How to change the color of the taskbar on Android: from standard settings to customization

The visual component of the operating system plays an important role in the comfort of daily use of a smartphone. Many users are wondering how to change the color of the taskbar on Android in order to personalize the device to suit their taste. A standard black or white background often seems boring, especially if the wallpaper on the screen is bright and saturated.

Unfortunately, not all manufacturers allow changes to the system interface without additional tweaks. Some shells have this feature built-in by default, while other devices will require root access or installing third-party launchers. Understanding the architecture of your version of Android is the first step to successful customization.

In this article we will look at all the available methods, from simple theme settings to complex manipulations with system files. You will learn which tools are safe and which can lead to unstable operation of the gadget. Let's look at how to turn a standard interface into a unique one.

Built-in color changing capabilities in different versions of Android

Starting with Android 12, Google has introduced a mechanism Material Youthat automatically selects the color scheme of the interface, including the navigation bar, based on the dominant colors of your wallpaper. This is the easiest and safest method that does not require third-party software. If you have a modern smartphone, first of all you should experiment with this tool.

To activate this function, you need to go to the settings and find the section responsible for personalization. The system itself will analyze the image and offer several palettes. However, on older versions of the operating system, such as Android 9 or 10, this option may not be available in its pure form. There, the color often depends on the installed theme.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with heavily modified shells (for example, old versions of MIUI or EMUI), the built-in color change of the navigation bar may be completely blocked by the manufacturer.

If the automatic change does not work, check for manual settings in the menu display. Some brands, such as Samsung or Xiaomi, allow you to select the accent color manually, which indirectly affects the bottom control line. In this case, you will not need third-party applications, you just need to correctly configure the system interface.

Using themes and system settings

One of the most popular ways to change the appearance of the interface is to use ready-made themes. In application stores, such as Google Play or manufacturer's branded markets (for example, Galaxy Themes), you can find thousands of options. Themes change not only icons, but also system colors, including taskbar.

The installation process usually takes a couple of minutes. After downloading the theme, the system will prompt you to apply the changes. It is important to understand that some themes may be paid or contain advertising. In addition, they can change not only the color, but also the fonts and sounds of the system, which is not always desirable for the user.

• 🎨 Open the settings and find the "Themes" or "Design" section.
• 🔍 In the search, enter a keyword, for example, "Dark navbar" or "Color navigation".
• ⬇️ Download the option you like and click the "Apply" button.
• 🔄 Reboot the device if the changes do not take effect immediately.

It is worth noting that using a third-party theme may lead to incorrect display of some elements in standard applications. If you notice artifacts or malfunctions in the menu, it is better to delete the topic. Always check the developer rating before downloading to avoid installing malware under the guise of a theme.

Using third-party launchers for customization

If system restrictions do not allow you to change the color of the panel, third-party launchers come to the rescue. These are apps that completely replace the desktop and often take control of the bottom navigation bar. Popular options such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcherprovide extensive customization options.

After installing the launcher, you will need to grant it the appropriate permissions. In the settings of the application itself there is usually a section dedicated to the dock bar or navigation bar. Here you can choose a solid color, a gradient, or even make the background semi-transparent. This gives much more freedom than standard system tools.

Launcher	Ability to change color	Requires Root	Setting complexity
Nova Launcher	High (via plugins)	No	Average
Microsoft Launcher	Average	No	Low
Smart Launcher 6	High	No	Low
SystemUI Tuner	Full	Depends on the version	High

However, it is worth remembering that replacing the launcher affects the entire logic of working with the device. Gestures, widget placement, and notification behavior may change. For some users this becomes an obstacle. However, if your goal is maximum personalization, this method is one of the most effective.

Configuration through the engineering menu and hidden functions

For advanced users, it is possible to access hidden system settings. Android has a section called SystemUI Tunerthat is hidden by default. Activating it allows you to control the visibility of status bar elements and, in some cases, influence the color scheme of the interface.

To activate this mode, you need to quickly click on the Android version in the “About phone” section or use ADB commands. After activation, a new item will appear in the settings menu. Here you can experiment with displaying the battery, signal and other indicators, which indirectly changes the perception of the color gamut of the lower part of the screen.

adb shell settings put global sysui_tuner_version 1

Using engineering settings requires caution. Changing settings inappropriately can result in the interface becoming unreadable or important notifications missing. If you are not confident in your actions, it is better to refrain from deep intervention in system files without a backup copy.

⚠️ Attention: Making changes through ADB or the engineering menu may void the software warranty. Be prepared for possible system failures.

Using applications to change the color of navigation

There are many applications available in the Google Play store created specifically for changing the color of the navigation bar without obtaining superuser rights. Examples of such utilities are Navigation Bar, NavBar Colors and their analogues. They work by overlaying a layer on top of the system interface.

The principle of operation of such apps is simple: you select a color from the palette, and the application applies it. Some of them allow you to create profiles for different times of day or applications. This is convenient if you want the panel to be dark at night and light during the day.

• 📱 Download an application to customize navigation from a trusted source.
• 🔑 Grant the necessary permissions to display on top of other windows.
• 🎨 Select the desired shade or gradient in the settings apps.
• ✅ Activate the function and check the result on the main screen.

An important nuance is that such applications may consume additional battery power, since they are constantly active in the background. Also, on some devices with aggressive energy saving, the system may force close such an application, returning the panel to the standard black color.

Why can the color be reset?

Some manufacturers (for example, Huawei or Xiaomi) have strict restrictions on background activity. In order for the application to work stably, you need to add it to the battery exception list and allow autostart.

Compatibility issues and possible risks

When trying to change system colors, users often encounter compatibility problems. This is especially true for devices with non-standard screen aspect ratios or display cutouts. The navigation bar may overlap application content or, conversely, move too far from the edge.

Another common problem is conflicts between different customization methods. If you use a third-party theme, launcher, and color changing app at the same time, the results may be unpredictable. The interface may begin to "flash" or the controls may become invisible.

Risks Also related to security. Applications that require broad permissions to change the system interface can theoretically read information from the screen. Always check the requested permissions and reviews from other users before installing dubious software.

⚠️ Attention: Android interfaces are constantly updated. What worked on version 11 may not work on Android 14. Always check the compatibility of the tools with your current OS version.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to change the color of the taskbar without installing applications?

Yes, it is possible if your smartphone is running Android 12 and higher with support for Material You, or if the manufacturer has built such a function into the shell (for example, in Samsung themes). In other cases, it is difficult to do without third-party software or root access.

Does changing the color affect the speed of the phone?

Using lightweight themes or built-in functions has virtually no effect on performance. However, heavy third-party launchers and applications that constantly hang in memory to change colors can increase battery consumption and slightly slow down the interface.

What should you do if the navigation buttons disappear after changing the color?

Most likely, there is a settings conflict or a malfunction of the launcher. Try rebooting your device. If this does not help, uninstall the recently installed customization application or reset the launcher settings to factory settings.

Do you need root access to change the color?

Not always. For basic color changes, standard settings or overlay applications are often sufficient. root access is required only for deep modification of system files, for example, through editors like Substratum (in older versions) or direct editing of system resources.