How to Change Boot Animation on Android (With And Without Root)

Prerequisites

Let’s make sure your device is ready before we dive in. Here’s what you need to get started:

• Device Compatibility: Most Android devices allow boot animation changes. However, custom boot logos might require a bit more, like an unlocked bootloader or a custom ROM.
• Root Access: Some methods need root access, but don’t worry—we’ll also cover how to do this without rooting your device.
• Tools You’ll Need:
  • ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for non-root users.
  • Root Explorer/File Manager if your device is rooted.
  • Custom Boot Animation or Logo Files that you can download or create yourself.

Download Links:

• ADB for Windows
• ADB for macOS
• Root Explorer

Changing Boot Animation with Root Access

If your device is rooted, you have more options available. Let’s walk through the steps for changing your boot animation using root access.

Get the Boot Animation Ready

Your Android’s boot animation is stored in a .zip file called bootanimation.zip. This file contains a series of images that play in order as your phone starts up. You can either download a new boot animation file or create one yourself.

• Prepare the File: Make sure your custom animation is in the correct format. You can find many free boot animations online, or create your own using programs like Photoshop.
• Backup the Original Animation: Rename your current bootanimation.zip file (in the /system/media/ folder) to something like bootanimation.bak.zip so you can restore it if needed.
• Copy the New Boot Animation: Now, replace the old file with your custom bootanimation.zip.

Set the Right Permissions

This is an important step! Make sure the new bootanimation.zip file has the correct permissions, which are rw-r--r-- (this means that the owner can read/write, and everyone else can read).

Reboot Your Device

Once everything is set, reboot your phone. Your new animation should play right away as your phone starts up.

Changing Boot Animation without Root (Using ADB)

If rooting sounds like too much trouble, don’t worry. You can still change your boot animation without root access by using ADB.

Install ADB

First, download ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and install it on your computer. Here’s where to get it:

• ADB for Windows
• ADB for macOS

Next, enable USB Debugging on your phone by going to Settings > Developer Options.

Send the Boot Animation to Your Device

After connecting your device to your computer via USB, use ADB to push the new bootanimation.zip file to your phone’s /data/local/ folder. Here’s the command you need to type in your computer’s terminal or command prompt:

adb push bootanimation.zip /data/local/

This command places the animation in a location that doesn’t require root access.

Reboot and Check It Out

After the file is transferred, reboot your device. If all went well, you should see your new boot animation during startup.

Changing Boot Logo on Android with Custom ROM

Changing the boot logo (the static image that shows up before the boot animation) requires a bit more work, especially if you’re using a custom ROM.

Download or Create a Boot Logo

Boot logos are usually in formats like .img or .bin. You can find many boot logos online or create one if you’re familiar with graphic design tools. Make sure the logo matches your phone’s specifications.

Flash the Boot Logo

Once you have your boot logo file, you’ll need to flash it to your phone. You can do this using fastboot:

fastboot flash logo logo.img

Be careful with this step. Make sure you’re flashing the right file, or you could mess up your phone’s boot sequence.

Reboot and Enjoy the New Look

After flashing the boot logo, simply reboot your device. Your new boot logo should now appear at startup.

Changing the boot animation or logo on your Android device is a great way to personalize it and make it feel truly yours. Whether you’re rooted or using ADB without root, following these steps should have you up and running with a fresh new look for your phone’s startup.