The recent release of a Winterboard update with 64-bit compatibility marks a convenient time to reflect on some of the best themes for iOS 7 devices to date. It’s important to keep in mind that a number of popular themes
from iOS 6 have yet to be updated, although it is safe to assume that
many designers will release new versions in the ensuing weeks and
months. So, without further adieu, take a look ahead for 10 beautiful
Winterboard themes for iOS 7 available on Cydia or elsewhere right now…
Zanilla 2
There is not much else to say about this theme asides from the fact
that it’s absolutely beautiful. While many third-party apps still
require custom icons, which will be added over time, the ones that are
currently themed look very good. Zanilla 2 has drop shadows much like
Solstice does below, and the general color scheme of this theme is quite
nice. Surprisingly, Zanilla 2 is currently without a home on Cydia. To
get this theme, you’ll have to download it from this deviantART page
and manually place the Zanilla.theme file in the Winterboard directory
/Library/Themes/ using a tool such as iFile, iExplorer or iFunBox.
Expect it to hit a repository soon.
Soft Remix for iOS 7
Easily one of my favorite themes on this list, Soft Remix for iOS 7
is a new take on the popular Suave HD theme. What I like best about Soft
Remix is that it makes the Home screen icons slightly smaller, with
so-called “squircle” edges, and has custom icons for some apps I wasn’t
expecting—BlackBerry Messenger, IMDb, SoundCloud and a few others.
Third-party apps without custom icons don’t stand out like an eyesore
with this theme, and more icon requests are being fulfilled by designer Eduardo Lopez as we speak. Soft Remix for iOS 7 is free on Cydia in the BigBoss repository.
M’flat
We’ve been seeing quite a few ports of M’flat icons popping up in the theming community over the past week or so, and this collection
with several dozen custom icons for third-party apps is worth a
mention. M’flat in my opinion is a nature-oriented theme, with lots of
off-green, grey, blue and outdoors icons. Better yet, even more icons
are in the process of being added. Since this is another theme not
hosted on Cydia yet, you’ll need to manually place the M’flat iOS
7.theme file in the Winterboard directory /Library/Themes/ using a tool
such as iFile, iExplorer or iFunBox.
1derful HD and 1Derland
We recently highlighted the new challenges that theme makers face because of the way iOS 7 is built, and Tim Collins
is certainly one of those people. Nevertheless, he has gone ahead and
issued iOS 7 and 64-bit patches for his popular 1derful HD and 1Derland
HD themes. While these themes are intended to skin the entire user
interface, limitations of iOS 7 will — at least for now — limit the both
to providing custom icons on the Home screen. While the themes don’t
have a tremendous amount of icons, they both look nice and can be yours
for $2.99 each on the Cydia Store.
RocketSauce
Collins is also the creative brainchild behind RocketSauce, another
well-designed theme that he recently patched for Winterboard on iOS 7
and 64-bit devices. RocketSauce was another theme that used to skin the
entire iOS user interface, but currently just customizes the SpringBoard
icons with fog-like curved edges. Collins will be issuing updates to
this theme to add functionality back where possible, although it will
take time. RocketSauce can be yours for $2.99 in the Cydia Store.
Solstice
Solstice takes the stock iOS 7 icons and redefines them with long
shadows and a slightly less eye-popping color palette. The theme
currently supports over 90 apps, with designer John Bussell vowing
to add more every day. A shortlist of popular third-party apps with
custom icons so far includes Alien Blue, Facebook, Google Maps, Rdio,
SoundCloud, Twitter, Vine, WhatsApp and YouTube. Solstice is free on
Cydia in the ModMyi repository.
Space Blueberry
A theme that I have previously covered, Space Blueberry by Gionata
gives over 70 of your Home screen icons a slightly more cartoon or flat
appearance. The new and improved Game Center, Music, Reminders and
Safari icons look much better in particular, compared to their original
designs. If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, download Space Blueberry
on Cydia for free in the ModMyi repository. Unfortunately, this theme is
currently incompatible with iPad.
Flat7
With a claimed 60,000-plus downloads, Flat7 has emerged as one of the
leading iOS 7 themes for iPhone and iPod touch so far. The theme
overhauls all Apple stock icons, in addition to a growing number of
third-party apps, with a more consistent and flat design. Additionally,
you can enable one of two different overlays in Winterboard to make the
icons circular or hexagonal in shape. Flat7 is the work of iOS designer Nick Viveiros, and can be grabbed for free from the BigBoss repository on Cydia. iPad support coming.
Oil7
Oil7 is a redesign of Flat7 with an oil-based paint finish, and also
includes some additional icon that the latter doesn’t have yet. All
stock apps have custom icons, alongside several popular third-party
apps. While this isn’t my favorite theme on the list, it might pique the
curiosity of others. Oil7 is the work of designer Zutx, and is
available now as a free download from Cydia on the BigBoss repository.
Give it a try.
Final thoughts
While most of the themes listed above should function properly on all
iOS 7 devices, including the iPhone 5s, your personal mileage may vary.
A noteworthy theme not mentioned in the list above is NextGenUI,
available on the Cydia Store for $1.99. Moreover, renowned graphic
designer Surenix has confirmed that he will soon be testing and optimizing the insanely popular theme ayecon for iOS 7. Stay tuned for that.
If you like what you’ve seen here, please consider supporting the
growing community of iOS designers by either purchasing a paid theme,
donating to those that offer their work for free, or saying thank you.
Every bit of support that these designers receive motivates them to work
on additional icon requests and future projects for the benefit of all
of us. Most designers offer various methods of making a donation, and
leaving one is a great way to show a small token of appreciation.
Also, for those wondering, here is the wallpaper used above.
Any noteworthy themes not covered here?
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