Meet Nougat’s hidden theme engine

Androidadded an inbuilt theme engine referred to as Runtime Resource Overlay (RRO) in Android Marshmallow. RRO was intended to be only used by the smartphone manufacturers, not the end-users. This means that owners cannot use it to change their phone’s look and feel.However, with Android almost everything is made possible – of course.There is a way of activating RRO. On Android Marshmallow, an application called Layers was used to activate RRO, that same application has been completely re-established to work on Android Nougat. The entire process of unlocking the hidden themes have been made easier with Layers.The layers developers decided to change the name of the application to ‘Substratum’.

Requirements

• Stock Android/AOSP-based custom ROM
• Android Marshmallow or higher
• Rooted Android handset

Install the Substratum Theme Engine

Go to Google Play Store and install Substratum

Grant Permissions

After installing the app, click ‘Grant’ on the access request. Then, you will be required to grant additional permissions so that the app can save the theme files to the phone storage. So, hit ‘Allow’ when you’re prompted.

Install Themes

Hit the 3-dot menu button found at the top right corner of the application’s main menu. Then choose ‘Play Store’ Themes.’ This takes you to the list of all Substratum’s compatible themes on the Google Play Store. Browse themes and find one that suits your preferences. Once you have picked, install them just like any other application.

Apply the Theme

With the Substratum theme already installed, go back to the Substratum application and refresh it by pulling down. Then select the first theme.Substratum app allows you to match and mix elements from your multiple themes, so you have two options. First, you can toggle the switch at the top screen to use the theme for all elements and application that it is capable of theming.Secondly, you can simply go through the whole list and check the boxes next to any element or application that you would like to theme. Once you have checked the elements and apps you would like to theme, tap on the floating action button at the bottom right corner, then select ‘Install Selected.’You will then see a pop-up after a few seconds informing you that you should reboot your device. In case you just want to apply a single theme, hit ‘OK.’ Otherwise, if you are mixing themes, hit ‘Later.’ and then choose elements and apps from the second theme. Reboot when you are done.

Enjoy the New Look

After you reboot, the new theme will now be in effect. These themes have the capability of changing the feel and the look of almost any menu or application on your handset. Even if something is lacking from the first theme, simply add another one, and apply on the missing element to change the look completely.

Source: YouMobile