The modern smartphone has become an integral extension of our personality, and many users strive to make its appearance unique. The standard white or gray background of system alerts often appears dull and featureless, especially on bright AMOLED screens. Fortunately, the operating system Android provides ample opportunities for customization, allowing you to turn boring message bubbles into stylish design elements.
The process of changing the color scheme depends on the version of the operating system and the installed shell of the manufacturer. While some brands allow you to change the palette natively, others require you to install third-party utilities or even gain root privileges. In this article, we will analyze in detail all available methods, from simple theme settings to advanced modification of system files.
Before making changes, it is important to understand that deep customization can affect the readability of the text. Contrast is a key factor in usability, so you should experiment with colors carefully so as not to lose functionality in the pursuit of aesthetics.
Native personalization tools in Android 12 and later
Starting with the twelfth version, Google has introduced technology Material Youthat radically changes the approach to interface design. The system automatically analyzes the desktop wallpaper and generates a color palette, applying it to widgets, buttons and, what is important for us, notification backgrounds. This is the safest and most stable way to change the appearance without the risk of crashing the system.
To activate this function, just go to the settings and select the personalization section. However, not all manufacturers have implemented this functionality in the same way. For example, on a clean Pixel or Motorola changes are applied instantly, while on devices Samsung or Xiaomi may require additional actions in branded themes.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with skins MIUI or One UI native Material You palette may not recolor the background of pop-ups, affecting only the curtain and settings menu.
If automatic generation does not suit you, you can manually select the base color in the theme settings. The system will offer several shade options that will dominate the interface. This is a basic level that does not require installing unnecessary software.
Using themes from the manufacturer
Large smartphone manufacturers have long realized that the visual component is important to users, and they created their own theme centers. Unlike Google's system settings, these utilities often allow you to change the color of notifications more aggressively, replacing standard white bars with colored or even gradient ones.
Device owners Samsung should pay attention to the application Galaxy Themes. Inside the store you can find themes that completely recolor the notification panel. After installing the theme, the color may change globally, but sometimes you need to separately adjust the panel style in the menu Settings → Display → Notification panel style.
Users Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco have access to the application Themes. Here you can download not only wallpapers, but also system components. Look for themes marked "Mix" or "Custom Notification", which often include redesigned styles for the control center and pop-ups.
- 🎨 Customization depth: Branded themes often change not only the background color, but also icons, fonts and sounds.
- 🔄 Compatibility: Themes created for one model may not display correctly on another due to differences in screen resolution.
- 💾 Backup: Before installing a third-party theme, it is recommended to create a restore point or backup of settings.
Before installing a new theme, take a screenshot of your current lock screen. This will help you quickly return to your usual look if the new theme turns out to be inconvenient or contains bugs.
Use of third-party launchers and widgets
If the built-in features do not suit you, third-party launchers come to the rescue. Although they primarily change the desktop, many of them (for example Nova Launcher or Smart Launcher) have plugins or widgets that duplicate notifications in their own style. You can place such a widget on your desktop, giving it any transparent or colored background.
However, it is worth distinguishing between notifications in the curtain and widgets on the screen. Launchers rarely have the rights to change the system notification shade without root access. Therefore, this method is suitable for those who want to change the visualization of notifications on the main screen, making them part of the desktop design.
For more advanced customization, you can use notification widgets from developers such as Overdrop or KWGT. These applications allow you to create your own designs from scratch using scripts and system variables. You can draw a rectangle of any color, add roundings and attach message text output to it.
| Application | Change type | root access required | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | Widgets on the desktop table | No | Low |
| KWGT Kustom Widget | Full widget design | No (for basic functions) | High |
| NiceLock | Lock screen | No | Average |
| Substratum | System themes | Yes (often) | High |
Modification through customization applications
There is a class applications that work as a “layer” between the system and the user, changing the display of interface elements. One of the most popular tools is Substratum. This is a powerful theme engine that allows you to apply color schemes to almost any element of Android, including notification backgrounds.
Such applications often require activation via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or root access. The process is as follows: you install the application, download the desired overlay (theme) and apply it. The system redraws the interface on the fly or after a reboot.
⚠️ Attention: The use of theme engines like Substratum on new versions of Android (13/14/15) may be limited by Google security policies. Always check the theme's compatibility with your OS version before installing.
Another option is to use apps to change the color of the LED indicator, if your device has one, or emulate one on the screen. Applications like NotifyBuddy or LED Notify can color the area around the camera or the entire screen in the notification color when the smartphone is face down.
What are overlays in the context of themes?
An overlay is a layer of graphic resources (pictures, colors, XML files) that replaces standard operating system resources. When applying a theme, the system takes files from the overlay instead of the factory ones, which allows you to change the color of buttons, background and text without flashing.
Radical measures: root access and system files
For users who want full control and know what they are doing, there is a way to modify system files. This method allows you to change the color of notifications at the code level, making the changes permanent and independent of third-party applications. The main tool here is access to framework files.
The process requires root access and a file manager with access to the system partition (for example, MT Manager or Root Explorer). You will have to edit the file framework-res.apk or system UI resources. Inside the archive you need to find the graphic elements responsible for the background of notifications (often these are .png or .9.png files) and replace them with your own.
adb rootadb remount
adb pull /system/framework/framework-res.apk
Editing a file
adb push framework-res.apk /system/framework/
adb reboot
An alternative and more modern way for advanced users is to use modules Magisk or LSPosed. Modules like SystemUI Tuner or specialized tweakers allow you to change hexadecimal color codes in the system settings without directly replacing graphic files. This is safer and easier to roll back.
- 🛡️ Risk of a bootloop: An error when editing system files can lead to a cyclic reboot of the device.
- 🔒 Security: Having root access allows malicious apps to access your data.
- 📉 Warranty: Opening the system almost always voids the manufacturer's warranty.
Modifying system files is the only way to get a unique color that is not available in standard settings, but it requires high qualifications and carries risks.
Setting up LED indication and Always On Display
Although the question often concerns the background color on the screen, we must not forget about the physical indication. Many modern smartphones have lost the LED indicator, replacing it with the Always On Display (AOD) function. Setting the glow color in AOD mode is also part of changing the notification color.
In the lock screen settings, you can choose a color for different types of applications. For example, messages from Telegram may light up the screen in green, and missed calls in red. This helps you quickly identify an event without even touching the screen.
For devices without AMOLED screens or with AOD turned off, there are emulator applications. They display a small colored circle in the corner on a black screen, simulating the operation of an LED indicator. This saves battery power compared to burning the entire screen and looks stylish.
⚠️ Attention: Constant operation of Always On Display or screen indicator emulators can significantly accelerate the wear of the AMOLED matrix (pixel burnout) and consume battery power faster.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the color of notifications for each application separately?
This cannot be done using native Android tools - the system uses a single color scheme. However, using Magisk modules or specialized launchers with profile support, you can achieve different display for different applications. Also, some shells (for example, MIUI) allow you to customize the style of notifications more flexibly.
Is it safe to use applications for changing themes from the Play Market?
Most applications from the official Google Play store are verified and safe. However, those that require root or deep data permissions should be used with caution. Always read reviews and check the rights that the application requests.
Why did the notification color reset after updating Android?
When updating the operating system, system files are often replaced, including those responsible for the interface. If you used a third-party theme or modified file framework-res.apkthe update will return the original files and your changes will disappear. You will have to reapply the theme.
Does the background color of notifications affect battery consumption?
On AMOLED screens, black color does not consume power since the pixels are turned off. Bright colors (white, red, blue) cause the pixels to glow, consuming more power. Therefore, a dark theme with a black notification background really helps save battery.
How to return all notification colors to factory settings?
To reset the changes, go to Settings → Wallpaper and style (or a similar section) and select the standard theme or reset the color palette. If you were using a third-party launcher, simply disable it or uninstall the app. If system files are modified, you may need to reset the settings to factory settings.