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Android 4.4 KitKat: get the look on your smartphone

Android 4 4 Smartphones update
© nextpit

Many users are waiting for the update to Android 4.4 KitKat, but many will be waiting a long, long time. There's not much you can do about the software improvements yet, but you can at least get the look of KitKat on your smartphone. If you simply can't wait any longer, here are three ways to get the KitKat look right now.

Android 4 4 Smartphones update
There's better ways than this to get KitKat on your current smartphone. / © NextPit

Theme for your custom ROM

Do you already have a custom ROM like CyanogenMod 10.x, AOKP or Paranoid Android running on your smartphone? Simply load the free KitKat Android 4.4 CM10 Theme on your device. Then open the Android Settings, go to the "design" section and choose the KitKat theme from the list of installed themes. Should you receive an error message, enable anyway and then re-start your phone to see if the design take effect. You will now have the KitKat wallpaper, new icons and more.

AndroidPIT KitKat CustomROM theme
The KitKat custom ROM design (as it will look on CyanogenMod 10.2 ) / © NextPit

Note: While this theme is compatible with AOKP, Paranoid Android, and CyanogenMod 10.x, depending on the custom ROM you're using, some elements will not be changed. CyanogenMod, for example, cannot change the system bar color, so they will remain black.

kitkat vorher nachher
Before and after: CyanogenMod unfortunately keeps the system bars black. / © NextPit

Launcher theme for Apex, Nova & Co.

If you have no custom ROM on your smartphone but you still want the KitKat look, your can simply apply a theme with launchers like KitKat HD Multilauncher Theme and start the app. Now you only need to select your specific launcher from the list of supported launchers and the design will be applied automatically. But again, sometimes not all KitKat design elements are applied in each launcher – it depends on your specific launcher as to exactly how much KitKat you get. I tested the theme with Apex and found no problems.

kitkat launcher theme nova apex
Click on "Apply Theme" and then select the desired Launcher. / © NextPit

Install KitKat Launcher

Kris has already shown you how you can manually install KitKat's Google Experience Launcher that was pulled from the Nexus 5 firmware. If that was all a bit too difficult, there's an even easier version available now in the Google Play Store. Just install the KitKat Launcher, press the home button of your smartphone, select KitKat Launcher from the list and confirm your selection with "Always" to set the launcher as default. The only thing missing is a dedicated Google Now home screen, but otherwise the launcher is almost identical to that found on the Nexus 5.

AndroidPIT Kitkat Theme
Quick and easy, the app based on the original KitKat launcher. / © NextPit

Conclusion

Although these tips won't get you the complete KitKat system on your smartphone, for anyone who just wants to get the look and feel of KitKat, or simply wants a change of scenery, these custom ROMs, themes and launchers should satisfy your curiosity until the real deal becomes available.

Are you running any of these ROMs, themes or apps? Do you like the new KitKat look?

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  • 1
    srdjan mitrovic May 15, 2014 Link to comment

    Imam s4 i sa verzijom 4.4.2 i nemogu da nadjem gde treba u podešavanjima to da podesim da bi mo android kitkat 4.4 cm10 radio?


  • 3
    vijay Nov 14, 2013 Link to comment

    the launcher has been removed from play store... is there any other alternative to download it???like XDA???


    • Kris Carlon 35
      Kris Carlon Nov 14, 2013 Link to comment

      Hi @Vijay, the Launcher is available from the link in the bottom of the article I just wrote on the official Google Search update.


  • 14
    Amat Mulisha Nov 13, 2013 Link to comment

    firstly im using the google launcher but im not like it.lack of option.now using nova kitkat theme.its look same like the google launcher but even better


  • 2
    Karamba Nov 12, 2013 Link to comment

    Thanks


    • Kris Carlon 35
      Kris Carlon Nov 13, 2013 Link to comment

      You're welcome. Which option did you end up going with?

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