How to change the dialing background on Android: all working methods

The dialing screen is one of the most frequently used places on a smartphone, but few people know that it can be personalized. A standard white or gray background quickly gets boring, especially if you are used to a bright desktop design. Unfortunately, Android does not provide a built-in feature for changing the background in the Phone application, but there are several workarounds - from simple to advanced.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methodsincluding settings of the standard application, using third-party dialers, themes, and even manually editing system files for advanced users. Important: not all methods are universal - their performance depends on smartphone manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel etc.), version Android and installed firmware. Ready to give your dialer a makeover? Let's start with the simplest!

1. Using built-in themes in the standard “Phone” application

Some manufacturers add an option to change the theme for the “Phone” application in proprietary shells (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS). This is the safest method, but it does not work on all devices. You can check its availability in a few seconds.

On smartphones Samsung (series Galaxy S, Note, A) function “Dialing screen style”is often found. To find it:

1. Open the application Phone.
2. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Dial Screen Style or Themes (name may vary).
4. Scroll through the available options - usually there are 3-5 preset backgrounds (dark, light, color gradient).

On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO the other way: Settings → Themes → Dialing screen. Here you can choose from the collection MIUI, but the choice is limited. In some firmware (HyperOS) this option may not be available.

⚠️ Attention: On "pure" Android (for example, Google Pixel) there are no built-in themes for the dialer. Manufacturers may also remove this function in new software versions.

If your smartphone does not have such settings, proceed to the next method. And if there is, rejoice: this is the simplest and safest method!

2. Installing a third-party dialer application

If the standard settings do not allow you to change the background, you can replace the “Phone” application itself with an alternative one. There are dozens of dialers with advanced design functions. The main advantages of this method: Google Play There are dozens of dialers with advanced design features. The main advantages of this method:

• 🎨 Wide selection of backgrounds (including animated ones).
• 🔧 Additional functions: spam blocking, conversation recording, smart contact search.
• 📱 Works on any Android smartphone (even a “clean” one) Android).

The best applications for replacing the dialing background:

Application	Features	Link	Cons
Truecaller	Blocking spam, changing themes, background images	Google Play	Requires access to contacts, advertising
Drupe	Full customization of the dial screen, widgets	Google Play	Paid functions, complex interface
Simple Dialer	Minimalistic design, theme support	Google Play	Limited settings background
ExDialer	T9-search, skins, manual download of wallpaper	Google Play	Outdated design, no support

To install a third-party dialer:

1. Download your favorite application from Google Play.
2. Open it and follow the setup instructions.
3. When the system asks which application to use by default for calls, select a new dialer.
4. In the application settings, find the section Themes or Design and download the background you like.

⚠️ Attention: Some dialers (for example, Truecaller) collect call data to block spam. If privacy is important, review the application's policy before installing.

Back up your contacts|

Check reviews of the application on Google Play|

Read the permissions that the dialer requests|

Make sure the application has been updated in the last 6 months-->

3. Using design themes (Launchers and icon packs)

If you do not want to change the “Phone” application itself, you can apply uniformity in the design global theme through the launcher or brand settings. This method is suitable for smartphones that support themes (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo etc.).

For example, on Samsung Galaxy:

1. Go to Settings → Appearance and style → Themes.
2. Select the theme you like (paid or free).
3. Apply it - this will change the background not only in the dialer, but also in other system applications.

For other brands:

• 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi: Settings → Themes (account required Mi).
• 📱 Huawei/Honor: Themes → My themes (store Huawei Themes).
• 📱 Oppo/Realme/OnePlus: Settings → Personalization.

Disadvantage of this method: themes change the entire interface, and not just the dialer background. If you need a specific change, it is better to use specialized applications (see method 2).

4. Manually changing system files (for advanced users)

This method is only suitable for users with root access or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience etc. It allows you to replace the standard background in system files, but requires caution: incorrect actions can lead to malfunctions. phone.

Instructions for devices with root:

1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the path:

   /system/priv-app/Phone/

   or (depending on the firmware):

   /system/app/Dialer/

3. Find a file with the extension .apk (for example, Phone.apk or Dialer.apk).
4. Copy it to your computer and open it with an archiver (for example, 7-Zip).
5. In the folder res/drawable find files with names like dialpad_background.xml or dialer_bg.png.
6. Replace them with your images (with the same resolution and name!).
7. Save the changes, return the file back to the system and reboot phone.

Critical: before editing system files, make a backup copy of the original APK! In case of an error, the phone may stop ringing.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions of Android (12+), even with root, access to system folders may be limited due to DM-Verity. In this case, you will need to disable the system integrity check. (risky!).

What to do if after changing the files the dialer stops working?

If after replacing the files the Phone application crashes or does not open, return the original APK back to the system:

1. in recovery (for example, TWRP).

2. Connect the phone to the PC and copy the backup file to the original folder.

3. Set the correct access rights (usually 644 or 755).

4. Reboot the device.

If the problem persists, a flashing may be required.

5. Creating your own theme using Substratum or Layers

For users with custom firmware (LineageOS, AOSP) or modified kernels, there is a more flexible way - using theme engines like Substratum or Layers Manager. These tools allow you to change the design of system applications without directly editing the APK.

How it works:

1. Install Substratum from Google Play (required root or support Andromeda for Android Oreo+).
2. Download a theme that supports dialer customization (for example, Swift Black or PitchBlack).
3. In the application Substratum select a theme → Dialer → apply the changes.
4. Restart the phone.

Advantages of this method:

• 🎨 You can change not only the background, but also the color of buttons, fonts, animations.
• 🔄 It's easy to roll back to the standard view.
• 🛠️ Supported by many custom firmware.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires root or special patches (for example, Andromeda for Android 8+).
• ⏳ Not all themes are compatible with your firmware version.

Common problems and their solutions

When changing the dialing background, users often encounter common errors. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: After installing a third-party dialer, incoming calls do not work.

Solution: Check the default settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Default → Phone application.
2. Select the installed dialer.
3. If the problem persists, try another application (for example, Google Phone).

Problem 2: Background resets after update system.

Solution: This is typical for methods with editing system files. To avoid the problem:

• Save a copy of the modified APK on your computer.
• After the update repeat the procedure for replacing files.
• Or use third-party dialers - they do not depend on system updates.

Problem 3: It is impossible to find the folder with the dialer background in the system files.

Solution: The path to the files depends on firmware. Try these options:

/system/priv-app/Contacts/
/system/app/Dialer/
/system/app/Phone/
/system/priv-app/Dialer/

If nothing is found, study the forums for your smartphone model (for example, XDA Developers).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Is it possible to change the dialing background without root?

Yes, there are two ways without root:

1. Use a third-party dialer application (for example, Truecaller or Drupe).
2. Apply a global theme (if the manufacturer supports this function).

Methods for editing system files require root access.

Why did the dial buttons become invisible after changing the background?

This happens if you have chosen a dark background, and the buttons in the dialer are also dark (or vice versa). Solutions:

• Select a background of a contrasting color.
• In the dialer settings, find the option Button color and change it.
• If you are using a custom theme, check its compatibility.

How to return the standard background if something went wrong?

The method depends on what you did:

• If you used third-party dialer - delete it and return it standard default application.
• If you edited system files - restore the original APK from a backup or reflash the phone.
• If applied theme via Substratum — disable it in the application settings.

Will changing the background work on Android 13/14?

Yes, but with reservations:

• Standard themes from manufacturers (method 1) work on any version.
• Side dialers (method 2) are also compatible, but there may be bugs with permissions.
• Editing system files (method 4) on new Androids is more difficult due to tighter security (DM-Verity, SELinux).

On Android 14 to manually replace backgrounds, you may need to disable signature verification (signature spoofing).

Is it possible to put an animated (GIF) background in the dialer?

Yes, but not in all applications. For example:

• Truecaller supports static images, but not GIF.
• Drupe allows you to install live wallpapers, but they can be slow.
• For an animated background it is better to use KLWP (custom launcher) with a dialer widget.

Please note that animation increases consumption batteries.