If you love tinkering with your phone and customizing it exactly to your liking, Android 12 and Material You have marked a turning point in customizationThe interface is no longer limited to four basic settings: now the entire system can change color to match your wallpaper. But if you're someone who always wants more, there's an app that takes it much further: Repainter.
With Repainter you can Create your own dynamic themes on Android using the Material You engineBut you're not limited to the few palettes the system offers by default. This tool lets you choose virtually any color combination, play with gradients, share themes with the community, and in many cases, do so without needing root access. However, there are important nuances depending on the brand, model, and Android version that you should be aware of before starting.
What is Material You and how do dynamic colors work in Android 12?
Material You is the evolution of Google's design language that debuted with Android 12Its main innovation is dynamic colors: the system analyzes your wallpaper, extracts the predominant tones and generates a palette that is applied to menus, quick settings, notifications, widgets and even many compatible Google and third-party applications.
Out of the box, Android 12 allows you choose from several palettes suggested by the system itselfYou can choose combinations based on the wallpaper or a series of predefined basic colors. The advantage is that everything is applied automatically, without needing to change each color individually, but the drawback is that the options are quite limited.
On many mobile phones you only have a handful of color styles generated from the wallpaper And that's about it. If you're not happy with the result or want a very specific tone, the standard system falls short: you can't design your own custom palette, nor precisely control the contrast, intensity, or brightness of the colors used in the interface.
To access these native options on a mobile phone with pure Android 12 or similar, simply go to Settings > Wallpaper & StyleFrom there you can change the background, choose between "Wallpaper Colors" or "Basic Colors" and see in real time how menus, compatible icons and other interface elements are updated.
Repainter: the app that unlocks real dynamic themes
Repainter is an application created by the developer kdrag0n who gets the most out of the Material You Dynamic Colors engineInstead of being limited to the palettes offered by Android, it lets you create virtually endless combinations, choose an exact color, or mix several shades in highly polished gradients.
Unlike the basic customization that comes with Android 12 phones, Repainter allows you to generate palettes from scratch or modify those created by the system.It includes an advanced color picker, brightness and saturation controls, and various theme styles that change how tones are distributed in the interface (accent, background, highlights, etc.).
The application does not replace Material You nor does it simply "patch" the system; rather It works on top of Android's own dynamic color APIs.In other words: it extends what the system already does to offer many more options, applying the theme throughout the phone as long as the manufacturer's layer is compatible with Material You.
In terms of experience, what is achieved is that The entire mobile device should share the same visual style.Settings, notifications, quick panel, some Google apps, widgets, and even elements from skins like One UI or OxygenOS when the conditions are right. It's a powerful twist for those who want their phone to have a unique look.
Requirements: What you need to use Repainter on your Android
Before you give in to the urge to personalize everything, it's important to be clear that Repainter doesn't work the same on all mobile phones.Compatibility depends on the manufacturer, whether you use a custom ROM, the Android version, and whether you have root access or not.
The fundamental requirement is to have Android 12 or later installed on the deviceAdditionally, your mobile device must support Material Design Dynamic Colors; in many cases you can check this by going to Settings > Wallpaper (or Wallpaper & style) and seeing if there are options to choose background-based colors or basic palettes.
In some models, especially with heavily modified layers, Material You is limited or directly unavailableIf you don't see any reference to dynamic colors or wallpaper-based themes, it's very likely that Repainter can't apply themes to the system interface, although with root access it might still do a little more on certain ROMs.
Another key point is root access: With root access, Repainter unlocks all its features on virtually any device and ROM.It can also work without root, but with limitations and depending heavily on the brand and the security patch you have installed.
Compatibility by brand, model, and ROM
Repainter's own documentation and user experience show that There are significant differences depending on the manufacturer.Some brands get along wonderfully with the app, while others create more obstacles when it comes to theming the entire interface.
In the Samsung with One UI and Android 12 or higherRepainter is especially powerful. With root access, all features are supported, and color customization is applied to virtually the entire system. It also works without root, although you usually need to restart your phone every time you change the theme for the settings to take effect correctly.
In the modern Google Pixel (Android 12 and 13)Without root access, the situation is somewhat more limited. Repainter can change the main custom color, choose independent colors based on the wallpaper, and, on Android 13, apply new theme styles. However, deeper customization (for example, altering certain internal interface elements) is not possible without administrator privileges.
Interestingly, the Pixel 3 is one of the best performersIn this model, all Repainter functions work without the need for root access, allowing you to customize the system palette with complete freedom, always relying on the Material You engine.
On devices from brands such as OnePlus, Oppo or RealmeThe behavior is usually similar to that of Pixel phones if the device has the March security patch or later installed. This means that some options are available without root access, but full customization is reserved for those who root the device or use custom ROMs with specific support.
If you use a Custom ROM that includes Repainter supportYou're practically in luck: in these cases, compatibility is at its maximum and all functions can be used without root access. The app integrates with the system as if it were a native part of the dynamic theme management system.
On all other devices that do not fall into these categories, generally Root access is required to unlock all the features.Without root access, the app typically cannot consistently apply color changes to the system interface or is limited to a set of basic settings.
It should also be noted that in certain layers, such as MIUI or Funtouch OSThe system interface (notifications, settings, manufacturer apps, etc.) is not themed using Material You. In these cases, Repainter can only affect elements that actually support the dynamic color engine, such as some Google apps and certain compatible third-party applications.
Repainter's main features: what you can modify
Once the compatibility issue is resolved, the interesting part is seeing what the application can do. Repainter stands out for offering a very fine level of control over the Material You palettewhether you start from the wallpaper or choose your own colors manually.
The most basic option consists of choose colors automatically extracted from your wallpaperRepainter can generate color palettes from both your home screen wallpaper and lock screen background, and even combine them. If none of the suggestions appeal to you, you can go directly to a manual color picker.
With the manual selection tool, it is possible choose an exact color (for example, your favorite shade) and use it as the foundation for the entire system. From there, the app creates the necessary variations (lighter and darker tones, accents, backgrounds) to ensure the theme remains harmonious and legible in menus and text.
Another of Repainter's great strengths is that It allows you to change accent and background colors independently.For example, you can have a near-black pure AMOLED background to save battery on OLED screens and at the same time a highly saturated accent color for buttons and highlighted elements.
In compatible versions or with certain devices, it is also possible access the new theme styles introduced in Android 13 on mobile devices that do not offer them by default. This includes variations in how colors are applied to icons, sliders, switches, and other system components.
The app incorporates advanced controls so you can adjust brightness, vibrancy, and color behaviorThis way, you can decide if you want a softer, pastel palette or something much more intense and contrasting, without losing the visual coherence that Material You provides.
Regarding workflow, Repainter includes a near-instant preview of how the theme will lookBefore applying it globally, you can try different combinations and see how well they fit with your icons, widgets, and general style of the launcher.
App interface: Overview, Colors, and Settings tabs
To keep the process simple, Repainter organizes its main options into several tabs. The first of these is Overview, where you get an overview of the colors you're usingFrom here you select the main palette that will be applied to the system.
In Overview you can decide if the palette is generated from the current wallpaper, lock screen background, or a custom color setThe idea is that it will be the starting point from which you will then refine the details in the rest of the sections.
The Colors tab is where all the good stuff happens. Here You modify the palette among many possible variationsYou adjust each tone, change the arrangement between accents and backgrounds, and choose the theme styles available on your Android version and device.
Within Colors you can also choose the background that will serve as a reference for generating the themeQuickly switch between different options and save or load combinations you like to retrieve them later.
The Settings tab groups the finer settings and some personal preferences. From here you can Define how you use color in your daily life, select how you want the changes applied, activate experimental options on compatible ROMs, or adjust certain advanced behaviors if you are a more expert user.
Installation, first start and basic configuration
At the installation level, the process is straightforward: Repainter can be downloaded from Google Play like any other app.The business model has changed over time, so it's important to clarify the current situation and how it has been in the past.
At its initial launch, Repainter was offered as a one-time payment application with an approximate price of 5,49 eurosYou paid that amount and unlocked all the features available at that time. Over time, the developer has adjusted the model, offering a free version with limited features and paid options to expand capabilities.
In the current version, the app It's free to try with certain restrictions.You can create a basic theme style and check if your phone is compatible, see which parts of the system can be customized, and whether you like the result. From there, you can decide if it's worth paying to unlock more features.
Repainter includes up to six different theme styles that you can use as a basis for customizationIn the free version, one of the features remains permanently active, while the rest can be tried for about three days as a demo. After that period, to continue using them you need to pay a subscription (around €3,54 per month) or make a one-time payment of approximately €8,85 for lifetime access.
When you open the app for the first time, you will be asked to accept the terms of use and indicate whether your mobile phone is rooted or notIt is important to answer correctly because, depending on your choice, Repainter will guide you through one process or another to obtain the necessary permissions.
If you don't have root access, the application resorts to wireless ADB in a way very similar to how Shizuku does itThe wizard will instruct you to enable developer options, enable wireless debugging, and confirm a code that will appear on your phone to establish communication. Once configured, you can apply color changes within the limitations of your device.
During the initial tutorial, Repainter shows you which parts of the interface can you modify in your specific caseIt notifies you if your customization layer is compatible, if you will need to restart the device to see changes, or if there are elements that will be left out because the manufacturer does not use Material You for them.
Community of topics and additional resources
One of the most interesting aspects of Repainter is that you're not alone in inventing combinations. The app features a fairly active community of users who share their topicsso you can get inspired or simply download ready-made styles.
From the application itself or from the official website, you have access to a repository of community-created themes Hosted at https://repainter.app/themes. There you can browse through hundreds of styles, filter them by preferred colors, download the ones you like best, and apply them directly to your mobile device.
In addition, Repainter allows save your own themes and share them with other usersIt's a very convenient way to clone settings between devices or to show off specially curated palettes that match certain icon packs or specific wallpapers.
If you have technical questions or compatibility issues, the developer offers several support channels. You have a contact email ([email protected]) and an official Telegram group at https://t.me/repainter_support, where questions are answered, bugs are discussed, and new features are often announced.
Limitations, common problems, and recommended tests
Although the app is a real gem for those who want to customize Android in detail, we have to be realistic: Not all phones or all interfaces respond equally wellAnd there are cases where the experience won't be perfect.
In layers like MIUI or Funtouch OSMuch of the system interface is not based on Material You, but rather on the manufacturer's own theme engines. In these scenarios, Repainter can change the colors of apps and widgets that do use Material You, but The manufacturer's own settings, notifications, and apps may ignore these changes..
Another aspect to consider is that on some devices Changing themes requires restarting the phone. To fully implement this, something that happens relatively frequently on some Samsung devices with One UI. Additionally, some users need to use auxiliary apps like Shizuku when they don't have root access but want to facilitate ADB communication.
Due to these differences, it is highly recommended Install Repainter and try the free version first.The app itself tells you on screen what level of compatibility your phone has and whether you'll actually be able to take advantage of its advanced features. If you find the support is poor or you can barely modify anything, you can always uninstall it without having spent any money.
In the case of paid versions, Google Play offers a refund periodSo, if you buy the app (or unlock features) and find that your device isn't responding as expected, you can request a refund within the allowed timeframe. It's a good way to protect yourself if you have a less common phone brand or a heavily modified ROM.
With root access, however, compatibility improves significantly: Repainter works with virtually any Android 12+ device and ROMThis includes custom interfaces like Samsung One UI, OxygenOS, Asus ZenUI, and Sony. While other manufacturers may offer partial support, the overall experience is much more complete than without administrator privileges.
Regarding stability, users who have tested it on devices such as Google Pixel 6 or Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra They say the app works without major issues, aside from occasional restarts required on some models and the adjustments specific to each user's skin. The general feeling is that the number of customization options is enormous and the visual result is spectacular.
This entire ecosystem has made Repainter what it is today. One of the most powerful tools for getting the most out of Material You dynamic themes on Android 12 and later.As long as your mobile phone is compatible and you're willing to spend some time configuring it, you can get the interface to perfectly match your tastes, from backgrounds and accents to gradients and brightness levels, with the freedom to change everything whenever you want and supported, moreover, by a very active community of theme creators.
