Database Develop

change menus from White on Black to Black on White?

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.

[REQUEST] WidgetLocker Lockscreen/Background

Hi
Im not sure where to post my request, because i didn't wnat to "blow up" the FAQ&Help-Thread with a request, but if a mod thinks it fits better there or in another part of the forum, just feel free to move my thread.
I was playing around with dozens of sliders and lockscreens, but im not happy at all. Maybe it is because of all these phantastic screens mady with help of psd's (Photoshop) and more. I dont have photoshop and dont have "skills" doing some nice screen by myself, so maybe someone can provide me with some nice WLTheme and Background.
Lets start with the slider. I like these new Sense 3-Sliders, like these:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13151132&postcount=544
All i want is nearly the same, just with a few less arrows. And i'd like to see the text "unlock" changed into the german "Entsperren", or maybe no text at all.
Now for the background/wallpaper. I love shelfs, like this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14300526&postcount=31660
or
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/607/33111.jpg/
I'd like to have a background with maybe 2 or 3 shelfs, where i can put my icons on it by myself, and maybe one without shelf, for playing around. I know that putting the icons on the shelfs without playing with the psd's is hard, but i could try
I will either use these icons:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13151132&postcount=544
or maybe
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14307546&postcount=31692
(the round ones)
For the colours....I like black, dark blue, dark grey, but please no green, no orange, no pink and other "freaky" colours
This is a very nice Background too:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14315167&postcount=1218
This is something i'd like to use
I have a SonyEricsson Xperia Play (480 x 854). If you need more details, tell me.
Can someone do me the favour of doing these things?
Would love it, thanks

I have/had no skills either but downloaded GIMP (it's free) and googled for instructional videos to watch and asked the others here on xda how they did theirs and learned to do what i wanted done. Frustrating sometimes but worth the effort i think .
Good luck !

I am nearly done with something looking like
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14315167&postcount=1218
and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14300526&postcount=31660
I was able to arrange the icons so close together as in the screens. I had to change the grid/alignment of WidgetLocker to 12x12.
But some tiny things are missing. Maybe someone can lend me hand with that.
I am using the same Icons as http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14300526&postcount=31660, but i wasnt able to find the phone icon. I went to Agamemnon's deviantArt-collection and found the icon:
http://agamemmnon.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=24#/d3gjnie
I grabbed the icon, but it has a white background. Can someone edit it for me and make a transparent background so i can use it?
Then i saw this nice Gmail-Ribbon:
http://agamemmnon.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=0#/d3hftzy
Can someone "combine" this ribbon with the dark Mail-Icon, so it will look like this one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14300526&postcount=31660
But even if i can manage these things, there is still one issue. I am using SMS Unread Count for adding notification-bubbles to the MAIL, DIALER and MESSAGING icons. But the bubbles are way too small. This happened because i had to change the WidgetLocker grid/alignment to the maximum of 12x12.
Can someone help me out?
Thanks

KF1 Theme Problem

I have been theming a KF1 build from the leaked KF1 firmware (Now have moved on to Cognition 5.2 but have the same problem) and have run into one seemingly small problem - - the drop down shade shows black text on the very first notification (for Lookout app). Please see attached screenshot.
I haven't been able to find the correct xml file to edit. Does anyone know of the "usual" file I need to edit to show white text instead of the black?
I apologize if this question has been answered before and I appreciate any help given.
ADDITION: I posted this in the Q&A section and have gotten no response. Hopefully someone will know a solution.
It also occurred to me yesterday to try and lighten the background to make the black text more visible. I'm currently trying that path but if anyone can tell me which text color attribute in which xml file for what apk to change to white, I would be grateful.
Thank you for your time and consideration!

That is because that notification is run by Lookout, you would have to edit/change some settings in Lookout to get the text to be white.

DemonWav said:
That is because that notification is run by Lookout, you would have to edit/change some settings in Lookout to get the text to be white.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you....I thought of that but I'm kind of bummed because Lookout updates semi-constantly. After an update I assume the text would go back to black.
I'll try it and see......stay tuned!
EDIT: Can't seem to find the apk for Lookout (not in system/apps) which makes sense since it is a security app. Oh, well....trying opacity with the background next

any chance of you uploading your theme at all?

cbalt said:
any chance of you uploading your theme at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
srsly, looks sexy

You could try to do what I thought up of and make the background for notifications a gradient so though black text would still be harder to read, it wouldn't be invisible.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1059841

I will create a full CWM zip file tomorrow and upload it here.
My DSL is down until my ISP brings a new modem tomorrow.
Please know that I didn't do anything extraordinary...just changed some png files from some roms I liked as well as changed some colors here and there. I will try to give some credit where I remember.
I did add the AOSP lockscreen mod as well as the ui mod. Let me figure out who to credit so we all can recognize all the talented devs we all rely upon as well as admire.
Thank you for your interest and consideration!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App

I tried to upload my theme and screenshots but I think I uploaded the wrong files.
I did a complete reinstall of Cog 5 v2 to check the theme and it seems I'm missing something.
Oh well....learning here. Stay tuned!

I started fresh but am having problems making the shade background transparent.
Every graphic I can think of in SystemUI and Framework-res are 10-50% transparent and all I get is this gray background on the shade. Maddening!!
I borrowed the shade graphic from Blue Darkness just to test (in case anyone unzips the files) so I can see if I get a transparent shade.
Any suggestions would be apppreciated. Thanks!
ADDITION: For some reason every screenshot app I use discolors the blues and the reds/oranges. I apologize for the weird screenshots.

I am confused, what are you trying to do?
Oh, and protip, use ddms.bat in your tools folder of your sdk for screenshots. Not only is it easier to get the screenshots onto your computer (cause they already are...) they won't be scewy.

mattern1974 said:
Thank you....I thought of that but I'm kind of bummed because Lookout updates semi-constantly. After an update I assume the text would go back to black.
I'll try it and see......stay tuned!
EDIT: Can't seem to find the apk for Lookout (not in system/apps) which makes sense since it is a security app. Oh, well....trying opacity with the background next
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The apk is probably in data/app since you had to install it!

[THEME] [APPS] [IZS] Black&White IZS - Updated for IZSv2 - (30/08/2013)

Black&White IZS Theme
Whats been modded:
SystemUI.apk
framework-res.apk
lge-res.apk
LGSettings3_1.apk
LGContacts3.apk
LGBrowser.apk
Screenshots:
Uploading
Recommended Settings:
Under Settings/Screen ---> Change font to HYSerif. If you have difficulties to read the texts, increase the font size to "Large".
Under Power Saving Options ---> I recommend to enable show the remaining battery percentage (the one that shows the number aside the icon) and disable the battery level label on top of the icon. However, you can now choose the second option too since I modified the color to be black (over white icon).
Downloads:
Main: http://d-h.st/geR
Mirror: http://www.mediafire.com/?lih0a9h1tmcnb7b
Optional Flashables:
Brightness Slider: http://d-h.st/tzr
(these will delete the LG app and install the google's stock ics app)
AOSP Browser: http://d-h.st/upS
AOSP Gallery: http://d-h.st/gMz
AOSP LockScreen: http://d-h.st/X6f
And if you want to get back your LG stuff...
Back to LG Browser: http://d-h.st/9Fu
Back to LG Gallery: http://d-h.st/JvT
Back to LG LockScreen: http://d-h.st/6NR
Notes:
- If you cant see the status bar (its full black without icons).
Plug your phone to the pc and the statusbar will appear.
- If you want to change the background.
1.- Download my flashable zip.
2.- Open it and extract "lge-res.apk" from "framework" folder.
3.- Open "lge-res.apk" with winrar and extract "mybackground.png" located at "/lge-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/".
4.- Modify the png file the way you want (maintain the 480x800 size).
5.- Put the modified png (must be named "mybackground.png") inside "lge-res.apk" (drag and drop to "/lge-res.apk/res/drawable-hdpi/", where it was)
6.- Put "lge-res.apk" inside the flashable zip (drag and drop to "framework" folder, back where it was).
7.- Flash the theme
Credits:
Huge thanks to Huexxx for keeping our phone alive. His roms are always rock stable and fluid as butter.
Also big big thanks to diazao, cuz I grabbed some stuff from him. He did an awesome job theming the official stock ICS rom.
​

Awsome work !!!
Really like it !!!!
sent from my blacky
powered by
!¡! IZS !¡!
Thanx to HEUXXX !!!!!

there's no way to revert all if i don't like it?
anyway, thanks for your great job!

The theme is great! But I've found a little bug. When I enter the PIN number, but "*" are white, can you make the background black?
Suggestions:
In the wifi menu (just for an example), the buttons in the bottom (to search wifi) are hard to read;
Colorful icons;
When selecting a menu, the selection bar before entering the menu is to bright;
The little arrows in the network bar (when mobile data is active), they are hard to read, it should be another color
---------- Post added at 02:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:26 PM ----------
giutal said:
there's no way to revert all if i don't like it?
anyway, thanks for your great job!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just reinstall IZS without wipe the data.
---------- Post added at 02:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:27 PM ----------
By the way, I know the theme is "black&white", but it would be nice to have one with some color, some life. Just like samsung galaxy, or something... Now I think it is to0 plain...

Launcher
which launcher were you using when you took the screenshots?
And which is that power widget you're using?
And thanks, the theme looks very nice!

Miguelens said:
which launcher were you using when you took the screenshots?
And which is that power widget you're using?
And thanks, the theme looks very nice!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go launcher and power toggles widget
Sent from my LG-P970 using xda premium

This looks so cool and when you have the time,maybe you might look into CM10/10.1 and create a similar theme?
Sent from my LG-P970 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Can you fix the text color in url textbox in web browser? Now it is dark grey on black background. Thanks!

Yeh I noticed that too =)
Will try to fix it asap. And now that I have to look into the browser, I may theme it too. =)
Edit: by the way, I already fixed the signal arrows on top of wifi/signal icons. Now its holo blue with black shadow.
And also fixed the color of the borderless bottom buttons in some setting screens (like WiFi and Sync) to a darker color. Now the text is completly readable.
Edit2: now you can also select the battery percentage to be on top of the icon. I changed the percentage to be black instead of white so its readable.
Edit3: fixed black on black text on LGBrowser URL box.

New version up.
Solved most of the bugs above mentioned.
Redesigned contact default pictures.
Hope you like the new settings/dialer background. I think its dark enough to read everything. However if someone feels its too much annoying, dont hesitate to say it. I might change the background in the coming days.

Grakel said:
New version up.
Solved most of the bugs above mentioned.
Redesigned contact default pictures.
Hope you like the new settings/dialer background. I think its dark enough to read everything. However if someone feels its too much annoying, dont hesitate to say it. I might change the background in the coming days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another suggestions
1 - The background should be more subtle. In the definitions, with the letters, some parts are a little hard to read...
2 - The active options (that have a "V"), the background is black and the "V" is blue, like the default. But in comparison to the options that aren't active, with the white background, it stands out more the non active option than the active options. I think the background should be switched.
3 - In the notifications bar, when in notifications, the background in the left square (that have the icon), are too bright, the background should be more black, if not really black.
4 - When selection of a menu, right before entering the menu, the color of the selection is a little too bright.
5 - Colorful icons
A last suggestion, at least for me, it would be nice to have a theme Black&Blue. It gave more life to the phone.
Overall, that is a great work!

Thanks for new version
Arrows on wifi and signal indicators are ok, percentage on battery indicator too.. But I don't like the background of dialer, settings menu etc., maybe only black color is better..
But thanks for your great work!
Sent from my LG-P970 using xda app-developers app

1 - The background should be more subtle. In the definitions, with the letters, some parts are a little hard to read...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats right, I modified it to be darker, without white spaces.
2 - The active options (that have a "V"), the background is black and the "V" is blue, like the default. But in comparison to the options that aren't active, with the white background, it stands out more the non active option than the active options. I think the background should be switched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I redesigned the checkboxes. Hope you like it.
3 - In the notifications bar, when in notifications, the background in the left square (that have the icon), are too bright, the background should be more black, if not really black.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Redesigned to black with thin white separator.
4 - When selection of a menu, right before entering the menu, the color of the selection is a little too bright.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont get it. You mean the highlight when pressing a row in settings for example? I feel its quite acceptable. I may modify it in next releases tho =)
5 - Colorful icons
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill make colorful themes in a future. But I just want to make this to my taste, since Im not one of those persons who like colorful UI's. Once I get this theme done, I'll start the colors.
A last suggestion, at least for me, it would be nice to have a theme Black&Blue. It gave more life to the phone.
Overall, that is a great work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, more themes to come!
Thanks for your time =)
Ill upload the updates tonight or tomorrow morning.

I like this, there still some stuff to be fixed like the box for pin code cant be read and some others..
But please can you leave this theme as stock as possible maybe even change this bacground to be like in cyanogen ...
But still excellent job

hare89 said:
I like this, there still some stuff to be fixed like the box for pin code cant be read and some others..
But please can you leave this theme as stock as possible maybe even change this bacground to be like in cyanogen ...
But still excellent job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im sorry but I'm making this theme to my own taste.
You'll have to wait for other themes to see if they fit your taste better =)
Edit: aaand the text box on pin lock screen... its not much of an issue. I mean, Ill eventually fix it, but its just 4 "*"characters what you miss.

Grakel said:
Thats right, I modified it to be darker, without white spaces.
I redesigned the checkboxes. Hope you like it.
Redesigned to black with thin white separator.
I dont get it. You mean the highlight when pressing a row in settings for example? I feel its quite acceptable. I may modify it in next releases tho =)
Ill make colorful themes in a future. But I just want to make this to my taste, since Im not one of those persons who like colorful UI's. Once I get this theme done, I'll start the colors.
Sure, more themes to come!
Thanks for your time =)
Ill upload the updates tonight or tomorrow morning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Can't wait for more...

I fixed the PIN lock screen issue. It was pretty easy to find the value which stands for the text color.
But, before I upload the last version with the fixes. I also wanted to change the settings header (top grey bar with the settings default icon and "Settings" text) but wtf I keep looking for it and I dont seem to find it. Now Im lost, not sure if its gonna be an xml hex color code, or a small png somewhere under the drawables.
If someone has any idea about where could it be, I'd appretiate the help =)

And this...

stoplysy said:
And this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill take a look at it.
You people know how to report bugs, but didnt even drop a thanks on the OP lol

Thanks
+
"Ill take a look at it "

[Q] Making Xperia theme

Hello, im trying to make my own theme for xperia devices (android 4.4) and i want to make it dark/black, now im kinda stuck with my theme because i dont know how to change font color of texts in message app, settings, contacts, alarm, and basically all system apps that can be affected by theme. I have changed most of backgrounds and now this bothers me so much, i have wanted to make theme as i would like to use but its not really that much usable if i dont change font color, i appreciate any help.
Im sorry if this is not right place to post question, if its against the rules report to admins so they can move it to other forum.

Please tell me which device you have and I will move it for you to the correct forum

CroNoob said:
Hello, im trying to make my own theme for xperia devices (android 4.4) and i want to make it dark/black, now im kinda stuck with my theme because i dont know how to change font color of texts in message app, settings, contacts, alarm, and basically all system apps that can be affected by theme. I have changed most of backgrounds and now this bothers me so much, i have wanted to make theme as i would like to use but its not really that much usable if i dont change font color, i appreciate any help.
Im sorry if this is not right place to post question, if its against the rules report to admins so they can move it to other forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check all xmls in res folders and you'll see font color.
Set those lines to white HEX codes colors.
When we are talking about system fonts, or font color in settings you will have to edit few files more.
It's to big thing to say in one post but try to search a bit and you'll find tutorials.
Try to search for editing smali, font color in settings and android theming

gregbradley said:
Please tell me which device you have and I will move it for you to the correct forum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its Xperia E1, but it doesnt have specific page. Thank you for a reply.
funky0308 said:
Check all xmls in res folders and you'll see font color.
Set those lines to white HEX codes colors.
When we are talking about system fonts, or font color in settings you will have to edit few files more.
It's to big thing to say in one post but try to search a bit and you'll find tutorials.
Try to search for editing smali, font color in settings and android theming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the help, will try.

CroNoob said:
Its Xperia E1, but it doesnt have specific page. Thank you for a reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have arranged for the Xperia E1 to be added to this section
It will not be until after the weekend, I will move this thread then.
Greg

CroNoob said:
Hello, im trying to make my own theme for xperia devices (android 4.4) and i want to make it dark/black, now im kinda stuck with my theme because i dont know how to change font color of texts in message app, settings, contacts, alarm, and basically all system apps that can be affected by theme. I have changed most of backgrounds and now this bothers me so much, i have wanted to make theme as i would like to use but its not really that much usable if i dont change font color, i appreciate any help.
Im sorry if this is not right place to post question, if its against the rules report to admins so they can move it to other forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that gives one a headache.
You need to edit the overlay XMLs for a lot of themed APKs, the color.xml.
It's a bit of a detective work and trial and error.
One thing that will make your head explode is the fact that "semc_text_color_primary" in com.sonyericsson.uxp also sets the color for search and edit text boxes. I have managed to controle the color of search boxes by making overlay XMLs for some layout-XMLs and styles for framework-res, but the edit-text boxes still folows "semc_text_color_primary".
I will go into detalis when i get the time in a new thread. I will post a theme you can use as base when time is in my favour.

Emperor.dk said:
Yes, that gives one a headache.
You need to edit the overlay XMLs for a lot of themed APKs, the color.xml.
It's a bit of a detective work and trial and error.
One thing that will make your head explode is the fact that "semc_text_color_primary" in com.sonyericsson.uxp also sets the color for search and edit text boxes. I have managed to controle the color of search boxes by making overlay XMLs for some layout-XMLs and styles for framework-res, but the edit-text boxes still folows "semc_text_color_primary".
I will go into detalis when i get the time in a new thread. I will post a theme you can use as base when time is in my favour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for a reply.
I was busy last few days, sorry for a late reply.
I agree with you, it is really messed up to use one color for every system text, if i set white (since most background graphics are black) then i cant see anything on dialer because of white background. I have made another test theme with blue/white/gray details and its simple to use blue text in any app, but since there is a lot of people who would like to enjoy black theme (unfortunately Xperia E1 have non aosp roms) its too bad that making a useful black theme could be that hard.
Im waiting for your new thread, in meantime i will try to find a solution.