How to Change the Theme on Your Phone

Edited 4 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Theme CustomizationSmartphoneAndroidiPhoneUser InterfaceMobile OSDevice ManagementPersonalizationAccessibilityPerformance

In today's age, personalization options for our electronic devices are abundant. One of the basic ways to personalize a smartphone is to change themes. Themes on a phone typically consist of a collection of wallpapers, icon designs, sounds, and sometimes font styles. By changing themes, you can dramatically change the visual look and feel of your phone. This guide is designed to explain the entire process of changing themes on your phone in detail. We will cover different platforms, such as Android and iOS, step-by-step.

Changing themes on Android phones

Android is known for its immense customization capabilities. Different manufacturers may offer different ways to change themes depending on their user interface. However, we will cover the most commonly found options. Follow these simple steps:

Using the built-in theme store

1. Open Settings: Start by opening the Settings app on your Android device. You can usually find it in your app drawer or by swiping down the notification bar and tapping the gear icon.
2. Find the Display option: Scroll through the settings until you find an option called Display or Themes. On some devices, this may be under Personalization or Wallpaper and Style.
3. Enter the theme store: Tap Themes. This will open the built-in theme store, usually provided by your phone's manufacturer. Here, you'll find a variety of themes you can apply to your phone.
4. Browse and select a theme: Browse the available themes. You can usually find categories such as Free Themes, Paid Themes, and Top Themes. Select the theme that you like by tapping on it.
5. Download and apply: Once you've chosen a theme, you'll see the option to download it. Tap the download button. Once the download is complete, you can apply the theme. Your phone will now adopt the new theme settings.

Using a third-party launcher

Third-party launchers can also be used to change themes on your Android device. Here's how:

1. Download the launcher: Go to Google Play Store and search for popular launchers like NOVA Launcher, Apex Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher. Download and install the launcher of your choice.
2. Set the launcher as default: After the installation is complete, open the Launcher app. You will be asked to set it as your default launcher. Follow the on-screen instructions to do so.
3. Access theme settings: Once the launcher is set up, open its settings. This can usually be done by long-pressing on the home screen and selecting Settings, or through the app's interface.
4. Choose a theme: Browse the theme options available in the launcher. Many launchers offer a wide variety of themes, icon packs, and wallpapers.
5. Download and apply: Download the theme and apply it using the launcher's built-in theme manager. Your device will now reflect the chosen theme.

Change the theme on an iOS phone (iPhone)

Apple iOS is known for its streamlined and consistent user experience. Although iOS offers fewer customization options than Android, there are still ways to personalize your iPhone to make it look beautiful.

Using the built-in wallpaper options

Although iOS doesn't support themes like Android, changing the wallpaper can drastically change the look and feel of your iPhone.

1. Open Settings: Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Find the Wallpaper option: Scroll down and tap Wallpaper.
3. Choose a new wallpaper: Tap Choose New Wallpaper. You'll see options like Dynamic, Stills, and Live. Each category has different options that you can set as your wallpaper.
4. Choose and set wallpaper: Select a wallpaper from the options. Tap Set and choose whether you want it for the home screen, lock screen, or both.

Using Shortcuts for custom icons

For further customization, you can use the Shortcuts app to create custom icons for your apps, giving your phone a customized look similar to the theme:

1. Open the Shortcuts app: The Shortcuts app comes preinstalled on iPhones. Open the app to begin creating custom app icons.
2. Create a new shortcut: In the app, tap the icon to create a new shortcut.
3. Add action: Tap Add Action, search for Open App, and select it.
4. Select app: Tap Select to choose the app you want to create an icon for.
5. Customize the icon: Tap the ... button in the upper-right corner and choose Add to Home Screen. Here, tap the default icon and choose a new image from your photo library or files.
6. Set a custom name: Change the shortcut name to the app name and tap Add.
7. Repeat for other apps: Repeat these steps for other apps to give your iPhone a completely customized theme look.

Bonus tips for theming your phone

Using a custom font

Changing the font on your phone can make your device more personal:

Android

1. Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Display settings: Find the Display or Personalization option.
3. Font style: View the font or font styles and choose your favorite font from the available options.

iOS (iPhone)

Although iOS doesn't allow system-wide font changes, you can still use custom fonts in supported apps:

1. Install fonts: Go to the App Store and download apps that offer custom fonts, such as Adobe Fonts.
2. Manage fonts: Open the downloaded app to install the fonts in your system.
3. Use the font in supported apps: Open apps that support custom fonts, such as Notes or Pages, and choose your new font.

Conclusion

Changing the theme on your phone is a straightforward process that can significantly impact your daily user experience. Whether you're using an Android device or an iPhone, there are many ways to customize the look and feel of your phone. From changing wallpapers and icons to using third-party launchers and custom fonts, the possibilities are plenty. By following this detailed guide, you can turn your phone into a personal masterpiece that reflects your style and preferences.

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