How to customize the top status bar in an Android app?

Question

Specifically I want to change the text and background colors. Is it possible to change the colors of the 'animated progress wheel' too? Can I use a theme to do this? Can anyone point me to an example theme I can look at?

Answer 1

I believe you can use a custom view for the app's title bar. See the answers to this question: Custom title with image

Answer 2

If by "top status bar" you mean where the battery meter and signal meter and notifications go, you cannot change it from an app. You can set a theme to remove it (e.g., Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen). This is usually used for applications that truly need the full screen, such as video players and some games.