Splash Screen Background Turns to Grey in Android App (Apache Cordova) on MIUI (13.0.10): A Comprehensive Solution

Are you tired of dealing with a grey splash screen background in your Apache Cordova-based Android app on MIUI (13.0.10)? You’re not alone! This frustrating issue has been plaguing developers for quite some time, but fear not, dear reader, for we’ve got a comprehensive solution for you.

Understanding the Problem

The issue arises when the splash screen background, which is typically set to a custom image or color, turns grey unexpectedly on MIUI (13.0.10) devices. This can be attributed to the way MIUI handles splash screens, which is different from the standard Android behavior.

Why Does This Happen?

The grey splash screen background is a result of MIUI’s aggressive optimization techniques, which are designed to improve performance and battery life. However, these optimizations can sometimes interfere with the normal functioning of Android apps.

In the case of Apache Cordova-based apps, the splash screen is generated using a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. When the app launches, the splash screen is displayed using a Webview, which is a component of the Android OS. MIUI’s optimization algorithms can sometimes force the Webview to render the splash screen incorrectly, resulting in a grey background.

Solution 1: Using a Custom Splash Screen Plugin

One way to resolve this issue is by using a custom splash screen plugin specifically designed for Apache Cordova. The plugin we recommend is cordova-plugin-splashscreen-fix-miui, which can be installed using the following command:

cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-splashscreen-fix-miui

This plugin modifies the splash screen behavior to work seamlessly with MIUI devices. By installing and configuring this plugin, you can ensure that your splash screen background remains intact.

Configuring the Plugin

To configure the plugin, you need to add the following code to your config.xml file:

<platform name="android">
    <plugin name="cordova-plugin-splashscreen-fix-miui" />
    <resource-file src="res/android/splash/splash.xml" target="res/xml/splash.xml" />
</platform>

This code tells Cordova to use the custom splash screen plugin and specifies the location of the splash screen XML file.

Solution 2: Modifying the Splash Screen XML File

An alternative solution is to modify the splash screen XML file to include a custom background color or image. This approach does not require a plugin, but it does require some manual configuration.

Step 1: Create a Custom Splash Screen XML File

Create a new file called splash.xml in the res/android/splash directory of your project:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<splash>
    <image src="res/android/splash/splash.png" />
    <background color="#FFFFFF" />
</splash>

In this example, we’re using a custom splash screen image called splash.png, which should be placed in the same directory as the splash.xml file. You can replace this image with your own custom image or use a different background color.

Step 2: Update the AndroidManifest.xml File

Next, you need to update the AndroidManifest.xml file to reference the custom splash screen XML file:

<application ...>
    <activity ...>
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
        </intent-filter>
        <meta-data android:name="android.app.splash_screen" android:resource="@xml/splash" />
    </activity>
</application>

This code tells Android to use the custom splash screen XML file instead of the default one.

Solution 3: Using a Hybrid Approach

If the previous solutions don’t work for you, you can try using a hybrid approach that combines the custom plugin and XML file modifications. This approach involves installing the cordova-plugin-splashscreen-fix-miui plugin and modifying the splash screen XML file to include a custom background color or image.

Step 1: Install the Plugin

Install the cordova-plugin-splashscreen-fix-miui plugin using the following command:

cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-splashscreen-fix-miui

Step 2: Modify the Splash Screen XML File

Modify the splash screen XML file to include a custom background color or image, as described in Solution 2.

Step 3: Update the AndroidManifest.xml File

Update the AndroidManifest.xml file to reference the custom splash screen XML file, as described in Solution 2.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot and resolve the grey splash screen background issue:

• Make sure to test your app on a physical MIUI device or a high-fidelity emulator to reproduce the issue.

• Check the AndroidManifest.xml file for any syntax errors or typos that might prevent the custom splash screen from working.

• Verify that the custom splash screen image or background color is correctly set in the splash.xml file.

• If you’re using a Cordova-based framework like Ionic or PhoneGap, make sure to check the framework’s documentation for any specific splash screen configuration recommendations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the grey splash screen background issue on MIUI devices can be resolved using one of the three solutions described in this article. By following the step-by-step instructions and configuring the custom plugin or XML file correctly, you can ensure that your Apache Cordova-based Android app displays a beautiful and customized splash screen on all devices, including MIUI (13.0.10).

Solution	Description
Custom Plugin	Uses the cordova-plugin-splashscreen-fix-miui plugin to modify splash screen behavior.
XML File Modification	Modifies the splash.xml file to include a custom background color or image.
Hybrid Approach	Combines the custom plugin and XML file modifications for a hybrid solution.

We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you resolve the grey splash screen background issue on MIUI devices. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

If you’re developing an Android app using Apache Cordova and suddenly encounter a weird issue where your splash screen background turns grey on MIUI (13.0.10), don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you troubleshoot the problem.