this post was submitted on 23 Jul 2023
8 points (100.0% liked)
Ask Android
30 readers
1 users here now
A place to ask your questions and seek help related to your Android device and the Android ecosystem.
Whether you're looking for app recommendations, phone buying advice, or want to explore rooting and tutorials, this is the place for you!
Rules
- Be descriptive: Help us help you by providing as many details as you can.
- Be patient: You're getting free help from Internet strangers, so you may have to wait for an answer.
- Be helpful: If someone asks you for more information, tell us what you can. If someone asks you for a screenshot, please provide one!
- Be nice: Treat others with respect, even if you don't agree with their advice. Accordingly, you should expect others to be nice to you as well. Report intentionally rude answers.
- No piracy: Sharing or discussing pirated content is strictly prohibited. Do not ask others for a paid app or about how to acquire one.
- No affiliate/marketing links: Posting affiliate links is not allowed.
- No URL shorteners: These can hide the true location of the page and lead people to malicious places.
- No lockscreen bypasses: Please do not comment, link, or assist with bypassing lock screens or factory reset protection.
- No cross-posting: Please take the time to make a proper post instead of cross-posting.
Other Communities
- !android@lemdro.id
- !androidmemes@lemdro.id
- !google@lemdro.id
- !googlepixel@lemdro.id
- !xiaomi@lemdro.id
- !sony@lemdro.id
- !samsung@lemdro.id
- !galaxywatch@lemdro.id
- !oneplus@lemdro.id
- !motorola@lemdro.id
- !meta@lemdro.id
- !apple@lemdro.id
- !microsoft@lemdro.id
- !chatgpt@lemdro.id
- !bing@lemdro.id
- !reddit@lemdro.id
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I'm not just referring to the launcher though, I'm referring to all of the system UI such as textboxes, the keyboard, notifications, toasts, etc. Nearly everything in iOS has a transparency "layer" scheme to it whereby the most important elements are always drawn on top of everything else with gaussian blur + transparency. For example, in messages, the text bubble+header+keyboard are all drawn on top of the messages content and is blurred letting you see a layered glass effect.
I see, you're interested in a more comprehensive system-wide Glass UI look and feel. This is a bit more complex than just changing the launcher because it involves modifying the user interface elements of many different system apps and settings, not just the home screen.
While Android doesn't offer this kind of aesthetic out of the box, it's not impossible to achieve. However, it will require more extensive modifications to your device, typically in the form of a custom ROM or a system-wide theme. Here's a little more detail on these options:
System-wide Themes: Some Android manufacturers (like Samsung and OnePlus) offer built-in theme engines in their versions of Android that allow you to change the appearance of the system UI extensively. If a theme exists that provides the Glass UI look you're after, this could be an option. However, the availability of such themes may vary.
Substratum Theme Engine: The Substratum Theme Engine is a third-party app that can theme the entire system UI on a rooted Android device. It's more powerful than most built-in theme engines, but it requires more technical knowledge to use and comes with some risk. It's important to note that it requires root access, which means unlocking your device's bootloader and potentially voiding its warranty.
Custom ROMs: Custom ROMs replace your device's entire operating system with a customized version of Android. Some of these ROMs may offer a glass-like UI, or they may support more extensive customization options than the default Android OS. However, installing a custom ROM requires a good understanding of Android, and is generally recommended for advanced users. It also involves unlocking the bootloader, which could potentially void your warranty.
Please note that while these modifications can help achieve the Glass UI aesthetic you're after, they come with risks and should only be attempted if you're comfortable with potentially voiding your warranty and dealing with any issues that may arise. Always ensure that you understand the steps involved and the potential risks before modifying your device.
Ah yes, write you own android rom. Why didnt I think of that. The answer was so simple.