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.

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?
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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!

(Help) Need Help with a minor modification.

I posted this in the Inc2 theming section but nobody seems to be willing to give a hand so I decided to post in the general android section in hopes of more experienced themers seeing my request for help.
I usually do all my own theming for my widgets and icons but this one is giving me trouble. Could someone possibly help me out and change the RSS text from blue to white on this widget for me and resign it? I cannot for the life of me figure out how to change the text and everytime I have tried signing this it still won't install, I've tried 3 different signing tools.
Thanks in advance to anyone that's willing to help, I have done all the modding I need on this widget to get it to match the theme I'm working on, just need the text color fixed real bad.

wow, 60 views and not a single person willing to give me a hand or at least point me in the right direction?

dankblaze said:
wow, 60 views and not a single person willing to give me a hand or at least point me in the right direction?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im looking at it right now... i dont have your device but an willing to change what is needed and upload for you, im not seeing any "BLUE" to change, all im seeing is white and black for test color references.
so you want the rss feed text in this apk, to be changed from blue to white?
can u supply a screenshot?
is your themes primary text color blue? it does use whatever color that is but can be changed.
Edit:
changed the only color reference that wasnt black or white, i changed it to white.
see if this changed anything...

ciscogee said:
im looking at it right now... i dont have your device but an willing to change what is needed and upload for you, im not seeing any "BLUE" to change, all im seeing is white and black for test color references.
so you want the rss feed text in this apk, to be changed from blue to white?
can u supply a screenshot?
is your themes primary text color blue? it does use whatever color that is but can be changed.
Edit:
changed the only color reference that wasnt black or white, i changed it to white.
see if this changed anything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it did not change the RSS feed text. The text for that won't change when theming the whole phone because the app itself has that color specified. That's why I need it changed to white.
I included 2 pictures, How it looks on the normal gray background the widget comes with and how it looks on my revised background .png
You'll see why I need white text for the glass design I made for the app. (ignore the cutoff text on the bottom, it's an issue with the widget that has been present since they released it.)
*on a side note, i am not theming any system apps or framework until the ICS build I am using hits a more stable build. This theme for right now mainly consists of my custom glass widgets and custom glass icons. Sadly this is the last one I need to make my homescreen theme complete.
Thank you very much btw for looking into this, I really appreciate it.

dankblaze said:
Unfortunately it did not change the RSS feed text. The text for that won't change when theming the whole phone because the app itself has that color specified. That's why I need it changed to white.
I included 2 pictures, How it looks on the normal gray background the widget comes with and how it looks on my revised background .png
You'll see why I need white text for the glass design I made for the app. (ignore the cutoff text on the bottom, it's an issue with the widget that has been present since they released it.)
*on a side note, i am not theming any system apps or framework until the ICS build I am using hits a more stable build. This theme for right now mainly consists of my custom glass widgets and custom glass icons. Sadly this is the last one I need to make my homescreen theme complete.
Thank you very much btw for looking into this, I really appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill give it another shot
Sent from my SCH-I400 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 10:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:19 PM ----------
i took another look and all the text colors are either black or white?
it does run off an widget.xml that is your rss feeder, but have no idea how to mess with that.
sorry i couldnt be of more help

[Q] Sense 6 questions/problems

So the new Sense 6 update is out, i thought we/i need a help thread about it:
i have a few problems/questions:
1. The lockscreen transparency is moddable? it is too transparent for me and i cant read the sms on it. 5.5 was also transparent, but i dont really remember how it did it to be readable, i never had this problem
2. also, this sms notification has moved in the upper part of the screen and when i slide it upwards it doesnt take me to sms application as it used to do any fix?
3. i can't find a setting in camera for selecting the resolution of the pictures, also, some blueish/magenta tint in dark areas, which i didnt have with previous version
4. all the ringtones are changed/modded, they sound like a girlish version of the previous ones, i kinda liked the old ones better, does anyone have them somewhere?
5. you guys continue
thanks

cobrax2 said:
So the new Sense 6 update is out, i thought we/i need a help thread about it:
i have a few problems/questions:
1. The lockscreen transparency is moddable? it is too transparent for me and i cant read the sms on it. 5.5 was also transparent, but i dont really remember how it did it to be readable, i never had this problem
2. also, this sms notification has moved in the upper part of the screen and when i slide it upwards it doesnt take me to sms application as it used to do any fix?
3. i can't find a setting in camera for selecting the resolution of the pictures, also, some blueish/magenta tint in dark areas, which i didnt have with previous version
4. all the ringtones are changed/modded, they sound like a girlish version of the previous ones, i kinda liked the old ones better, does anyone have them somewhere?
5. you guys continue
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not a fan of the new Gallery app. Seems a bit clunky. Albums are now favored instead of Events. However when you add photos to a new album, you can't delete the photo if you don't like it. You can only Remove it from that album, not delete it. To delete it you have to go back to all Camera shots, or the Timeline, find the photo then delete it.
---------- Post added at 02:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------
Is it me or is the space between the first row of icons and the transparent navigation bar gotten bigger?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

gustav30 said:
I'm not a fan of the new Gallery app. Seems a bit clunky. Albums are now favored instead of Events. However when you add photos to a new album, you can't delete the photo if you don't like it. You can only Remove it from that album, not delete it. To delete it you have to go back to all Camera shots, or the Timeline, find the photo then delete it.
---------- Post added at 02:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------
Is it me or is the space between the first row of icons and the transparent navigation bar gotten bigger?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, in final version the space is bigger, ive read about it in other topics. only option would be to replace prism.apk with an older one, but i dont know if you'd want to do that

gustav30 said:
Is it me or is the space between the first row of icons and the transparent navigation bar gotten bigger?
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cobrax2 said:
yes, in final version the space is bigger, ive read about it in other topics. only option would be to replace prism.apk with an older one, but i dont know if you'd want to do that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an updated Prism Fix here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=52784729&postcount=78550

cobrax2 said:
3. i can't find a setting in camera for selecting the resolution of the pictures, also, some blueish/magenta tint in dark areas, which i didnt have with previous version
4. all the ringtones are changed/modded, they sound like a girlish version of the previous ones, i kinda liked the old ones better, does anyone have them somewhere?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3. It's not there, I think the maximum resolution is forced. About the blueish tint - maybe White balance is off, I think I remember other saying, that it needs a little calibration.
4. If you download a sense 5.5 ROM, you can use the ringtones by putting it in to the/system (or even on the external memory in their folders).

Overlay Thread - Verizon s8+

For those who have not headed over to the overlay post: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/themes/substratum-inversion-ui-overlay-overlays-t3604341
There are some cool things going on with themes and overlays. Some non-rooted methods are allowing us to change system icons, colors etc. Not eveything has been found yet so please be patient..
Here are a few of my additions. I do not take credit for making any of these other than changing the colors. A lot of these have been made by people in the original post and if you like their work please post up a thanks or donate to them.
When installing, pay attention to the package name if you wish to uninstall. Uninstall via app manager.
HOW TO'S for theme-ing - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633333
Post updated - Installer package and Reboot menu

Pics

Thank you for this!
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

ars0n said:
Pics
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I ask what Samsung theme your using?

red neon in samsung store

Here is a lil easier to read notifications, make them red..
Also make sure to re apply these apks after any theme application or updates.

ars0n i LOVE the red work you've done and REALLY wanna put it on my phone...but the files you've posted...ive installed and tried to use before and once rebooted..the only thing that would show up is the tab to access the edge screen and i wasnt even able to use that..my point in this ramble...is there something im doing wrong? do you need to be on the stock (Out of the box theme) in order to use these?

try the red neon theme, you should be able to download 1 0 min trial.
Can I ask if you have any other kind of theme or oer lays installed? Navbar or status bar mods/apks?
I am on stock verizon rom that came with phone. And on the newest update and the overlays still work (had to reinstall).

I'm on stock Verizon ROM. And no other mods installed. Was just hoping to get this to work without having to factory data reset again if it doesn't...

Do one at a time for me if you can and let me know.. I am using the verizon framework for the s8+ but I am also on the newest update, so not sure if that matters or not.
I only use the newest syustemui RED ON RED with the blackred in call UI, just 2 apks plus the neon red theme. Install the theme first, then do the apks and reboot and let me know!

Ok. I am on the latest update as well. I think where I went wrong easier installed all the files you posted and also didn't have the theme installed

Is the theme which made your status bar icons red or was it one if the overlays?

the system icons and red nav apk should do it. The battery is also red now.

ars0n said:
the system icons and red nav apk should do it. The battery is also red now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright thanks, I just needed to know because I'm gonna try and edit it to make it blue instead so it matches my theme.

Great work!
I wish my S8+ was rooted?

Deleted
I wish my S8 plus was rooted?

How can I go about changing the color myself? Anything I need special?

RedBullSlurpie said:
How can I go about changing the color myself? Anything I need special?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put instructions at the top on how to theme!

Works just can't get red nav on home screen and battery not red
Sent from my SM-G955U using XDA-Developers Legacy app

rkerrddd said:
Works just can't get red nav on home screen and battery not red
Sent from my SM-G955U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Red nav on home screen has to be done by enabling immersive mode.
For the red batt, try the second system APK i posted a few posts down.