How to change the boot screen Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Why Users Change the Download Screen to Xiaomi and What to Know Before You Start

The bootanimation screen is the first picture you see when you turn on a Xiaomi smartphone, and standard animations with the Mi or Redmi logo become boring over time, and some users want to personalize the device to their own style, but before making any changes, it’s important to understand that this process requires access to system files, which means it’s potentially risky.

Depending on the model (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11, POCO F5, etc.) and the version of MIUI, the ways to replace the boot screen are different: somewhere root rights are enough, and somewhere you have to unlock the bootloader and flash custom recovery. Another nuance: on new devices with HyperOS (replacement MIUI), the logic of working with system partitions has changed, so the old methods may not work.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven ways to change the boot screen, from simple (through themes) to complex (edit boot.img).

• 🔓 You have unlocked the bootloader (for most methods)
• 📱 Backup of important data is made (the risk of “bricking” is always there)
• 🔧 Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot and tools like the Mi Flash Tool
• 🔋 Battery charge not lower than 50% (to avoid failures during firmware)

Method 1: Replacement through System Themes (without root)

The safest method, but it doesn't work on all devices. Xiaomi allows you to change the download animation through official themes, but only if the manufacturer hasn't blocked this feature in your firmware.

1. Open the Themes app on your smartphone.
2. Go to the section My → Local.
3. If there is an option to download animation – you can download a.mtz file with custom animation.

Where do you get these files? XDA Developers or 4PDA There are.mtz animation collections, for example, for Redmi Note. 10 Pro will fit the theme with resolution 1080×2400. But keep in mind:

⚠️ Note: Not all.mtz files are compatible with your model. If the theme stops loading, you will have to reset your settings via Fastboot.

If there is no section with download animation in the themes - proceed to the next method.

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Before installing a custom theme, check its ratings and reviews, and users often complain of bugs like black screens after application.

Method 2: Replacement with Magisk (root required)

If you have root rights (obtained through Magisk), you can replace the download animation without risking damage to system files.

1. Download the archive with custom animation in.zip format (for example, with XDA).
2. Rename it bootanimation.zip.
3. Any root conductor (e.g. Solid Explorer) can be accessed via the following route: /system/media/
4. Find the original file. bootanimation.zip and rename it in bootanimation_bak.zip (kickback).
5. Copy your new bootanimation.zip into this folder.
6. Set the license 644 (rw-r-----).
7. Reset the device.

If the animation has not changed, check:

• 📌 Compatibility of permission (for POCO F4 needle 1080×2400, Xiaomi 13 — 1220×2712).
• 📌 The file format (should be.zip, not.rar or.zip.7z).
• 📌 The presence of a desc.txt file inside the archive (it describes the animation parameters).

Install Magisk and get root| Download compatible animation | Backup the original file | Check access rights (644) | Reboot the device-->

On HyperOS devices, the path to animation may be different: instead of /system/media/ check /product/media/ or /vendor/media/.

Method 3: Firmware via TWRP (for power users)

If you have custom recovery TWRP installed, you can flash the new bootanimation.zip as a regular zip archive, which is more reliable than manual root replacement, since TWRP automatically sets the correct access rights.

Instructions:

1. Download the appropriate bootanimation.zip (e.g., here: XDA Developers).
2. Move the file to the device memory.
3. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
4. Select Install → specify the path to your bootanimation.zip.
5. Swipe for confirmation.
6. Reboot to the system.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ No need to manually adjust the rights.
• ✅ You can quickly roll back by asking for the original file.
• ✅ It works even if it does. /system mounted in read-only mode".

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) firmware through TWRP You can reset Magisk. After you restart, check root status!

Method 4: Edit boot.img (for advanced)

On new Xiaomi devices (especially HyperOS), the boot animation can be sewn right into boot.img, in which case you have to edit the boot image itself, which is the most complex and risky method, but sometimes the only one that works.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Python 3.x Aiotool and Android Image Kitchen.
• 📁 Backup copy of the original boot.img (in case of error).
• 🔧 Knowledge of working with fastboot and adb.

Step-by-step:

1. Download boot.img from your device: adb shell su dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/boot of=/sdcard/boot.img
2. Transfer the file to your PC and unpack with Android Image Kitchen: unpackimg.sh boot.img
3. In a file. split_img Find an animation file (usually logo.rle or bootanimation in ramdisk).
4. Replace it with your own (observe format and size!).
5. Collect the image back: repackimg.sh
6. Sweep a new one. boot.img Fastboot: Fastboot Flash boot new_boot.img

Important: If the device does not boot after firmware, try:

1. Switch the original boot.img back.
2. Check logs via fastboot boot twrp.img (if you have TWRP).
3. Use the Mi Flash Tool for full flashing.

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Editing boot.img — The most powerful, but also the most dangerous method. A mistake can lead to a "brick" of a device that will not turn on even in a fastboot. boot.img on the second device or in the emulator before the firmware.

Method 5: Use ADB (without root but with unlocked bootloader)

If you have a bootloader unlocked but no root, you can try replacing the animations with ADB. This method doesn’t work on all devices, but it sometimes helps to bypass the limitations of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to unlock the developer options).
2. Download bootanimation.zip and place it in a folder with ADB on your PC.
3. Open the command line in this folder and execute: adb push bootanimation.zip /data/local/tmp/ adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /data/local/tmp/bootanimation.zip /system/media/chmod 644 /system/media/bootanimation.zip reboot

If the SU command doesn’t work (no root), try an alternative route:

adb shell


mount -o rw,remount /product




cp /data/local/tmp/bootanimation.zip /product/media/




chmod 644 /product/media/bootanimation.zip

This method works on ~30% of Xiaomi devices, as new firmware often protects the /system path from records even through ADB.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When replacing the download screen, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If nothing helps, check:

• 🔍 Compatibility of animation with your model (on the 4PDA There are topics on specific devices).
• 🔍 The correctness of the paths (on HyperOS they are often different from the MIUI).
• 🔍 File integrity (sometimes archives are downloaded broken).

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Before experimenting with bootanimation, check if your model has ready-made solutions in the forums. For example, for the POCO X3 Pro, there are special utilities like POCO Bootlogo Changer that automate the process.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions