How to Change Fingerprint Animation on Xiaomi Mi 9: From Unlock to Install

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship of 2019, which is still relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and active support of enthusiasts. One of the features of the device is a fingerprint scanner under the screen, which is accompanied by proprietary animations when unlocking. But what if the standard effect is tired and you want something fresh? In this article, we will discuss how to change the animation of the fingerprint on the Mi 9 – from preparing a smartphone to installing custom solutions.

It's important to understand that the process requires unlocking the bootloader, installing a customized backup and superuser rights. It's not a one-button operation, but with the right approach, the risks are minimized. We'll look at two main methods: through Magisk modules (for beginners) and manual editing of system files (for advanced users), and we'll also look at what animations are available, where to download them and how to return it if the result is not liked.

If you have never worked with fastboot, you have never heard of it. TWRP Or you're afraid to brick your phone, don't worry, we'll explain every step, provide checklists, and warn you of potential pitfalls.

Preparation of the smartphone: unlocking the loader

The first and most important step is unlocking the bootloader, without which you can not install custom Recovery or get root rights. On the Xiaomi Mi 9 (codename cepheus), the process is standard for all devices of the brand, but has nuances.

First, check the status of the bootloader.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
3. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC and type in the command line: fastboot oem device-info

If you see Device unlocked: false in the answer, the bootloader is locked.

• 🔗 Link your Mi Account to your device in settings (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. Unlocking is impossible without this.
• 📱 Put the debugging on. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers.
• 🖥️ Install Mi Unlock Tool on PC (you can download from the official website).
• ⏳ Wait 168 hours (7 days) after you have an account attached is a requirement of Xiaomi.

After waiting, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and follow the instructions of the program. Note: when you unlock, all data will be erased from your phone! Backup in advance through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty. If the phone is warranty, weigh the risks. L1 (drop down L3, What will make the quality of the streaming worse in Netflix/Disney+).

Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP)

With the bootloader unlocked, you can install unofficial firmware and modifications. TWRP — custom recavers, which allows you to mount the system partition and install ZIP-file.

For Xiaomi Mi. 9 (cepheus) current version TWRP — 3.7.0_12-0 Download it from the official website twrp.me (file with the extension.img), and you will need the tool fastboot (part of the Platform Tools from Google).

Installation instructions:

1. Place the downloaded twrp-3.7.0_12-0-cepheus.img fastboot.
2. Turn off your phone and go to Fastboot (Loudness Down). + Nutrition).
3. Connect Mi. 9 The command is: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-cepheus.img
4. After successful installation, restart to Recavator: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-0-cepheus.img

V TWRP You'll be asked to allow modifications to the system partition. Swipe right to allow modifications.

Download the official img file TWRP cepheus|Installed Platform Tools on PC|Debugging is on. USB|Data backup made.|Battery charge > 50%-->

Getting root rights through Magisk

Magisk is a tool for obtaining root rights without making changes to the systemless root, and it also allows you to install modules, including those that change the animation of the fingerprint.

Download the latest version of Magisk (for example, Magisk-v26.4.zip) From GitHub, transfer the file to your phone or flash drive:

1. V TWRP Click Install and select downloaded Magisk-v26.4.zip.
2. Swipe to confirm installation.
3. After completion, press Reboot System.

After the reboot, the Magisk Manager app will appear on the phone. Open it and check root status (should read Installed: XX.XX If root doesn't work, reinstall Magisk or check the version. TWRP.

⚠️ Attention: Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) and games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact block root devices. To hide root, activate MagiskHide (newer versions: Zygisk) in Magisk. + DenyList) and add problematic apps to the exclusion list.

Method 1: Change animations through Magisk modules

The easiest method is to use pre-built modules for Magisk, which automatically replace the standard print animation with custom animation, without requiring manual editing of system files.

Popular modules for Mi 9:

• 🎨 FOD Animations - a collection of 50+ Animations (including effects from OnePlus, Samsung and customization).
• 🔥 Edge Lighting + FOD — combines the illumination of the edges of the screen with the animation of the scanner.
• 🌀 Miui FOD Animations - only animations in style MIUI, with advanced speed and color settings.

How to determine:

1. Download the module (for example, FOD_Animations_v3.2.zip) from the XDA-Developers forum or Telegram channels (for example, @Mi9Mods).
2. Open Magisk Manager, go to Modules and click Install from Storage.
3. Choose the downloaded one. ZIP-file and confirm installation.
4. Reboot the phone.

Once you restart, the new animation is activated automatically. To change it, go to Settings. → Screen. → Fingerprint animation (menu item may vary depending on the module) Some modules also add settings to Magisk Manager (Settings section of the module).

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If after installing the module animation has not changed, try to clear the cache Dalvik/ART into TWRP (Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache).

Method 2: Manual editing of system files (for advanced)

If the finished modules don't work, you can manually replace the animation files in the system partition. ADB or file manager in TWRP.

The fingerprint animation is stored in the files:

• /system/product/media/theme/default/fod_animation.zip — main archive.
• /system/product/overlay/FodAnimationOverlay.apk — overlay.

To replace animation:

1. Download your favorite animation in.zip format (for example, from the Telegram channel).
2. Rename the file to fod_animation.zip.
3. V TWRP: Go to Advanced. → File Manager. Find the original file along the way /system/product/media/theme/default/. Delete it and upload yours (click Install and select a new file).

Reboot the phone.

To change the color or speed of the animation, you will need to edit the files in FodAnimationOverlay.apk. It's a complex procedure that requires knowledge of APKTool and Smali, and if you're not sure, you'd better use the Magisk modules.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop.Always backup the original files in the system. TWRP (Backup → Select Partitions → System before modifications.

Where to download animations for Xiaomi Mi 9

There are many sources of custom animations for the Mi 9, but not all of them are safe.

When downloading, pay attention to:

• 📌 Compatibility with MIUI. Animation for MIUI 12 may not work on the MIUI 14.
• 🎯 Screen resolution. Mi. 9 permit 2340×1080 — animation 9T (2520×1080) may be misrepresented.
• 🔄 The version of the module, FOD Animations v3.2 It can be in conflict with Edge Lighting. v1.5.

Check other users' reviews before installing, and if the module has few downloads or negative comments, it's best to look for an alternative.

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The most stable animations are those made specifically for the Xiaomi Mi 9 (cepheus). Universal modules can work incorrectly or cause lags.

Return to standard animation

If custom animation did not like or caused problems, you can return the original in several ways:

Method 1: Remove the Magisk module

1. Open Magisk Manager.
2. Go to the Modules section.
3. Find a module with animation (for example, FOD Animations) and click on the basket.
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Recovery of system files

If you have edited the files manually:

1. Download stock firmware for Mi 9 from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com.
2. Remove the original files from it fod_animation.zip and FodAnimationOverlay.apk (Use the archiver or Mi Firmware Extractor).
3. V TWRP Replace the modified files with stock files.

Method 3: Complete reset

If nothing helps:

1. V TWRP Choose the Wipe → Format Data (Warning: Deletes all data!).
2. Fastboot Fastboot Firmware:

After returning to standard animation, check the fingerprint scanner in Settings → Passwords and security → If the scanner doesn't respond, re-register the fingerprints.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you change the animation of the fingerprint on the Mi 9, users encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the problem is not solved, refer to the profile forums (XDA, 4PDA) with error logs:

• Version MIUI (for example, MIUI 14.0.4 Stable).
• Magisk version and installed modules.
• An accurate description of the bug (e.g., “animation twitches when unlocked”).

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Before seeking help, check if the animation module conflicts with other modifications (for example, with the theme or fonts).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions