Adaptive-Theme

314 stars
GPL-3.0
Active this month
Last commit 8 days ago

Last verified Nov 7, 2026

Automate Android dark mode switching based on ambient light levels, replacing fixed schedules with real-time sensor readings and optional wallpaper syncing.

Visit website GitHub314

Read the full breakdownWho it is for, how it works, trade-offs, the quick start and the FAQ

who it's for

Who Adaptive-Theme is for#

Users who move between indoor and outdoor environments

If you work at a desk near a window, commute outdoors, or switch between rooms with different lighting frequently, Adaptive Theme keeps the theme matched to your surroundings without any manual toggling. The lux threshold can be tuned to your specific preference.

Skip if:

You work exclusively in a consistent lighting environment and an existing sunset/sunrise or time-based schedule already matches your actual conditions.

Open source and privacy-conscious Android users

The app collects no user data, requires no account, and is available on F-Droid for those who want a fully auditable, Play Store-free install. GPL-3.0 means the source can be inspected, forked, or redistributed.

Skip if:

You are comfortable with your existing dark mode setup and have no requirement for a Play Store-free install path.

Users seeking auto dark mode without Tasker complexity

Tasker can achieve sensor-based dark mode, but doing so requires building and maintaining a multi-step profile. Adaptive Theme packages the same outcome as a purpose-built free app with no ongoing maintenance burden and a guided setup wizard.

Skip if:

You already have a working Tasker profile for this and prefer to centralize device automation in one tool.

the problem

The problem it solves#

Android phones ship with dark mode on a timer: flip at sunset, flip at sunrise, or at whatever fixed times you configure. That schedule fails the moment reality diverges from the calendar. A developer working in a dimly lit office during the morning gets a blinding white screen. A commuter stepping from a shaded train onto a sunny platform gets dark mode exactly when readability matters. Adjusting manually defeats the purpose of having auto-switching at all.

Manufacturer customization layers and app-based automation tools can approximate sensor-based switching, but require significant configuration to do so. Android offers no native ambient-light switching. Users either tolerate the wrong theme, adjust manually, or build a fragile automation they have to maintain.

how Adaptive-Theme solves it

How it solves it#

Ambient Light Sensor Switching

Reads the device's physical ambient light sensor to trigger theme changes, rather than consulting a clock or sunset schedule. The sensor is checked once at screen-on, not continuously, so no extra battery drain occurs from the detection process.

Customizable Lux Threshold

Set the exact sensor reading at which the theme flips, or pick from built-in presets calibrated for indoor, outdoor, and direct sunlight conditions. This lets users dial in a switch point for their typical environments instead of accepting a one-size-fits-all default.

Wallpaper Theme Sync

Automatically replaces home and lock screen wallpapers when the system theme switches. Choose a separate wallpaper for light mode and dark mode in the app; Adaptive Theme swaps them at each transition. An optional lock screen blur effect can be applied to the dark wallpaper.

Battery-Friendly Event-Driven Architecture

The light sensor only runs for a moment after the screen turns on, then stops. No background service polls the sensor continuously. This design also avoids mid-session theme changes, since some apps handle live theme updates poorly.

One-Time Permission Setup with Multiple Methods

Requires a one-time grant of the WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS Android permission, which allows flipping the system dark mode toggle without root access. Four setup methods are available: a browser-based web tool (no ADB needed), Shizuku, root, or manual ADB. The permission persists across reboots.

strengths · trade-offs

Strengths and trade-offs#

Strengths

Free, ad-free, and GPL-3.0 licensedNo ads, no subscription, no in-app purchases. The source code is on GitHub under GPL-3.0 and builds are available on F-Droid in addition to Google Play, so users who prefer not to use the Play Store have a fully auditable install option.
No root or server requiredWorks on stock, unrooted Android devices. Root is an optional convenience that makes the initial permission grant a one-tap action, but the app functions fully without it. There is no account, no cloud backend, and nothing leaves the device.
50+ language localization with Material YouFully localized into 50+ languages with community contributions. The Material You interface adapts dynamically to the system theme and color scheme, so the app looks consistent on any personalized Android setup.
Press coverage from major Android outletsAndroid Authority described the app as giving 'Android the automatic dark mode feature it desperately needs.' Computerworld and How-To Geek also featured it. The app has over 20,000 downloads on Google Play with a 4.2-star rating across 202 reviews.

Trade-offs

-Android 14 minimum; tablets not supportedAdaptive Theme requires Android 14 or above, which excludes devices running older versions. Tablets are not supported due to a technical limitation documented in the README FAQ. Users on Android 13 or lower, or tablet users, cannot run the app.
-One-time permission setup requires a manual stepWRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS is not a standard user-granted permission, so a one-time manual setup step is unavoidable. The web tool simplifies this to a browser-based flow using a second device, but users with no second device or limited Android knowledge will need to use ADB.
-Solo maintainer with 6 open issuesThe repository had 6 open issues at the time of indexing. The app is developed in one person's spare time, so release cadence and issue response depend on the maintainer's availability.

versus alternatives

Adaptive-Theme vs alternatives#

Tasker

Tasker ($3.49 one-time, by Pent) is the most capable Android automation app and can replicate ambient-light-based dark mode switching through a custom profile. Setting it up requires building a multi-step task: listen on the light sensor, compare the reading to a threshold, then conditionally invoke the dark mode toggle. Each Android update can break this profile, and edge cases (pocket coverage, Battery Saver mode) require additional logic.

Adaptive Theme provides the same outcome as a purpose-built free app. Sensor sampling, obstruction detection, Battery Saver integration, and lux threshold configuration are all included. Users who already maintain a large Tasker profile can add this feature there to consolidate their automations, but users who only need this one behavior get a simpler, zero-maintenance path with Adaptive Theme.

Android's Built-in Schedule

Every Android device running Android 10 or later includes a dark mode schedule: set it to flip at sunset/sunrise or at fixed times. Manufacturer skins (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI) also expose the same controls. This feature costs nothing and covers the common case well.

Adaptive Theme addresses the gap left by the schedule: when the ambient conditions differ from the clock, the schedule is wrong. The two approaches are compatible: Adaptive Theme's Night Lock option holds dark mode during a fixed time window, combining sensor-based detection with a schedule override.

install · quick start

Quick start#

bash

Install Adaptive Theme from Google Play or F-Droid, or download the APK directly from GitHub Releases: https://github.com/xLexip/Adaptive-Theme/releases/latest

tech stack · detected from GitHub

What it's built on#

Languages: Kotlin

frequently asked

FAQ#

What Android version does Adaptive Theme require?

Android 14 or above. Devices running Android 13 or lower are not supported.

Does Adaptive Theme work on unrooted devices?

Yes. It works on stock, unrooted Android devices. Root is an optional setup method that makes the initial permission grant a one-tap action, but the app runs fully without it. The required permission (WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS) can be granted via a browser-based web tool, Shizuku, or manual ADB instead.

Why is a one-time setup step needed to grant permissions?

Android restricts apps from changing the system dark mode by default. Adaptive Theme needs the WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS permission to flip the system theme toggle. This permission is not granted through the standard Android permission dialog, so a one-time manual step is required. The web tool option requires only a browser on a second device; no ADB installation is needed. Once granted, the permission persists across reboots.

Does the app drain battery?

No. The ambient light sensor only reads once when the screen turns on, then stops. There is no continuous background polling. The app's architecture also includes a Battery Saver check: the theme does not switch while Battery Saver mode is active, which prevents sensor work during low-power states.

Does Adaptive Theme work with custom Android skins like Samsung One UI or MIUI?

In most cases, yes. Any system that respects the native Android dark mode API is supported, and most major manufacturer skins (Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, and others) do. Tablets are not supported due to a separate technical limitation noted in the README.

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