stock phone, want a theme

[ilovemileyyy]

I just got a Samsung Epic 4G today, and I really like it so far. I upgraded from a BlackBerry Tour, but there is one thing I miss about my BlackBerry. I miss the professional look of it. I heard that you can get themes for the Epic, but I also heard there's some process you have to do before hand. I really need step by step instructions on what I need to do in order to install a them.

 

[Paul627g]

I just got a Samsung Epic 4G today, and I really like it so far. I upgraded from a BlackBerry Tour, but there is one thing I miss about my BlackBerry. I miss the professional look of it. I heard that you can get themes for the Epic, but I also heard there's some process you have to do before hand. I really need step by step instructions on what I need to do in order to install a them.

First here's the standard run down on rooting, because that is what you would need to do in order to flash themes.

Rooting

Now if your good with that then you will need to visit our Epic 4G Rooting, ROMs, and Hacks section. That provides everything under the sun for the Epic 4g involving rooting/ROMS/hacking.

Want to root your Epic.
[Root] Samsung Epic 4G Official Froyo EC05 w/Optional EXT4 - Updated 4/1

Want some more explanations to some of the questions you may have?
[FAQ] Q & A on Rooting/ROMs/Methods

That should be enough to get your started and if you have anymore questions please feel free to ask.. If they don't fit a specific thread, then post them in the [FAQ] Q & A on Rooting/ROMs/Methods thread.

Reason I'm taking you down this road? You can do some very minor themes by using different launchers like Launcher Pro or ADW Launcher from the Market but its limited to some very basics which I'm sure your looking for more.

 

[drekosh]

Paul, you are without a doubt one of the most helpful people on the forums but I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. OP said he liked the professional look of the Blackberry so I think ADW or Launcherpro is exactly what he needs. That and a custom background, maybe beautiful widgets, glass widgets, or that simple text one. That could make his phone look as professional as he wants without voiding his warranty by rooting.
I agree with that recent article that not everyone needs to root and I even take it one step further and say that you shouldn't root unless what you want to do on your phone requires it. I think that making his phone look more professional does not require it.
Now, to Jbreyy - Paul is correct that you do have to root to install a theme if that is what you want and he gave you all the resources you need to do it. This community is awesome and will help out if you have questions.

 

[ragnarokx]

I think Paul interpreted the OP as asking for help on how to theme, which absolutely requires root. I thought the same thing when I read it. However since the OP is not familiar with Android terminology, it is very possible that he meant to say that he just wants to change his phone's appearance in any way that will give him a Blackberry look. If that's the case then you're correct, and a launcher skin might do the trick. We'll need clarification before we can assist further.

 

[Paul627g]

@jbreyy, if you could please provide us with a little more detail on what your theme ideas were we can zero in better on a direction for you. Most of us have all been Blackberry owners in the past, me included and I understand the more "professional or clean" look to the Blackberry. Android does its best on providing a clean look but its also based on "open source" and they give the carriers/device manufactures freedom to add their own UI changes/skins so things do appear differently from device to device. Bottom line, Blackberry was marketed on the business world attitude and does a very good job of accomplishing that task but your at Android now where things are a bit more "happy medium" for everyone not just the business world. I think given time you will find a theme/setup that you will be very happy with once you realize the full potential of the Android OS.

 

[tomy2001]

When I first got my Epic 4g I was a blackberry 8530 owner. I recalled that day. I was very happy with my new super phone. I did not know anything about Android Central. My wife who had the evo first told me about AC. I kept reading about rooting for a while until I decided to go ahead and do it. I was a little afraid but I thought if I want a better phone, faster, free tethering, custom roms, I have to root my epic tonight. I did it and my life has changed since that day. I have met great people such as Paul and Rag. Thank you for everything.

 

[traumahawk]

You'll find yourself saying that a lot (the "thanks Paul and Rag") >.< they're great. You have both options open- you can use a launcher off the market and just get a custom theme for that and not void your warranty; or you can come to the darkside and root your phone, throw a custom rom on it (I'm anxiously awaiting ACE 2.0, but if you want something in the mean time Bonsai 4.0 and SyndicateRom Frozen 1.1 are both great roms- i'm actually using SRF until ACE comes out), and either download a theme from AndroidCentral, XDA, or spend a little time reading up on the forums and learn to make your own custom theme and then edit your phone to look exactally like you want it to.

best bet initially is using a sleek, minimal rom (ACE) and getting a theme you like to flash over it. then slowly experimenting from there (ALWAYS making backups in clockworkmod before you make changes; a lesson i learned the hard way). Best of luck! (and if you need help- browse the forums, if you cant find an answer; ask. someone will know or know where to go to find out. thats why i love this site. SUCH helpful users)

 

[traumahawk]

btw nice combo for a start in a custom, professional looking, slick phone... ACE 2.0/Bonsai 4.0/SRF 1.1.. your pick :cough cough ACE cough cough:: ). and throw on Erebos Theme, touted for being just that-professional and sophisticated looking.