Many of the default Android menus are white text on a black background. Not only do I find these visually unappealing, they are actually counter productive given how poorly dark themes read in sunlight.
Can these be changed to black text on a white background (or light background) instead? Does anyone have a theme they can share to accomplish this? Thank you.
OK, I guess this is not possible. It's a shame because I find Android's list based menus awfully plain and unaesthetic. White text on a black background with little visual art...it really looks like a plain vanilla terminal of yesteryear. While I love Android's openness, customization, and tweaker-friendly platform, it really needs a major overhaul in terms of looks and user friendliness. In short, the GUI needs some polish and consistency.
It would appear that Android has built-in "themes" for apps to use. If none is specified, then the dark or black theme is used. I wonder if there is a way to force apps to use the "light" theme even if specified otherwise. Perhaps a custom ROM could be created to always use the light theme.
http://www.anddev.org/tutorial_ui_themes-t4367.html
i know this thread is old enogh, but i'm searching for a answer to this question too.
Same here, I´m looking for a solution to this problem
For me is near impossible to read white letters on black background, and i have a new ZTE Blade that can´t use because this
If someone have a solution, please !!!
Thanks!
Recently this has been bugging me as well. I wish there was a very simple way to perhaps tweak the framework and systemui so that black on white can become a reality...
This is totally feasible. You would have to do a bunch of XML edits in your framework-res.apk and declare everything correctly.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Changing the theme style in styles.xml should work I guess... if I have little to do I can take a look
Sent from my Hero using XDA App
Okay, I've done it, just gotta see if I've caused any bugs and write a how to
Edit: Bah, it's hard, the whole system and lots of apps are based on how it is now, changing it causes lots of trouble. Don't know if I'll make it :/
Btw, I did it in my cm7 theme. You can see it in my signature
Sent from my Hero using XDA
AWESOME. There are some issues though, such as black text on dark backgrounds in the music app, which I'm guessing would take more than some xml editing to fix. But other than that it's GREAT!
EnMod said:
AWESOME. There are some issues though, such as black text on dark backgrounds in the music app, which I'm guessing would take more than some xml editing to fix. But other than that it's GREAT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I have fixed most of these issues I think, but one of the issues was kind of tricky, cause when I fix them, I create others :/ and I don't have the stock music app installed atm, I will install it and see the issue myeself
Habarug said:
Thanks I have fixed most of these issues I think, but one of the issues was kind of tricky, cause when I fix them, I create others :/ and I don't have the stock music app installed atm, I will install it and see the issue myeself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see that theme anymore in your signature. Would it be possible for you to share it? I'm still in search of a way to get Android to be a bit lighter (outside of going with MIUI), which I find far more visually appealing.
Does anyone know how to change the color of the text on buttons? Ive been messing around with my phone a lot and have somehow changed the color to white and now I cant see the text on buttons. I'm running kaos froyo but all of the framework-res has been replaced. I have tried colorchanger.jar but it doesn't control these colors and I cant seem to find what file it is?
I have found a great looking theme that has all it's graphics in the drawable-hdmi folder. The only thing I need to do to use them is resize them to same size as the corresponding file for our phone, correct? Basically spinner_black.png has to be the same dimensions as the original.
Also I want to take the spinner, wait, icon out of the NFL mobile app and use it in my theme. I have been reading a lot and trying to figure this out on my own. I am now able to read all xml files in plain readable English and am able to convert it back to binary. I still don't know what all the java means but I'm trying to learn that now. Does anyone know any easy way to find what I'm looking for or should I just wait and figure it out with the knowledge of more java.
For those who are interested the resources.arsc file found in framework-res.apk is where the control of the color of buttons is located. I dont know how to decompile it into readable form yet but that is what controls colors and size of images for some things. Colors for the notification bar is held is services.jar so at least Im making some headway. I will keep posting small things I find here to help anyone wanting to make there own themes.
P.S. My **** is starting to look really sweet
Did you figure it out?
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
I can't seem to apply any themes at al to my N1. I'm currently running Enoms 2.12.2. Using metamorph it occasionally thinks the theme has been applied, but once rebooted the best I get is a wallpaper change back to stock (not a black or glass status bar). I have tried using ninjamorph to change one icon, and this simply causes a bootloop once applied.
Any ideas?
Since it might help some people in the future in case they encounter the same behavior and come here looking for answer, I'll post the answer from another thread:
The OP checked his settings and found that oveclocking was the cause of the theme not being applied. He dropped the clock speeds and a simple theme worked.
A couple of more complicated themes failed, though - so the question is still relevant.
I am using the GalaxyS theme with Vegan 5.1 right now and for the most part I really like it, problem is the status icons are horrible. I tried pulling the green icons out of the GreenV2 theme and using ninjamorph to combine them with the GS theme. (I would just flash the GreenV2 theme, but I can't stand all the other green stuff in it) Anyway, whenever I push the framework back in with NM, I go into a bootloop.
Can anyone with experience with this stuff find it in their hearts to combine these two themes and create a flashable zip? All I want are the status icons and I can provide all the files needed since they don;t seem to be readily available on the forum anymore.
Next to last post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=889670&page=2
Thanks GTO777!
In an attempt to push forward and encourage Themers from far and wide to develop MIUI Themes for V4.0 MIUI, I have provided the basic XMLS which are used in MIUI V4 Black Android. These are pretty much stripped and defaulted to two tone colours which would be very easy for users to follow, edit and create MIUI V4 Themes, as I class these theme_values as the starting point and base for Dark MIUI V4 Themes.
Over the past few weeks MIUI Android and Xiaomi have been working tightly to address various MIUI V4 Theme issues, there are few minor issues outstanding but most importantly the main Bugs are just about obsolete.
Thanks to the close communication between MIUI Android Team and Xiaomi Team.
Any questions please head over to HERE
GITHub sources here: https://github.com/miuiandroid/MIUI-V4-Theme-XML
Regards,
pele78 said:
In an attempt to push forward and encourage Themers from far and wide to develop MIUI Themes for V4.0 MIUI, I have provided the basic XMLS which are used in MIUI V4 Black Android. These are pretty much stripped and defaulted to two tone colours which would be very easy for users to follow, edit and create MIUI V4 Themes, as I class these theme_values as the starting point and base for Dark MIUI V4 Themes.
Over the past few weeks MIUI Android and Xiaomi have been working tightly to address various MIUI V4 Theme issues, there are few minor issues outstanding but most importantly the main Bugs are just about obsolete.
Thanks to the close communication between MIUI Android Team and Xiaomi Team.
Any questions please head over to HERE
GITHub sources here: https://github.com/miuiandroid/MIUI-V4-Theme-XML
Regards,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks peel.
work
jooode said:
thanks peel.
work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your welcome.
I have a question you may be able to help me with since you know about the theme structures. I swapped some status bar files from a gb theme I like to V4 for my phone(GNex) and the phone signal icons and data icons are kinda on top of each other.
Is there somewhere in the xml files maybe that determines the placement of those since on ics the data icon is right up on the phone signal.
Thanks if you can help me
HumanXv2 said:
I have a question you may be able to help me with since you know about the theme structures. I swapped some status bar files from a gb theme I like to V4 for my phone(GNex) and the phone signal icons and data icons are kinda on top of each other.
Is there somewhere in the xml files maybe that determines the placement of those since on ics the data icon is right up on the phone signal.
Thanks if you can help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
This is not XML related, so your in luck.
What you need to do is compare the GB Pngs against the ICS Pngs from both miuisystemui > drawable-hdpi folders.
You will see some slight differences in dimensions of the pngs, so you may have to adjust the image or canvas size to get it to look just right. Also you could look at the image itsefl and reposition it slightly.
Also, check that the filenames are correct. ICS has slight different filenames compared to GB.
Regards
Thanks a lot man. I will check sizes and all that stuff
I'm new to this theming thing so bear with me, but if I wanted to change the color of the text that appears on status bar notifications which value(s) would I have to edit. Because everytime I mix and match themes I always end up with black text on a black backgroud or vice versa
pele78 said:
Hi,
This is not XML related, so your in luck.
What you need to do is compare the GB Pngs against the ICS Pngs from both miuisystemui > drawable-hdpi folders.
You will see some slight differences in dimensions of the pngs, so you may have to adjust the image or canvas size to get it to look just right. Also you could look at the image itsefl and reposition it slightly.
Also, check that the filenames are correct. ICS has slight different filenames compared to GB.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the one thing that's driving me nuts about MIUI v4. In previous versions the statusbar icons displayed according to the image dimensions. Now it resizes the icons in seemingly random ways. Icons on the left are shown at 27x27, some on the right are at 38x38, and others seem to be displaying at 35x35. I want the old behaviour back, i.e 25.0dip across the board.
Well, thanks for the xmls, helped me solve an issue.
Hey,
Just wanted to say a BIG thanx for all the hard work! Loving your Black Android theme...
I've started it as my base... and I'm running into two font color problems I was hoping you could help me out with...
When downloading anything... the font is black in the drop down...
And second, the font is black with pop-up notifications...
If you could let me know which values these are... I would greatly appreciate it!
pele78 said:
Hi,
This is not XML related, so your in luck.
What you need to do is compare the GB Pngs against the ICS Pngs from both miuisystemui > drawable-hdpi folders.
You will see some slight differences in dimensions of the pngs, so you may have to adjust the image or canvas size to get it to look just right. Also you could look at the image itsefl and reposition it slightly.
Also, check that the filenames are correct. ICS has slight different filenames compared to GB.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what it was. They were 38x38 centered so I took them to 25x25 and moved them to the upper left corner and now they are on the upper side of my signal bars. Thank you
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Let me get this straight....
The files are basically a theme minus all associated images?
I am not a themed but I would love to learn so I can help get more themes usable on v4. I'm able to get the docks and status bars I want to work but that's about all I have messed with.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Beautiful! Just in time to finish my Dark Mint theme
frigers said:
I'm new to this theming thing so bear with me, but if I wanted to change the color of the text that appears on status bar notifications which value(s) would I have to edit. Because everytime I mix and match themes I always end up with black text on a black backgroud or vice versa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best option is to grab the xmls from BAT (black Android theme) as its mainly two tone colors for ease. Im not sure if your referring to the status bar of the notification bar. There are xmls in the miuisystemui that might be what you are looking for.
DeNitE said:
Hey,
Just wanted to say a BIG thanx for all the hard work! Loving your Black Android theme...
I've started it as my base... and I'm running into two font color problems I was hoping you could help me out with...
When downloading anything... the font is black in the drop down...
And second, the font is black with pop-up notifications...
If you could let me know which values these are... I would greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again same applies to what i mentioned to the above user. Grab the xmls from BAT as a start - thing with MIUI V4 is that there is ALOT of interweaving with colors - you change one part and it affects 3 other things which may mean change pngs, which might not appeal.
The pop up notifications you refer too, im unsure - but if you mean the tiny box at the bottom of the screen then that image can be edited - look for Toast.png in framework and miui framework, hdpi and xhdpi folders.
HumanXv2 said:
Let me get this straight....
The files are basically a theme minus all associated images?
I am not a themed but I would love to learn so I can help get more themes usable on v4. I'm able to get the docks and status bars I want to work but that's about all I have messed with.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but BAT 1089 build is also released with images, play ard with it so you build up some knowledge on what affects what and same applies to the theme value.xmls
Hope i answered everyone with enough info
Regards
Thanx for the suggestions... I've figured out everything except the black font color when downloading a file... Its black on black in ur BAT theme as well...
Sent from my Galaxy SII T-mobile using xda premium
DeNitE said:
Thanx for the suggestions... I've figured out everything except the black font color when downloading a file... Its black on black in ur BAT theme as well...
Sent from my Galaxy SII T-mobile using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok note :
Samsung Galaxy S II users, there is a known issue for this device, when applying themes - does not apply correctly or permanently. I have mentioned this to the Xiaomi Theme Team and they are working on it.
Seems to affect Samsung devices so they are gonna check out the rest.
Im on the case dont worry.
Question... Everytime I edit the description.xml file... My theme stops working... It isn't recognized in the theme app... Or only part of the theme works... Suggestions?
Sent from my Galaxy SII T-mobile using xda premium
DeNitE said:
Question... Everytime I edit the description.xml file... My theme stops working... It isn't recognized in the theme app... Or only part of the theme works... Suggestions?
Sent from my Galaxy SII T-mobile using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have a look at the description file in black android.
make sure your not changing the uiversion or post your description here so i can take a look.
Pele, can you confirm something for me regarding themes not being applied properly in ICS...
On my SGS...
1. Fonts don't apply
2. Certain theme_values.xml's don't seem to be applied. In my experience this is the case with MMS and Contacts... e.g. changing font colours or margins doesn't make a difference. This problem may affect other apk's too.
3. Any change to status_bar_icon_size in fw-res and systemui doesn't make a difference. The values appear to be unchangeable.
4. The secondary text colour in the notification pulldown can't be changed. Having investigated the various xmls, it appears to be hard-coded to a light orange colour.
I was wondering if you can confirm whether these issues also affect the SGS2, and whether some or all of these are Samsung-specific problems.
MIUIv4 still has a long way to go imo before it's as theme-friendly as GB.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?>
<MIUI-Theme>
<title>MIUI v4 - DeNitE! - Black & Blue</title>
<designer>DeNitE!</designer>
<author>DeNitE!</author>
<version>0000</version>
<uiVersion>2</uiVersion>
</MIUI-Theme>
- With this file... the theme is recognized, but the status bar doesn't change... and it doesn't recognize some of the preview png's...
Jumba said:
Pele, can you confirm something for me regarding themes not being applied properly in ICS...
On my SGS...
1. Fonts don't apply
2. Certain theme_values.xml's don't seem to be applied. In my experience this is the case with MMS and Contacts... e.g. changing font colours or margins doesn't make a difference. This problem may affect other apk's too.
3. Any change to status_bar_icon_size in fw-res and systemui doesn't make a difference. The values appear to be unchangeable.
4. The secondary text colour in the notification pulldown can't be changed. Having investigated the various xmls, it appears to be hard-coded to a light orange colour.
I was wondering if you can confirm whether these issues also affect the SGS2, and whether some or all of these are Samsung-specific problems.
MIUIv4 still has a long way to go imo before it's as theme-friendly as GB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Jumba,
ok
1. Currently discussing this with Xiaomi and finding ways and solutions around this ( GB and ICS have different Font systems )
2. Could you explain a bit more in detail on this, afaik MMS is fully editable
3. You should be able to change these but give me an example and if you are working with HDPI/XHDPI or both.
4. discussing this at the moment - though making good progress with some findings - hoping to have a automated way around this, at the moment its a manual method.
Yes Samsung devices and now possibly others are affected, though we have a solution, just seeing if it can be automated.
My aim is to get V4 Theme-Dev 110% editable - every visual UI editable.
DeNitE said:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?>
<MIUI-Theme>
<title>MIUI v4 - DeNitE! - Black & Blue</title>
<designer>DeNitE!</designer>
<author>DeNitE!</author>
<version>0000</version>
<uiVersion>2</uiVersion>
</MIUI-Theme>
- With this file... the theme is recognized, but the status bar doesn't change... and it doesn't recognize some of the preview png's...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the preview pngs erm.... i dont know the V4 names off by heart but if you download a chinese V4 theme it should have the correct names for each preview image. also make sure your previews are in reasonable size e.g. 400x800 or xhdpi size.