Google debuted the ability to have themed icons on the homescreen in Android 12, designed to help go all-in on Material You theming. Now, in Android 13, third-party apps can get in on the fun of themed icons; here’s an ongoing list of apps that support the functionality.
Themed icons are designed to create a uniform look for homescreen icons that match the system theme. Available in Android 12 and above, the feature dynamically themes the icon and changes it as the wallpaper adjusts the system colors. It works rather well, in our experience, but it all comes down to how many apps support it.
In Android 12, this feature was limited solely to apps that the system allowed, which the Pixel Launcher (or Samsung launcher) determined. On Pixels, the list was solely Google apps. On Samsung devices, it was solely Samsung apps. It was an incredibly limited version of the idea, but not nearly the final one.
In Android 13, the door is open for third-party apps to support themed icons. In just a couple of weeks since Android 13 launched, themed icons are already showing up in more apps, even though it’s still completely opt-in.
Third-party apps that support themed icons on Android 13
The list of third-party apps that support themed icons on Android 13 is currently limited, which isn’t surprising given the reach of this feature for now. The list currently is as follows:
- New: WhatsApp (now in stable)
- New: Spotify (beta)
- New: Telegram (beta)
- New: Signal (now in stable)
- New: Microsoft Edge (beta)
- New: Opera Browser (beta) and Opera GX
- New: Bundled Notes
- New: Beeper
The two biggest apps so far with support for a themed icon on Android 13 are easily WhatsApp and Reddit, the former of which added support in its latest beta, and the latter in a public update on August 19. 1Password 8, which was released in early August, also supports the feature.
We’ll continue to update this article as new apps are released with the feature.
- Update 9/6: Added Spotify, Telegram, and more. WhatsApp and Signal have debuted a themed icon in stable releases.
Drop a comment below or contact us if you know of apps that support the feature but are missing from our list!
Google apps that support themed icons
Thanks to starting in Android 12, most of Google’s apps already support themed icons in Android 12 and Android 13. The list includes:
- Android Auto
- Camera
- Clock
- Calculator
- Digital Wellbeing
- Files
- Fitbit
- Gmail
- Phone
- Nest
- Google Calendar
- Google Chat
- Google Contacts
- Google Drive
- Google Docs
- Google Duo/Meet
- Google Fi
- Google Fit
- Google Home
- Google Lens
- Google Maps
- Google Meet
- Google Messages
- Google News
- Google One
- Google Photos
- Google Play Store
- Google Play Books
- Google Podcasts
- Google TV
- Google Sheets
- Google Slides
- Google Translate
- Google Voice
- Google Wallet
- Pixel Tips
- Gmail
- GPay
- Keep Notes
- Recorder
- Safety
- Settings
- Wear OS
- YouTube
- YouTube TV
- YouTube Music
A few notable Google apps that are missing include Stadia, Play Games, and YouTube Studio. Google Wallet was added in an update on August 30, 2022, and YouTube Music redesigned its icon in early September.
Samsung apps that support themed icons
Samsung also supports themed icons on Android 12, but as with Pixels on Android 12, it’s limited only to apps from Samsung directly. Not even Google apps will show on the homescreen with Material You colors on Android 12. It’s highly likely, though, that Samsung will adopt themed icons in a bigger way in Android 13 (One UI 5.0) which is now in beta.
- AR Zone
- Bixby
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Camera
- Clock
- Contacts
- Galaxy Shop
- Galaxy Store
- Galaxy Wearable
- Gallery
- Game Launcher
- Messages
- My Files
- PENUP
- Phone
- Samsung Free
- Samsung Global Goals
- Samsung Health
- Samsung Members
- Samsung Notes
- Samsung TV Plus
- Settings
- Samsung Smart Switch
- SmartThings
- Tips
Author: Ben Schoon
Source: 9TO5Google
