Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer users a lot of personalization options, but standard on-line animation often remains the same throughout the life of the device. Many owners want to change the familiar “Mi” or “Redmi” logo to something more unique that reflects their individual style. However, the process of replacing the bootanimation is significantly different from the usual change of wallpaper or theme of decoration.
Unlike surface interface changes, the startup process modification affects system files and requires a deeper understanding of the Android architecture. Depending on the method chosen, you may need to obtain super-user rights (root), unlock the bootloader or use special tools to modify system images. It is important to understand that not all methods are suitable for every model, whether it is a budget Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi 13 Pro.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods in detail, from securely installing themes through the Themes app to advanced ways to replace system files through ADB and TWRP. You will learn about the risks associated with interfering with the boot process and get step-by-step instructions for each difficulty level. Replacing a bootanimation.zip file in the system partition without creating a backup can lead to a cyclical device restart (bootloop).
Official methods of personalization through the Topics app
The safest and most affordable way to change the visual design when you turn on your phone is to use the regular Themes app. In the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, developers have provided a mechanism for replacing the animation lock and turning on the screen, which does not require deep intervention in the system, This method is ideal for users who do not want to risk the guarantee or stability of the gadget.
However, not all themes contain modified download animations, often just an animation of unlocking the screen or turning on the display, rather than the motherboard’s starting logo, and filters or keyword searches such as “animation,” “boot,” or “loading” are needed to find the right design.
- 🔍 Open the Topics app on the home screen and go to the search section.
- 🎨 Enter the “animation” request and select the “Themes” or “Blocking animation” category».
- ⬇️ Download your favorite theme and click “Apply”, pre-activating the item “Boot animation” in the details of the topic.
After applying the theme, the system may ask for a reboot. If the theme developer has set the settings correctly, you will see new animations. In some regions, the functionality of the Themes app is limited, so you may need to change the region in the phone settings to India or Singapore to access the full directory.
Preparation of the device for deep modification
If standard methods do not meet your needs and you want to replace the Mi logo, you will have to resort to more complex methods. This requires preliminary preparation of the device, since the Android protection system does not allow you to change files in the root partition without special permissions. The first step should always be to unlock the bootloader.
Unlocking bootloader on Xiaomi devices is a formal procedure, but it takes time. You will need a Mi Account that is tied to the device for at least 7 days (in some cases, the period may vary), and the Mi Unlock Tool utility on a Windows computer. Once unlocked, all data on the phone will be deleted, so backing up is critical.
☑️ Preparation for system modification
Once successfully unlocked, it is recommended to install custom recavators, such as TWRP. This will allow you to access system partitions and make changes to files that are protected from writing in normal mode. Without TWRP or root rights, replacing download animation is impossible, since the bootanimation.zip file is in a secure directory /system/media/.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all device data and may void the manufacturer's warranty in some regions.
Replacement method through Root rights and file manager
For users already with super-user (root) rights, the process of replacing animations becomes much easier. Having root allows file managers with advanced features like Root Explorer or MT Manager to access the system directory. This method does not require a connection to a computer and can be performed directly on a smartphone.
First, you need to find or create your own animation file. The file format should be strictly bootanimation.zip. Important: the archive should not contain compression files inside itself (Storage method Store), otherwise the system will not be able to read it correctly. Inside the archive are usually folders with images and a text description file.
Replacement path: /system/media/bootanimation.zip
Alternative path (on some firmware): /product/media/bootanimation.zipAfter you have prepared the file, copy it to the system folder, replacing the original. Be sure to set the correct permissions for the new file: rw-r--r-- (If the rights are different, the system may ignore the file or, in the worst case, will not be able to boot.
- 📂 Open a file manager with root rights and go along the way /system/media/.
- 📝 Make a copy of the original file bootanimation.zip and rename it in bootanimation_backup.zip.
- 💾 Copy the new animation file to the same folder and set the rights to 644.
What to do if the access rights are incorrect?
Installation of animation through custom Recovery TWRP
The most reliable way for advanced users is to install animations through the TWRP recovery menu. This method is good because it allows you to replace the file before the operating system loads, which minimizes the risk of conflicts with running processes. In addition, in case of an error, you can always restore the original file from the backup.
To implement this method, you will need a pre-prepared file. bootanimation.zip, stored in the internal memory of the phone or SD-You also need to have a custom Recovery installed on the device, which takes only a few minutes, but requires careful navigation through the menu.
| Step. | Action in TWRP | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reboot → Recovery | Reboot to Recaveri Mode |
| 2 | Mount → System | Activation of mounting of the system partition |
| 3 | Advanced → File Manager | Transition to the TWRP file manager |
| 4 | Copy / Paste | Copying a new file in /system/media/ |
After copying the file, be sure to check its access rights directly in the TWRP file manager. Click on the file, select "Permissions" and make sure the values correspond to 644.
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Use the backup function in TWRP before any changes. Create a backup of System and Boot partitions to be able to roll back in case of a failed modification.
Using Magisk Modules to Change Logo
Owners of devices with Magisk's installed rights manager can use the system modules to replace animations, a modern and secure method, since it does not modifies system partition files directly, but instead replaces them on the fly when booting (systemless approach), which makes it easier to remove changes if necessary.
There are many pre-built modules on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums that offer different animation options, from Google Pixel logos to anime themes, and install them through the Magisk Manager app under “Modules” → “Install from storage.”
The main advantage of this method is that it is easy to roll back changes. If you don't like the new animation or cause crashes, just delete the module in the Magisk application and restart the device, the original system file remains intact.
- 📥 Download the module archive with the.zip extension to the device memory.
- ⚙️ Open the Magisk app and go to the Modules section».
- ➕ Click “Install from storage” and select the downloaded file.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the module is compatible with your version of Android and screen resolution.Inappropriate animations may be displayed in black screen or be heavily stretched.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Interfering with system files always carries risks. The most common problem after replacing animations is the so-called bootloop, when the phone restarts endlessly without reaching the desktop, which occurs if the animation file is corrupted, has an incorrect format or incorrect access rights.
If you're experiencing a cyclical reboot, don't panic. If you have a customized recap (TWRP) installed, go into it, open the file manager and either delete the new bootanimation.zip file or rename the backup backup. You can also try to restore the full system backup you made earlier.
In some cases, especially on devices with encrypted data partitions, the system may ignore third-party animations for security reasons. This is normal for modern versions of Android 11-14.
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Data security and system stability are more important than a beautiful picture, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better just change the subject.