Android expands universal icon theming

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 adds auto monochrome icon generation to enable theming for apps that lack native monochrome icons.

Android expands universal icon theming with auto monochrome support

Google's Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 introduces system level icon theming that can convert app icons to monochrome for theming. It automatically generates icons for apps that do not provide monochrome icons, allowing a consistent look on home screens.

The beta also adds a Create button in the theming panel, hinting at future AI powered icon styling tools. The change affects Pixel devices during beta testing and may evolve in future releases. Fresh installs show the feature clearly, while existing icons may require updates to reflect the theme.

Android is signaling a push for visual consistency across apps without waiting for developers. The shift reduces the need for every app to ship a monochrome icon, but it could compress the identity of individual apps.

The removal of the old toggle and the addition of a Create button suggest more AI driven tools may come, which could speed up customization but raise questions about branding and consistency.

If AI styling takes hold, users gain control while the industry faces debates over performance, privacy and developer rights.

Highlights

As tooling evolves, expect more updates to how apps present themselves on home screens.