Ready to get a custom look?
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are out in the wild, and both systems will launch with the ability to use dynamic, animated themes, alongside all the previous theme customization of the Xbox One era. You can still add achievement art, use colors, or upload your own background themes from network storage or USB-connected Xbox external drives as well.
After an initial batch was in testing for users in the Xbox Insider Alpha Ring, themes launched for everyone, so you can enjoy customizing the dashboard of your console even if you're not part of the preview program. Here's how to access the Xbox Series X and S dynamic themes, as well as a list of what styles are currently available.
How to access Xbox Series X, Series S Dynamic background themes
Xbox Series X and Series S themes are available in the personalization section of the Xbox Series X and S settings menu. Here's how to find it.
- Press the Xbox "Nexus" button on your controller to open the Guide menu.
- From the Guide menu, navigate right and find Settings.
- Inside Settings, go to General and then Personalization. You may have to enter your passcode or password.
- Navigate to My color & background.
- Now navigate to Dynamic backgrounds.
If the Dynamic backgrounds button doesn't open a new menu, or the menu option straight up isn't available, that might be because they haven't been activated yet. So hang tight for a future update, or join the Xbox Insider Program to gain early access.
List of Xbox Series X, Series S dynamic background themes
After a period of testing, Microsoft released these dynamic backgrounds for everybody to use. Some of them can be customized using your Xbox Series X and S accent color theme, while others are more fixed. As we expected back when these consoles first launched in November 2020, Microsoft expanded the offering of themes consistently, with styles that revolve around specific games, both with first and third-party support.
We've given the growing list of game-centric themes their own section further down, while this section has an up-to-date list of the "regular" dynamic backgrounds that are available.
Waves
The default theme of next-gen consoles, Waves, is a soothing light show that sweeps diagonally across your background, utilizing your chosen Xbox accent color.
Waves - Faded
As the name suggests, this theme is identical to Waves, albeit with faded color saturation.
Spotlight - Ultraviolet
This theme shows a spotlight effect moving very slowly around a purple/violet background.
Spotlight - Midnight
This is another spotlight effect theme, which is full of night-themed green and deep blue hues.
Spotlight - Deja Goo
The final spotlight theme is named "Deja Goo" and tries to combine orange and blue notes.
Ribbons
My current favorite theme, Ribbons, showcases an expanding, contracting, and flowing stream of diagonal ribbons, with one taking on your accent color choice.
Ripple
In what is unmistakably supposed to be a throwback to the Xbox 360 concentric rings dashboard, Ripple is a stylish effect that takes on your accent color.
List of Xbox Series X, Series S dynamic background game themes
Dynamic fun
The Xbox Series X and S dynamic background themes have grown massively over the last couple of years, and with how regularly we see a new game theme added, there's no reason to expect that'll change anytime soon. I'll continue to keep this updated, and it'll be interesting to see which themes players end up liking the most. If you have thoughts, feel free to share them!
