How to change the text color of Menu item in Android ?

This example demonstrates how do I change the text color of the menu item in android.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   android:padding="16sp"
   tools:context=".MainActivity">
</RelativeLayout>

Step 3 – Right-click on res/drawable, create any Vector Asset (Example: ic_icon.xml)

Step 4 – Right-click on res, select New -> Android Resource Directory – menu.

Step 5 – Right Click on res/menu and create a new Menu Resource file and add the following code in res/menu/sample_menu.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<menu xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto">

   <item android:id="@+id/item1"
      android:icon="@drawable/ic_icon"
      android:title="Item 1"
      app:showAsAction="ifRoom"/>

   <item android:id="@+id/item2"
      android:title="Item 2"
      app:showAsAction="never"/>

   <item android:id="@+id/item3"
      android:title="Item 3"
      app:showAsAction="never"/>
     
   <item android:id="@+id/item4"
      android:title="Item 5"
      app:showAsAction="never"/>

   <item android:id="@+id/item5"
      android:title="Item 5"
      app:showAsAction="never"/>
</menu>

Step 6 – To change text color of the menu item, open res/values/styles.xml and add the following code

<resources>

   <!-- Base application theme. -->
   <style name="AppTheme" parent="Theme.AppCompat.Light.DarkActionBar">
   <!-- Customize your theme here. -->
      <item name="colorPrimary">@color/colorPrimary</item>
      <item name="colorPrimaryDark">@color/colorPrimaryDark</item>
      <item name="colorAccent">@color/colorAccent</item>
      <item name="android:textColor">#ff000f</item>
   </style>

</resources>

Step 7 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.view.Menu;
import android.view.MenuInflater;
import android.view.MenuItem;
import android.widget.Toast;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity{
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
   }
   @Override
   public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu){
      MenuInflater inflater = getMenuInflater();
      inflater.inflate(R.menu.sample_menu, menu);
      return true;
   }
   @Override
   public boolean onOptionsItemSelected(MenuItem item){
      switch (item.getItemId()){
         case R.id.item1:
         Toast.makeText(this, "Item 1 is selected", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
         return true;
         case R.id.item2:
         Toast.makeText(this, "Item 2 is selected", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
         return true;
         case R.id.item3:
         Toast.makeText(this, "Item 3 is selected", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
         return true;
         case R.id.item4:
         Toast.makeText(this, "Item 4 is selected is selected", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
         return true;
         case R.id.item5:
         Toast.makeText(this, "Item 5 is selected", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
         return true;
         default: return super.onOptionsItemSelected(item);
      }
   }
}

Step 8 - Add the following code to androidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   package="app.com.sample">

   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
      <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
         <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
         </intent-filter>
      </activity>
   </application>
</manifest>

OutPut -

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run  Icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen –