How to Change Background of App on Android Studio

Changing the background of an app can be a great way to personalize your Android Studio project and make it more visually appealing. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced developer, this blog post will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to change the background of an app on Android Studio. By following these methods, you can easily customize the appearance of your app to suit your preferences or match your brand identity.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before we dive into the methods, there are a few things you’ll need to have in order to successfully change the background of your app on Android Studio. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

1. Android Studio installed on your computer
2. A project created in Android Studio
3. Basic knowledge of XML and layout files
4. Access to the app’s XML code

These requirements are essential to ensure a smooth process and successful implementation of the methods we’ll be discussing.

What Requires Your Focus?

To change the background of an app on Android Studio, you’ll primarily need to focus on the layout files and XML code. The layout files define the structure and appearance of your app’s user interface, while the XML code allows you to modify specific elements and attributes. By understanding how to navigate and modify these files, you’ll be able to easily change the background of your app.

Now, let’s explore the different methods you can use to change the background of an app on Android Studio.

Method 1: How to Change Background Using XML

If you’re comfortable working with XML code, this method is a straightforward way to change the background of your app. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open your project in Android Studio.
2. Locate the layout file where you want to change the background. It’s usually named "activity_main.xml" or something similar.
3. Open the layout file and look for the root layout element (e.g., LinearLayout, RelativeLayout).
4. Add the following attribute to the root layout element: android:background="@color/colorName" or android:background="@drawable/imageName".
5. Replace "colorName" with the desired color or "imageName" with the name of the image file you want to use as the background. Make sure the color or image file is already defined in your project’s resources.
6. Save the changes and run your app to see the new background.

Pros:
1. Allows you to easily change the background by modifying a single attribute in the XML code.
2. Provides flexibility to use different colors or images for the background.
3. Changes can be made quickly and without the need for additional dependencies or plugins.

Cons:
1. Limited customization options compared to more advanced methods.
2. Requires basic knowledge of XML and layout files.

Method 2: How to Change Background Via the Layout Editor

If you prefer a visual approach, Android Studio’s Layout Editor provides a convenient way to change the background of your app. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open your project in Android Studio.
2. Locate the layout file where you want to change the background. It’s usually named "activity_main.xml" or something similar.
3. Open the layout file and switch to the Design view.
4. In the Attributes panel on the right side of the screen, look for the "Background" property.
5. Click on the property and select either "Color" or "Drawable" from the dropdown menu.
6. If you choose "Color," select the desired color from the color palette.
7. If you choose "Drawable," click on the folder icon and select the image file you want to use as the background.
8. Save the changes and run your app to see the new background.

Pros:
1. Provides a visual interface for changing the background, making it accessible to users with limited knowledge of XML.
2. The Layout Editor offers a real-time preview, allowing you to see the changes immediately.

Cons:
1. May not offer as much control and flexibility as direct XML editing.
2. Changes made through the Layout Editor may result in additional XML code being generated, which can make the layout file more complex.

Method 3: How to Change Background Using Themes

Another method to change the background of an app on Android Studio is by modifying the themes. This approach allows you to define a global background that applies to multiple activities or screens within your app. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open your project in Android Studio.
2. Locate the styles.xml file in the res/values directory.
3. Open the styles.xml file and look for the theme you want to modify. It’s usually named "AppTheme" or something similar.
4. Add the following attribute to the theme: @drawable/imageName or @color/colorName.
5. Replace "imageName" with the name of the image file you want to use as the background or "colorName" with the desired color.
6. Save the changes and run your app to see the new background applied to the specified theme.

Pros:
1. Allows you to change the background for multiple activities or screens by modifying the theme once.
2. Provides consistency throughout the app by applying the same background to different components.

Cons:
1. Requires understanding and modifying the theme attributes, which may be more advanced for some users.
2. Changes made to the theme will affect all activities or screens that use the modified theme.

Method 4: How to Change Background Using an External Library

If you’re looking for more advanced customization options or want to explore additional features, you can use external libraries to change the background of your app. One popular library for this purpose is the Glide library. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Include the Glide library in your project by adding the following line to your app-level build.gradle file: implementation ‘com.github.bumptech.glide:glide:4.12.0’.
2. Sync your project to download and apply the Glide library.
3. Open the layout file where you want to change the background.
4. Use the following code snippet in your Java class to load and set an image as the background using Glide:

"`
Glide.with(this)
.load("imageURL")
.into(new SimpleTarget() {
@Override
public void onResourceReady(@NonNull Drawable resource, @Nullable Transition transition) {
yourLayout.setBackground(resource);
}
});
"`

5. Replace "imageURL" with the URL or file path of the image you want to use as the background.
6. Replace "yourLayout" with the reference to your layout element (e.g., LinearLayout, RelativeLayout) where you want to set the background.

Pros:
1. Allows for more advanced customization options, such as loading images from URLs or applying transformations to the background.
2. External libraries like Glide offer additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive solution.

Cons:
1. Using external libraries may introduce additional dependencies and increase the size of your app.
2. Requires additional setup and configuration to implement the library correctly.

Why Can’t I Change the Background?

If you’re facing difficulties changing the background of your app on Android Studio, several reasons could be causing the issue. Here are a few possible reasons and their corresponding fixes:

1. The background attribute is not properly defined in the XML code. Double-check the syntax and ensure you have correctly referenced the color or image file.
2. The image file you’re trying to use as the background is not located in the correct directory. Verify that the image file is stored in the appropriate folder, such as res/drawable.
3. There might be conflicting styles or themes affecting the background. Check if any styles or themes are overriding the background attribute and modify them accordingly.

By addressing these potential issues, you should be able to resolve any difficulties in changing the background of your app.

Implications and Recommendations

When changing the background of your app on Android Studio, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

1. Consider the overall design and user experience. The background should complement the app’s content and not hinder readability or usability.
2. Test the app on different devices and screen sizes to ensure the background appears as intended.
3. Use appropriate color combinations or images to evoke the desired emotions or align with your app’s purpose.

By following these recommendations, you can create a visually appealing app with a background that enhances the overall user experience.

5 FAQs about Changing the Background of an App on Android Studio

Q1: Can I change the background to a video or GIF?

A: Yes, it is possible to set a video or GIF as the background of an app on Android Studio. You would need to use an external library or custom code to achieve this functionality.

Q2: Can I change the background dynamically based on user interactions?

A: Yes, you can change the background dynamically based on user interactions by modifying the background attribute programmatically in your Java or Kotlin code. This allows you to create interactive and engaging user experiences.

Q3: Is it necessary to change the background in every activity of my app?

A: No, it is not necessary to change the background in every activity of your app. You can choose to change the background only in specific activities or screens where you want to make a visual impact.

Q4: Can I make the background transparent or translucent?

A: Yes, you can make the background of your app transparent or translucent by assigning a transparent or semi-transparent color to the background attribute or using an image with transparency.

Q5: Is it possible to animate the background?

A: Yes, you can animate the background of your app using various techniques such as property animations or frame animations. This allows you to create visually appealing and dynamic backgrounds.

Final Words

Changing the background of an app on Android Studio can significantly enhance its visual appeal and make it stand out from the crowd. By following the methods outlined in this blog post, you can easily customize the background to suit your preferences or match your app’s branding. Remember to experiment and iterate to find the perfect background that enhances your app’s user experience. Happy coding!