Changing the theme on Android is one of the fastest ways to refresh the appearance of your smartphone without installing custom firmware. However, not all users know that theme application may be hidden in the depths of the settings or completely absent on some devices. In this article, we will look at all available methods for activating themes - from standard tools to workarounds for devices with limited functionality.

It is important to understand that the ability to change themes depends on three factors: Android version (from Android 10 to Android 14 the interface has changed dramatically), smartphone manufacturer (there are Samsung, Xiaomi and Google Pixel different approaches) and installed launcher. In some cases, themes are built into the system by default, while in others you will have to install them separately. We will look at universal solutions and nuances for popular brands.

1. Standard method: theme settings in pure Android

If stock Android is installed on your device (for example, on Google Pixel, Nokia or Motorola), then the theme application is usually integrated into the Settings → Appearancesection. Here's how to find it:

  1. Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu).

  2. Go to the section Design (on some devices it may be called Styles and wallpapers or Themes).

  3. Select item Color scheme or Themes —available options will be displayed here.

  4. Tap on the theme you like and confirm application.

On Android 12 and newer, Google has introduced a feature Material Youthat automatically adjusts the interface color palette to the wallpaper. If this option is active, manually changing themes may be limited. To disable it:

Settings → Appearance → Styles. wallpaper → Color palette → Turn off "Thematic icons"
📊 Which version of Android are you using?
Android 10 or older
Android 11
Android 12
Android 13
Android 14
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2. UI)

Devices Samsung with a shell One UI offer one of the most flexible tools for changing themes - Samsung ThemesThis is a separate application that can be hidden in a folder Samsung or Tools.

To activate themes:

  • 📱 Find the application Themes (icon with a palette) in the menu or through search on the device.
  • 🎨 In the bottom panel, select the tab Themes (not to be confused with Wallpaper or Styles).
  • 🔍 Scroll through the list of free themes or use the search.
  • 📥 Click Apply —the theme will download and install automatically.

On One UI 5.0 and newer Samsung added a feature Color Palette (analogous to Material You), which may conflict with third-party themes. If after applying the theme, the colors of the elements remain the same, check:

Settings → Appearance and styles → Color palette → Disable
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On Samsung Galaxy S22 and newer, some themes require a reboot devices for full application. If the icons or fonts have not changed, restart the smartphone.

3. Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO: MIUI and its features

In the shell MIUI (installed on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO) the application is called Themes and is usually located on the main screen. However, there are nuances:

  • 🌍 On global versions of MIUI (MIUI Global) fewer themes are available than on Chinese ones (MIUI China).
  • 🔒 Some themes require registration in Mi Account and may be paid.
  • 📱 On devices with MIUI 14 and newer, themes are divided into categories: Wallpapers, Icons, Fonts and Styles.

Activation instructions:

  1. Open the application Topics (icon with a brush).
  2. In the bottom menu, select Profile → My topics.
  3. Click Apply next to the topic you like.
  4. Confirm the changes - some elements (for example, icons) can take up to 5 minutes to update.
How to access Chinese themes on the global MIUI?

To do this, you need to change the account region to China in the Mi Account settings. However, this may lead to restrictions. some Google services. Find details on the XDA Developers forums.

⚠️ Attention: On POCO smartphones with MIUI for POCO some themes may not be supported due to the optimized interface. Before purchasing a theme, check the compatibility in its description.

4. Third-party launchers: Nova, Apex, Lawnchair

If your device does not have a built-in theme application or its functionality is limited, you can use third-party launchersThey allow you to install themes even on devices with stripped-down skins (for example, on some). models Realme or Oppo).

The most popular launchers with theme support:

Launcher Theme support Features Download link
Nova Launcher Icons, wallpapers, folder styles Paid version supports gestures and backup Google Play
Apex Launcher Icon themes, transitions Free version with advertising Google Play
Lawnchair Responsive icons, color schemes Open source, frequently updated GitHub/F-Droid
Action Launcher Responsive themes, widgets Integration with Google Now Google Play

To apply a theme through the launcher:

  1. Install the launcher from Google Play.
  2. Download the theme (for example, from the section Themes for Nova in the Play Market).
  3. Open the launcher settings → Appearance → Themes.
  4. Select the downloaded theme and apply it.

Install launcher from an official source|Download a compatible theme (check the description)|Make a backup copy of the current settings|Reboot the device after application-->

5. Manually changing themes via ADB (for advanced users)

If the standard methods do not work and the launchers are not satisfactory, you can try changing the theme via ADB commands. data-i="166">and newer, but requires Android 8.0 and newer, but requires USB debugging and basic knowledge of working with the console.

Here are step-by-step guide:

  1. Activate Developer mode (tap on the build number 7 times in Settings → About phone).
  2. Enable USB debugging in developer settings.
  3. Connect your smartphone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.theme.systemui
  4. Reboot the device.

To change the color scheme, you can use the commands:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.theme.color.purple

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.theme.color.green

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB commands can lead to interface failures. Before experiments, create a backup copy of your data via Settings → System → Backup.
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ADB method only works on devices with an unlocked bootloader and may reset after updating the system.

6. Solving problems: themes are not applied or are reset

Sometimes after installing a theme, the changes do not take effect or are reset after a reboot. Here are the reasons and ways to eliminate them:

  • 🔄 Theme application cache: Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Themes → Memory → Clear cache.
  • 📱 Conflict with the shell: On some devices (for example, Huawei s EMUI) topics may be blocked by the system. Try using the launcher.
  • 🔒 Manufacturer restrictions: On Oppo and Vivo theme change is often limited in favor of the corporate design.
  • 📲 System update: After updating Android, themes may be reset. Apply them again.

If the theme is partially applied (for example, only icons are changed, but not colors), check:

  • Theme compatibility with your version of Android and shell.
  • Availability of updates for the application Themes v Google Play.
  • Disabling functions like Material You or Color Palette.

On devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), built-in themes may not work due to the lack of proprietary services. In this case, the only way out is to use launchers or manual configuration via ADB.

7. Alternative methods: icon packs and KWGT

If full themes are not available, you can change the appearance of your smartphone using:

  • 🎨 Iconpacks: Applications like Icon Pack Studio or CandyCons allow you to change icons without changing the theme.
  • 📊 KWGT (Kustom Widget): Creation of custom widgets with a unique design.
  • 🖼️ Substratum: Thematic engine for devices with root access.

To use an iconpack:

  1. Install the launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).
  2. Download the icon pack from Google Play.
  3. In the launcher settings, select Appearance → Icon style.
  4. Apply the downloaded pack.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about themes on Android

Is it possible to install a theme on Android without root access?

Yes, most methods (built-in settings, launchers, icon packs) do not require root access. The exception is deep customization via Substratum or manually changing system files.

Why did the theme reset after updating Android?

System updates often reset user settings, including themes. This is due to changes in the structure of system files. Apply the theme again after the update.

How to return the standard theme if the new one is not working. do you like it?

Go to the application Themes (or launcher settings) and select the option Default or Reset. A reboot may be required on some devices.

Can I create my own theme for Android?

Yes, using applications like Theme Park (for Samsung) or KLWP (for custom launchers). There are also online services for generating themes, but they require technical skills.

Why are some themes paid?

Theme developers spend time on design and adaptation for different devices. Paid themes usually offer unique elements (animations, exclusive icons) that are not available in free versions.