Car owners who decide to upgrade the standard sound system often encounter aesthetic dissonance after installation Android radios from China. Instead of the usual car brand logo, the welcome screen displays a generic icon of the head unit manufacturer or an abstract icon. This not only spoils the visual perception of the interior, but also creates a feeling of “foreign” technology in the interior of your car. Fortunately, most modern models support changing the start image, which allows you to return the system to its factory appearance.
The procedure for replacing the logo varies depending on the installed operating system and firmware version. In some cases, it is enough to go into the standard settings, while in others you will need to use special engineering codes or file manager. It is important to understand that incorrect actions in the engineering menu can lead to a malfunction of the multimedia system, so you should carefully study the type of your device before starting manipulations. We will look at all the current methods, from the simplest to the most advanced.
Before you start making changes, you need to make sure that you have the original image file in the correct format. Usually this is a picture with a resolution corresponding to the screen of your radio, most often 1024×600 or 1280×720. If you are not sure about the display parameters, it is better to find an image with a margin of quality, which the system itself scales, than to risk getting stretched or pixelated graphics on touch screen.
Determining the type of radio and software version
The first step towards customization is the exact identification of the software on which your device is working. Chinese manufacturers use different shells, and the method of changing the logo directly depends on which Android version and which launcher is installed. The most common platforms are MTC, T3, K700 and various variations based on Rockchip or Allwinner.
To find out details about the system, go to the settings menu. Find the section About the device or System information. Here you should be interested in parameters such as "MCU Version", "Kernel Version" and "Build Number". Write down this information, as you may need it when searching for specific instructions on forums or when contacting the seller's technical support. Sometimes the firmware type is indicated directly on the box or in the documentation, if it is preserved.
Pay attention to the main screen interface. If you see applications with names like Zlink, TLink or CarLink, most likely your radio uses one of the popular universal firmwares, where changing the logo is implemented through third-party utilities. Older or specific models may require access to a hidden engineering menu, which is opened by entering a special code. Do not try to enter random engineering codes found on the Internet without first checking their compatibility with your version of the software. The wrong code can reset the settings of the radio module or CAN bus, which will require complex reconfiguration for your car. engineering menu, which opens by entering a special code.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to enter random engineering codes found on the Internet without first checking their compatibility with your version of the software. An incorrect code can reset the radio module or CAN bus, which will require complex reconfiguration for your vehicle.
Installation method via the Zlink or TLink application
The most common and safe method of changing the logo is available to owners of radios with a pre-installed application for communicating with a smartphone. apps Zlink 5, Zlink 6 or TLink often have a built-in function for changing the start image, which does not require deep knowledge of the system. This method is ideal for those who do not want to risk the stability of the device.
First, launch the phone communication application on the radio screen. In the main menu of the app, find the gear icon indicating settings. Inside the settings menu, scroll down to an option that may be called "Logo", "Car Logo" or "Start Image". By clicking on this item, you will see a gallery of pre-installed logos of various automakers.
If your brand is not on the list, many versions of the application allow you to upload your own image. To do this, you will need to place the image file in the root of the USB drive. Connect the flash drive to the radio, select the "Custom" or "User Defined" option from the menu and specify the path to your file. After confirming the selection, the system will prompt you to reboot to apply the changes.
- 📱 Make sure that the Zlink application is updated to the latest version through the built-in store or the manufacturer's website.
- 💾 The image format must be strictly
JPGorPNG, other formats may not be recognized. - 🔄 After selecting a logo, be sure to completely reboot the device, and not just exit to the menu.
If your brand logo is not in the list, try choosing the logo of the parent concern (for example, Skoda for Volkswagen or Lexus for Toyota) - they often use similar fonts and styles.
Using engineering menu and factory settings
For radios that do not have a convenient interface in communication applications, you often have to turn to the factory settings. Access to them is protected by a password, which varies depending on the hardware manufacturer. Popular combinations include 8878, 1234, 0000, 3368 or 1617. The code is entered in the section Factory settings (Factory Settings).
After successfully entering the password, an extended configuration menu will open in front of you. Look for a tab called "Logo Setting", "Boot Animation" or "MCU Setting". This section may provide a list of logos similar to the one in Zlink, but with a wider selection. Select the desired brand from the drop-down list and click the "Apply" or "Set" button.
In some firmware, especially based on MTK, the process may look different. You will need to select "Import Logo" and specify the path to the file on the internal storage or external memory card. bmp or boot_logo.png, so rename your image before copying.
| Chip manufacturer | Frequent password | Menu section | File format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockchip | 8878 | Logo Setting | JPG / PNG |
| MTK (MTC) | 1234 / 0000 | Factory -> Logo | BMP |
| Allwinner | 1617 | Boot Animation | JPG |
| Intel Atom | 3368 | System Logo | PNG |
⚠️ Attention: In engineering The menu contains critical CAN bus settings and screen calibration. Do not change the values in other tabs if you are not sure of their purpose, as this may lead to the inoperability of the buttons on the steering wheel or parking sensors.
☑️ Preparing to change the logo
Replacing the logo through the file manager and root access
The most flexible, but also the most complex method involves direct replacement of system files. This method requires root access (superuser rights) and an installed file manager with access to the system partition, for example Root Explorer or RE Manager. If your radio does not have root access by default, obtaining it may void the warranty.
The essence of the method is to find the logo file in the system directory and replace it with your own. The path to the file may vary, but most often it is the folder /system/media, /data/local or /oem/logo. The file you are looking for is often called bootanimation.zip, logo.bmp or has a name associated with the device model. Before replacing, be sure to make a copy of the original file.
After copying your image to the desired directory, you need to change the permissions for the new file. They must match the rights of the original, usually rw-r--r-- (644). If the rights are set incorrectly, the radio may freeze at the boot stage or reboot cyclically. After all the manipulations, execute the reboot command through the terminal or menu.
adb push my_logo.bmp /system/media/logo.bmpadb shell chmod 644 /system/media/logo.bmp
adb reboot
What to do if the radio does not turn on after replacement?
If the device goes into a cyclic reboot (bootloop), you will need to connect the keyboard and mouse via a USB hub. Try going into Recovery mode (often a combination of the Reset + Power buttons) and run wipe cache. As a last resort, you will have to reflash the device via a PC.
Preparing a graphic file: requirements and nuances
The quality of the final image on the screen directly depends on the correct preparation of the source file. Car radio screens have specific aspect ratios that differ from standard monitors. The most common resolution is 1024×600, but there are models with 800×480, 1280×720 and even 1920×1080. Using an image with a different resolution will distort the proportions.
When editing a logo in a graphics editor (Photoshop, GIMP), make sure that the background of the image meets the system requirements. Some firmware require a strictly black background (#000000), others support transparency. If you see black stripes around the edges of the logo after installation, it means that the image is not stretched to fill the entire screen or the background is not filled with the desired color.
It is also worth considering the color scheme. Bright, contrasting logos may look out of place at night, blinding the driver. The optimal solution would be to prepare two versions of the image or use a logo in muted tones that will harmoniously fit into the overall lighting of the dashboard of your car.
- 🖼️ Save the image in a compressed JPG format with a quality of 80-90% so as not to take up extra space in your memory.
- 📏 Find out exactly the resolution of your screen in the "About device" settings before editing.
- 🎨 Avoid small details and fine lines that can appear blurry on car displays with low DPI.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and firmware capabilities are constantly updated by manufacturers. What worked in the 2023 software version may change in the 2026 update. Always check the current documentation for your specific radio model before making changes to system files.
The safest way is to use the built-in functions of applications like Zlink. Directly replacing system files via Root gives more freedom, but carries the risk of turning the radio into a “brick.”
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Even if you strictly follow the instructions, users may encounter unforeseen difficulties. The most common problem is that the logo does not change after a reboot. This could mean that the file was saved to the wrong folder, has the wrong name, or the system does not have permission to read the new file. Check the file path and its attributes again.
Another common situation is the appearance of a black screen instead of the logo. This indicates that the system was unable to decode the image. Try converting the file to a different format (for example, from PNG to BMP or JPG) and change the color depth. Sometimes simply renaming the file in accordance with the requirements of the firmware helps.
If, after installing the logo, the radio starts working slower or freezes when turned on, the image file may be too large. Optimize the image by reducing its weight to 100-200 KB. Heavy graphic files load the device's processor at boot time, when system resources are already limited.
Is it possible to install a video instead of an image during boot?
Most standard firmware does not provide such a function. The system expects a static image. However, there are custom launchers and modified firmware that support video screensavers, but their installation requires high qualifications and can be unstable.
Is it safe to obtain root access on a Chinese radio?
Obtaining root access allows full access to the system, which allows you to remove built-in garbage and change logos. However, this voids the warranty and increases the risk of accidentally deleting critical system files, which can damage the device beyond the possibility of easy recovery.
Why does the logo reset after a firmware update?
When updating software (OTA or via USB), the system partition is often overwritten completely. This resets all files, including the logo, to factory defaults. You will have to repeat the procedure for installing the logo after each major system update.
Where can you find logos for rare car brands?
Logos can be found on specialized forums for Android radio owners (for example, w3bsit3-dns.com), in thematic groups of social networks, or you can draw them yourself in a graphics editor by downloading a vector brand logo from the automaker's official website.
Does changing the logo affect the operation of the CAN bus?
No, replacing the loading screen graphic file does not affect the operation of the CAN bus, sensors, climate control or steering wheel buttons. This is an exclusively cosmetic change to the interface that does not affect hardware drivers and data exchange protocols.