How to Create a Video Intro Splash Screen in Android Using VideoView

Many modern Android applications display an intro video or animated splash screen before opening the main application interface.

Video splash screens are commonly used for:

• Brand introductions
• Gaming applications
• Media applications
• Startup animations
• Promotional app launches

In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a fullscreen video intro splash screen in Android using:

• VideoView
• MediaPlayer listeners
• Raw resource videos
• Automatic screen navigation

---

What We Will Build

In this Android example:

• Application launches with fullscreen video
• Video automatically starts playing
• Next screen opens after video completion
• Error handling is implemented
• Video is loaded from raw resources

---

Step 1 — Create activity_main.xml

Create:

res/layout/activity_main.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<RelativeLayout
    xmlns:android=
    "http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"

    android:layout_width="match_parent"

    android:layout_height="match_parent"

    android:background="@android:color/black">

    <VideoView
        android:id="@+id/videoView"

        android:layout_width="match_parent"

        android:layout_height="match_parent"

        android:layout_alignParentTop="true"

        android:layout_alignParentBottom="true"

        android:layout_alignParentStart="true"

        android:layout_alignParentEnd="true"/>

</RelativeLayout>

---

Step 2 — Add Video File

Inside:

res/

create a new folder named:

raw

Add your intro video file inside:

res/raw/

Example:

intro_video.mp4

---

Step 3 — Create MainActivity.java

Create:

MainActivity.java

package com.example.videosplash;

import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;

import android.content.Intent;
import android.media.MediaPlayer;
import android.net.Uri;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.Toast;
import android.widget.VideoView;

public class MainActivity
        extends AppCompatActivity {

    private VideoView videoView;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(
            Bundle savedInstanceState
    ) {

        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

        setContentView(
                R.layout.activity_main
        );

        videoView =
                findViewById(R.id.videoView);

        String videoPath =
                "android.resource://"
                        + getPackageName()
                        + "/"
                        + R.raw.intro_video;

        Uri uri = Uri.parse(videoPath);

        videoView.setVideoURI(uri);

        videoView.start();

        videoView.setOnCompletionListener(
                new MediaPlayer
                        .OnCompletionListener() {

            @Override
            public void onCompletion(
                    MediaPlayer mp
            ) {

                Intent intent =
                        new Intent(
                                MainActivity.this,
                                HomeActivity.class
                        );

                startActivity(intent);

                finish();
            }
        });

        videoView.setOnErrorListener(
                new MediaPlayer
                        .OnErrorListener() {

            @Override
            public boolean onError(
                    MediaPlayer mp,
                    int what,
                    int extra
            ) {

                Toast.makeText(
                        MainActivity.this,
                        "Error while playing video",
                        Toast.LENGTH_LONG
                ).show();

                return true;
            }
        });
    }

    @Override
    protected void onPause() {

        super.onPause();

        if (videoView != null) {

            videoView.pause();
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected void onResume() {

        super.onResume();

        if (videoView != null) {

            videoView.start();
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected void onDestroy() {

        super.onDestroy();

        if (videoView != null) {

            videoView.stopPlayback();
        }
    }
}

---

Step 4 — Create HomeActivity.java

Create:

HomeActivity.java

package com.example.videosplash;

import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;

import android.os.Bundle;

public class HomeActivity
        extends AppCompatActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(
            Bundle savedInstanceState
    ) {

        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

        setContentView(
                R.layout.activity_home
        );
    }
}

---

Step 5 — Create activity_home.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<LinearLayout
    xmlns:android=
    "http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"

    android:layout_width="match_parent"

    android:layout_height="match_parent"

    android:gravity="center"

    android:orientation="vertical">

    <TextView
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"

        android:layout_height="wrap_content"

        android:text="Home Screen"

        android:textSize="28sp"/>

</LinearLayout>

---

Step 6 — Update AndroidManifest.xml

Inside:

AndroidManifest.xml

Add:

<application>

    <activity
        android:name=".HomeActivity"/>

    <activity
        android:name=".MainActivity">

        <intent-filter>

            <action
                android:name=
                "android.intent.action.MAIN"/>

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

        </intent-filter>

    </activity>

</application>

---

How This Video Splash Screen Works

The workflow is:

1. App launches MainActivity
2. VideoView loads intro video
3. Video starts automatically
4. Completion listener detects video end
5. HomeActivity opens automatically

---

Why Use VideoView?

VideoView provides:

• Simple video playback
• Built-in MediaPlayer integration
• Easy lifecycle handling
• Minimal setup

---

Common Beginner Mistakes

1. Placing Video Outside raw Folder

Videos must be inside:

res/raw/

---

2. Using Large Video Files

Huge videos increase:

• APK size
• Loading time
• Memory usage

---

3. Forgetting Lifecycle Handling

Always pause and release VideoView properly during lifecycle changes.

---

Modern Android Recommendations

Modern Android applications often prefer:

• Lottie animations
• MotionLayout
• Jetpack Compose animations
• Animated logos
• Lightweight startup screens

---

VideoView vs ExoPlayer

VideoView	ExoPlayer
Simple implementation	Advanced media features
Good for splash videos	Best for streaming apps
Basic playback controls	Professional media engine

---

Performance Optimization Tips

• Use compressed MP4 videos
• Keep intro short
• Avoid very high resolutions
• Release media resources properly
• Use splash screen API for lightweight startups

---

FAQ

Can VideoView stream online videos?

Yes, VideoView can stream videos using network URLs.

What is the modern alternative to VideoView?

ExoPlayer is the modern recommended media playback library for advanced applications.

Should apps use long intro videos?

No. Long intro videos may negatively affect user experience and app startup performance.

---

Conclusion

Video splash screens can create visually engaging application startup experiences when implemented correctly.

Using VideoView with MediaPlayer listeners allows developers to build simple intro video systems with minimal code.

Modern Android applications should balance branding animations with startup performance, smooth navigation, and user experience optimization.

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About the Author

Salil Jha is a Full Stack and Mobile Developer specializing in Android, React Native, fintech systems, scalable SaaS platforms, and developer tooling products.

CodeChain Dev — Build Modern Products. Solve Real Problems.