Android · Personalization
Choose which icons appear in the status bar
Controls which system icons — such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, alarm, or hotspot — are shown in the status bar at the top of the screen, and how notification icons are displayed there.
How to open Status Bar Icon Manager
- Open Settings → Notifications (or Display, depending on device)
- Tap 'Status bar'
- Toggle individual system icons on or off
- Set the maximum number of notification icons to display
What you should know
- Toggle individual system icons like Bluetooth or hotspot on or off
- Choose between showing all notification icons or only a limited number
- Some devices allow hiding the clock, battery percentage display style separately
- Found within Notifications or Display settings depending on device
Why it matters
The status bar is limited real estate, and too many icons crowded together can make it hard to quickly read the time, signal, or battery level. Trimming unnecessary icons improves at-a-glance readability, especially on phones with notches or punch-hole cameras that already reduce available space. This setting is particularly useful for users who want a cleaner, more minimalist top bar or who rely on specific icons (like VPN or hotspot status) being easy to spot.
Best practices
- Hide icons for features you rarely use, like NFC or airplane mode, to declutter the bar
- Keep security-relevant icons like VPN and hotspot visible for quick status checks
- Limit notification icon count if you use many apps with frequent alerts
Common problems and fixes
- Too many notification icons crowd the status bar
- Limit the maximum number of notification icons shown in the status bar settings.
- An important icon (like VPN) is hidden
- Re-enable that specific system icon in the status bar icon list.
- Battery percentage doesn't display next to the icon
- Enable 'Show battery percentage' separately, as it's often a distinct toggle from icon visibility.
Tips and tricks
- Reduce the notification icon limit to two or three for the cleanest look
- Check status bar settings after a major Android update, since new icons are sometimes added by default
Frequently asked questions
Can I fully hide the status bar?
No, the status bar itself can't be removed, only which optional icons appear within it.
Do hidden icons stop the underlying feature from working?
No, hiding an icon only affects its visibility, not the feature's functionality.
Why do some OEM phones have more status bar options than stock Android?
Manufacturer skins often add extra customization layers beyond the base Android settings.
Related settings
- Notification Dot StyleNotification dots place a small colored badge on an app icon when it has an unread notification; this setting controls whether dots appear and how they're styled.
- Quick Settings Tile CustomizationLets you add, remove, and reorder the toggle tiles shown in the Quick Settings panel accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen.
- Wallpaper & StyleWallpaper & Style settings let you set separate images for your Home and lock screens, and on many devices, generate a matching system-wide color palette, icon shapes, and fonts based on your wallpaper's colors. Theme packs can bundle wallpapers, icons, and sounds together for a coordinated look.
More Personalization guides for Android
- Home Screen & LauncherHome screen settings control which apps, shortcuts, and widgets appear on your Home screens, how many screens you have, and the overall grid layout. If you've installed a third-party launcher, this is also where you switch your default Home app.
- Lock Screen & Always-on DisplayLock screen settings control the clock style, shortcuts, and what information (like notifications and weather) appears before you unlock your phone. Always-on display, on supported devices, keeps a dimmed version of the clock and key notifications visible even while the screen is otherwise off.
- Themed Icons & Material You ColorsThemed icons use Material You to extract a color palette from your current wallpaper and apply matching tints to supported app icons, widgets, and system menus.
- App Icon Shape & Grid SizeControls the outline shape used for app icons (circle, squircle, square, teardrop) and the number of rows and columns shown on the home screen grid.
- Always-on Display CustomizationAlways-on Display (AOD) keeps a low-power version of the clock, notification icons, and optional 'At a Glance' info visible on the lock screen even when the phone is idle.
- Screen Saver (Daydream)Screen saver, also called Daydream, displays a rotating photo gallery, clock, or colors on screen while the phone is docked, charging, or idle, instead of turning the display off.