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Selection controls: switches

Selection controls allow the user to select options.

Switches toggle the state of a single setting on or off. They are the preferred way to adjust settings on mobile devices.

White "Settings" menu with purple header and switches to turn on options, such
as "Wi-fi" and "Bluetooth"

Contents

Design and API Documentation

Using switches

Before you can use Material switches, you need to add a dependency on the Material Components for Android library. For more information, go to the Getting started page.

Note: The MaterialSwitch widget provides a complete implementation of Material Design's switch component. It extends from the support library's SwitchCompat widget, but not from the framework Switch widget. As such, it does not auto-inflate, unlike other selection controls, and must be explicitly specified in layouts.

Use switches to:

  • Toggle a single item on or off, on mobile and tablet
  • Immediately activate or deactivate something

Making switches accessible

Switches support content labeling for accessibility and are readable by most screen readers, such as TalkBack. Text rendered in switches is automatically provided to accessibility services. Additional content labels are usually unnecessary.

Switch

A Switch represents a button with two states, on and off. Switches are most often used on mobile devices to enable and disable options in an options menu. A switch consists of a track and thumb; the thumb moves along the track to indicate its current state.

API and source code:

Note: Since version 1.7.0, the new MaterialSwitch class will replace the obsolete SwitchMaterial class. In most cases you should be able to just replace all SwitchMaterial class reference with MaterialSwitch to achieve the default look and feel. Please refer to the following sections if you need to customize the new styles.

Note: For the old SwitchMaterial documentation, please refer to Switch (deprecated) and Theming switches (deprecated).

Switches example

The following example shows a list of five switches.

Example of 5 switches, the first one is toggled and the last one is disabled.

In the layout:

xml
<com.google.android.material.materialswitch.MaterialSwitch
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:checked="true"
    android:text="@string/label_1"/>
<com.google.android.material.materialswitch.MaterialSwitch
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:text="@string/label_2"/>
<com.google.android.material.materialswitch.MaterialSwitch
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:text="@string/label_3"/>
<com.google.android.material.materialswitch.MaterialSwitch
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:text="@string/label_4"/>
<com.google.android.material.materialswitch.MaterialSwitch
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:enabled="false"
    android:text="@string/label_5"/>

In code:

kt
// To check a switch
materialSwitch.isChecked = true

// To listen for a switch's checked/unchecked state changes
materialSwitch.setOnCheckedChangeListener { buttonView, isChecked
    // Responds to switch being checked/unchecked
}

Anatomy and key properties

The following is an anatomy diagram that shows a switch thumb and a switch track:

Switch anatomy diagram

  1. Track
  2. Thumb
  3. Icon (optional)

Switch attributes

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
Min heightandroid:minHeightsetMinHeight
getMinHeight
?attr/minTouchTargetSize

Thumb attributes

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
Thumbandroid:thumbsetThumbDrawable
getThumbDrawable
@drawable/mtrl_switch_thumb
Colorapp:thumbTintsetThumbTintList
getThumbTintList
?attr/colorOutline (unchecked)
?attr/colorOnPrimary (checked)

Icon attributes

You can add an optional icon to enhance the on/off indication of your custom switch by assigning app:thumbIcon. This icon will be centered and displayed on top of the thumb drawable.

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
Iconapp:thumbIconsetThumbIconDrawable
getThumbIconDrawable
null
Sizeapp:thumbIconSizesetThumbIconSize
getThumbIconSize
16dp
Colorapp:thumbIconTintsetThumbIconTintList
getThumbIconTintList
?attr/colorSurfaceContainerHighest (unchecked)
?attr/colorOnPrimaryContainer (checked)

Track attributes

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
Trackapp:tracksetTrackDrawable
getTrackDrawable
@drawable/mtrl_switch_track
Colorapp:trackTintsetTrackTintList
getTrackTintList
?attr/colorSurfaceContainerHighest (unchecked)
?attr/colorPrimary (checked)
Decorationapp:trackDecorationsetTrackDecorationDrawable
getTrackDecorationDrawable
@drawable/mtrl_switch_track_decoration
(Shows an outline of the track.)
Decoration colorapp:trackDecorationTintsetTrackDecorationTintList
getTrackDecorationTintList
?attr/colorOutline (unchecked)
@android:color/transparent (checked)

Text label attributes

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
Text labelandroid:textsetText
getText
null
Colorandroid:textColorsetTextColor
getTextColors
?android:attr/textColorPrimaryDisableOnly
Typographyandroid:textAppearancesetTextAppearance?attr/textAppearanceBodyMedium
Paddingapp:switchPaddingsetSwitchPadding
getSwitchPadding
16dp

Switch states

Switches can be on or off. Switches have enabled, hover, focused, and pressed states.

Switch states in an array. Columns are enabled, disabled, hover, focused,
pressed. Rows are on or off

Styles

ElementStyle
Default styleWidget.Material3.CompoundButton.MaterialSwitch

Default style theme attribute: ?attr/materialSwitchStyle

See the full list of styles and attrs.

Theming switches

Switches support Material Theming, which can customize color and typography.

Switch theming example

The following example shows a list of switches with Material Theming.

"5 switches with brown text: first switch is on and has pink thumb and track"

Implementing switch theming

Use theme attributes in res/values/styles.xml, which applies to all switches and affects other components:

xml
<style name="Theme.App" parent="Theme.Material3.*">
    ...
    <item name="colorPrimary">@color/pink_200</item>
    <item name="colorSurfaceVariant">@color/pink_100</item>
</style>

Use default style theme attributes, styles and theme overlays, which apply to all switches but do not affect other components:

xml
<style name="Theme.App" parent="Theme.Material3.*">
    ...
    <item name="materialSwitchStyle">@style/Widget.App.Switch</item>
</style>

<style name="Widget.App.Switch" parent="Widget.Material3.CompoundButton.MaterialSwitch">
    <item name="materialThemeOverlay">@style/ThemeOverlay.App.Switch</item>
</style>

<style name="ThemeOverlay.App.Switch" parent="">
    <item name="colorPrimary">@color/pink_200</item>
    <item name="colorSurfaceVariant">@color/pink_100</item>
</style>

Use the styles in the layout, which affects only this switch:

xml
<com.google.android.material.materialswitch.MaterialSwitch
        ...
    style="@style/Widget.App.Switch"
    />

Switch (deprecated)

Switches example (deprecated)

API and source code:

The following example shows a list of five switches.

Example of 5 switches, the first one is toggled and the last one is disabled.

In the layout:

xml
<com.google.android.material.switchmaterial.SwitchMaterial
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:checked="true"
    android:text="@string/label_1"/>
<com.google.android.material.switchmaterial.SwitchMaterial
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:text="@string/label_2"/>
<com.google.android.material.switchmaterial.SwitchMaterial
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:text="@string/label_3"/>
<com.google.android.material.switchmaterial.SwitchMaterial
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:text="@string/label_4"/>
<com.google.android.material.switchmaterial.SwitchMaterial
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:enabled="false"
    android:text="@string/label_5"/>

In code:

kt
// To check a switch
switchmaterial.isChecked = true

// To listen for a switch's checked/unchecked state changes
switchmaterial.setOnCheckedChangeListener { buttonView, isChecked
    // Responds to switch being checked/unchecked
}

Anatomy and key properties (deprecated)

The following is an anatomy diagram that shows a switch thumb and a switch track:

Switch anatomy diagram

  1. Thumb
  2. Track

Switch attributes (deprecated)

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
To use material colorsapp:useMaterialThemeColorssetUseMaterialThemeColors
isUseMaterialThemeColors
true (ignored if specific tint attrs are set)
Min sizeandroid:minWidth
android:minHeight
(set/get)MinWidth
(set/get)MinHeight
?attr/minTouchTargetSize

The color of the switch defaults to using ?attr/colorPrimary, ?attr/colorPrimaryContainer, ?attr/colorOnSurface, and ?attr/colorOutline defined in your app theme. If you want to override this behavior, as you might with a custom drawable that should not be tinted, set app:useMaterialThemeColors to false:

xml
<com.google.android.material.switchmaterial.SwitchMaterial
        ...
    app:useMaterialThemeColors="false"
    />

Thumb attributes (deprecated)

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
Thumbandroid:thumbsetThumbDrawable
getThumbDrawable
inherits from SwitchCompat
Colorapp:thumbTintsetThumbTintList
getThumbTintList
?attr/colorOnSurface (unchecked)
?attr/colorPrimary (checked)
ElevationN/AN/A4dp

Track attributes (deprecated)

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
Trackapp:tracksetTrackDrawable
getTrackDrawable
inherits from SwitchCompat
Colorapp:trackTintsetTrackTintList
getTrackTintList
?attr/colorOutline (unchecked)
?attr/colorPrimaryContainer (checked)

Text label attributes (deprecated)

ElementAttributeRelated method(s)Default value
Text labelandroid:textsetText
getText
null
Colorandroid:textColorsetTextColor
getTextColors
?android:attr/textColorPrimaryDisableOnly
Typographyandroid:textAppearancesetTextAppearance?attr/textAppearanceBodyMedium

Switch states (deprecated)

Switches can be on or off. Switches have enabled, hover, focused, and pressed states.

Display the outer radial reaction only on form factors that use touch, where interaction may obstruct the element completely.

For desktop, the radial reaction isn't needed.

Switch states in an array. Columns are enabled, disabled, hover, focused,
pressed. Rows are on or off

Styles (deprecated)

ElementStyle
Default styleWidget.Material3.CompoundButton.Switch

Default style theme attribute: ?attr/switchStyle

See the full list of styles and attrs.

Theming switches (deprecated)

Switches support Material Theming, which can customize color and typography.

Switch theming example (deprecated)

API and source code:

The following example shows a list of switches with Material Theming.

"5 switches with brown text: first switch is on and has pink thumb and track"

Implementing switch theming (deprecated)

Use theme attributes in res/values/styles.xml, which applies to all switches and affects other components:

xml
<style name="Theme.App" parent="Theme.Material3.*">
    ...
    <item name="colorPrimaryContainer">@color/pink_100</item>
    <item name="colorPrimary">@color/pink_200</item>
</style>

Use default style theme attributes, styles and theme overlays, which apply to all switches but do not affect other components:

xml
<style name="Theme.App" parent="Theme.Material3.*">
    ...
    <item name="switchStyle">@style/Widget.App.Switch</item>
</style>

<style name="Widget.App.Switch" parent="Widget.Material3.CompoundButton.Switch">
    <item name="materialThemeOverlay">@style/ThemeOverlay.App.Switch</item>
</style>

<style name="ThemeOverlay.App.Switch" parent="">
    <item name="colorPrimaryContainer">@color/pink_100</item>
    <item name="colorPrimary">@color/pink_200</item>
</style>

Use the styles in the layout, which affects only this switch:

xml
<com.google.android.material.switchmaterial.SwitchMaterial
        ...
    style="@style/Widget.App.Switch"
    />
Selection controls: switches has loaded