How to change the charging topic on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often strive to personalize their device by making it unique. One of the most noticeable interface elements that pleases the eye when using the gadget is the lock screen and the connection process. Many users wonder how to change the theme of charging on Xiaomi to replace the standard boring indicator with bright animations or even a full-fledged video.

Unfortunately, the standard MIUI shell settings or the new HyperOS don’t have a simple “Replace Charging Animation” button; the default system only offers basic visuals that may not seem expressive enough; however, the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem allows for changes to be implemented through third-party themes, special apps, or system modifications.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to change the appearance of the charging process, learn how to use the built-in Themes app, which third-party utilities are safe to install, and how to set up the soundtrack, and also discuss the nuances of working with different versions of the operating system.

Use of the built-in Themes application

The safest and most official way to change the visual design of a smartphone is to use the Themes app preinstalled. Developers from around the world create decorative packages that include not only icons and wallpaper, but also special effects for the lock and charge screen. First, open the app and go to the Profile section, and then select My Themes.

Not all themes have modified charging animations. To find the right one, you need to search or sections with popular works. Often these topics are tagged with appropriate tags or show a preview of animations in the description. After choosing a design you like, click Apply.

⚠️ Note: Some themes may be paid or require regional settings for your Mi Account. If the theme doesn’t apply fully, try using only the Lock Screen or System Sounds elements in the theme editing menu.

It's important to understand that applying a new theme can change not only charging, but also the overall look of the menu. If you're only interested in animation, you can try to return old wallpaper and icons after applying the theme, leaving only the charging effect, although in newer versions of MIUI this does not always work consistently.

• 🎨 Open the Themes app on the main screen.
• 🔍 Enter the keywords in the search: “Charging animation”, “Charging”, “Battery».
• ✅ Click Download and then Apply for the selected package.
• 🔄 Check the result by connecting the power cable to the device.

The effectiveness of this method depends on the version of your operating system. In older versions of MIUI, the themes had deep access to system files, allowing you to change almost everything. In HyperOS and recent updates, security is enhanced, so some elements may not be replaced without additional permissions.

Specialized Animation Applications

If the built-in themes don't work, specialized apps from the Google Play store come to the rescue, and they work on top of the system and intercept the moment of connection of the charger, launching a pre-selected video or a video. GIF-Popular solutions are Battery Charge Animation or Cool Charging Screen.

Once you install this app, you'll need to give it a number of permissions, first of all access to a storage facility to read video files and permission to display over other windows, and without the last item, the animation won't be able to block the standard lock screen.

Keep in mind that the constant operation of such applications can consume additional battery power in the background, which looks ironic for a program associated with charging. However, modern Android algorithms allow you to effectively manage background processes, minimizing the impact on autonomy.

• 📲 Download the charging animation app from a reliable source.
• 🛡️ Provide the necessary access rights in the windows that appear.
• 🎞️ Download or select a video from the gallery to use as animation.
• ⚙️ Adjust sensor sensitivity and display time.

Some applications allow you to tie different animations to different charge levels, for example, at 0-20%, one video can be displayed, and at 80-100% it can be completely different, which adds functionality and makes the process of monitoring the battery more interesting.

Adjustment of sound accompaniment

The visual part is only half the success, and many users want to change the sound that comes out when you connect the cable, and unlike animation, the audio is customized through standard system menus, but it has its own features depending on the regional firmware.

To change the melody, go to Settings, then select Sounds and Vibrations. Here you will find Additional Sounds or System Sounds. In some versions of the shell, this option is hidden inside the Topic menu -> Profile -> Sounds.

If you don’t like the standard set of tunes, you can download your own audio file. The file format should be compatible with the system, usually MP3 or M4A. The file must be placed in the appropriate folder of internal memory or selected through the file manager in the audio settings.

It is worth noting that on global firmware, the ability to fully customize system sounds is sometimes curtailed compared to the Chinese versions, in which case substitute sound applications that work on the principle of intercepting the system event of a USB connection are rescued.

• 🔊 Go to Settings -> Sounds and vibrations.
• 🎵 Select Additional Sounds or Charging Sound.
• 📂 Click on plusic or "Add" to select your file.
• 💾 Save the changes and check the work by connecting the cable.

The sound quality depends on the speaker of the smartphone. If you chose a complex audio file with low frequencies, on budget models it may sound less clear.

Compatibility table of MIUI methods and versions

The effectiveness of different methods of changing the charging theme depends on the version of the installed operating system. Below is a table that will help you navigate the available features for different versions of the shell.

As you can see from the table, with the release of HyperOS, security policies have tightened, and simple themes have stopped integrating so deeply into the system, which is done to increase stability and protect against malicious code that could be hidden in modified theme files.

Users of new devices are advised to immediately focus on the use of specialized applications or widgets, as they bypass the restrictions imposed on system themes, working as an independent interface layer.

Always on Display and Charging Widgets

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with screens such as AMOLED, which support the Always On Display (AOD) function. This technology allows you to display information on the off screen, including time, notifications and, importantly for our theme, charging status.

You can choose different display styles in AOD settings, some of which include dynamic effects that are activated when the charger is connected, such as running bars, changing color of the indicator, or an animation of the battery filling.

⚠️ Attention: Always on Display, especially with complex animations, increases battery consumption. AOD or activate it only when you receive notifications.

To set up, go to Settings -> Always screen and lock. Here you can choose a style, edit it or download new ones from the Internet catalog. Some styles are specifically designed to display the charging process in the style of retro games or futuristic interfaces.

• ⌚ Open the settings of the Always On screen.
• 🎨 Choose a style with dynamic charging.
• 🕒 Set up the operating time (for example, 10 seconds after touching).
• 🔋 Enjoy the stylish indicator on the screen off.

Use of the AOD This is the most energy efficient way to customize, because OLED-And so, black pixels don't consume energy, and that's a great trade-off between beauty and autonomy.

Advanced methods and widgets

For users who want maximum control, there are desktop widgets that mimic the charging process. Although they don't work on a locked screen without an AOD, they can turn the home screen into an energy monitoring panel.

There are widgets that show detailed statistics, such as current current, voltage, battery temperature and the time remaining to fully charge, which are useful not only for beauty, but also for diagnosing the state of the battery.

There are also modules for Magisk that are unlocked, which allow you to replace the system-level animation and animation charging files, but this method requires root rights and carries risks.

If you decide to modify system files, make sure to make a full backup of the data. An error when replacing the system resource can lead to a cyclical reboot or the image disappearing when charging.

• 🔓 Get root rights (not recommended for beginners).
• 📂 Find the animation system files in the section /system/media/.
• 📝 Replace files with modified versions.
• ♻️ Restart the device to apply changes.

For most users, the best choice is a combination of standard themes and lightweight animators, which provides a balance between personalization and stability of the smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)