It's been just a bit more than a month since we had achieved custom themes on the switch and i'm happy people have been using them, but unfortunately they come with one huge issue: they contain copyrighted data and so can't be shared on GBATemp and most other websites.

So, after a lot of work I'm glad to announce that it is no longer the case !

Version 3.0 of Switch theme injector introduces a cool feature called Auto-Theme: it's a web app that allows to share themes in the form of links that only contain the background image and optionally a custom layout file.

When you open one of these links your browser will generate the actual theme file on your pc, that's right, the web app doesn't have any backend server, all the job is done by your pc like a normal app.

This does not only make sharing themes legal but also ensures compatibility with virtually any firmware.

Sounds too good to be true, is there a catch ?

As you might have thought, the actual theme files are still illegal and the website can't generate them on its own so you'll have to set it up first by providing a few files from the home menu you have to extract on your own.

Extracting these files takes less than a quarter of an hour, you just need to follow the guide and you only have to do it once.

At the time of writing the latest version of switch theme injector is 3.3, you can find the release thread here.

I've also made a thread to share custom themes, it includes a guide on how to use Auto-Theme as well, check it out here.

 

[Super.Nova]

Cool!
I don't know to what extent we can push themes and how much info to reveal on-the-go but it's at least good enough for me if it would show all installed titles instead of the "show more" button or whatever it's called.

 

[Costello]

great work, and btw, nice theme you have there on the screenshot

I encourage everyone to upload your themes on GBAtemp in the download center for maximum visibility: https://gbatemp.net/download/categories/themes.1671/

 

[smileyhead]

Wait, you can even change the layout of the HOME Menu? That's so cool; I didn't even know about that!

 

[Dubbicakes]

That's hot, I want! Can't wait 'til Switch hacking isn't so risky. =]

 

[Reploid]

Will it be possible to have an app on switch itself, that browse and downloads new themes? Kinda like on vita and 3ds

 

[PedroKeitawa]

Wish i can mod my Switch just for try out this thing and make many themes. Oh well...

 

[Cyan]

great work, and btw, nice theme you have there on the screenshot

I encourage everyone to upload your themes on GBAtemp in the download center for maximum visibility: https://gbatemp.net/download/categories/themes.1671/

Ohh, I see auto-theme can use download center url directly (with CORS support)
it would be great if anyone uploading themes could had a direct link too.

nice theme! I didn't know we could move the element's position.



Costello, I might have to talk with you to make the upload center easier when sing the "upload new version". there is one thing which could be improved which I had issues with.

 

[phonz]

Does custom themes still break some modules?

 

[exelix11]

Does custom themes still break some modules?

Since version 2 of the injector nobody reported any issue, just make sure the theme you're using is compatible with your version.

 

[Song of storms]

No idea why Nintendo isn't giving us more options to change the themes by ourselves. The console has been lackluster in options everywhere but the gaming section. I know it's a gaming console, but come on. It's not like you just pop the game in and play. It has the potential to do much more.

 

[grabman]

No idea why Nintendo isn't giving us more options to change the themes by ourselves. The console has been lackluster in options everywhere but the gaming section. I know it's a gaming console, but come on. It's not like you just pop the game in and play. It has the potential to do much more.

Ever use nxshell? That one app alone changed my switch forever mp3 and comic book/pdf support...

 

[SushiKing]

Cool! Do some of these themes feature background music like the 3ds themes?

 

[exelix11]

Cool! Do some of these themes feature background music like the 3ds themes?

No, the home menu doesn't support it, but XorTroll is working on a custom sysmodule for this and it looks very promising, it is not stable yet tho.

 

[ken28]

how safe are themes actually in terms of increasing the chance of a ban?

 

[Jacklack3]

Can't wait for "SEND NUDES" themes.

 

[exelix11]

how safe are themes actually in terms of increasing the chance of a ban?

Same as layeredfs, we're just using it on the home menu.
Personally i've not been banned yet: i have disabled all telemetry from my nintendo and console settings and always used atmosphere offline, only homebrews and layeredfs.
This is just my experience don't take it as a safe way to use homebrews, when hacking your console there is always the risk of being banned.

 

[Jayro]

Might attempt this tonight, but do the themes stay with OFW, and will custom themes get me a ban on OFW? I play Splatoon 2...

 

[leonmagnus99]

Might attempt this tonight, but do the themes stay with OFW, and will custom themes get me a ban on OFW? I play Splatoon 2...

they don't stay with ofw so you should be okay with playing splat in ofw

 

[Tinnetju]

This is awesome! Can't wait to see some cool designs in the download section.