The standard Android interface, despite its flexibility in the latest versions, still has a number of limitations that do not allow the user to fully express their individuality. One such element that is often overlooked is the animation and static image displayed on the screen while the charger is connected. Many enthusiasts are looking to replace the standard lightning bolt or circle with more stylish animations, themed icons or even their own logos.
The process of replacing this element varies depending on the version of the operating system, your smartphone model and availability root access. In older versions of Android, this was a simple replacement of a picture in the system folder, while modern Samsung One UI, MIUI or ColorOS shells require deeper intervention in the file system. Next, we will look at all available methods, from simple applications to complex system modification.
It is worth noting right away that any changes to system files carry a certain risk. Improperly replacing a resource can cause the phone to stop displaying the charge level or, in the worst case, to go into bootloop (cyclic reboot). Therefore, before starting any manipulations, you need to make sure that you have a restore point or access to the mode Recovery.
Customization options without root access
For users who do not want to unlock the bootloader or gain full access to the system, there are limited but working ways to change the visual style of charging. The main method here is to use special themes that are supported by the smartphone shell itself. For example, in theme stores MIUI or Theme Store from Samsung you often find packages that change system icons, including the battery indicator.
The second option is to use third-party launchers and widgets. Although they cannot hijack the system charging window (called Charging Dialog), they can offer an alternative lock screen. Applications like Lock Screen & Notifications completely replace the standard screen when the display is turned off, offering hundreds of animation options when connecting the cable.
- 🎨 Installing themes through the manufacturer's official theme store (available on Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei).
- 📱 Using applications to customize the lock screen (for example, Hi Locker).
- ⚙️ Using battery widgets on the main screen for visual variety.
However, if your goal is to change exactly that small icon that appears in the corner of the screen or in the center while the device is running when the power is connected, then you can’t do without delving into the system files. Standard Android tools do not provide an API for directly replacing this specific resource with regular applications from Google Play.
⚠️ Attention: Applications from the Play Market that promise to “change the charging icon without root” most often simply create a blackout with their own image on top of the screen. This consumes additional battery power and may conflict with proximity sensors.
Preparing the device for system modification
Before you start replacing system resources, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. The most important step is to create a complete backup of your data. Changing files in the directory /system or /product may make the device unstable. It is recommended to use tools like Titanium Backup (for older versions) or built-in cloud synchronization tools.
You will also need to enable USB debugging mode. This is done in the menu Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times), after which in the section For developers the item USB debuggingis activated. Without this, you will not be able to transfer files to system partitions via your computer using ADB.
If you plan to use methods that require superuser rights, make sure that your bootloader is unlocked. On many devices, especially from Sony or Huawei, this can void the warranty and reset DRM keys, which will degrade the quality of the camera. Weigh the pros and cons before starting the procedure.
Before modification, take a photo of the current screen settings and brightness. After changing system themes or reboot, sometimes the display settings are reset to factory settings.
To work with files, you will need a file manager with root access, for example Root Explorer or MixPlorer. It's also a good idea to install a terminal to enter shortcut commands if you prefer to work through the console rather than the GUI.
Method 1: Using the Substratum theme
Engine Substratum has long been the gold standard for Android theming. Even on new versions of the system, with root access, it allows you to replace system resources on the fly without directly editing the firmware files. This is much safer, since the theme can be disabled in case of errors.
First, you need to download the Substratum application itself (preferably a version from a reliable source, since the functionality is limited in the Play Market) and a compatible theme. In the topic search, look for keywords battery, charging or power. After installing the theme, open Substratum, grant root permissions and select the desired battery-related overlays.
| Theme name | Compatibility | Change type | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andromeda | Android 7-10 | Full replacement icons | Root / ADB |
| Nexus Blue | Android 8-11 | Material Design Style | Root Only |
| Pixelify | Android 9-13 | Icons in Pixel style | Root / Shizuku |
| Custom Charge | Universal | Lightning Animation | Root required |
After selecting resources, click the "Build & Enable" button. The process may take several minutes. The system will apply patches to resources responsible for displaying battery status. If, after applying the theme, the phone starts to work incorrectly, go into safe mode or use the "Disable All" function in the Substratum application itself.
Substratum allows you to roll back changes in one click, which makes this method the safest among the methods with root access. Do not ignore the possibility of creating a backup of the theme before activation.
Method 2: Manual replacement via Root Explorer
This method is suitable for experienced users who know exactly which file needs to be replaced. In different Android shells, the path to battery graphic resources may differ. Most often, charging icons are stored in archives .arsc or as separate .png / .xml files inside system apks.
The main paths where you should look for files:
/system/framework/framework-res.apk
/system/product/overlay/
/product/overlay/
You need to extract the corresponding apk file, decompile it (for example, through APKTool on PC), find images with names like stat_sys_battery_charging, ic_battery_charging or charging_animation. Replace them with your images, respecting the original resolution and format, then compile the apk back and replace the original in your phone.
⚠️ Attention: Never delete the original files. Always rename them by adding extension
.bak. If the new icon does not fit the format, the system may not load the graphical interface, and you will see a black screen.
After replacing files, be sure to change the Permissions for the new files. They must coincide with the rights of the originals: usually this is rw-r--r-- (644). Owner - root, group - root. Failure to comply with access rights will result in the system simply not being able to read the file when loading.
☑️ Checklist for manual file replacement
Method 3: Modules for Magisk
The most modern and recommended method for devices with with an unlocked bootloader - using the manager Magisk. Magisk modules work in the Systemless system, that is, they do not physically change the partition /system, but replace files in memory when loading. This allows you to receive OTA system updates without conflicts.
There are many ready-made modules that change the charging animation. Popular projects such as Pixel Charging Animation or OnePlus Charging Logocan be found on the XDA Developers forum or Magisk repository. Installation is simple: download the module zip archive, open Magisk Manager, go to the "Modules" section and click "Install from repository".
After installing the module and rebooting, you will see a new animation. The advantage of this method is that if you don't like the animation or cause glitches, you can simply disable the module in the Magisk menu without risking the integrity of the firmware. This is an ideal solution for those who like to change their visual style frequently.
What to do if the module does not work?
If the animation has not changed after installing the module, it is possible that your version of Android or the manufacturer’s shell does not support this method of replacing resources. Try to find a module specific to your model (for example, "Charging Mod for Samsung S21"). Also check Magisk logs for boot errors.
Remember that some manufacturers, such as Xiaomi with their MIUI, have a highly modified resource structure. Standard universal modules may not work on such devices. In this case, it is better to look for thematic modules in communities dedicated to a specific smartphone model.
Problem solving and common errors
During the customization process, users often encounter the fact that the new icon is displayed incorrectly: it may be stretched, have a black background instead of transparent, or not appear at all. Most often the problem lies in the image format. Android requires icons to be in format PNG with an alpha channel (transparency).
Another common mistake is a mismatch in pixel density (DPI). If you put a high resolution icon in an mdpi (medium density) folder, it will look huge. Always check which resource folder you are putting the file in: drawable-mdpi, drawable-xhdpi or drawable-xxhdpi.
- ❌ Black square instead of an icon - the file is damaged or the wrong color format (use RGB, not CMYK).
- ❌ The icon is too big/small - the file is placed in the wrong folder pixel density.
- ❌ The phone hangs on the screensaver - an error in access rights to the replaced file or a syntax error in XML.
⚠️ Attention: Android interfaces are updated every six months. What worked on Android 11 can be moved to another section on Android 13. Always check the relevance of the file paths on the relevant forums before you start editing.
If after all the manipulations the phone stops turning on, do not panic. Boot into Recovery mode (usually by holding down the Volume Up + Power buttons) and make a wipe cache partition. If this does not help, you will have to restore the system backup or reflash the device again through the computer.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to change the battery system files?
It is only safe if you know exactly what you are doing and have a full backup. Using Magisk modules is much safer than directly replacing files, since it does not affect the system partition forever.
Why does the phone quickly discharge after replacing an icon?
The picture itself does not affect energy consumption. However, if you use lock screen replacement apps or "live wallpapers" for charging, they consume CPU and GPU resources, which increases the drain.
Is it possible to change the charging sound along with the icon?
Yes, the charging sound file is usually located in the path /system/media/audio/ui/ and is called WirelessChargerStarted.ogg or Trusted.ogg. It can be replaced in the same way as graphic files, respecting the format and bitrate.
Will the setting be reset after updating Android?
If you manually replace files in the system, yes, the update will overwrite your changes. When using Magisk modules, you may need to update the module itself or disable it before flashing a new version of Android.