How to change the background color of the options menu in Android?

This example demonstrates how to change the background color of the options menu in Android.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:app="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
   xmlns:tools="https://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   android:layout_margin="16dp"
   android:orientation="vertical"
   tools:context=".MainActivity">
   <TextView
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:text="Changing Option Menu Background and text Color"
      android:textColor="#1a7902"
      android:textSize="20sp" />
   <TextView
      android:layout_width="fill_parent"
      android:layout_height="fill_parent"
      android:layout_marginTop="16dp"
      android:autoLink="web"
      android:gravity="center"
      android:text="Hello World"
      android:textSize="30sp" />
</LinearLayout>

Step 3 − Add the following code to res/menu/menu_items.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<menu xmlns:android="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"          xmlns:app="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto">
   <item
      android:id="@+id/option_menu_item_1"
      android:orderInCategory="1"
      android:title="Menu 1"
      app:showAsAction="never" />
   <item
      android:id="@+id/option_menu_item_2"
      android:orderInCategory="2"
      android:title="Menu 2"
      app:showAsAction="never" />
   <item
      android:id="@+id/option_menu_item_3"
      android:orderInCategory="3"
      android:title="Menu 3"
      app:showAsAction="never" />
</menu>

Step 4 − Add the following code to res/values/styles.xml

<resources>
   <style name="AppTheme" parent="Theme.AppCompat.Light.DarkActionBar">
      <item name="colorPrimary">@color/colorPrimary</item>
      <item name="colorPrimaryDark">@color/colorPrimaryDark</item>
      <item name="colorAccent">@color/colorAccent</item>
      <item name="android:textColor">@color/colorPrimary</item>
      <item name="android:itemBackground">@color/skyBlue</item>
   </style>
</resources>

Step 5 − Add the following code to res/values/colors.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
   <color name="colorPrimary">#008577</color>
   <color name="colorPrimaryDark">#00574B</color>
   <color name="colorAccent">#D81B60</color>
   <color name="skyBlue">#87CEEB</color>
</resources>

Step 6 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

package com.app.sample;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.view.Menu;
import android.view.MenuItem;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
   }
   @Override
   public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
      getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.menu_items, menu);
      return true;
   }
   @Override
   public boolean onOptionsItemSelected(MenuItem item) {
      switch (item.getItemId()) {
         case R.id.option_menu_item_1: return true;
         case R.id.option_menu_item_2: return true;
         case R.id.option_menu_item_3: return true;
         default: return super.onOptionsItemSelected(item);
      }
   }
}

Step 7 − Add the following code to Manifests/AndroidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   package="com.app.sample">
   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
      <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
         <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
         </intent-filter>
      </activity>
   </application>
</manifest>

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from the android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen −