The standard boot animation on Xiaomi smartphones is a flashing MI logo on a black background, which in 10-15 seconds is replaced by a desktop. For most users, this is enough, but what if you want to add personality to your device? Castole bootanimation allows you to replace a boring screensaver with dynamic animation, a favorite game logo, a meme or even a personalized greeting video.
You can change the download animations on both unlocked and locked bootloaders, but the methods will be radically different. In this article, we will discuss three working methods (including the no root option), talk about the risks, share a collection of ready-made animations and explain why some Xiaomi models (for example, the Poco F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) standard instructions do not work.
Before you start, make sure you understand that changing system files always carries the risk of a “brick” (turning your phone into a “brick”). This is especially true for devices with a locked bootloader and fresh versions of MIUI 14/15, where Xiaomi has tightened protection. If you are a beginner, start with the rootless method or use thematic firmware like Xiaomi.eu, where animations are already sewn by default.
1.What is bootanimation and how does it work for Xiaomi
Bootanimation is a graphic file that is played on the screen of a smartphone at the time of startup, after initialization of the kernel, but before downloading Android. On Xiaomi, it is stored in the system section along the path /system/media/bootanimation.zip and is an archive with a set of images (.png) and a desc.txt configuration file.
Features of working at MIUI:
- 🔹 Most Xiaomi devices (except Black Shark) use a standard format. bootanimation.zip, compatible AOSP.
- 🔹 V MIUI 12-15 Signature verification of system files is added – if you replace animation without root, the system can ignore it.
- 🔹 On some models (e.g. Redmi) K60 Xiaomi 13) uses dual animation: the first is shown when turned on, the second is shown when rebooted.
- 🔹 The animation file must match your device’s screen resolution, otherwise the image will be stretched or cropped.
It is important to understand that bootanimation is not the same as a splash screen (the first logo when turned on, which is displayed before the kernel loads).The splash screen changes only through a modification of boot.img or logo.bin, which requires an unlocked bootloader and skills to work with fastboot.
⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic RAM Expansion (e.g. Poco) X5 Pro) changing the boot animation may cause a memory allocation failure.Before experimenting, turn off this feature in the developer settings.
Preparation: What to do before installation
Before you change the animation, follow the mandatory preparatory steps:
Backup your current bootanimation (adb pull /system/media/bootanimation.zip)
Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone
Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%
Disable "MIUI Protection" in Settings → Password and Security
Download the appropriate animation (resolution must match the phone screen)-->
If you plan to use the root method, additionally:
- 📱 Install Magisk (the latest stable version) and MagiskHide Props Config to mask changes.
- 🔧 Check the adb and fastboot on PC (drivers must be installed).
- 📁 Download the archive with animation in.zip format (not.mp4 or.gif!).
For devices with a locked bootloader (most modern Xiaomi), only the method through ADB or thematic firmware will work. If you are not sure about the status of the bootloader, check it with the command:
fastboot oem device-infoSearch for Device unlocked: true/false.
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If you want to create your own animation, use the BootAnimation Factory (Android) or After Effects + BootAnimator (PC) program. The optimal resolution for most Xiaomi is 1080×2400 (20:9) or 1080×2340 (19.5:9).
3. Method 1: Installation without root through ADB (for MIUI 12-15)
This method works on non-root devices with an unlocked bootloader, but requires enabled debugging on the USB and access ADB. Suitable for most Redmi, Poco and Xiaomi based models MIUI 12-15, except for devices A/B-partitions (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T).
Step 1: Download and unpack an archive with animations (e.g., XDA Developers) The file should be called bootanimation.zip and be in the root folder of internal memory.
Step 2. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the adb folder, and do:
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp /sdcard/bootanimation.zip /system/media/
chmod 644 /system/media/bootanimation.zip
rebootStep 3. After the reboot, check the result. If the animation hasn't changed, try an alternative path:
cp /sdcard/bootanimation.zip /system/product/media/⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Poco) F4 GT) MIUI Automatically restores standard animation after updating. To avoid this, disable automatic updates of system applications in Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI.
Why doesn't the animation change?
Method 2: Installation via Magisk (for root devices)
If you have root rights, the process is simplified. You don't have to manually copy files — just install the Magisk module with animation. This method works on all Xiaomi devices, including those where standard methods don't work (for example, Black Shark 5 Pro).
Step 1: Download the.zip animation module (e.g., from MIUI Boots Telegram channel).
- 🎮 Genshin Impact bootanimation
- 🤖 Android 14 Style (for Android) MIUI 14)
- 🔥 Cyberpunk 2077 Themes
- ⚡ Minimalistic Line (for lovers of minimalism)
Step 2. Open Magisk Manager, go to Modules → Install from Storage → select the downloaded file.
Step 3: Restart the device. If the animation doesn't show up, check Magisk logs for errors (e.g. conflict with other modules).
Advantages of this method:
- 🔄 Easy to roll back to standard animation (remove the module is enough).
- 🛡️ There is no risk of damaging system files (Magisk modules operate in an isolated environment).
- 🔄 You can quickly switch between several animations.
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Magisk modules are the safest way for root devices, as changes do not directly affect the system partition and are easily rolled back.
5. Method 3: Through thematic firmware (for advanced)
If you use custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu, PixelExperience or LineageOS), the download animation can already be replaced by default. But what if you want to install your own?
On firmware like Xiaomi.eu animation is stored in /system/media/bootanimation.zip, And it can be replaced just like the first one. AOSP-Firmware (e.g. PixelExperience) may be different:
/system/product/media/bootanimation.zipFor devices with Dynamic Partition (such as Xiaomi 12S Ultra) you will need:
- Download the firmware in.ozip format.
- Unpack it with Mi Firmware Extractor.
- Replace bootanimation.zip in the system/media/ folder.
- Repackage the firmware and flash through TWRP.
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS firmware (a new OS from Xiaomi, which debuted on Xiaomi 14), standard methods of replacing animations may not work due to the changed structure of system files.
6. Top.-5 Download animations for Xiaomi (download free)
If you don’t want to create animations yourself, here’s a selection of proven options optimized for Xiaomi screens (resolution 1080×2400):
| Name of name | Style. | Size (MB) | Compatibility | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14 Stock Mod | Improved standard animation with smooth transitions | 3.2 | All devices on MIUI 14 | Download |
| Cyberpunk 2077 Neon | Futuristic neon animation | 4.8 | AMOLED-screens (Redmi) K50, Poco F4) | Download |
| Minimal Black | Black screen with a thin white line | 0.5 | All models. | Download |
| Genshin Impact Mondstadt | Animation with the game logo and landscapes | 5.1 | Screens with a ratio of 20:9 | Download |
| Android 14 Boot | Animation in the style of pure Android 14 | 2.7 | AOSP-based firmware | Download |
On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60 Pro), some animations may be played with jerks due to MIUI optimizations for energy saving. In this case, try disabling Force GPU Rendering in the developer settings.
7. How to bring back standard animation
If the experiment failed or you just want to return the original screensaver, do the following:
For devices without root:
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm /system/media/bootanimation.zip
rebootFor root devices (via Magisk):
- Open Magisk Manager.
- Find the installed module with animation.
- Click Remove and restart the device.
If the animation is not returned after deleting, download the original bootanimation.zip for your model from the 4PDA or XDA forum and install it again.
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Backup the original animation before the first change! This will save time if something goes wrong. backup command: adb pull /system/media/bootanimation.zip C:\backup\