How to change the charging theme on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphone owners often want to personalize their device’s interface as much as possible, and animation when connecting to a power grid is not the least of the things here.The standard battery indicator, while informative, looks boring compared to what modified system files offer. Changing the visual charging style is an easy way to bring the lock screen to life and make using the gadget more enjoyable.

However, the process of installing custom charging themes is not always smooth, as the system limitations of MIUI and HyperOS can block third-party modifications. You will not only need to download the desired file, but also activate it correctly through special tools or system settings. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from simple substitutions through the Themes app to more complex manipulations.

It’s worth noting that data security and system stability depend on where you get the modification files from. Using proven resources minimizes risks, but always be prepared for possible rollbacks. Next, we’ll look at the algorithm for actions for different versions of the shell.

Preparation of the smartphone for the installation of modifications

Before you start changing system elements, you need to make sure your device is ready to make changes. The basic requirement is to have access rights to advanced functionality or at least an activated developer mode. For most users, it is enough to simply enable debugging over USB and access hidden menus.

It is also important to free up space in memory and back up important data. Although replacing a charging theme rarely leads to critical errors, interfering with system files always carries a theoretical risk. MIUI and HyperOS have security mechanisms that can conflict with theme installers.

⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulations, make sure your battery is at least 60% charged. interruption of the system component installation process due to battery discharge can cause the device to reboot cyclically.

You may need an MT Manager app or a similar root-rights file manager to work if standard methods don't work, but in 90% of cases, a standard set of tools preinstalled in a smartphone is enough, and the key is to follow the sequence of steps carefully.

Using the Themes app to change animations

The easiest and safest way to change the visual style of charging is to use the official theme store. There are thousands of designs in the MIUI Themes catalog, which include not only wallpaper and icons, but also specific effects when connecting the cable.

You don't have to search for a separate animation file, just find a theme that says Lock Screen or Charging Animation. Once you download this theme, the system will automatically replace the standard graphics with new ones when you activate the design.

But there's a caveat: some themes only change static images, not dynamic animations, so you can use a search filter or (see) screenshots in the description of the topic, and often developers post a video preview of their work.

• 🎨 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
• 🔍 In the search, enter the request “Charging” or “Charging».
• 📥 Choose the option you like and click “Download».
• ⚙️ Go to the profile and apply the theme in full or only the components of the lock screen.

If the animation didn’t appear after the theme was applied, it may be that the design you chose doesn’t support your particular smartphone model or shell version, in which case you should try the theme from another author or use alternative activation methods.

Activate with Mi Pilot and Hidden Menus

For more advanced users who want to use unique animations not available in the official store, there is a method of activation through the engineering menu or special activation applications. One popular solution is the use of the Mi Pilot utility or analogues that allow you to apply themes with limited regions.

The method is to trick the system into thinking that the theme is being applied in a permitted region or on a compatible device, often for themes designed for Chinese firmware versions that are richer in visual effects.

Also worth paying attention to the settings of Developer Options. In some versions of the software there is a hidden flag that allows the installation of third-party themes, its activation may require entering special code in the Themes application.

The key here is compatibility of the theme version with the MIUI version. If the theme is created for MIUI 12 and you have MIUI 14 installed, the animation may not show up or cause the interface to crash.

Manual System File Replacement (for Advanced)

The most radical, but also the most flexible, method is to directly replace the graphics resources in the system partition, which requires root rights and an understanding of the structure of the Android file system, and you'll work with the files that render the interface.

Charging animation files are usually in the /system/media/charging directory or inside the framework archives. You will need to find a file with the.png or.webp extension corresponding to the percentage of charge and replace it with a custom one.

Before replacing, make sure to copy the original files to a safe place. If the new graphics prove to be bit or resolution incompatible, you can quickly restore the system to work. An error in file sizes can lead to the fact that instead of animation you will see a black screen.

adb pull /system/media/charging/charging_0.png./backup/


adb push./new_theme/charging_0.png /system/media/charging/

Using the ADB command line allows you to manipulate faster and safer than through file managers on the phone, which allows you to interrupt the process at any time and roll back changes from the computer.

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Tip: Always check the resolution and bits of the images being replaced. They must match the originals exactly, otherwise artifacts on the screen or SystemUI system process crashes are possible.

Compatibility table of OS methods and versions

Not all methods work equally well on different versions of the shell. Below is a summary table to help determine the best way for your situation.Be aware that with each security update, Xiaomi closes some loopholes.

As you can see from the table, for owners of devices based on HyperOS, either the official store or the presence of root rights remains the most reliable. Magisk modules allow you to implement animations at the system level, bypassing integrity checks.

If you're not confident, you'd better limit yourself to the first two methods, and if you're deeply involved with the system without experience, you might need to flash the device.

Remediation and application errors

Often users find that after installing the theme, the animation does not start or the phone freezes on the logo.This can be caused by a cache conflict or damage to system files. The first step should always be to clean the cache of the application theme.

If the problem persists, try removing newly installed themes and returning to standard design. In some cases, rebooting to Safe Mode, where only system applications are downloaded, helps, allowing you to remove the problem module.

⚠️ Warning: If the device goes into a bootloop after installing the theme, don’t panic. Try booting into Recovery mode and resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data), saving important files beforehand if possible.

It’s also worth checking for system updates. Sometimes Xiaomi releases patches that fix theme compatibility errors, but in rare cases, updates can block previously working customization methods.

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The main rule of customization: always have the original files or a system restore point at hand, so that in case of a failure, the smartphone quickly returns to working condition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)