How to Change the Color of the Navigation Bar on Samsung Phones

The navigation bar is one of the most frequently used parts of your Samsung phone. Whether you use gesture navigation or the classic buttons, changing the color of the navigation bar can improve visibility, match your theme, or just make your phone feel more personalized. While it’s a small customization, it can make a noticeable difference in your daily user experience.

This guide will show you how to change the navigation bar color on Samsung phones running One UI and provide tips for customization.

Step 1: Open Settings

Start by going to Settings on your Samsung device. This is where all system-level customizations, including navigation bar options, are located.

Step 2: Navigate to Display Settings

Once inside Settings, tap Display. Here, you can adjust screen brightness, font size, dark mode, and other visual settings. Scroll down to find the Navigation bar option.

Step 3: Choose Navigation Bar Type

Before changing colors, decide if you want buttons or gesture navigation.

• Buttons allow you to see a traditional navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.
• Gestures remove the bar entirely and replace it with swipe actions.

If you want to change colors, you’ll need to use Buttons, as gestures don’t have a visible bar to customize.

Step 4: Select Navigation Bar Color

In the Navigation bar settings, you can see options for background color and button layout. Tap Background color to select your preferred color. Samsung typically provides a few preset colors, but on newer One UI versions, you may also see options to match your wallpaper or choose a custom color.

Step 5: Save and Apply

Once you’ve selected a color, tap Apply or Save. The navigation bar will immediately update to reflect your choice. You can test it by going to your home screen or opening an app to see how the color looks in use.

Additional Tips

• If you use Dark Mode, the navigation bar automatically changes to a darker color for better contrast. You can override this with a custom color if you prefer.
• Changing the button layout in the same menu allows you to move the Back and Recent buttons if needed.
• Some Samsung themes from the Galaxy Store may also automatically change the navigation bar color when applied.

FAQ

Q1: Can I change the navigation bar color with gestures enabled?

No. Gesture navigation removes the bar entirely, so there’s nothing to color. You need to switch to buttons first.

Q2: Why doesn’t my custom color show up in apps?

Some apps, especially games or video players, may display in full screen and hide the navigation bar color. The color change works primarily on home screens and standard apps.

Q3: Can I use a wallpaper color for the navigation bar?

Yes. Newer One UI versions allow you to match the navigation bar color with your wallpaper. This option is found in Navigation bar > Background color > Match wallpaper.

Q4: Does changing the navigation bar color affect battery life?

No, customizing the navigation bar color has no noticeable impact on battery life. The change is purely visual.

Q5: Can I revert to default navigation bar settings?

Yes. In the navigation bar settings, there is an option to Reset to default, which restores the original color and layout.

Conclusion

Changing the navigation bar color on your Samsung phone is a simple way to personalize your device and even make it look cool. By navigating through Settings > Display > Navigation bar, you can select a color that matches your theme or wallpaper, adjust button layouts, and enjoy a more visually appealing experience. Even though it’s a small tweak, customizing the navigation bar can make your Samsung phone feel uniquely yours.