Skip Navigation
Ask Android @lemdro.id Horsey @kbin.social

iPhone user here:

iPhone user here:

I'm sorry if this is a really controversial question, but I really enjoy the system-wide transparency and glassUI of iOS. I want to migrate to Android, but the big manufacturers (Samsung, Google, OnePlus, etc) all have a flat UI design by contrast. In my research, the closest I could find is MIUI, but the phones that run MIUI don't support all the carrier bands in the USA. Does android really not have the option of a glassy transparent UI?

15

You're viewing a single thread.

15 comments

  • I'm not just referring to the launcher though, I'm referring to all of the system UI such as textboxes, the keyboard, notifications, toasts, etc. Nearly everything in iOS has a transparency "layer" scheme to it whereby the most important elements are always drawn on top of everything else with gaussian blur + transparency. For example, in messages, the text bubble+header+keyboard are all drawn on top of the messages content and is blurred letting you see a layered glass effect.

    • You're never going to find that on any OEM skin simply because some apps themselves don't adhere to certain (Material/other) Guidelines / aren't on a particular version of Android.

      Hell, this app from Lemmy I'm using doesn't have context or nothing else other than reply to in a blank reply box

      https://i.imgur.com/aiOZR5f.jpg

    • I see, you're interested in a more comprehensive system-wide Glass UI look and feel. This is a bit more complex than just changing the launcher because it involves modifying the user interface elements of many different system apps and settings, not just the home screen.

      While Android doesn't offer this kind of aesthetic out of the box, it's not impossible to achieve. However, it will require more extensive modifications to your device, typically in the form of a custom ROM or a system-wide theme. Here's a little more detail on these options:

      1. System-wide Themes: Some Android manufacturers (like Samsung and OnePlus) offer built-in theme engines in their versions of Android that allow you to change the appearance of the system UI extensively. If a theme exists that provides the Glass UI look you're after, this could be an option. However, the availability of such themes may vary.

      2. Substratum Theme Engine: The Substratum Theme Engine is a third-party app that can theme the entire system UI on a rooted Android device. It's more powerful than most built-in theme engines, but it requires more technical knowledge to use and comes with some risk. It's important to note that it requires root access, which means unlocking your device's bootloader and potentially voiding its warranty.

      3. Custom ROMs: Custom ROMs replace your device's entire operating system with a customized version of Android. Some of these ROMs may offer a glass-like UI, or they may support more extensive customization options than the default Android OS. However, installing a custom ROM requires a good understanding of Android, and is generally recommended for advanced users. It also involves unlocking the bootloader, which could potentially void your warranty.

      Please note that while these modifications can help achieve the Glass UI aesthetic you're after, they come with risks and should only be attempted if you're comfortable with potentially voiding your warranty and dealing with any issues that may arise. Always ensure that you understand the steps involved and the potential risks before modifying your device.

You've viewed 15 comments.