The browser Google Chrome on Android is one of the most popular tools for surfing the web, but its standard white interface can quickly get boring. Fortunately, the developers have provided several ways to change the appearance of the application: from the built-in one to installing custom themes through extensions or third-party launchers. However, not all users know where to look for these settings and how to apply them correctly. dark mode before installing custom themes through extensions or third-party launchers. However, not all users know where to look for these settings and how to apply them correctly.

In this article we will look at all available methods for changing the theme on Chrome on smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor and other brands. You will learn how to activate dark mode through system settings, where to download official themes from Google, and why some methods may not work on older versions. Android. We will also look at alternative browsers with advanced customization options if the standard options are not enough for you.

Important: the ability to change the theme in Chrome depends on the application version and operating system. For example, on Android 12 and newer there are more design options available than on Android 9. If your smartphone does not support some functions, do not worry: the article has solutions for any device.

📊 How often do you change the theme in applications?
Once a week
Once a month
Only when you change your smartphone
Never changed

1. Standard dark mode in Chrome

The easiest way to change the browser's design is to enable dark mode. This option not only transforms the interface, but also reduces eye strain in the evening. In Chrome dark theme can work in two modes:

  • 🌙 Following system settings —the browser automatically switches along with the theme Android.
  • 🔄 Manual control —you independently select a light or dark theme regardless of system.

To activate dark mode:

  1. Open Chrome and tap on three points in the upper right corner.
  2. Select Settings → Themes.
  3. Set the switch to Dark or Same as in the system.

If the item Themes is not in the menu, update your browser to the latest version via Google Play. On some devices (for example, Huawei without services Google), this function may not be available.

💡

Dark mode in Chrome saves up to 15% battery on AMOLED screens by turning off white pixels.

2. Installing official themes from Google

Google periodically adds to Chrome collections of official themes that can be downloaded directly from the browser. These themes change the color palette of tabs, toolbars, and menus. Here's how to install them:

  1. Open a new tab in Chrome and enter in the address bar: 
    chrome://flags/#enable-chrome-colors
  2. In the drop-down menu, select Enabled and restart the browser.
  3. Now in Settings → Themes A section will appear Color schemes with design options.

Available themes usually include:

  • 🎨 Classic blue —standard style Chrome with accents.
  • 🌿 Green - soft shades for comfortable reading.
  • 🔴 Red - a bright theme for lovers of contrasts.
Why are themes not displayed in Chrome?

If after activating the flag chrome://flags/#enable-chrome-colors themes do not appear, check:

- Chrome version (must be at least 90.0).

- Google account region (the function is disabled in some countries).

- Availability of updates on Google Play.

3. Using third-party launchers for customization

If the built-in options are not enough, you can go further and change the appearance Chrome via launchers (shells for Android). Popular solutions:

Launcher Features Compatibility
Nova Launcher Changing icons, folder colors, control gestures Android 5.0+
Action Launcher Adaptive themes, customizing application icons Android 7.0+
Microsoft Launcher Integration with Windows, dark theme for all applications Android 8.0+

To change the icon Chrome via the launcher:

  1. Install the selected launcher from Google Play.
  2. Press your finger on the icon Chrome and select Edit.
  3. In the editing menu, select a new icon from the theme pack or upload your own.

Make sure there is free space (minimum 100 MB)

Make a backup copy of the current screen settings

Check the compatibility of the launcher with the Android version

Disable battery optimization for the launcher in the settings-->

4. Alternative browsers with advanced customization

If Chrome you are not satisfied with the flexibility of settings, consider browsers with support for themes and skins:

  • 🦊 Firefox - supports dark themes, extensions for changing the interface (for example, Dark Background and Light Text).
  • 🌐 Opera - built-in dark and light themes, ability to customize tab colors.
  • 🛡️ Brave — dark mode + support for custom CSS styles through extensions.
  • 🔍 Kiwi Browser — fork Chrome with support for extensions from Chrome Web Store, including themes.

To install themes in Firefox:

  1. Open the menu (three dots) → Settings → Themes.
  2. Select one of the suggested themes or click Theme management to download new ones.
💡

Brave and Kiwi Browser allow you to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store, which opens up access to thousands of themes for customization.

5. Manually changing the color scheme via CSS (for advanced)

For users with root access or those who want to experiment, there is a way to change colors Chrome via custom CSS styles. This method requires:

  • 📱 Installed Android with an unlocked bootloader.
  • 🔧 Applications Substratum or Synergy for using overlays.
  • 💻 Knowledge of basic syntax CSS.

Instructions:

  1. Download and install Substratum from Google Play.
  2. In the application, select Chrome from the list of supported themes.
  3. Download or create your own .cssfile with the desired styles (for example, to change the color of the toolbar: 
    toolbar {

    background-color: #121212 !important;
    

    color: #ffffff !important;
    

    }

  4. Apply the theme and restart the browser.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to malfunctions Chrome or AndroidIt is recommended to back up your data before experiments.

6. Solving problems with changing the theme

If themes are not applied or the browser behaves incorrectly, check the following points:

Problem Cause Solution
There is no "Themes" item in the settings Outdated version of Chrome Update the browser in Google Play
Dark theme does not work Conflict with system settings Enable dark mode in Android settings
Colors reset after restart Cache error Clear Chrome cache in settings applications
Third-party themes are not installed Manufacturer restrictions (MIUI, EMUI) Use alternative browsers

On devices Xiaomi (MIUI) and Huawei (EMUI) there may be additional restrictions on changing themes in applications. In this case:

  1. Try to disable Mi-optimization for Chrome in the battery settings.
  2. Install the browser via APK s official website Google (not from App Gallery for Huawei).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmwares (for example, ColorOS from Oppo) dark mode in Chrome may not work correctly due to a conflict with proprietary skins. In this case, it is recommended to use Firefox or Brave.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing themes in Chrome

Is it possible to set your own picture as a background in Chrome?

In the standard version Chrome for Android there is no function for setting a custom background. However, you can:

  • Use the extension Custom Background for Chrome in Kiwi Browser.
  • Set wallpaper through the launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), so that they are displayed behind the icon Chrome.
Why did the themes disappear after updating Chrome?

This is due to the fact that Google regularly changes the structure of the flags (chrome://flags). updates:

  1. Check whether the flag settings have been reset #enable-chrome-colors.
  2. If the flag has disappeared, wait until the next update, where the function may return.
How to return the standard light theme?

To roll back changes:

  1. Open Settings → Themes in Chrome.
  2. Select Light or As in the system (if in Android light theme enabled).
  3. To reset CSS styles in Substratum remove the overlay and restart the browser.
Do Chrome themes work on Android tablets?

Yes, all the described methods also apply to tablets on Android (for example, Samsung Tab, Lenovo Yoga). However, on devices with large screens there may be problems with displaying some interface elements when using custom CSS styles.

Is it possible to synchronize Chrome themes between devices?

No, theme settings in Chrome are not synchronized through your account Google. You will have to configure each theme separately on each device. The exception is dark mode: if it is enabled at the system level and synchronized via Google Account, then can be automatically applied on all gadgets.