How to Theme Android for Dummies

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Through all of the various videos that I’ve come out with, you have been able to see how I’ve had my phone themed, styled, and set up over the past few years. Many of you have asked what theme I have installed (more often than not its my own custom theme work) and “how [I] got my phone to look like that.” I’ve never really elaborated much on how to add a theme to Android besides my tutorial on how to make Android look like iPhone (though its about outdated and there are much better methods to do a better job), so I thought it was about time that I did so. The thing I like about the way I theme is that anyone can do it. You don’t have to know the makeup of an Android ROM to add a little bit of flare to your device using this method. With just a few apps and a little bit of searching around, you can come up with a unique theme for yourself to add a little spark to the other wise bland interface.

Apps

There are five main apps that I use in my current theme, but to get your desired effect, there are tons of apps in the market that can give you some nice looking widgets. They are as follows:

ADW Launcher:

This great home replacement will allow you to change icons and completely customize your Android home screen. I use the Pro version (ADW Launcher EX), but the free version will get the job done.

Wallpaper Wizardrii:

I use this app to set my wallpaper. It allows you to remove scrolling as well as change specifically how the image is cropped, giving you more control over how your wallpaper will be displayed.

Beautiful Widgets:

Beautiful Widgets has been around for ages, and for good reason. It’s tried and true widget displays your clock and weather in a few different sizes, but its claim to fame is its skin library, which contains tons of user submitted designs for the clock and weather icons that you can install, giving the ability for a new look with every theme.

SwitchPro Widget:

I’ve used this widget for ages. It gives you quick access to all your important settings toggles but also lets you customize how the widget looks, from the style and transparency to the color of indicators.

Bonus

Minimalistic Text:

I’m not using this on my current theme, buts such a favorite of mine and others that I couldn’t leave it out. Its got a laundry list of information that it can display and has complete control over exactly how and where all text is displayed. The amount you can do with this widget is incredibler.

How to Make Your Theme

I’m going to keep this simple for the written guide, so be sure to watch the video below for exactly how to do everything.

Get Your Custom Launcher

1. Install ADW Launcher
2. Customize the settings to have your homescreen display how you want it to (change how the dock looks or number of rows and columns)

Set a Wallpaper

1. Install Wallpaper Wizardrii
2. Hold your home screen and select to change your wallpaper using Wallpaper Wizardrii
3. Choose your picture, click set, and chose your cropping and scrolling options

Change Your Icons

1. Download the icons that you want and put them on your phones SD card.
2. Add an icon to your homescreen
3. Hold the icon until a menu pops up, select Edit, and click on the icon.
4. Select where your icons are and choose the icon you want to use

Add Your Widgets

1. Find the widgets you would like to use in the market, such as Beautiful Widgets and SwitchPro
2. Customize the look and feel of the widgets (such as changing the colors and adding a clock and weather skin for Beautiful Widgets

How to Theme Android Walkthrough

What are your favorite ways to add a theme to Android?

Let us know in the comments!