The modern user spends a significant part of his time on social networks, and VKontakte remains one of the most popular services in the Russian-speaking segment. However, the standard interface may seem boring, awkward at night, or simply not suit personal aesthetic preferences. Fortunately, developers provide flexible tools for customizing the appearance directly from the settings menu of the mobile client.
Changing visual design applications is not just changing the picture, but also a way to reduce eye strain, increase productivity, or organize space for specific tasks. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available ways to transform the interface, from enabling dark mode to sorting chats and managing multiple profiles.
Switching between light and dark design themes
The most popular interface change is activation dark theme. This feature not only looks stylish and modern, but also significantly saves battery power on smartphones with OLED screens, where black pixels are essentially disabled. Switching to dark mode also reduces eye strain when using the phone in low light conditions, making text reading more comfortable.
The activation process is intuitive and takes only a few seconds. You need to open the side menu by clicking on the icon with three stripes or an avatar in the upper left corner and select Settings. Next, you should go to the section General or immediately find the item Theme in the list of parameters. Here the system will offer to choose one of two main options: light or dark color scheme.
Interestingly, the application supports automatic switching depending on the time of day or system settings of yours Android-devices. If the phone's operating system has Night Light mode or a dark theme enabled, mobile client can pick up this option automatically, saving the user from manual settings every evening.
Use a dark theme not only at night, but also in bright sunlight if your screen has a high brightness level - this can reduce glare contrast and improve readability.
Customizing the display order of sections and chats
The ease of use of the application directly depends on how the space on the main screen is organized. Users often wonder if it is possible to rearrange tabs or pin important conversations. In the current version of the client for Android navigation customization options are limited, but there are effective ways to optimize the workspace through list display settings.
Particular attention should be paid to the messages section. You can sort chats by various criteria, allowing you to bring the most important or active conversations to the forefront. To do this, go to the Messagessection, click on the filter or search icon and select a sorting option. Available options usually include displaying by time of last message or alphabetically.
In addition, the functionality allows you to hide certain types of notifications or archive old correspondence so that they do not clutter the main list. This creates a feeling of a “clean” interface and helps you focus on the tasks at hand.
- 📱 Use the “Pin Chat” feature to keep important conversations at the top of the message list.
- 🔍 Regularly clear the application cache in your phone settings so that lists load faster.
- ⚙️ Disable preview images in the settings if you have a slow Internet - this will speed up the scrolling of the feed.
Managing multiple accounts and changing profiles
Many users maintain several profiles at the same time: one for personal communication, the other for work or business. Previously, this required installing third-party clients or constantly entering a password, but now built-in functionality allows you to easily switch between accounts. This changes the "look" of the application in the sense that you instantly have access to a completely different content and set of contacts.
To add a second account, go to your profile settings and find the section Account. There you will see a button Add account. After entering the new user's data, switching between them will be possible by simply clicking on the avatar in the side menu. This is implemented in the form of a convenient drop-down list, where thumbnails of all authorized profiles are displayed.
This approach allows you to separate work and personal notifications without leaving the main application. You can set unique notification settings for each profile, for example, mute your work account in the evening. This creates the effect of using two different applications on one device without increasing the occupied memory space.
⚠️ Attention: When adding a second account, make sure that you remember the password for it or have linked your phone number, since restoring access through saved sessions may be difficult when resetting the application settings.
Changing the font size and scaling the interface
Interface accessibility is an important aspect for users with visual impairments or who simply prefer large text. The standard application VKontakte responds to your smartphone's system font settings, but also has its own content scaling options. Changing the text size radically changes the perception of the news feed and long posts.
To configure the font, you need to go to Settings applications, then select the section General. Here is a slider or menu item Font size. By moving it, you can make the text larger and more readable, or, conversely, make it smaller so that more information fits on one screen. This is especially useful on smartphones with small screen diagonals.
It is worth noting that changing the font affects not only the texts of posts, but also section titles, comments and messages in dialogues. However, navigation elements and icons usually remain at their original size to keep the interface recognizable. If the phone's system font is set to the maximum value, the application may automatically ignore the internal zoom settings, adjusting to the OS.
Why does the font not change?
If you changed the settings inside the application, but the text remains the same, check your Android system settings. Go to Phone Settings -> Screen -> Font Size and make sure that there is no forced value that blocks changes in applications.
Comparison of application versions and impact on design
The appearance of the application directly depends on the installed version of the client. Developers regularly update the design, introducing new controls, changing the location of buttons and colors. Users of older versions may see an interface that is significantly different from what is described in current guides or seen by friends.
Below is a table showing key differences in the interface depending on the approach to updating and the type of version used.
| Characteristics | Current version (Play Market) | Outdated version | Lite version (VK Lite) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Modern, Material Design 3 | Classic, simplified | Minimalistic, text |
| Dark theme | Full support and settings | Absent or partial | Always dark or contrasting |
| Animations | Smooth transitions and effects | None or slow | Absent for speed |
| RAM consumption | High | Average | Minimum |
Using outdated versions may result in some features, such as calls or new story formats, being displayed incorrectly or missing altogether. On the other hand, older versions sometimes run faster on weaker devices. Choosing a version is a compromise between visual appeal and performance.
To get the latest design and all security features, always update the application through the official Google Play store, avoiding installing APK files from dubious sources.
Using third-party clients for a radical change in appearance
If the standard settings do not meet your customization needs, there are alternative clients for accessing the social network. Apps like Kate Mobile or Vfeedoffer a completely different visual style, advanced options for customizing themes, fonts, and even hiding ads. They allow you to change the appearance of the application beyond recognition compared to the official client.
Third-party applications often have a more flexible theming system. You can upload your own color schemes, change menu icons, and adjust the transparency of interface elements. This is an ideal option for advanced users who want complete control over how their social network looks on the smartphone screen.
However, using unofficial clients carries certain risks. Firstly, such applications may not receive timely updates when the social network API changes. Secondly, there is a theoretical risk of data leakage, although popular alternative clients have proven their reliability for years. Before installation, carefully study the reviews and permissions that the app requests.
⚠️ Attention: The VKontakte administration is not responsible for the security of your data when using third-party applications. Use them at your own risk, and do not enter sensitive information if you do not trust the developer.
When choosing an alternative client, pay attention to the presence of two-factor authentication. Even if you like the app's interface, account security should be a priority. Some third-party clients support logging in via QR code or tokens, which is a more secure method than directly entering a login and password.
☑️ Third-party client verification
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to set your own picture to the background of the VK application?
In the official Android application, there is no function for setting a custom background (your photo) to the entire interface. You can only change your profile avatar and community cover. Background images are only available in some third-party clients or in the web version through browser extensions.
Why did the dark theme disappear after the update?
Sometimes after a major update, the settings may be reset to factory settings. Check the section Settings -> General -> Theme and select the dark version manually. Also make sure that the Android system does not have power saving mode enabled, which can force a change in color scheme.
How to return the old VK design to Android?
It is impossible to officially return the old design, since the server part of the social network is updated for all users at the same time. The only way is to install an older version of the application's APK file, but this does not guarantee that all functions will work and may be unsafe.
Does changing the theme affect battery consumption?
Yes, it does, but only on smartphones with OLED screens. In the dark theme on such screens, black pixels are not illuminated, which saves energy. On IPS screens, the difference in battery consumption between light and dark themes is almost unnoticeable.
Is it possible to change the VK application icon on the desktop?
You cannot change the icon using standard application tools. However, you can use the capabilities of your Android shell (launcher). Many modern launchers allow you to long press on the icon and select “Edit” or download a themed pack of icons from the Play Market to personalize the appearance of the application on the desktop.