One of the best aspects of Android is its customization options. You can change launchers and icons, add widgets, and replace standard apps with others that allow full customization. Android allows your device to really take on your personality, from the inside and out.
Stock Samsung Galaxy S3s have all that along with other minor customization options; you can change fonts (Settings -> Display -> Font Style), adjust lockscreen layouts (Settings -> Lockscreen), and more. While these options are great, we're still missing a full theming experience.
Rooted S3s are a whole other story. Of course you have vast theming options with AOSP-based ROMs like CyanogenMod, AOKP, and ParanoidAndroid. The drawback is that you give up a lot of the awesome features that make our S3s unique.
Well Now, We Have Morphology!
Developed by recognized themer rompnit and Team noobz, Morphology is a system wide theme tool that you flash from recovery just like a ROM. The difference is, instead of an all-or-nothing approach to themes, you can choose your elements piece by piece, giving you all the control.
GS3 SoftModder forum member Tyler commented on this post, giving a quick overview on Morphology. The aim of this how-to is to walk you through the whole process.
What You Will Need
1. A deodexed rom.
A deodexed rom will allow you to make changes to all theming elements. If you are on a custom rom, you are probably deodexed, but it doesn't hurt to make sure.
If you are running rooted stock, make sure the it is deodexed! (if you aren't sure, leave a note in the comments section with what you are running)
2. The latest version of Morphology
This will work with AT&T, Bell, Moblicity, Rogers, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telus, Wind, Verizon, and Videotron.
3. The corresponding Prep Package file for your carrier
This will enable your device to except the changes that Morphology will make. For all carriers aside from Sprint, this will replace you 23 Notification Shade Toggles with 15 toggles.
Check screenshots below to see the difference between the two. Optionally, you may also need to flash this file if your theme doesn't stick.
4. A current nandroid of your device
Just in case.
Installing Morphology
Morphology installs from recovery, utilizing the amazing Aroma Touch Installer by amarullz. For this how-to, I will be using TWRP recovery, but this will work just fine with CWM recovery.
Step 1: Preparation for Flashing
- Move the Prep Package and Morphology zips to the root of your internal SD card.
- Reboot to Recovery.
- Before we begin, it's good practice to wipe both Cache and Dalvik Cache.
- Make a nandroid if you'd like.
- Flash your specific Prep Package and return to your recovery.
Step 2: Flash Morphology
- Flash the Morphology 1.5 zip file.
- This will bring up Aroma Installer. Just follow the prompts all the way through. If there is something you don't want themed, just use the "Don't Touch" option.
You can flash the Morphology file when you want to change one or multiple areas for theming. For example; themed everything blue, but now want the clock yellow? Go through Morphology again, select "Don't Touch" for every option except the clock color.
You can see image previews for all the options here; below is a highlight of some of them.
A few differences here with the AOSP version: No "Ongoing" or Notification bars, an extra toggle (however, they slide on both versions), and the "Clear" button is moved to the top the corner.
So yes, I like orange. And although my set up is simplistic, you can get as creative as you want. Mix and match to your hearts content.
Bonus Feature
Morphology certainly let's you theme it your way, but the options don't end there. Pre-packaged with Morphology are WasabiWa83's gorgeous Ultimate OMG Themes (below are just a few examples). Just select "Install Pre-loaded Theme" when you run Morphology.
Happy theming!
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