How to change the loading screen on Android: from simple methods to deep customization

The boot screen (or boot animation) is the first thing you see when you turn on your smartphone. Standard animations from manufacturers often look boring or too intrusive, especially if you've been using one device for a long time. Fortunately, Android allows you to change this screen, and this does not always require superuser rights (root).

In this article we will look at all the current methods - from simple (through themes and launchers) to complex (editing system files). You will learn how to change the screensaver on Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other devices, what tools you will need for this, and how to avoid common mistakes. Important: some methods require unlocking the bootloader or ADB, therefore on devices with a locked bootloader (for example, on most Huawei models after 2019), some methods will not work..

1. Method for beginners: using themes and launchers

If you don’t want to delve into the system ones. files, the easiest way is to install a theme or launcher that supports customizing the loading screen. This method works on most devices without root access and does not require technical skills.

For example, on smartphones Xiaomi with a shell MIUI you can download themes from the official store Themes, some of which also change the boot animation. For Samsung the application is suitable Good Lock (available in Galaxy Store), and for Google Pixel launchers. like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher, which allow you to customize animations through plugins.

• 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Install a theme from Themes → Popular → Animations (not all themes support changing the boot animation).
• 🤖 Samsung Galaxy: Download Good Lock → Nice Catch (registration required in Samsung Account).
• 🎨 Any Android: Launcher Nova Launcher + plugin TeslaUnread for customizing icons and animations.

⚠️ Attention: Themes and launchers only change visual shell, but not the boot screen itself at the system level. If you need to completely replace the startup animation, proceed to the following methods.

2. Replacement via ADB (without root, but with an unlocked bootloader)

If your device has an unlocked bootloader (for example, on Google Pixel or OnePlus), you can replace the bootloader screen via ADB —a tool for debugging Android. This method does not require root access, but will entail resetting the settings (wipe) if the installation is incorrect.

You will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot (you can download from official Android website).
• 📁 Boot animation file in format .zip (you can download from sites like XDA Developers or create it yourself).
• 🔌 USB cable for connecting the phone.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and turn it on USB debugging in Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times to activate developer mode).
2. Open command line (cmd) in the folder with ADB and enter:

adb devices

If the device is displayed, continue:

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

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example Samsung Exynos) the path to the animation may be different: /system/product/media/ or /system/customize/resource/. Before replacing, make a backup copy of the original file!

Download the correct version of bootanimation for your model|

Check whether the bootloader is unlocked (command `fastboot oem device-info`)|

Create a backup copy of the original file (`adb pull /system/media/bootanimation.zip`)|

Disable the antivirus on the PC (it can block ADB)-->

3. Installing custom recovery (TWRP) and replacing boot animation

For deep Many users install customization custom recovery —for example, TWRPThis allows you not only to change the boot screen, but also to flash modified kernels, patches and even alternative firmware. The method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and can potentially lead to briku (breakage) device.

Steps:

1. Unlock the bootloader (instructions differ for each brand: for Xiaomi need Mi Unlock Tool, for Pixel — command fastboot flashing unlock).
2. Install TWRP via Fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
fastboot boot twrp.img

In TWRP:

3. Download the file bootanimation.zip to the card memory.
4. Go to Mount → System and copy the file to /system/media/ (or /system/product/media/ for new versions of Android).
5. Set the correct permissions: click on the file → Permissions → put 644 (owner: read/write, group/rest: read only).
6. Reboot.

Brand	Does TWRP support	Unlocking features
Google Pixel	Yes	Unlocking via fastboot flashing unlock, data reset is required.
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco	Yes (unofficial)	Need to bind account Mi and wait 72–168 hours to unlock.
Samsung (Exynos)	Partially	On new models (2020+) TWRP may not work due to VaultKeeper.
OnePlus	Yes	Unlocking through fastboot oem unlock, the data is not erased.

⚠️ Attention: Installing TWRP on devices with Dynamic Partition (Android 10+) may make it impossible to update over the air (OTA). In this case, you will have to flash the updates manually.

What to do if after installing TWRP the phone does not boot?

If after flashing TWRP the device freezes at the logo or goes into bootloop, try:

1. data-i="147">(buttons TWRP (buttons Power + Volume Up).

2. Flash the original boot.img from the stock firmware.

3. Execute Wipe → Format Data (erases all data!).

4. Reflash stock recovery via fastboot flash recovery stock_recovery.img.

If it doesn’t help, look for the firmware for your model on the forums XDA or 4PDA.

4. Using Magisk and modules for customization

If installed on your device Magisk (a tool for getting root access without changing the system partition), you can use modules to replace the boot screen. This method is safer than manually editing system files, since the changes are applied in a separate layer (overlay).

Popular modules for Magisk:

• 🎬 BootAnimations — allows you to install animations in the format .zip via the Magisk menu.
• 🖼️ Logo Changer — changes the manufacturer's logo when turned on (for example, a splash screen Samsung or Xiaomi).
• 🔄 BootLoop Protector — prevents freezing if installation is incorrect animation.

How to install:

1. Download the module (for example, BootAnimations_Magisk.zip) from GitHub or XDA.
2. Open Magisk Manager → Modules → Install from storage.
3. Select the file and confirm the installation.
4. Reboot the device.

After the reboot, a new animation should appear. If the screen remains the same, check:

• Compatibility of the module with your version Magisk (current version at the time of writing - v26+).
• Correct file structure bootanimation.zip (there should be folders part0, part1 and file desc.txt).

5. Manually editing system files (root only)

If you have root-rights, you can manually replace the boot animation files. This method gives full control, but requires caution: an error in the path or permissions can lead to to bootloop (loop reboot).

Where the animation files are stored:

• /system/media/bootanimation.zip — main animation.
• /system/media/bootsound.mp3 or .ogg — sound when turned on (if any).
• /system/product/media/ — on some devices (for example, Pixel or OnePlus with Android 10+).

Instructions:

1. Using Root Explorer (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) go to the folder with the animation.
2. Make a backup copy of the original file (copy it to a memory card).
3. Replace bootanimation.zip to your file (you can download ready-made animations from XDA or create it yourself).
4. Set permissions 644 (owner: read/write, others: read only).
5. Reboot the device.

If the animation has not changed, check:

• File format: it should be .zip with the correct structure (folders part0, part1 i desc.txt).
• Screen resolution: if your animation is in high resolution 1080p, and the device - 720p, it may not be displayed.
• Presence of duplicate files: on some firmware, animation can be taken from /vendor/media/ or /odm/media/.

6. Creating your own boot animation

If you don’t like the ready-made animations, you can create your own. data-i="219">🎨 A set of pictures in format

• 🎨 A set of pictures in the format PNG (resolution must match the device screen).
• 📝 Text file desc.txt with animation parameters (size, number of frames, delay).
• 🗄️ Archiver for creating .zip without compression.

Example structure bootanimation.zip:

bootanimation.zip
│
├── part0 (folder with the first part of the animation)
│   ├── 0001.png
│   ├── 0002.png
│   └── ...
│
├── part1 (folder with the second part, if needed)
│   ├── 0001.png
│   └── ...
│
└── desc.txt (file with settings)

Example content desc.txt:

720 1280 24
p 1 0 part0
p 0 0 part1

Where:

• 720 1280 — screen resolution (width × height).
• 24 — frame rate (FPS).
• p 1 0 part0 — play part0 one time (1) with a pause 0.

Tips for creating:

• 🖌️ Use Adobe Photoshop or GIMP to create frames.
• ⏱️ The optimal animation duration is 5–10 seconds (too long will be annoying).
• 🎨 For smoothness, use 24–30 FPS.

7. Common problems and their solutions

When replacing the boot screen, you may encounter several common problems. Here's how to solve them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The animation has not changed	Incorrect file path or permission	Check the paths: /system/media/, /product/media/, /vendor/media/. Set permissions 644.
The phone went into bootloop	Incompatible animation or error in desc.txt	Boot into TWRP and restore the original file or flash the stock recovery.
Animation jerks or slows down	The resolution is too high or FPS	Reduce frame resolution or reduce FPS to 24.
The sound disappeared when turned on	File bootsound.mp3 deleted or damaged	Restore the original file or add your own in format 44.1 kHz, 16 bit.

If all else fails, return the original animation:

1. Download the stock firmware for your model (for example, from XDA or SamMobile for Samsung).
2. Extract the file from it bootanimation.zip (usually it is in system.img).
3. Flash it back through TWRP or ADB.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with A/B sections (for example, Google Pixel or OnePlus with Android 10+), replacing the animation may not work due to the mechanism seamless updatesIn this case, you will have to disable partition versioning or flash the animation on both slots (_a And _b).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to change the boot screen without root and unlocking the bootloader?

On most devices, no. Exceptions:

• Some smartphones Xiaomi allow you to change the animation through themes (but not on all models).
• On Samsung s One UI 5.0+ you can disable the manufacturer's screensaver in Settings → Lock screen → Boot logo (but this will not replace the animation, but will simply hide it).

For a complete replacement you need at least an unlocked bootloader or root.

Where to download ready-made boot animations for your phone?

Verified sources:

• XDA Developers (section Themes and Apps for your model).
• 4PDA (in firmware topics for your device).
• GitHub (search by request bootanimation.zip for [model]).

Pay attention to:

• Screen resolution (must match your device).
• Android version (old animations may not work on new firmware).

How to return the standard animation if something went wrong?

Recovery methods:

1. Via backup: If you saved the original bootanimation.zip, flash it back through TWRP or ADB.
2. Via stock firmware:
   1. Download the official firmware for your model.
   2. Extract system.img and find the original animation file in it.
   3. Flash it through ADB:

   adb push bootanimation_original.zip /system/media/
   adb shell chmod 644 /system/media/bootanimation_original.zip

3. Through a factory reset: As a last resort, do Wipe Data in TWRP (erases all data!).

Will it be reset warranty status after replacing boot animation?

Depends on the method:

• ✅ Themes/launchers: Warranty is maintained (system files are not affected).
• ⚠️ ADB/TWRP/Magisk: Warranty burns, if:
• You have unlocked the bootloader (on most brands this resets the flag KNOX or Orange State).
• Installed root or custom recovery.
• 🔧 Manual editing of system files: The warranty expires because it requires root.

On some devices (for example, Google Pixel) you can re-lock the bootloader, but this will return the stock animation.

Why did the phone run slower after replacing the animation?

Possible reasons:

• Too heavy animation: If the frames are in high resolution (for example, 4K) or there are too many of them, this can load the processor when loading.
• Conflict with Magisk modules: Some modules (for example, for changing fonts) may conflict with custom animations.
• Damaged file: If bootanimation.zip is assembled incorrectly, the system spends time processing it.

Solutions:

• Reduce the frame resolution to 1080p or lower.
• Check the file for errors (open the archive and make sure that all pictures are readable).
• Disable other modules Magisk and check if the problem remains.