires a computer and a cable, but allows you to control system flags that are hidden from the user.
First you need to activate developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “Build number” item. After this, a new section will appear in the settings menu "For Developers". Enable the “USB Debugging” item in it.
Connect your phone to your computer and install ADB drivers. Open a command prompt or terminal on your PC. Enter the command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the device is displayed in the list, you can proceed to turn off the indicator. The command may vary depending on the firmware, but the universal method of disabling global settings via settingsoften works. Try the following instructions:
adb shell settings put global show_network_speed 0If this command does not work, the parameter may be stored in section secure or has a different name. In this case, you will need to search for a specific key in the system settings database. This method is considered advanced and is recommended only for experienced users.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
⚠️ Attention: When working with ADB, you get access to system settings. Unjustified changes in parameters may lead to interface malfunctions. Always write down the original values before changing.
Third-party applications and launchers
When the built-in system tools are exhausted, third-party solutions come to the rescue. Installing an alternative launcher (desktop shell) is a radical but effective way to change the appearance of the status bar and lock screen.
Launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair allow you to flexibly customize the display of icons. While they can't always hide the system speed indicator, they do provide the ability to change the notification bar so that the icon becomes less visible or disappears into a customized status bar.
There are also special applications from Google Play that manage the system interface settings without the need for a PC. For example, applications like “SystemUI Tuner” (if supported by the Android version) can provide access to hidden switches.
- 🚀 Try installing a custom launcher to completely redesign the interface.
- 🚀 Use applications for customizing the status bar, available in the Play Market.
- 🚀 Consider installing custom firmware (Custom ROM) for complete control over the system.
However, it is worth considering that third-party applications may consume additional RAM and battery power. If your goal is to simply remove one icon, installing a heavy launcher may be an overkill solution.
Using third-party launchers changes not only the Internet speed, but also the entire visual style of the smartphone, which may take time to get used to.
Frequent questions and problems when disconnecting
Even following the instructions, Users may encounter nuances that are not described in standard manuals. Often the problem lies in the specifics of a particular model or version of the security update.
Sometimes the icon disappears after a reboot, but appears again. This may indicate a system application conflict or a settings cache error. In such cases, it is recommended to clear the Settings app cache or reset your network settings (not your data!).
⚠️ Attention: Resetting your network settings will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords and paired Bluetooth devices. Use this method only if other methods have not helped.
It is also worth considering that some telecom operators or pre-installed services may force this indicator to be enabled through their configuration files. In rare cases, only disabling the operator's system applications can help.
Why does the speed icon appear again after a reboot?
This may occur due to a failure in saving system settings or the operation of background processes that force the indicator to turn on. Try clearing the cache of the Settings section in the application menu. If the problem persists, your firmware version may have a software error that will only be fixed in a future update.
Does disabling the icon affect the actual Internet speed?
No, it does not at all. The speed indicator is just a visual interface element that reads traffic data. Disabling it does not in any way limit the bandwidth of the communication channel and does not save traffic, since the monitoring process occurs in the background regardless of the display.
Is it possible to remove the icon on a rooted device?
Yes, this is easiest to do on devices with root access. You can use Magisk modules or edit system files (such as build.prop or SystemUI resource files) to completely cut out the speed display code. However, this requires high qualifications.
Where can I find the setting on Android 14 and newer?
In new versions of Android, Google is striving for unification. Look for the item in the Settings → Lock screen or Settings → Notifications → Status barsection. If there is no item, the manufacturer may have removed this function from the interface, and to disable it you will need developer or ADB rights.
Is it safe to use engineering menu?
Viewing parameters in the engineering menu is safe. The danger comes from changes in unknown parameters, especially those related to radio frequencies and networks. If you are not sure of the operation of a particular item, it is better not to touch it or first write down the original value.