How to Use Strings, Colors, and Drawables in Jetpack Compose

Violet resource tiles for text, color, and images arranged on a teal frame against a dark navy background. — Load Android string, color, and drawable resources correctly in Jetpack Compose while keeping UI accessible, localizable, and theme-aware.

Compose can use Android resources directly: stringResource() for localized text, colorResource() for legacy color resources, and painterResource() for drawables. Prefer MaterialTheme colors for themeable UI, and use string resources for user-visible text and content descriptions.

Strings

Text(text = stringResource(R.string.profile_title))
Icon(
    imageVector = Icons.Default.Edit,
    contentDescription = stringResource(R.string.cd_edit_profile)
)

Use formatted resources instead of concatenating translated text:

Text(stringResource(R.string.greeting, user.name))

Colors

For app UI, prefer the semantic palette provided by Material 3:

Text(color = MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurface, text = title)

colorResource(R.color.brand_accent) is useful when integrating an existing resource color, but semantic theme colors adapt better to dark mode and dynamic color.

Drawables

Image(
    painter = painterResource(R.drawable.article_cover),
    contentDescription = stringResource(R.string.cd_article_cover)
)

Use contentDescription = null only for truly decorative artwork. Interactive and informational visuals need a meaningful localized description.

Practical rules

Keep user-facing text in strings.xml for localization.
Avoid hard-coded colors when a Material semantic color expresses the role.
Use vector drawables or ImageVector icons for scalable icons.
Test contrast in light and dark themes.

For theme design, see Material Theme in Jetpack Compose.