The 7 Best Free Themes for Android

Spruce up your home screen and give your device some style

A man using an Android phone at the table.

 @bagussugianto via Twenty20

by Jerri Ledford
Jerri L. Ledford has been writing about technology since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others.
Updated March 01, 2019

If you want to change up the way your Android device looks, you can easily get themes for Android free from the Google Play Store, but installing them might not be as simple as you would expect. In part, this is because today’s Android devices are much more customizable than they have been in the past.

On newer model Android phones, you can individually customize everything from the icons to the keyboard, and even the wallpapers, lock screen, and text on your device. To make things even more difficult, most Android devices are already customized with a skin — that’s the user interface created specifically for the brand phone that you have. For Samsung, it’s called the Samsung Experience or Samsung One UI; HTC phones have HTC Sense; LG phones have the LG Home Launcher; Pixel phones have the Pixel Launcher.

These different user interfaces mean how you add themes to your Android device varies, according to the brand of phone that you use. The information below should apply no matter who made your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.

Finding Free Android Themes For Your Device

Because Android phones do have so many different user interfaces, phones from one brand may not have the same themes available as those on another brand. These general steps should help you find and apply the free themes available for your brand device:

These instructions may vary slightly depending on the brand and model of the Android device you have.

  1. Tap and hold an empty spot on your home screen.
  2. Tap Themes.
  3. Scroll through the list of available free themes until you find the one you want. When you tap it, you’ll be taken to the theme’s description page. There, tap Download.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to install and apply the theme to your device.

The themes that are available on each device will vary, and you may not be impressed with the selection. Not to worry. You can get other great themes from the Google Play Store.

The Best Free Themes for Android in the Google Play Store

To install the themes you’ll find on the Google Play Store, you’ll first need to install what’s called a Launcher. Once you download a theme, open it, and you’ll be prompted to download and install the appropriate launcher. When that’s done, you can apply the theme.

Installing the launcher doesn’t always automatically apply the theme. Go to the Play Store > My apps & games > Installed to find the theme you downloaded. Tap Open and the theme is applied.

01
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Perfect For Business Types: Blue Silver Metal Launcher Theme

Screenshots from the Blue SIlver Metal Launcher Theme for Android.

What We Like

  • Relaxing blue color, and smooth animations.

  • Easily hide apps you don’t want others to see.

  • Customizations, Night Mode, and additional tools.

What We Don't Like

  • Some features hidden behind a paywall.

  • Ad-supported, and the ads pop up in weird places.

Requires CM Launcher, which you must install in order to apply the theme.

The Blue Silver Metal Launcher Theme is perfect for any time of the year (and goes beautifully with Android phones that have blue cases). It’s sleek, sophisticated style is perfect for business people, and the ability to customize the theme to match your style and use makes it almost perfect.

One of the best features of this theme is the Notification Cleaner. If you get tons of garbage notifications, this theme has a setting that will make them go away. No more trash in your Window Shade. Also, the free version of this theme is ad-supported, but the advertisements aren’t at all intrusive.

02
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For that Springtime Feeling: Pink Cherry Blossom Theme

Screenshots from the Pink Cherry Blossom Theme, free for Android.

What We Like

  • Customizable Home screen animations.

  • Flowery, Springtime feel.

  • Highly customizable settings, including display, search, and more.

What We Don't Like

  • Some features hidden behind a paywall.

  • Ad-supported, and the ads pop up in weird places.

Requires CM Launcher, which you must install in order to apply the theme.

If Spring is what you’re feeling, the Pink Cherry Blossom Theme will certainly help you feel the warmth of a new season.  This is another theme in the CM Launcher collection, which means you have to install CM Launcher before you can apply the theme. Once installed, this is a theme that lets you customize your wallpaper and icons, so you’re not stuck with just the settings from the theme design. The theme also comes with the ability to hide apps, in case there is something you’d like to keep away from prying eyes.

03
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For That Summer Time Feel: Phoenix Theme

Screenshots from the free Android Theme, Phoenix.

What We Like

  • The Junk Cleaner feature removes files left behind when you uninstall apps.

  • Easy to enabled one-handed mode moves action areas to the bottom of the screen.

  • App locker to secure apps you want to keep private.

What We Don't Like

  • Rearranges apps into folders, but those may be different than folders you already had setup.

  • Ad-supported and ads popup at inopportune times.

  • If you don’t enable ‘full screen’ a constant reminder stays on the screen.

Requires ME Launcher, which you must install in order to apply the theme.

When it’s hot outside, this theme will help you express how you feel. The flaming phoenix perfectly represents how some summer days feel. It also serves as a reminder that something beautiful can rise from the ashes. This theme fits that description. Some icons have been completely replaced by flaming representations. Others are surrounded by flames, but still easily recognizable. Included with the theme are some useful tools, too, including a booster that helps improve your performance, a batter monitor, and a junk cleaner.

04
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Ready for the Party Scene: Color Fluorescent Black Theme

Screenshots from the Color Fluorescent Black Theme, free for Android.

What We Like

  • Dark but colorful design.

  • Customizable wallpapers and icons.

  • Ability to hide apps.

  • 3D animations.

What We Don't Like

  • Some features hidden behind paywall.

  • Ads disguised as apps.

Requires CM Launcher, which you must install in order to apply the theme.

The Color Fluorescent Black Theme is a fun, party-ready theme. The dark background sets off the bright icons, and 3D animations make flipping between Home screens way more interesting than what you’ll have with most standard themes. Like other themes in the CM Launcher group, there are plenty of customization options, including changing the background and the look of the icons, so you can really make this theme your own.

05
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The Most Peaceful Theme: 3D Koi Fish

Screenshots of the Koi Live 3D Wallpaper for Android by CM Launcher.

What We Like

  • Koi fish! There’s a koi pond right on your phone.

  • Customizable, including changing the wallpaper and icons.

  • Live screen reacts to touch with water ripple.

What We Don't Like

  • Some features hidden behind a paywall.

  • Ads disguised as apps.

  • Heavy battery usage.

Requires CM Launcher, which you must install in order to apply the theme.

If peaceful and 3D themes for Android (free, too!)  are on your list of requirements, the 3D Koi Fish is a perfect theme. Three koi fish swim lazily around a stone lined pond when your phone isn’t in use (there’s even lily pads), but when you swipe the screen right or left, they swim faster. Occasional water drops also ripple across the screen when it’s not in use, or if you touch the screen. Aside from aesthetics, this theme behaves much like the others from CM Launcher. Our only wish is that users could customize the fish in the theme.

06
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Whimsical Winter Fun: Cute Cartoon Penguin Theme

Screenshots of the Android theme: Cute Cartoon Penguin Theme.

What We Like

  • Whimsical, fun theme.

  • Customizable animations.

  • Included performance booster.

What We Don't Like

  • Some features hidden behind a paywall.

  • Ads disguised as apps.

Requires CM Launcher, which you must install in order to apply the theme.

When it comes to home screen themes, CM Launcher knows what you like. The Cute Cartoon Penguin theme is a good example. Featuring an adorable cartoon penguin as the centerpiece of this theme, the icons are all smaller versions of the penguin on an iceberg. Customizable animations, wallpapers, and icons are also included in this cute theme.

07
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Holiday Fun: Christmas Santa Winter Theme

Screenshots of the Christmas Santa Winter theme, free for Android.

What We Like

  • Holiday theme applied to all icons.

  • Customizable animations, wallpaper, and icons.

  • Performance booster accelerates performance.

What We Don't Like

  • Some features hidden behind paywall.

  • Ads disguised as apps.

Requires CM Launcher, which you must install in order to apply the theme.

As holiday themes for Android devices go, this is a good one. The app icons are all customized to holiday decorations, and can be changed if you prefer a slightly different look. Like other themes from CM Launcher, this theme also features a performance booster tool, and the ability to hide apps in case your phone is compromised.