Android Oreo Supports Theming Without Root (Substratum Theme Engine)

The reason why advanced users always prefer Android over iOS is due to its full-fledged customisation options. Everyone is aware of the fact that after rooting your device, you can customize almost everything and turn your smartphone into a super smartphone. But the most striking feature is that fact that one can also do amazing tweaks and customizations even without rooting. With the release of Android 8.0 Oreo a few days ago, the level of customisation without rooting has hit a brand new height that every user is going to love immensely.

Modifications Possible with Android O Without Rooting

Android 8.0 Oreo supports system-wide themes without even rooting your device. Previously, it was mandatory for the device to be in rooted condition. You will be able to use different themes of third-party apps. You can also apply different custom fonts on those apps and make various modifications like never before. You can completely change the theme of Android Framework and System UI. All those who were looking forward to dark themes on Android, it is your time.

Must Read: Top 10 New Features Of Android 8.0 Oreo

Substratum Theme Framework

Previously, you had to have Substratum theme framework to do all these customization activities and that framework could only be installed on a rooted device. But Substratum seems to have found a way out to play around with themes and fonts third-party apps without rooting on devices having Android 8.0 Oreo. If you use premium devices of OnePlus, Song, Samsung and HTC, you would notice that they provide you their own custom theming engines to do customizations in the notification panel, lock screen, and various other UIs.

Google acquired Runtime Resource Overlay(RRO) from SOny which was the most popular theme engine at that time and integrated that with Android Marshmallow. It was then turned into Overlay Manager Service(OMS) based on which Substratum Engine is built. It became a part of Android Open Source Project(AOSP) when Android 7.1 was released. It was only during the release of ANdorind 8.0 Preview version, developers from Substratum found out that OMS is available for use.
Following that a developer successfully used Substratum themes on Android 8.0 Oreo with root access and it works perfectly on stock Android 8.0 Oreo device.

How To Enable Substratum Themes On Android 8.0 Oreo 

The details of the complete installation will be available shortly but the ultimate process will be like you have to connect your Anodrind 8.0 Oreo device to the computer and run a lightweight desktop application to grant privileges. Then you can go to Google Play Store and install Substratum app and apply any theme as you like. The latest version of Substratum app will be released soon so that users who already have Android 8.0 Oreo can avail Substratum themes without root.