Themes for Android: Changing the theme is one of the best ways to personalize your phone, but with stock Android ROMs, theme support is limited. To fully customize your device, you need to rely on third-party apps. Several Chinese smartphone brands, such as Xiaomi and Huawei, offer built-in theme support. If you’re a Xiaomi user, check out the best MIUI themes of 2018 for your device. The Google Play Store is filled with countless apps for theme customization, but we’ve compiled the best ones for you. In this post, I’ll share 10 of the best Android themes you should try.
Customization goes beyond just changing the appearance of your phone. A new theme can modify everything from your home screen and wallpaper to navigation bar icons, the UI, status bar, app icons, and keyboard. These changes allow you to give your phone a fresh, cooler look. While Android users enjoy the flexibility to customize nearly every aspect of their device, iOS users don’t have the same level of freedom. So, take a look at the list of the best Android themes and make your phone uniquely yours.
10 Best Themes for Android
Action Launcher 3 – The Best Android Theme Customization Tool
To kickstart your Android customization, it’s essential to change your launcher. Action Launcher 3 is one of the best choices for this, offering a range of exciting features such as support for Android Oreo features, Notification dots, a 3D popup menu for apps, swipe-up gestures, and Google Search bar customization. Additionally, it includes a built-in weather widget and more. Premium users also gain access to adaptive icons, helping you achieve a look similar to the Google Pixel on any Android phone. Download it directly from the Play Store below.
Buzz Launcher – Fast and Robust Customization
Buzz Launcher, recently crowned the best personalization app on the Play Store, boasts over 1,000,000 themes available for Android phones. This launcher lets you completely transform your home screen in seconds by simply choosing a theme. It changes everything—wallpaper, icons, and more—with a single tap. For additional customization of widgets, like clock, battery, or weather, install the Buzz Widget app. It’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to refresh your phone’s look.
Nova Launcher – Ultimate Customization for Any Android Device
Nova Launcher remains a fan favorite for Android customization. It allows you to make your phone look like anything you desire, from a Google Pixel 2 to a Samsung Note 8. With regular updates for new Android features (like Oreo and Nougat), Nova is always at the cutting edge. Customize the search bar, icon styles, grid size, dock, widgets, and much more. There’s even a paid version that unlocks additional features.
Microsoft Launcher – Feature-Rich and Easy to Use
Microsoft Launcher combines the best of Nova and Action Launcher with extra features like a Bing feed on your home screen. It supports icon packs, gesture controls, and app hiding. Plus, you can back up and restore your settings on another device. If you’re looking for a feature-packed launcher, this is an excellent option.
Pixel Launcher – Simple, Elegant, and Efficient
Pixel Launcher is known for its clean design and user-friendly interface. It offers a bottom search bar, easy access to the app drawer with a swipe-up gesture, and a minimalist design. If you want to change your wallpaper, you’ll need to install the Google Wallpaper app, which works seamlessly with the launcher.
Wallpaper by Google – Perfect for Pixel Themes
Wallpaper plays a major role when changing a theme. Wallpaper by Google, available with Pixel smartphones, provides a selection of stunning wallpapers. If you’re using Pixel Launcher, this app is essential for changing your wallpaper.
Walli – HD Creative Wallpapers for Your Device
Walli offers high-quality, creative wallpapers for your phone. With full HD resolution and various sizes to fit your device’s screen, Walli ensures you always have a fresh look. Choose from an extensive collection or set your favorite as your wallpaper without needing to download it.
Fleksy Keyboard – Fast and Customizable
Fleksy is one of the most customizable keyboard apps available. It offers gesture support, allowing you to swipe left to delete words quickly and add punctuation with ease. Sharing GIFs is also simple—just tap the GIF icon to find and share your favorite animated images.
SwiftKey Keyboard – AI-Powered Typing
SwiftKey, by Microsoft, uses AI to adapt to your writing style. It also supports over 150 languages, emojis, and predictive text, making typing faster and more accurate. With more than 80 themes, you can fully customize the look of your keyboard.
NavBar Apps – Enhance Your Navigation Bar
If you want to jazz up your phone’s navigation bar, NavBar Apps is the perfect tool. It allows you to add cool animations and customization to your on-screen navigation bar. No rooting or Xposed required, just download the app and start enhancing your phone’s look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Android themes, and why should I use them?
Android themes are collections of visual elements, including wallpapers, icons, and UI customizations that allow you to personalize the look and feel of your device. Using a theme can make your phone look more stylish, reflect your personality, and improve the overall user experience.
How do I install a theme on my Android phone?
To install a theme, you typically need to download a launcher from the Google Play Store that supports themes (e.g., Nova Launcher, Action Launcher). Once installed, you can choose from various pre-made themes or customize your own by selecting specific wallpapers, icons, and widgets.
Are these Android themes free or paid?
Many Android themes are free, but some may offer premium features for a price. It depends on the launcher or app you’re using. There are also third-party theme stores where paid themes may offer advanced customization options and high-quality designs.
Can I apply themes to any Android phone?
Most Android phones can support themes, especially if they are running a customizable launcher like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher. However, some phone manufacturers (e.g., Samsung or Xiaomi) have their own theme stores, which may limit customization based on their user interface (UI).
Do Android themes affect my phone’s performance?
Generally, themes do not significantly affect the performance of your Android device. However, using highly animated themes or widgets may slightly impact battery life and speed, especially on older or less powerful devices. For the best performance, opt for lightweight themes.
Conclusion
Choosing the right theme for your Android device can significantly enhance your user experience, making it more personalized and visually appealing. The themes listed above offer a wide variety of options, from minimalist designs to vibrant, feature-packed interfaces, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a sleek, professional look or a fun and colorful vibe, these themes provide excellent customization and functionality.
Remember, your Android theme can be more than just a pretty interface—many of them come with added features like customizable icons, wallpapers, and enhanced performance, allowing you to make your phone truly yours. Experiment with different themes to find the one that suits your style and needs best. Happy customizing!
