How to change the design of an Android app: 5 methods from simple to complex

The design of applications on Android often becomes a cause of dissatisfaction: too bright colors, inconvenient arrangement of elements or an outdated interface. Fortunately, the system allows you to flexibly customize the appearance - from simply changing the theme to deep modification through the engineering menu or editing files APK. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, starting with safe ones and ending with those that require root access or technical skills.

It is important to understand: not all applications support customization in the same way. For example, Google Play Market or YouTube block changes through standard settings, while messengers like Telegram or VK offer built-in options for changing themes. We'll look at universal solutions that work for most apps, as well as niche methods for enthusiasts.

Before you start making changes, make sure you have a backup copy of your important data. Some methods (especially those related to ADB or rooting) can cause applications or even the system to malfunction. If you are a beginner, start with the first three methods, they do not require deep technical knowledge.

1. Built-in application settings: quick theme change

Many popular applications already have built-in customization options. For example, in Telegram or WhatsApp you can select a dark theme, change the font size or the color of accent elements. To find these settings:

• 🔍 Open the application and go to Settings (usually a gear icon or three dots in the upper right corner).
• 🎨 Look for items like Themes, Design, Appearance or Display (in English versions).
• 🖌️ In some messengers (for example, Viber) are available color palettes —you can choose a shade for chats.
• 📱 Some applications (for example, Reddit or Twitter/X) are synchronized with the Android system theme - turn on dark mode in your phone settings, and the interface will automatically adapt.

If the options you need are not there, check if the application is updated to the latest version. Developers often add new customization options in new releases. For example, Google Chrome did not support dark theme on all pages for a long time, but now this feature is available in the latest versions.

⚠️ Attention: In some applications (for example, banking), appearance settings may be blocked for security reasons. Do not try to bypass these restrictions - this may lead to account blocking.

2. Using launchers: changing icons and menu style

If you don’t like the way they look application icons or the launch menu itself, install an alternative one. launcher. This is a app that replaces the standard Android interface. Popular options:

• 🌈 Nova Launcher —supports customization of icons, gestures, animations, and even allows you to hide applications.
• 🎭 Action Launcher —offers unique widgets and adaptive icons.
• 🖼️ Microsoft Launcher — integration with Windows, transparent folders and customizable gestures.
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher —minimalistic design with an emphasis on performance.

After installing the launcher:

1. Press the button Home and select the new launcher as main.
2. Go to the launcher settings (usually a long tap on the desktop).
3. In the section Icons or Themes select a package of icons (they can be downloaded in Play Market on request "icon pack").
4. Customize icon sizes, fonts and transition animations.

Launchers do not change interface within applications, but visually transform the desktop and menus. For example, with Nova Launcher you can make the notification panel transparent or hide the search bar. Google.

3. Applications for changing themes: Substratum and analogues

For deep customization of the interface (including system applications), themes based on Substratum or Andromedaare used. These tools allow you to change:

• 🎨 Application color schemes (including Settings, Phone, Messages).
• 📱 Icon shapes, fonts and animations.
• 🖥️ Background images and notification style.

To work Substratum requires:

1. Install the application itself Substratum from Play Market.
2. Download the theme you like (for example, Swift Dark or PitchBlack).
3. Activate the theme via Substratum and reboot the device.

Please Attention: on some firmware (for example, MIUI or EMUI) Substratum it is unstable. For full support, firmware with support for OMS (Overlay Manager Service), for example, LineageOS.

⚠️ Attention: Some themes may conflict with system applications, causing them to crash. Before using, create a restore point in TWRP (if you have a custom recovery).

Tool	Requires root	Supports Android 12+	Difficulty settings
Substratum	❌ No (but OMS support is needed)	⚠️ Partial	Average
Andromeda	✅ Yes	✅ Full	High
Hex Installer	✅ Yes	✅ Full	Low
Synthwave (for Magisk)	✅ Yes	✅ Full	High

4. APK editing: manual design editing

This method is suitable for advanced users who are ready to work with APKfiles. change graphic resources (pictures, colors, fonts) and assemble them back. You will need:

• 💻 app APKTool for decompilation.
• 🎨 Image editor (for example, GIMP or Photoshop).
• 📝 Text editor for modifying XMLfiles (for example, Notepad++).
• 🔧 Java and Android SDK for recompilation.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Download APK applications (for example, via APKMirror or extract from the phone using APK Extractor).
2. Decompile it with the command:

   apktool d your_application.apk

3. Edit files in folders res/drawable (images) and res/values (colors, styles).
4. Recompile and sign APK:

   apktool b your_application -o new_apk.apk
   java -jar uber-apk-signer.jar --apk new_apk.apk

5. Install the modified application via ADB:

   adb install new_apk.apk

Changing the APK breaks the digital signature of the application, which can lead to account blocking (for example, in banking applications or games with anti-cheat). In addition, updates through Play Market will become impossible - you will have to manually monitor new versions.

What what happens if you edit the APK incorrectly?

If there is an error in the XML files, the application may not start or display the error "The application has stopped." In the worst case, the phone reboots cyclically (bootloop) if you modified the system software. Always test modified APKs on a second device or in an emulator.

5. ADB commands: forced theme change for system applications

With Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can change the display settings even for those applications that do not support changing themes. For example, force enable dark mode for Google Play Market or Gmail.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → For developers).
2. Connect your phone to the PC and run command:

   adb shell

3. To force the dark theme, enter:

   cmd uimode night yes

   To return the light theme:

   cmd uimode night no

4. To reset to system settings:

   cmd uimode night auto

This method works at the system level, so the changes will affect all applications that support adaptive themes. However, some apps. (for example, Instagram) ignore this command and use their own settings.

Enable USB debugging|Install drivers for your device|Download ADB Tools from the official Google website|Connect your phone via USB (File Transfer mode)|Check the connection with the command adb devices-->

6. Root access and Magisk modules: deep customization

If you have root access, the possibilities for changing the design are expanded many times over. Using modules for Magisk (for example, Dark Mode Enforcer or App Systemizer) you can:

• 🌑 Force enable dark theme for any applications.
• 🔄 Replace system fonts (for example, install SF Pro from Apple).
• 🎭 Change animations and transitions between windows.
• 🚫 Remove advertising banners from the interface.

Popular modules Magisk for customization:

Module	Purpose	Compatibility
Dark Mode Enforcer	Forced dark mode for all applications	Android 9+
FontManager	Installing custom fonts	Android 8+
App Systemizer	Converting user applications into system ones	Android 7+
LSPosed	Modification of application behavior via Xposed	Android 10+

Modules are installed via Magisk Manager:

1. Download the module file (usually has an extension .zip).
2. Open Magisk Manager and go to the section Modules.
3. Click Install from storage and select the downloaded file.
4. Reboot the device.

⚠️ Attention: Some banking applications (for example, SberBank Online or Tinkoff) block work on devices with root or MagiskTo launch them, you will need to hide root using the module MagiskHide or use alternative methods. (for example Island to create an isolated profile).

7. Alternative clients: third-party versions of applications

If the standard application does not allow you to change the design, try it. alternative. For example:

• 📱 Instead of Google Chrome — Kiwi Browser (supports extensions and dark theme for all pages).
• 💬 Instead of WhatsApp — FMWhatsApp or GBWhatsApp (custom themes, hiding online status).
• 📺 Instead of YouTube — Vanced (ad blocking, background playback, dark theme).
• 📧 Instead of Gmail — FairEmail (full interface customization).

Please note: third-party clients may violate the rules for using services (for example, YouTube Vanced blocked on demand GoogleIn addition, they do not always receive security updates, which increases the risk of data leaks.

Before installing, check reviews about the application on the forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers) and download only from trusted sources. Some “modified” versions contain malicious code.

💡

Third-party clients often offer advanced functions (for example, downloading videos from YouTube or hiding messages from being read in WhatsApp), but their use can lead to blocking of the main account.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing the design of applications

Is it possible to change the design of system applications (for example, Settings or Phone) without root?

Partially. On some firmware (for example, Samsung One UI or OxygenOS) built-in themes that change the color scheme of system applications. You can also use Substratum on firmware with support OMS (for example, LineageOSHowever, for deep changes (for example, replacing icons) it is usually required root.

Why do some elements appear after changing the theme? wrong?

This is due to incomplete compatibility of the theme with the version of the application or Android. For example, the theme may be developed for Android 10, but you are using Android 13. Try:

• Update the theme and application to the latest versions.
• Clear application cache (Settings → Applications → [name] → Memory → Clear cache).
• Contact the theme developer and report a bug.

How to return the standard design if the application has changed stopped working?

Rollback methods depend on the customization method:

• If you used Substratum - delete the theme in the settings Substratum and reboot the device.
• If edited APK — remove the modified application and install the original version from Play Market.
• If used ADB commands —execut cmd uimode night auto to reset themes.
• If you installed modules Magisk - remove the module via Magisk Manager and reboot.

As a last resort, reset the application settings (Settings → Applications → [name] → Storage → Reset) or reset the system to factory settings (the data will be deleted!).

Is it possible to change the application design for only one account (for example, in instant messengers)?

In most cases, no - themes and interface settings apply to the entire application. However, some messengers (for example, Telegram) allow you to create separate accounts with different design settings. To do this:

1. Open Telegram and go to Settings → Add account.
2. Log in using a different number.
3. For each account, set up your theme in Settings → Appearance.

In WhatsApp or Viber there is no such function - the design will be the same for all accounts.

Which applications cannot be modified and why?

It is not recommended to modify:

• 🏦 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, VTB) - modification can work as a trigger for blocking on suspicion of hacking.
• 🎮 Games with anti-cheat (PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, Call of Duty Mobile) - change APK will lead to account ban.
• 🔒 Applications with DRM protection (Netflix, Disney+, Spotify) - modification can disrupt the operation of anti-piracy protection.
• 📱 System applications on stock firmware (for example, Google Play Services) - errors can lead to the phone not working.

In these cases, it is better to use alternative clients (if they exist) or accept the standard design.