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Customization

One of the advantages of a full Linux desktop on your Android device is complete control over how it looks and feels. XFCE separates appearance into four layers --- GTK theme, window manager theme, icon theme, and cursor theme --- each of which can be changed independently.

GTK Themes​

GTK themes control how application widgets look: buttons, menus, scrollbars, text inputs, and other interface elements. XFCE uses GTK3, so you need GTK3-compatible themes.

Installing Themes from Repositories​

The simplest way to get themes is from the Ubuntu package repository:

$apt install arc-theme numix-gtk-theme greybird-gtk-theme -y

These install three solid theme options:

  • Arc --- a modern flat theme with clean lines and good contrast (available in Arc, Arc-Dark, Arc-Darker variants)
  • Numix --- a flat theme with subtle gradients and warm accent colors
  • Greybird --- XFCE's own default theme, polished and well-tested

Applying a GTK Theme​

Through the settings GUI:

$xfce4-appearance-settings

Or via command line:

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Net/ThemeName -s 'Arc-Dark'

Installing Themes Manually​

To install a theme downloaded as a tar archive:

$mkdir -p ~/.themes
$tar -xf theme-name.tar.gz -C ~/.themes/

The theme appears in the Appearance settings after extraction. The theme directory must contain a gtk-3.0 subdirectory to work with XFCE's GTK3 applications.

⭐Best Practice

Use dark themes on OLED-screen phones. Dark pixels consume less power on OLED displays, meaningfully extending battery life during long sessions. Arc-Dark and Adwaita-dark are both solid choices.

Window Manager Themes​

Window manager themes control the title bar, window borders, and window control buttons (minimize, maximize, close). These are separate from GTK themes.

Installing Window Manager Themes​

$apt install xfwm4-themes -y

This installs a collection of window manager themes. Apply one:

$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/theme -s 'Kokodi'

The window manager theme should complement your GTK theme. Arc includes matching xfwm4 themes --- if you use Arc-Dark as your GTK theme, set the window manager theme to Arc-Dark as well.

Adjusting Title Bar​

Make the title bar taller for touch-friendliness:

$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/title_font -s 'Sans Bold 11'

Change the button layout (which buttons appear and in what order):

$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/button_layout -s 'CHM|O'

Button codes: C=close, H=hide (minimize), M=maximize, O=menu (left-click for window menu). The pipe | separates left-side from right-side buttons.

Icon Themes​

Icon themes change the look of file type icons, application icons, and action icons throughout the desktop.

Installing Icon Themes​

$apt install papirus-icon-theme numix-icon-theme-circle -y
  • Papirus --- a large, comprehensive icon set with clean SVG icons and good coverage of modern applications
  • Numix Circle --- circular application icons with a consistent style

Apply an icon theme:

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Net/IconThemeName -s 'Papirus-Dark'
✅💡 Tip

Papirus comes in several variants: Papirus (light), Papirus-Dark (dark), Papirus-Light (extra light), and ePapirus (for elementary OS styling). Use Papirus-Dark with dark GTK themes for consistent appearance.

Cursor Themes​

The default cursor can be small and hard to see on high-DPI Android screens. A larger cursor theme helps with both visibility and touch accuracy.

$apt install dmz-cursor-theme -y

Apply the cursor theme:

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/CursorThemeName -s 'DMZ-White'

Set the cursor size (default is 16, increase for high-DPI screens):

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/CursorThemeSize -s 32

Wallpaper​

Setting a Wallpaper​

Through the GUI, right-click the desktop and select "Desktop Settings." Through the command line:

$xfconf-query -c xfce4-desktop -p /backdrop/screen0/monitorscreen/workspace0/last-image -s '/path/to/wallpaper.jpg'

Downloading Wallpapers​

You can download wallpapers directly from within your Linux environment:

$mkdir -p ~/Pictures/Wallpapers
$apt install wget -y
✅💡 Tip

Store wallpapers in ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/ for organization. The XFCE desktop settings dialog lets you point to a directory and browse all images in it.

Solid Color Background​

For maximum performance and minimal resource usage, use a solid color background instead of an image:

$xfconf-query -c xfce4-desktop -p /backdrop/screen0/monitorscreen/workspace0/image-style -s 0

Font Configuration​

Installing Better Fonts​

The default font selection in a minimal Ubuntu install is limited. Install additional fonts for better readability:

$apt install fonts-noto fonts-liberation fonts-dejavu -y
  • Noto --- Google's font family with coverage for virtually every writing system
  • Liberation --- metrically compatible with Arial, Times New Roman, and Courier New (useful for document compatibility)
  • DejaVu --- extended Unicode coverage with good screen rendering

Setting the Default Font​

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/FontName -s 'Noto Sans 10'

For monospace (terminal, code editors):

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/MonospaceFontName -s 'Noto Sans Mono 10'

HiDPI Font Scaling​

On high-DPI Android screens, increase the font DPI for readable text:

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Xft/DPI -s 144

Common DPI values:

Screen typeRecommended DPI
Phone (5-7 inch)140-192
Tablet (8-13 inch)120-144
External monitor (1080p)96
External monitor (4K)144-192
⚠️Warning

Changing DPI affects all applications. Some applications may not respond immediately --- restart them after changing DPI. If the entire desktop becomes unusable (text too large to navigate), you can reset from the Termux command line: xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Xft/DPI -s 96.

Panel Layout Examples​

Minimal Top Panel​

A single panel at the top with essential items. Best for phones.

Items in order: Application Menu, Separator (expand), Clock, Notification Area

$xfce4-panel -r

macOS-Style Layout​

Top panel with a global menu, bottom panel as a dock with application launchers.

  1. Create a second panel at the bottom
  2. Set it to not expand (fixed width centered at the bottom)
  3. Add launcher icons for your most-used applications
  4. On the top panel, add the clock centered with a separator on each side

Windows-Style Layout​

Single panel at the bottom with a menu button on the left, system tray on the right.

Move the panel to the bottom:

$xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -p /panels/panel-1/position -s 'p=8;x=0;y=0'
⭐Best Practice

After configuring your panel layout, back up your panel configuration so you can restore it if something goes wrong: cp -r ~/.config/xfce4/panel ~/.config/xfce4/panel.backup

Window Manager Tweaks​

Disable Window Animations​

Window animations consume CPU and can feel sluggish in proot:

$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/box_move -s true
$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/box_resize -s true

These settings show only a wire frame outline when moving or resizing windows, instead of rendering the full window content during the operation.

Window Snapping and Tiling​

Enable window tiling for efficient use of screen space:

$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/tile_on_move -s true
$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/snap_to_border -s true
$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/snap_to_windows -s true
$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/wrap_windows -s false

Dark Mode Setup​

A complete dark mode setup involves several components:

Step 1: Set Dark GTK Theme​

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Net/ThemeName -s 'Arc-Dark'

Step 2: Set Dark Window Manager Theme​

$xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/theme -s 'Arc-Dark'

Step 3: Set Dark Icon Theme​

$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Net/IconThemeName -s 'Papirus-Dark'

Step 4: Set Dark Desktop Background​

$xfconf-query -c xfce4-desktop -p /backdrop/screen0/monitorscreen/workspace0/image-style -s 0
$xfconf-query -c xfce4-desktop -p /backdrop/screen0/monitorscreen/workspace0/color-style -s 0

Step 5: Set GTK Prefer Dark Theme​

Some GTK3 applications respect a "prefer dark" flag:

$mkdir -p ~/.config/gtk-3.0

Create or edit ~/.config/gtk-3.0/settings.ini:

~/.config/gtk-3.0/settings.ini
[Settings]
gtk-application-prefer-dark-theme=1
✅💡 Tip

Install Arc-Dark plus Papirus-Dark for a consistent, modern dark desktop that works well on OLED screens and reduces eye strain during long sessions.

Making XFCE Look Modern​

A fresh XFCE install looks dated. With the right combination of themes and settings, you can make it look contemporary.

Recommended modern setup:

  1. GTK theme: Arc-Dark or Adwaita-dark
  2. WM theme: Match the GTK theme
  3. Icons: Papirus-Dark
  4. Cursor: DMZ-White at size 24-32
  5. Font: Noto Sans 10 with DPI matching your screen
  6. Compositor: Enabled with shadows but without transparency
  7. Panel: Single top panel, height 30-32px, with a clean clock format

Apply this all at once:

$apt install arc-theme papirus-icon-theme dmz-cursor-theme fonts-noto -y
$xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Net/ThemeName -s 'Arc-Dark' && xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/theme -s 'Arc-Dark' && xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Net/IconThemeName -s 'Papirus-Dark' && xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/CursorThemeName -s 'DMZ-White' && xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/FontName -s 'Noto Sans 10'
ℹ️Note

All customization settings are stored in ~/.config/xfce4/ and can be backed up, restored, or shared between devices by copying that directory.

Next Steps​