Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often want to personalize their gadget to make it stand out from the mass of standard devices. One of the most noticeable but rarely changed interface elements is the animation that appears when you plug in a power cable. The standard battery indicator we see every day can get boring over time, and there is a desire to replace it with something more dynamic or minimalist.
Unfortunately, the standard settings for MIUI or the new HyperOS do not have the option of directly replacing this system file with a “one click” feature, which is done by developers to ensure the stability of the interface and protect system partitions from accidental damage by inexperienced users. However, there are proven ways to circumvent this limitation and set the desired graphics.
In this article, we will take a closer look at legal customization methods through the official theme app, and also touch on more complex technical aspects for advanced users, learn how to safely implement new visual effects and what to do if after the changes the phone stopped displaying charge levels correctly.
Limitations of standard MIUI and HyperOS shells
Xiaomi’s operating shell is built on Android, but has profound changes to the system files responsible for rendering. Standard charging animation is “sewn” in the system framework and is not designed for editing by conventional means. This means that you will not find the “Change Charging Picture” slider in the personalization menu.
Attempt to obtain Root rights to replace system files directly (e.g, battery_charging.png In modern versions of firmware with Verified Boot protection enabled, any interference with the integrity of the system partition can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device known as bootloop.
In addition, modification of system animation files often results in incorrect display of percentages of charge or complete disappearance of the indication while operating from the network. The system may simply not know what animation frame to show at a certain level of voltage, if the file was manually modified without appropriate resource recompilation.
⚠️ Note: Direct replacement of system files through file managers with superuser rights on new Xiaomi models (Redmi Note) 10/11/12, Xiaomi 13/14) It is highly likely to cause an unstable system. Use only proven thematic methods.
Replacement method through the “Themes” app
The safest and most recommended way to change the look of the lock screen and, in some cases, charging animation is to use the official Themes app. Developers from around the world create comprehensive packages that replace not only icons, but also system sounds, widgets and interface animations.
To get started, you need to open a pre-installed app on your device. In the search bar at the top of the screen, type in keywords like "Charging," "Battery," "Animation" or "Power." The SERPs will show thousands of options, from simple indicators to complex anime effects.
It's important to understand that not all themes support changing the system charging animation, and many of them only change the Lock Screen. To check the theme, click on the preview and select Download and then Apply. If the charging animations haven't changed after you plugged in the cable, then the package doesn't have the necessary modifications to the system resources.
After installing a theme you liked, it is recommended to restart the smartphone. This is necessary in order to cached graphic elements updated and the new animation file correctly fell into place in the system. If the effect does not appear, try selecting the theme settings "Application again".
Search and installation of custom themes
If a regional directory (e.g., Russian or Ukrainian) has limited choice of topics, many users resort to changing the region in their phone settings. Switching the region to India or Singapore in the Settings menu → Additional settings → Region opens up access to the global directory, where the selection of animations is much wider.
When searching, look for the theme rankings and downloads. Popular themes tend to be better optimized and contain fewer bugs. The theme description often indicates which elements it changes. Look for "Charging Animation," "Dynamic Lock Screen," or "Super Wallpaper."
- 🔍 Enter English for more accurate search, as most authors use it.
- 📱 Check the compatibility of the theme with your Android version and MIUI, designer-described.
- 💾 Save a link to a topic you like or take a screenshot of its name to easily find it again after resetting.
There are also third-party theme stores that are set up as regular. APK-However, the use of these applications requires caution, such applications may require excessive permissions or contain advertising modules. The official Xiaomi store undergoes a security check, which minimizes the risk of infection of the device with malicious code.
💡
Before installing a new theme, be sure to back up your current configuration via the Mi Cloud cloud or locally to be able to roll back changes quickly.
Use of third-party animation applications
There are many apps in the Google Play Market that mimic the system charging animation, and they work on the principle of "over all windows": when the phone detects connects the charger, the application launches its own video or video. GIF-full-screen.
Popular members of this class of software are Battery Charging Animation, Cool Charging and their counterparts, and the principle of their work is to create a layer that overlaps the standard interface, which allows you to use any video file, GIF or even live wallpaper as an indicator of energy.
The main disadvantage of these solutions is the increased power consumption. Since the application must constantly monitor the state of the charging port and keep the display active to display the picture, the battery can heat up more than usual.
| Parameter | Official themes | Third-party annexes | Systemic modification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Tall. | Medium | Low. |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | High. | Depends on the file. |
| Work off | Yes. | No. | Yes. |
| Complexity of installation | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
Advanced Methods: Modification of System Files
For users who are not afraid of the terminal and have an unlocked Bootloader, there is a possibility of direct replacement of graphic resources. This method requires the presence of SuperUser (Root) rights and an installed file manager that supports work with the system partition, for example, MT Manager or Root Explorer.
The process involves the search for a system APK-The file responsible for the framework (often it is the framework-res.apk Inside this archive are graphic resources (png, xml) that need to be replaced with your own, respecting the original resolution and file name.
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp /sdcard/new_charging_anim.png /system/media/battery_charging.pngIt is critical to make a full backup (Nandroid backup) through the custom TWRP recap before any manipulations begin. If you replace the file with a resolution or format incompatible, the system may not boot, and the only way out is to flash the device with loss of data.
⚠️ Note: Modification of system files automatically voids the warranty on the device. In the event of software failures after such changes, service centers may refuse free maintenance.
What if after replacing the files, the phone went into a bootloom?
How to turn off charging animations on Xiaomi
Some users face the opposite problem: standard animation on their model is too bright, intrusive or just annoying. Unfortunately, the standard feature “Disable Charging animations” in the developer menu or basic settings is not provided.
The only safe software way to minimize visual noise is to turn on Do Not Disturb mode or use black screen themes. Also, in some versions of MIUI, it helps to turn off "UI Animation" in the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → For developers, although this affects all system transitions, not just charging.
If the animation consumes too much resources or causes bugs (such as a black screen when charging), reset the display settings. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click a few times to turn on the developer menu, then find the animation zoom point and set the values to 0.5x or turn them off.
- 🔋 Use flight mode when charging so that the screen fades faster and does not distract with glow.
- 🌙 Set up a night schedule to make the screen colors less saturated.
- 🚫 Avoid using “heavy” live wallpapers that may conflict with the system’s energy saving animation.
☑️ Check before modification of the system
Addressing common problems
In the process of customization, users often encounter image artifacts, such as when a new theme is installed, the charging animation may twitch, the charging percentage may be displayed incorrectly, or the picture may float, often because the screen resolution of the new animation does not match the physical resolution of your smartphone display.
Another common problem is the conflict of versions: The theme created for Android 11 and MIUI 12 may not work correctly on Android 13 and MIUI 14. The structure of system files changes with each major update, and old resources simply do not count as new framework.
If you notice that the phone starts to run out or heat up faster in standby mode after installing the animation, immediately remove the last installed theme or app. Return to standard design to rule out a software conflict causing memory leaks.
⚠️ Warning: If after installing custom animation, the phone stopped responding to touches or the screen went out and did not light up, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button during the process. 10-15 seconds.
💡
The safest way to use official themes from the directory is to check them for compatibility with your model and version of the software.