Understanding the Battery Icon

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 141 views

Introduction

Welcome to this step-by-step guide on how to remove the battery icon from the top bar and stop estimating battery life on Ubuntu 21.04. As a recent Linux user, you might be familiar with the Windows environment, but Linux has its own set of unique features and settings. In this article, we will walk you through the process of customizing your Ubuntu desktop to suit your needs.

Understanding the Battery Icon

The battery icon on the top bar is a useful feature that provides information about your laptop's battery life. However, if you're running your laptop directly from the charger, you might find it unnecessary to have this icon displayed. Moreover, estimating battery life can be a resource-intensive process, which might affect your laptop's performance.

Removing the Battery Icon

To remove the battery icon from the top bar, you'll need to edit the GNOME Tweaks settings. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Install GNOME Tweaks

First, you'll need to install the GNOME Tweaks package on your Ubuntu system. You can do this by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Step 2: Launch GNOME Tweaks

Once the installation is complete, launch the GNOME Tweaks application from the application menu or by searching for it in the Dash.

Step 3: Customize the Top Bar

In the GNOME Tweaks application, navigate to the "Top Bar" section. Here, you'll find various options to customize the top bar, including the battery icon. Uncheck the "Battery" option to remove the battery icon from the top bar.

Stopping Battery Estimation

To stop estimating battery life, you'll need to disable the battery estimation feature in the GNOME Power Manager settings. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Launch the GNOME Power Manager Settings

To access the GNOME Power Manager settings, you can use the following command in the terminal:

gnome-control-center power

Alternatively, you can search for "Power Settings" in the Dash and launch the application from there.

Step 2: Disable Battery Estimation

In the GNOME Power Manager settings, navigate to the "Battery" section. Here, you'll find an option to disable battery estimation. Uncheck the "Estimate battery life" option to stop estimating battery life.

Additional Tips

If you're running your laptop directly from the charger, you might want to consider disabling the battery charging feature to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your laptop's battery. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch the GNOME Power Manager Settings

Launch the GNOME Power Manager settings application using the command gnome-control-center power or by searching for "Power Settings" in the Dash.

Step 2: Disable Battery Charging

In the GNOME Power Manager settings, navigate to the "Battery" section. Here, you'll find an option to disable battery charging. Uncheck the "Allow charging" option to prevent your laptop's battery from charging.

Conclusion

In this article, we've walked you through the process of removing the battery icon from the top bar and stopping battery estimation on Ubuntu 21.04. By following these steps, you can customize your Ubuntu desktop to suit your needs and improve your laptop's performance. Remember to always keep your system up-to-date and explore the various customization options available in the GNOME Tweaks and GNOME Power Manager settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I remove the battery icon from the top bar on Ubuntu 21.04?

A: To remove the battery icon from the top bar, you'll need to edit the GNOME Tweaks settings. Follow the steps outlined in this article to customize the top bar and remove the battery icon.

Q: How do I stop estimating battery life on Ubuntu 21.04?

A: To stop estimating battery life, you'll need to disable the battery estimation feature in the GNOME Power Manager settings. Follow the steps outlined in this article to disable battery estimation.

Q: How do I disable battery charging on Ubuntu 21.04?

Q: What is the purpose of the battery icon on the top bar?

A: The battery icon on the top bar is a useful feature that provides information about your laptop's battery life. It displays the battery level, charging status, and estimated battery life.

Q: Why would I want to remove the battery icon from the top bar?

A: If you're running your laptop directly from the charger, you might find it unnecessary to have the battery icon displayed on the top bar. Additionally, estimating battery life can be a resource-intensive process, which might affect your laptop's performance.

Q: How do I remove the battery icon from the top bar on Ubuntu 21.04?

A: To remove the battery icon from the top bar, you'll need to edit the GNOME Tweaks settings. Follow the steps outlined in this article to customize the top bar and remove the battery icon.

Q: How do I stop estimating battery life on Ubuntu 21.04?

A: To stop estimating battery life, you'll need to disable the battery estimation feature in the GNOME Power Manager settings. Follow the steps outlined in this article to disable battery estimation.

Q: How do I disable battery charging on Ubuntu 21.04?

A: To disable battery charging, you'll need to launch the GNOME Power Manager settings and navigate to the "Battery" section. Uncheck the "Allow charging" option to prevent your laptop's battery from charging.

Q: Will disabling battery charging affect my laptop's battery life?

A: Disabling battery charging will not affect your laptop's battery life. However, it's essential to note that battery charging can help maintain the battery's health and prolong its lifespan.

Q: Can I customize the battery icon on the top bar?

A: Yes, you can customize the battery icon on the top bar. You can change the icon's appearance, size, and position using the GNOME Tweaks settings.

Q: How do I reset the battery icon on the top bar to its default settings?

A: To reset the battery icon on the top bar to its default settings, you can follow these steps:

Launch the GNOME Tweaks application.
Navigate to the "Top Bar" section.
Click on the "Reset" button to restore the default settings.

Q: Can I remove the battery icon from the top bar on other Linux distributions?

A: The steps to remove the battery icon from the top bar may vary depending on the Linux distribution you're using. However, the general process of editing the system settings or using a customization tool like GNOME Tweaks should be similar.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the battery icon on the top bar?

A: If you're experiencing issues with the battery icon on the top bar, you can try the following:

Restart your laptop to see if the issue resolves itself.
Check the system logs for any errors related to the battery icon.
Update your system to the latest version of the Linux distribution.
Reinstall the GNOME Tweaks package to ensure it's installed correctly.

Q: Can I customize the battery settings on Ubuntu 21.04?

A: Yes, you can customize the battery settings on Ubuntu 21.04. You can adjust the battery's charging behavior, set up power-saving profiles, and more using the GNOME Power Manager settings.