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How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Jul 30, 2014 03:49 PM
Mobile device settings interface showing options for Storage and Battery.

Google's upcoming Android release hasn't even received a name or version number yet, but the third-party development community is already having its way with the firmware.

The new Material Design language that Android "L" introduced is quite slick already, but developer jokerpoker1 has made a set of themes that will add a bit of personal flair without compromising the overall look and feel.

If you're already looking to spruce up Android "L" on your Nexus 5, we've got you covered below.

Prerequisites

Pick a Theme

The developer has created a set of themes with three different color options for you to choose from. All three themes simply change the accent colors used and add a new look to the navigation soft keys. The effect is tastefully subtle, so have a look at the stock Android "L" style in the screenshots below, then compare it to the themed versions to figure out which is right for you.

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Stock nav and status bars.

Mobile device settings menu showing wireless and device options.

Stock settings.

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Stock nav and status bars.

Mobile device settings menu showing wireless and device options.

Stock settings.

All themes require two downloads—one for icons, and another for the themed Settings menu. When you decide on a color, just point your Nexus 5's browser to the links below the corresponding images.

The Cyan Theme

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Cyan theme nav and status bars.

Mobile settings menu with options for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, data usage, and more.

Cyan theme settings.

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Cyan theme nav and status bars.

Mobile settings menu with options for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, data usage, and more.

Cyan theme settings.

To download the Cyan theme files, tap both of the following .zip file links from your Nexus 5:

The Green Theme

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Green theme nav and status bars.

Mobile settings menu with options for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, data usage, and additional settings.

Green theme settings.

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Green theme nav and status bars.

Mobile settings menu with options for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, data usage, and additional settings.

Green theme settings.

To download the Green theme files, tap both of the following .zip file links from your Nexus 5:

The Orange Theme

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Orange theme nav and status bars.

Mobile settings menu displaying options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Data usage.

Orange theme settings.

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

Orange theme nav and status bars.

Mobile settings menu displaying options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Data usage.

Orange theme settings.

To download the Orange theme files, tap both of the following .zip file links from your Nexus 5:

Make Sure They Downloaded Correctly

Once you've made your choice above, ensure that both downloads have finished before proceeding to the next step.

How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons
Download notifications for files named "L-meet - dynamic green.zip" and "L-meet - setting green.zip".
How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons
Download notifications for files named "L-meet - dynamic green.zip" and "L-meet - setting green.zip".

Flash the ZIP Files

The theme files that you just downloaded can be applied using your custom recovery. If you're not familiar with custom recovery, check out my comprehensive guide on using TWRP, which is what I'm using here.

Once you've booted into TWRP, simply tap the Install button, then browse to your Download folder to locate the ZIP files you just downloaded. Tap the Lmod - setting...zip file to begin.

Android recovery menu displayed on a smartphone screen.
Smartphone screen displaying storage information and options.
Android recovery menu displayed on a smartphone screen.
Smartphone screen displaying storage information and options.

Next, tap the Add More Zips button, then select the Lmod - systemUI...zip file.

Mobile device displaying software interface with options to view and transfer files.
How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons
Mobile device displaying software interface with options to view and transfer files.
How to Theme Android L on Your Nexus 5 with New Colors & Icons

After that, swipe the slider at the bottom to install the theme. When the process has finished, tap Reboot System.

Mobile app interface showing options to add work data or clear the server, with a finger pointing to a button labeled "Return to Edit."
Custom recovery interface on an Android device.
Mobile app interface showing options to add work data or clear the server, with a finger pointing to a button labeled "Return to Edit."
Custom recovery interface on an Android device.

Once your device has finished booting, your new theme will be in effect.

How to Revert Back to the Stock Theme

If you should ever wish to return to the stock Android "L" theme, the process is simple. Just download this .zip file, then flash it in recovery using the same method outlined in Step 3.

So which theme did you go with? And how are you liking it? Let us know in the comments section below.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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