Google has pulled Themer, a popular Android home screen customization app, from its Google Play Store following a complaint from Apple over one of the themes included in the app.

"Seven", one of more than 200 themes within the app, was designed to make an Android phone look like an iPhone running iOS 7. It incorporated multiple Apple design elements and several icons, including Phone, Mail, Messages, Maps, Music, and more.

seven

Image courtesy of Lifehacker

Though the app and the theme have been in the Google Play Store since at least October, Themer was removed on February 2 for copyright infringement following a copyright complaint from Apple. Given the app's resemblance to iOS 7, it is no surprise that Apple, a company that rigorously defends its property, asked for the theme to be removed.

According to Themer CEO Ashvin Dhingra, who spoke to TechCrunch, the Seven theme was immediately removed from the app following Apple's notice, but Google opted to remove the app from its Play Store entirely and has yet to restore it.

"We've spoken to legal representatives from Apple (who have been very nice, reasonable, and helpful), and they have no remaining concerns. But apparently, Google has a process for these things, and there's nothing we can do to accelerate that process. Unfortunately, we still have not heard from anyone at Google."

While Themer has been able to settle its dispute with Apple by removing the offending iOS 7-style theme, the company is running into some organizational hurdles with Google. Google seems to lack a point of contact overseeing the Google Play Store, which has resulted in Themer contacting multiple people with little result.

It remains unclear when Themer will return to the Google Play Store, but Apple's issue with the app has been successfully resolved.

Update: Google has notified the developers of Themers that the app will be returned to the Play Store within the next few hours.

Top Rated Comments

musika Avatar
149 months ago
The real mystery is who would actually want those awful iOS 7 icons on their phone?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Swift Avatar
149 months ago
I'm trying to understand

I'd like to talk over the question of trademark, etc., but really who cares here? I am curious as to the psychology of the Android fan who likes to hang around talking smack about Apple on an Apple site.

I mean, I'm not remotely interested in hanging around an Android fan site. Not to disparage Android, it's not my thing. Why would I hang around such a site calling its fans all kind of names? I can't think of a single reason.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BJMRamage Avatar
149 months ago
damn really? if i was apple id be happy that someone wants to skin my OS

I guess if you like the look, they want you to buy the Apple.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
notjustjay Avatar
149 months ago
That's why you're not Apple. If there's even the slimmest of chances that someone could buy an Android phone instead of an iPhone because of confusion that the Android has iOS or buys the Android because of the iOS design, they'll go after it.

Yes, there are numerous reasons why Apple should protect their intellectual property, even if they are flattered that someone likes their look.

Lost sales due to confusion is one.
Brand dilution is another. What if this app (or some other app which copies Apple look and feel) was crashy and unreliable? Someone might think it was an actual Apple product and think "Apple isn't so great. I'm not buying their products."
There is also the concept of trademark erosion, where one company's trademark becomes used so commonly in other places, and the company fails to stop it from happening, then it is no longer a protected trademark.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nzalog Avatar
149 months ago
I'd like to talk over the question of trademark, etc., but really who cares here? I am curious as to the psychology of the Android fan who likes to hang around talking smack about Apple on an Apple site.

I mean, I'm not remotely interested in hanging around an Android fan site. Not to disparage Android, it's not my thing. Why would I hang around such a site calling its fans all kind of names? I can't think of a single reason.

Android comes with loneliness and lots of time in grandma's basement installing ROMs. Your few friends give up on you since when they do call or text, you are working on your phone and their calls don't come through. People need some sort of social outlet, why not trash on people who seem happy.

At least that is how I portray it in my head.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bookwormsy Avatar
149 months ago
damn really? if i was apple id be happy that someone wants to skin my OS

That's why you're not Apple. If there's even the slimmest of chances that someone could buy an Android phone instead of an iPhone because of confusion that the Android has iOS or buys the Android because of the iOS design, they'll go after it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...
Future M5 Chip Devices

M5 Chip Rumored to Debut in These Five Apple Products Later This Year

Friday July 4, 2025 9:14 am PDT by
Apple's next-generation M5 chip is expected to debut in five new products later this year, including the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac. M5 chips will reportedly be manufactured with TSMC's latest third-generation 3nm process, which should result in slight performance and power efficiency improvements over M4 chips fabricated with its second-generation 3nm process. ...