How to Change Themes on Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

Changing the theme on your Samsung Galaxy phone lets you personalize the look of your home screen, icons, and even the notification panel. You can switch between dark and light modes, apply a pre-made theme from the Galaxy Store, or create a custom look using your own wallpaper and icon packs. Before you start, make sure your phone is connected to the internet if you want to download new themes, and ensure you have enough storage space for any theme files.

What You’ll Need

A Samsung Galaxy phone running One UI (most models from 2019 onward)
Internet connection (for downloading themes from the Galaxy Store)
Samsung account (for downloading paid themes or syncing your purchases)
At least 100 MB of free storage for theme files

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings app. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel, then tap the gear icon in the top-right corner. Alternatively, find the Settings app in your app drawer.
Navigate to Wallpaper and style. Scroll down in Settings and tap on “Wallpaper and style.” This menu is where you can change the wallpaper, theme, and icon styles.
Tap on “Themes.” You will see a preview of your current theme. Tapping “Themes” will open the Galaxy Themes store, where you can browse and download new themes.
Browse or search for a theme. Use the categories at the top (like “Popular,” “New,” or “Categories”) to explore. You can also tap the search icon to look for a specific style, such as “dark,” “nature,” or “minimal.”
Preview a theme. Tap on any theme to see a preview. This shows you what the home screen, lock screen, and icons will look like. Some themes also change the notification panel and dialer background.
Download and apply. If you like the theme, tap the “Download” button (or the price if it’s paid). Once downloaded, tap “Apply.” The theme will be applied immediately, and you’ll see a confirmation message.
Switch back to a previous theme. If you want to revert, go back to “Wallpaper and style” > “Themes.” Tap the “Menu” (three horizontal lines) at the top-left, then select “My Themes.” Here you’ll see all your downloaded themes. Tap the one you want and select “Apply.”
Use Dark mode as a quick alternative. If you just want a dark look without changing icons, go to Settings > Display > Dark mode (or toggle it from the quick settings panel). This changes the system background to dark but keeps your icons and wallpaper the same.
Create a custom theme (optional). Instead of a pre-made theme, you can set your own wallpaper and icon pack separately. Under “Wallpaper and style,” tap “Wallpaper” to choose a new background, and tap “Icons” to pick a different icon shape or style (like round or squircle). This gives you more control over the look.

Common Mistakes

Applying a theme that isn’t compatible. Some themes are designed for older One UI versions and may look odd on newer phones. Check the compatibility note in the theme description.
Forgetting that themes don’t change everything. A theme may not change the notification panel color or the settings app background, depending on the theme. This is normal.
Downloading too many themes. Each theme takes up storage, and having many can slow down the Themes app. Delete unused themes from “My Themes.”
Confusing Dark mode with a theme. Dark mode is a system-wide setting that changes the background to black, but it doesn’t change icons or fonts. A theme is a complete package.

Tips

Use the search bar effectively. Search for terms like “black” or “amoled” to find themes that save battery on OLED screens.
Check the “New” tab. Samsung adds new themes frequently, so check back for fresh designs.
Preview before downloading. Always preview a theme to see if it suits your taste. The preview shows the lock screen and home screen, but not the dialer or settings.
Combine a theme with a custom wallpaper. You can apply a theme and then change the wallpaper separately to make it your own.
Use “My Themes” to manage. This section lets you delete themes you no longer want, freeing up space.

Troubleshooting

Theme won’t download or apply. Check your internet connection. If you’re on mobile data, try Wi-Fi. Also, restart your phone and try again. If the problem persists, clear the cache of the Galaxy Themes app: go to Settings > Apps > Galaxy Themes > Storage > Clear Cache.

Theme applies but looks wrong (e.g., icons don’t change). Some themes don’t include custom icons. Go to “Wallpaper and style” > “Icons” and manually apply an icon pack. If the theme is supposed to change icons but doesn’t, try restarting your phone.

Can’t find the Themes option. On some older Galaxy models, the path is Settings > Wallpapers and Themes. If you don’t see “Wallpaper and style,” search for “Themes” in the Settings search bar.

Theme reverts after restart. This can happen if the theme file is corrupted. Delete the theme from “My Themes” and re-download it. If it still reverts, try a different theme.

Paid theme not showing up after purchase. Make sure you’re logged into the same Samsung account you used to buy it. Go to Galaxy Themes > Menu > My Themes > Purchased. If it’s not there, contact Samsung support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use third-party icon packs with Samsung themes?
A: Yes, you can install icon packs from the Google Play Store, but they won’t apply through the Themes app. You’ll need a launcher like Nova or Lawnchair to use them.

Q: Do themes affect battery life?
A: Dark themes on OLED screens can save battery because black pixels are turned off. However, bright or animated themes may use more power.

Q: Can I create my own theme?
A: Samsung doesn’t offer a built-in theme creator, but you can combine a custom wallpaper, icon pack, and font to achieve a unique look. Some third-party apps allow you to build themes, but they may require root access.

Q: Why do some themes cost money?
A: Themes are created by independent designers, and they set their own prices. Free themes are available, but paid ones often offer more polished designs and regular updates.

Q: Will a theme change my lock screen clock?
A: Some themes do change the lock screen clock style. If you want to change it separately, go to Settings > Lock screen > Clock style.

Q: How do I uninstall a theme?
A: Go to Galaxy Themes > Menu > My Themes, tap the theme you want to remove, and select “Delete.” This only removes the theme file; your current theme stays applied until you switch to another.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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