Android 12: In-depth theme system that can repaint apps

With Android 10, Google has introduced a dedicated dark mode to reduce eye strain and just look cooler. For Android 12, Google is working to create a much deeper theme system that can repaint supported apps.

On Google’s Pixel phones today, you can choose one of a handful of colors to use as an accent in a handful of places, such as the Quick Settings tiles and the brightness slider. In addition, the most important way to customize the colors of your phone is to switch between the light and the dark theme.

According to information provided by 9to5Google, Android 12 is bringing a native theme system, allowing you to choose a primary color and an accent color, and see the colors reflected across Android – where supported, more on this. The primary color chosen should even affect things like the background color of notifications and the Quick Settings area.

We have produced some rough mockup images that show what it is could seems to have a theme activated. In the first mockup, I borrowed the ‘Dull’ blue shadow for Android and combined it with the Pixel’s ‘Space’ accent color. In the second model, I used some colors from a green color palette for material design.

The actual colors you can choose from will vary from brand to brand and possibly even model to model, as each phone manufacturer probably has their own colors. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be an option to set up your own unique color scheme, or to install one through the Play Store.

However, what makes Android theme system really special is that your chosen primary and accent colors will also be accessible to Android app developers. This means that your favorite Android apps can better match the chosen theme of your phone if their developers prefer.

By comparison, apps built for Android 10+ simply know if you’re in light or dark mode and can adapt to anything that the app considers a dark theme. However, dark mode is a subjective issue, and many have differing opinions on which scheme is best. Some prefer a dark gray or even navy blue base, while others dispute that true “AMOLED black” is the only real dark theme.

Instead of developers having to design multiple color schemes to suit their customers, individuals can choose their own color scheme and possibly have it respected by programs. This level of deeper customization that can affect third-party apps, as Android 12 appears to have, previously required a rooted device and Substratum, a community-built theme system.

One important difference between the theme of Android 12 and Substratum is that Substratum power individual apps in a particular look, while Android 12 only presentations your chosen theme colors to apps as part of Android’s API.

Interestingly, your Android 12 theme colors can be automatically selected based on your current background. When you change wallpaper, Android should be able to seamlessly change to new colors similar to the color palette of your wallpaper.

Since Android 12 is still in early development, it’s still possible for Google to remove this new theme system before it launches later this year. We’ll probably learn more when we get our hands on Android 12 Developer Preview, which may happen next month.

Dylan Roussel contributed to this article

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