Android Splash screen duration

Question

We are using the splash screen to show the company logo every time user open the app. Currently, we are showing the splash screen for 3 Seconds.

Below is the code:

private static int SPLASH_TIME_OUT = 3000;      // Delay of 3 Seconds

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_splash_screen);


        new Handler().postDelayed(new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                // This method will be executed once the timer is over
                Intent i = new Intent(SplashScreenActivity.this, AnotheActivity.class);
                startActivity(i);
                // close this activity
                finish();
            }
        }, SPLASH_TIME_OUT);
    }
}

But this splash screen duration is just randomly chosen within team. We kind-of know that Splash screen in general is not all that encouraged in Android app ecosystem, but since this is our app's need, hence it is implemented.

My Question: Is there any standard Android guideline/best practice for choosing the RIGHT splash screen duration time?

Answer 1

A better option is to use a splash screen activity with a custom theme, that starts the main content activity. With this there is no need to use a timer, as it switches to main content when the app is ready, and in the meantime shows a picture that is inside the theme.

Here is tutorial how to do it - https://www.bignerdranch.com/blog/splash-screens-the-right-way/

Main parts from the tutorial:

<activity
    android:name=".SplashActivity"
    android:theme="@style/SplashTheme"> THEME HERE!!!
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

        <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
    </intent-filter>
</activity>


public class SplashActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

        Intent intent = new Intent(this, MainActivity.class);
        startActivity(intent);
        finish();
    }
}

<style name="SplashTheme" parent="Theme.AppCompat.DayNight.NoActionBar">
    <item name="android:windowBackground">@drawable/splash</item>

</style>


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

    <item
        android:drawable="@color/black"/>

    <item>

        <bitmap

            android:gravity="center"
            android:src="@drawable/logo_image"/>

    </item>

</layer-list>

It is even possible to add the style to the application, without a need to use a separate activity.

Answer 2

Splash screen it's bad practice, when it possible not to use it than please avoid using splash screen. You can read a some articles about this link1, link2.

But if need to show splash than use through creating a custom theme that overrides android:windowBackground, then replacing that custom theme with your standard theme before calling super.onCreate(). Here is tutorial of implementation and detailed description.

Assuming you have a theme called AppTheme, your launcher theme would be:

<style name="AppTheme.Launcher"> <item name="android:windowBackground">@drawable/launch_screen</item> </style>

Then apply your theme to your activity in your AndroidManifest.xml using android:theme="@style/AppTheme.Launcher".

The easiest way to transition back to your normal theme is to call setTheme(R.style.AppTheme) before super.onCreate() and setContentView():

public class MyMainActivity extends AppCompatActivity { @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { // Make sure this is before calling super.onCreate setTheme(R.style.Theme_MyApp); super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); // ... } }