Understanding Keyboard Focus in Android

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 146 views

Introduction

As developers, we strive to create applications that are not only visually appealing but also accessible to users with disabilities. One crucial aspect of accessibility is providing clear visual cues to users, especially when interacting with elements such as buttons. In this article, we will explore how to customize the keyboard focus border color in Android themes, making our apps more accessible and user-friendly.

Understanding Keyboard Focus in Android

In Android, keyboard focus is a critical aspect of accessibility. When a user navigates to an element using the keyboard, the element receives focus, and the system highlights it to indicate that it is the current focus point. This highlighting is typically achieved through a visual border or outline around the focused element.

Current Limitations

By default, Android provides a limited set of options for customizing the keyboard focus border color. While we can change the color of the focus ring using the android:windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight attribute in the theme, this approach has its limitations. The focus ring color is applied globally, affecting all elements that receive keyboard focus, which may not be desirable in all cases.

Customizing Keyboard Focus Border Color in Themes

To provide a more flexible and accessible solution, we can create a custom theme that allows us to specify the keyboard focus border color for individual elements. We will use the Android Jetpack Compose library to create a custom theme and apply it to our app.

Step 1: Create a Custom Theme

First, we need to create a custom theme that extends the base Android theme. We will use the Theme.MaterialComponents theme as a starting point and create a new theme that includes our custom focus border color.

// CustomTheme.kt
@Composable
fun CustomTheme(
    content: @Composable () -> Unit,
    windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight: Color = Color.Red,
    windowBackgroundUnfocusedHighlight: Color = Color.Transparent
) {
    MaterialTheme(
        colors = MaterialTheme.colors,
        typography = MaterialTheme.typography,
        shapes = MaterialTheme.shapes,
        content = content,
        windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight = windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight,
        windowBackgroundUnfocusedHighlight = windowBackgroundUnfocusedHighlight
    )
}

Step 2: Apply the Custom Theme

Next, we need to apply the custom theme to our app. We can do this by creating a new theme in the styles.xml file and referencing our custom theme.

<!-- styles.xml -->
<resources>
    <style name="AppTheme" parent="Theme.MaterialComponents">
        <item name="windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight">@color/focused_highlight</item>
    </style>
</resources>

Step 3: Customize the Keyboard Focus Border Color

Now that we have created a custom theme, we can customize the keyboard focus border color for individual elements. We will use the Modifier.focusBorder modifier to apply the custom focus border color to our buttons.

// Button.kt
@Composable
fun Button(
    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
    onClick: () -> Unit,
    content: @Composable () -> Unit
) {
    Button(
        modifier = modifier.focusBorder(Color.Blue),
        onClick = onClick,
        content = content
    )
}

Step 4: Test the Customization

Finally, we need to test our customization to ensure that it works as expected. We can do this by running our app on a device or emulator and navigating to the elements that we have customized.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how to customize the keyboard focus border color in Android themes. We have created a custom theme that allows us to specify the keyboard focus border color for individual elements and applied it to our app. By following these steps, we can make our apps more accessible and user-friendly, providing a better experience for users with disabilities.

Additional Tips and Variations

To customize the keyboard focus border color for specific elements, you can use the Modifier.focusBorder modifier and pass the desired color as an argument.
To apply the custom focus border color globally, you can use the windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight attribute in the theme.
To create a custom theme that extends the base Android theme, you can use the Theme.MaterialComponents theme as a starting point and create a new theme that includes your custom focus border color.
To test your customization, you can run your app on a device or emulator and navigate to the elements that you have customized.

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: The custom focus border color is not applied to the elements.
Solution: Ensure that you have applied the custom theme to your app and that the Modifier.focusBorder modifier is used correctly.
Issue: The custom focus border color is not visible on certain devices or emulators.
Solution: Ensure that the device or emulator supports the custom focus border color and that the theme is applied correctly.

Best Practices

Best Practice: Use the Modifier.focusBorder modifier to apply the custom focus border color to individual elements.
Best Practice: Use the windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight attribute in the theme to apply the custom focus border color globally.
Best Practice: Test your customization on different devices and emulators to ensure that it works as expected.

Conclusion

Q: What is the purpose of customizing the keyboard focus border color in Android themes?

A: Customizing the keyboard focus border color in Android themes is essential for accessibility. It helps users with disabilities navigate through the app more easily by providing a clear visual cue when an element receives keyboard focus.

Q: How do I create a custom theme that allows me to specify the keyboard focus border color for individual elements?

A: To create a custom theme, you can extend the base Android theme using the Theme.MaterialComponents theme as a starting point. You can then create a new theme that includes your custom focus border color.

Q: What is the difference between the `windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight` attribute and the `Modifier.focusBorder` modifier?

A: The windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight attribute applies the custom focus border color globally, affecting all elements that receive keyboard focus. The Modifier.focusBorder modifier, on the other hand, allows you to apply the custom focus border color to individual elements.

Q: How do I apply the custom theme to my app?

A: To apply the custom theme to your app, you can create a new theme in the styles.xml file and reference your custom theme.

Q: Can I customize the keyboard focus border color for specific elements?

A: Yes, you can customize the keyboard focus border color for specific elements using the Modifier.focusBorder modifier and passing the desired color as an argument.

Q: How do I test my customization to ensure that it works as expected?

A: To test your customization, you can run your app on a device or emulator and navigate to the elements that you have customized.

Q: What are some common issues that I may encounter when customizing the keyboard focus border color?

A: Some common issues that you may encounter when customizing the keyboard focus border color include:

The custom focus border color is not applied to the elements.
The custom focus border color is not visible on certain devices or emulators.

Q: How do I troubleshoot common issues when customizing the keyboard focus border color?

A: To troubleshoot common issues, you can:

Ensure that you have applied the custom theme to your app and that the Modifier.focusBorder modifier is used correctly.
Ensure that the device or emulator supports the custom focus border color and that the theme is applied correctly.

Q: What are some best practices for customizing the keyboard focus border color in Android themes?

A: Some best practices for customizing the keyboard focus border color in Android themes include:

Using the Modifier.focusBorder modifier to apply the custom focus border color to individual elements.
Using the windowBackgroundFocusedHighlight attribute in the theme to apply the custom focus border color globally.
Testing your customization on different devices and emulators to ensure that it works as expected.

Conclusion

In conclusion, customizing the keyboard focus border color in Android themes is a crucial aspect of accessibility. By following the steps outlined in this article and the frequently asked questions section, you can create a custom theme that allows you to specify the keyboard focus border color for individual elements and apply it to your app. By making your apps more accessible and user-friendly, you can provide a better experience for users with disabilities.