How to change the download animation on Xiaomi with MIUI 12: Complete guide

Bootanimation is the first thing you see when you turn on a Xiaomi smartphone. MIUI The 12 with the Mi logo and dynamic elements can be boring, especially if you want to personalize the device. Fortunately, replacing it with custom animation is a very doable task, although it requires some technical skills.

In this article, we will analyze in detail all the stages: from unlocking the bootloader to installing a new animation through the TWRP or ADB. You will learn what tools you need, where to download secure animation files, and how to avoid common errors. Importantly, the process is fraught with risks, so on some Xiaomi models (such as the MediaTek processor), changing bootanimation can lead to locking the device.

If you're willing to experiment, let's do it, but first, check if your model is suitable for this kind of manipulation.

1.Preparation: What to Know Before Changing Download Animation

Before you start replacing bootanimation, make sure your device meets the following key requirements:

• 📱 Smartphone model: The process is suitable for most Xiaomi devices MIUI 12 (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro, Poco) X3, Mi 10T), but does not work on models with a locked bootloader without unlocking.
• 🔓 bootloader status: On new Xiaomi devices, the bootloader is blocked. It will have to be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock tool.
• 🛠️ Presence TWRP: Most methods will require custom recavery TWRP. Make sure that there is an up-to-date version for your model.
• 🔋 Battery charge: At least 60% is a must. Interruption due to discharge can lead to a "brick" of the device.

Also prepare:

• 💻 PC with installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official website of Xiaomi or through the SDK Platform Tools by Google).
• 🔗 USB-Type C Cable (original to avoid connection issues).
• 📁 Backup of data: Changing system files can cause loss of information.

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A, Poco C3) change bootanimation.zip unlockless boot.img Can cause hard brick (irreparable damage). Check the processor model in Settings → The phone. → Full specification.

If you are not sure about your device model, use the app. CPU-Z (available on Google Play to clarify technical specifications.

2 Unlocking the bootloader: step zero for custom changes

Without an unlocked bootloader, you will not be able to install TWRP Xiaomi officially lets you unlock the bootloader, but the process takes time and Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Link the device to your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Activate debugging on USB unlock OEM In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times on "Version" MIUI", Then go back to the additional settings. → For developers).
3. Download the official Mi Unlock tool and log in.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Volume Down).
5. In Mi Unlock, click Unlock and wait until it is completed (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi restrictions).

⚠️ Attention: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device will be reset. Xiaomi can also block unlocking on new models - check the relevance of information on the forums 4PDA or XDA Developers.

If Mi Unlock is running a "Couldn't unlock" error, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the device to another USB-port.
• 🔌 Use the original cable.
• 📡 Disable antivirus on PC.
• ⏳ Wait 1-3 days and try again (limited by Xiaomi).

Link your Mi Account to your device |

Activate debugging by USB unlock OEM|

Download Mi Unlock from the official website|

Connect your phone to Fastboot |

Make a backup copy of the data-->

Installation TWRP: custom recaps to change system files

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is an alternative recovery that allows you to modify system partitions, including the download animation file.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the current version TWRP for your model from the site twrp.me (the file will be in.img format).
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
4. After successful installation, reboot to TWRP by holding Power + Volume Up.

If, after the reboot, TWRP does not start, and the device returns to the standard Recovery:

fastboot boot twrp.img

This team will temporarily load TWRP permanent.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) after installation TWRP This can trigger anti-rollback protection, which locks the device. Check compatibility on the forum before installing it. XDA.

To check the performance TWRP Backup the boot section:

• In TWRP, go to Backup.
• Select the Boot section and start the reservation.
• Save a copy to an external drive or PC.

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After installation TWRP The device is fixated on the Mi logo, try to sew the original boot.img Fastboot: Fastboot Flash boot stock_boot.img. Download stock_boot forum 4PDA for your model.

4. Where to Download Safe Download Animation Files

Animation file download in MIUI 12 name bootanimation.zip and is located in the section /system/media/. To replace it, you need a new file with the correct structure and resolution.

Reliable sources for downloading:

• 🌐 XDA Developers: Themes and Apps section – here users upload custom animations for different models.
• 🎨 Telegram channels: Look for channels like this MIUI Customization or Xiaomi Themes.
• 📁 4PDA: In topics about specific models (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro) often posted collections of animations.
• 🖥️ GitHub: Open-source repositories (e.g. bootanimation-collection).

When choosing animation, pay attention to:

• 📏 Resolution: Must be consistent with your device’s screen resolution (e.g, 1080×2400 POCO X3).
• ⏱️ Duration: Animation too long will increase loading time.
• 🎭 Style: Check if the file supports transparency and smooth transitions.

Before downloading, check other users' reviews. If a file weighs less than 1 MB or has a.exe extension, this is a sure sign of a virus.

5. Replacement of download animation through TWRP

The most reliable way to replace bootanimation.zip — through TWRP. You'll need it:

• 📁 Downloaded file bootanimation.zip (tested!).
• 🔌 Connection to a PC or OTG-file-storage.

Step-by-step:

1. Copy. bootanimation.zip internal memory or SD-map.
2. Reboot to TWRP (Power + Volume Up)
3. V TWRP Go to File Manager.
4. Find the file. /system/media/ and rename the original bootanimation.zip into bootanimation_bak.zip (kickback).
5. Copy the new file in /system/media/.
6. Set the right permissions: select the file, click Change Permissions and set rw-r--r-- (644).
7. Reset the device.

If the animation hasn't changed:

• 🔄 Check that the file is copied to the correct folder.
• 📛 Make sure the file name is written without errors (bootanimation.zip, Not bootanimation(1).zip).
• 🔧 Try to clear the cache in TWRP (Wipe → Cache).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12.5+ The animation file may be called bootanimation-miui.zip. Check the contents of the folder /system/media/ before replacement.

For devices with Dynamic Partition (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11) may require an additional step – mounting the partition system in the system. TWRP:

adb shell


mount /system

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Always keep the original bootanimation.zip! This will allow you to quickly return the standard animation if the new one is not working properly.

Alternative methods: ADB Magisk

If TWRP I can’t find it, I can try other ways.

Method 1: Through ADB (without TWRP)

Suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader, but without custom recavery.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate ADB.
2. Copy the new one. bootanimation.zip folder /sdcard/: adb push bootanimation.zip /sdcard/
3. Transfer the file to the system folder: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/bootanimation.zip /system/media/ chmod 644 /system/media/bootanimation.zip reboot

Method 2: Magisk (for rooted devices)

If you have Magisk installed, you can use the BootAnimations module:

1. Download the BootAnimations module.
2. Place the animation file in /sdcard/BootAnimations/.
3. Install the module through Magisk Manager and restart.

The advantage of this method is the ability to quickly switch between multiple animations without replacing system files.

Possible problems and solutions

When replacing the download animation, errors may occur. Let's consider the most common:

If the animation is replaced and the device loads longer than usual, check the size of the new file. The optimal weight is 2-5 MB.+ MB) may slow down the loading.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12.5 Enhanced and newer Xiaomi blocks changes to system files via dm-verity. In this case, you will need to disable the check through Magisk (module). Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt).

If none of the methods worked, go back to standard animation and check the file compatibility with your model on the forums.

8.How to Return Standard Download Animation

If the experiment failed or the new animation disliked, you can return the original screensaver in two ways:

Method 1: Through a backup copy of the TWRP

If you have kept the original bootanimation.zip:

1. Reboot to TWRP.
2. Go to File Manager → /system/media/.
3. Remove the current one. bootanimation.zip and rename bootanimation_bak.zip backwards.
4. Reset the device.

Method 2: Through stock firmware ROM

If there is no backup:

1. Download stock. ROM For your model from the official website of Xiaomi or 4PDA.
2. Remove the file from the archive bootanimation.zip (usually /system/media/ silhouette).
3. Copy it to the device and replace the current file through TWRP or ADB.

If you’re not sure what you’re doing, the most reliable way is to scour the device through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option (but that will delete all the data!).

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Before you go back to standard animation, check if the firmware has been updated. MIUI file bootanimation.zip It may be different and the old version is not suitable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing the download animation