Android 12 brings a standout feature: automatically generating a color palette from your wallpaper and applying it across your phone's interface. As someone who's tested countless Android updates, I recommend trying it if you've upgraded – it elevates your device's look and feel.
I put it through its paces on a Pixel 3 running the Android 12 beta. With Google's sample wallpapers and 'themed icons' enabled, accent colors beautifully integrated into the search bar, quick settings tiles (swipe down from the top), and more.
Themed icons convert some home screen icons to sleek monochromatic designs on tinted backgrounds. Personally, I favor the vibrant originals, but the flexibility is a welcome addition for customization enthusiasts.
Want to experience it? Follow these straightforward steps:
To activate themed icons or a dark theme, revisit 'Wallpaper & style', scroll down, and toggle. See the Mandalorian wallpaper with standard vs. themed icons:
I also tested with my own photo – a green lawn dotted with purple flowers. The palette pulled pale greens for quick tiles, lock screen elements, and themed icons, blending seamlessly.
Fine-tune with custom palettes: In 'Wallpaper & style', tap 'Wallpaper colors' for options based on your image, or 'Basic colors' for simplicity.
These tweaks won't affect battery or speed, but they let you match your phone to your style or mood. On Android 12? Dive in – it's a game-changer for your daily Android experience.
