Android is the most popular operating system in the world and one of the features that distinguishes Android from other operating systems is the ability to customize one’s device completely to one’s liking. Android has always been very comprehensive, and customizability is a path that both Google and other third-party developers are embarking on. In this respect, the theme plays a very important role. Today we present you Substratum, a popular theme option for current generation Android devices. First, let’s talk about what Substratum really is.
What is the substrate?
As you know Sony has always provided great theming features in its Xperia line. This theme was ported by Sony’s own framework – Runtime Resource Overlay (RRO). In the summer of 2014, Sony provided its code to Google for incorporation as part of Stock Android. To take advantage of this framework, layers was developed. Layers was basically a simple application used to manage the core RRO framework, helping users theme their devices while having their own constraints. Meanwhile, Sony has worked harder. OMS (Overlay Manager Service). OMS is a client for managing overlays that allows providers to dynamically control priorities and enable/disable overlays. While Layers is a manager in itself, OMS has proven to be much better and efficient. Finally, Layers was deprecated and a full-fledged OMS was developed and called Substratum.
Substratum essentially advances the simple usability of the Layers manager with the great powers offered by OMS. Compared to traditional Layers, overlays are now loaded as regular apps. /data/application The chapter and theme process is completely dynamic.
Substratum Modes
As mentioned above, Google has combined the core RRO framework with Marshmallow on Android operating systems. However, officially, OMS was never merged with Android. Still, the developers who created their own custom ROMs have taken the liberty of combining all the OMS into their custom ROMs. Like this, there is 2 working modes Substratum – Heritage and fully loaded.
In legacy mode, only RRO’s source code is merged and similar to what Google offers as part of AOSP. In full mode, the full code of Substratum’s OMS is combined within the core code of the operating system, thus providing greater scalability to the user.
How to install Substratum and Theme Android?
Prerequisites:
- Android Marshmallow or higher (6.0+)
- Root Access
1. First step, “Substratum Theme Engine Root” (Free) from Play Store like any regular app.
2. The next step is to open the app and give it root access and all other necessary permissions. If you’re running Substratum in Legacy mode, you’ll get a warning for limited support.
3. Go back to Play Store and download any Substratum theme you like. Here, in this tutorial, gray themewhich can be found here. Some other great themes available To connect, Default Dark and pitch dark. You will receive a notification from the Substratum app after the theme has been successfully installed.Theme has been successfully installed”.
4. After installing a theme you need to install all skins. Go to Substratum app, Choose gray themeand select overlays Your choice. Overlays are nothing but the items you want to theme on your device like Android Settings, Android UI, UI of various apps and more. Once selected, tap on it. brush icon in the bottom right select and “Load Selected”. Substratum will now start loading the skins you selected.
5. After successfully completing these overlays, a notification for the same.
note: If you are running Substratum in Legacy mode, you will need to reboot the device to apply the changes.
6. That’s it, your theme is now applied and you should see the changes on your device. You can even use Substratum to install it. change font packs, boot animations, sounds and wallpapers on your device.
How to Remove Selected Overlays
If you want to go back to the stock theme, just open the hamburger menu from the left and go to: “Advanced Admin” or “Overlay List” (Depending on your Substratum mod). Select the overlays you want to remove, then tap the brush icon in the lower right corner and tap on it. “Remove Selected”. Substratum will now remove the selected overlays. Once again, you may need to restart your device depending on your mood.
How is Substratum Theme Engine different from CyanogenMod’s Theme Engine?
Users who have used Cyanogen Mod ROMs should be familiar with CyanogenMod’s own theme engine, CMTE. While CMTE has thrived for years as a great theme option (probably because it’s the only available service of its kind), since the release of Substratum, CMTE has lost its throne.
Technically, CMTE focuses on completely replacing the source code it themes, compared to Substratum, which basically puts a skin on the app. This makes Substratum much faster, easier to use and much safer than CMTE. Also, with CMTE, the user had to reboot their device, whereas using the full Substratum mod, they can dynamically theme their device without the need for a reboot. Also, while CMTE as a project has been left out since Android Nougat, the development of Substratum continues to grow.
SEE ALSO: 10 Cool Nova Launcher Themes That Look Amazing
Theme Android using Substratum Theme Engine
Substratum is a very powerful framework that allows users to dynamically theme and customize their devices. It even has the ability to theme 3rd party apps, not just System resources, thus literally broadening the user’s theme horizons. Also, since the release of Android Nougat, CyanogenMod has stopped development of CMTE. Also, with Cyanogen gone and LineageOS making it clear that they have no plans to develop a CMTE alternative, it seems clear that Substratum is here to stay.
So let us know what you think about Substratum Theme Manager and share your favorite themes and device setup with us. After all, the customizability in Android is limited only by the user’s imagination, especially with Substratum out there. Voice your thoughts in the comments section below.
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