One of the best things about Linux is the virtually unlimited number of ways you can customize your system. Among all the available options, one sure way to make your system stand out is with a unique home screen.
Although not widely advertised, there are actually 11 different splash screens available for Fedora Linux. Best of all, you can switch from one screen option to another with no more than two quick terminal commands that take only a few seconds to execute. Is that how it works.
Change Plymouth splash screen in Fedora
The program that handles the startup and shutdown splash screens in Fedora is called Plymouth. To change these screens, you’re changing what’s called the Plymouth theme. Fedora comes with a few installed by default, and then there are several more that you can install via the DNF package manager.
You can switch to any currently installed theme by entering the following command:
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme <theme-name> -RThe changes will take effect immediately and you will see the new splash screen when you reboot your system.
To see what themes are currently installed on your system, simply enter:
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme The system will respond with a short list of names that you can use with the above command to change the theme. If you ever want to go back to the default Plymouth theme, just enter:
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme To find new themes available to install, use DNF:
sudo dnf search plymouth-themePlymouth themes pre-installed in Fedora
Don’t worry though. We are going to list the exact commands you will need to install and switch to any of the currently available themes for Fedora Linux. For the sake of simplicity, let’s go through each of them in alphabetical order.
1. The Plymouth Breeze Theme
The Breeze theme is the default theme for the KDE desktop environment. By changing the theme from Plymouth to Breeze, your computer will display the KDE logo with a small spinning gear while Fedora loads.
To use the Breeze Plymouth theme:
sudo dnf install plymouth-theme-breeze
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme breeze -R2. The Plymouth Charge Theme
The loading theme displays the silhouette of the Fedora logo and “loads” it as the system loads. When the silhouette is complete, the Fedora infinity “F” mark will appear in the center.
To use the Charge Plymouth theme:
sudo dnf install plymouth-theme-charge
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme charge -R3. The Plymouth Details Theme
The Details theme is really like using no theme at all. Instead of displaying an image as the system loads, this theme pulls back the curtain and lets you see what’s going on “under the hood” as Fedora initializes and prepares the system for you.
To use the Plymouth Details theme:
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme details -R4. The Plymouth Fade In Theme
The Fade-in theme displays the Fedora logo in the center of the screen on a blue background. As the system loads, a field of animated stars appears and disappears on the screen.
To use the Fade-in Plymouth theme on Fedora:
sudo dnf install plymouth-theme-fade-in
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme fade-in -R5. The Plymouth Hot Dog Theme
The Hot Dog theme is probably the most unusual of the bunch. A cartoon hotdog character is displayed in the center of the screen, complete with face, arms, and legs. As the system loads, mustard will be added to the hot dog, acting as a progress meter.
To use the Hot Dog Plymouth theme:
sudo dnf install plymouth-theme-hot-dog
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme hot-dog -R6. The Plymouth Script Theme
The Script theme is simple. The Fedora logo is displayed in the center of the screen with a small black and white bar below it. As the system loads, the bar colors oscillate back and forth horizontally.
To use the Script Plymouth theme:
sudo dnf install plymouth-theme-script
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme script -R7. The Plymouth Solar Theme
The solar theme is almost fascinating. A large Fedora logo is displayed in the center of the screen with a progress bar below it. In the bottom corner of the screen is a blue sun with animated solar flares that jump across the star’s surface as the system charges.
To use the Solar Plymouth theme:
sudo dnf install plymouth-theme-solar
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme solar -R8. The Plymouth Spinfinity Theme
The Spinfinity theme is a bit difficult to capture on a screenshot. The Fedora logo is displayed in the center of the screen with a rotating arrow made of dots below it. However, on this spinning wheel, instead of the dots moving in a typical line or circle pattern, they follow a path that forms the infinity symbol.
To use the Spinfinity Plymouth theme on Fedora:
sudo dnf install plymouth-theme-spinfinity
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme spinfinity -R9. The Plymouth Spinning Wheel Theme
The Spinner theme displays the Fedora name and logo at the bottom center of the screen on a black background. Just above the logo, a solid white line with a fading trail runs through the path of a small circle as the desktop loads.
To use the Spinner Plymouth theme:
sudo dnf install plymouth-theme-spinner
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme spinner -R10. The Plymouth Text Theme
The Text theme is another minimalist theme. You will simply see three dots in the middle of the screen. As the system loads, each dot will light up in an oscillating pattern until your desktop is ready.
To use the Plymouth Text theme:
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme text -R11. The Plymouth Grandstand Theme
The Tribar theme displays three independently moving progress bars overlaid along the bottom edge of the screen. As your system boots up, the bars will grow from the left and eventually reach the right side of the screen just before your desktop appears.
To use the Tribar Plymouth theme:
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme tribar -RNow that you know how to use Plymouth themes to change your Fedora splash screen, you have one more tool in your box of tricks to customize your Linux desktop.
But why stop there? You can also customize your terminal’s home screen to give it that special “something extra”. Or maybe you would like to customize your desktop and menu icons?
Enjoy your new welcome screen in Fedora
There is also much more you can do to customize your Linux desktop and give it a personality of its own. You can even switch to a different desktop environment if the current one doesn’t excite you. Exploring and experimenting can produce great results.
