diff --git a/bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py b/bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py
index 26682abd..3a693bb4 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/examples/jupyter_console/jupyter_console_window.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import BECDispatcher
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy as wh
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.advanced_dock_area.advanced_dock_area import AdvancedDockArea
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.dock import BECDockArea
@@ -169,6 +170,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     module_path = os.path.dirname(bec_widgets.__file__)
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    apply_theme("dark")
     app.setApplicationName("Jupyter Console")
     app.setApplicationDisplayName("Jupyter Console")
     icon = material_icon("terminal", color=(255, 255, 255, 255), filled=True)
diff --git a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py
index dccd82ff..502493e2 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/bec_widget.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QFileDialog, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.cli.rpc.rpc_register import RPCRegister
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.rpc_decorator import rpc_timeout
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
@@ -69,9 +69,9 @@ class BECWidget(BECConnector):
             # DO NOT SET THE THEME TO AUTO! Otherwise, the qwebengineview will segfault
             # Instead, we will set the theme to the system setting on startup
             if darkdetect.isDark():
-                set_theme("dark")
+                apply_theme("dark")
             else:
-                set_theme("light")
+                apply_theme("light")
 
         if theme_update:
             logger.debug(f"Subscribing to theme updates for {self.__class__.__name__}")
diff --git a/bec_widgets/utils/colors.py b/bec_widgets/utils/colors.py
index 9aa40c3b..78180919 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/colors.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/colors.py
@@ -3,10 +3,9 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import re
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
-import bec_qthemes
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
-from bec_qthemes._os_appearance.listener import OSThemeSwitchListener
+from bec_qthemes import apply_theme as apply_theme_global
 from pydantic_core import PydanticCustomError
 from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
@@ -23,7 +22,10 @@ def get_theme_name():
 
 
 def get_theme_palette():
-    return bec_qthemes.load_palette(get_theme_name())
+    # FIXME this is legacy code, should be removed in the future
+    app = QApplication.instance()
+    palette = app.palette()
+    return palette
 
 
 def get_accent_colors() -> AccentColors | None:
@@ -36,38 +38,6 @@ def get_accent_colors() -> AccentColors | None:
     return QApplication.instance().theme.accent_colors
 
 
-def _theme_update_callback():
-    """
-    Internal callback function to update the theme based on the system theme.
-    """
-    app = QApplication.instance()
-    # pylint: disable=protected-access
-    app.theme.theme = app.os_listener._theme.lower()
-    app.theme_signal.theme_updated.emit(app.theme.theme)
-    apply_theme(app.os_listener._theme.lower())
-
-
-def set_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]):
-    """
-    Set the theme for the application.
-
-    Args:
-        theme (Literal["dark", "light", "auto"]): The theme to set. "auto" will automatically switch between dark and light themes based on the system theme.
-    """
-    app = QApplication.instance()
-    bec_qthemes.setup_theme(theme, install_event_filter=False)
-
-    app.theme_signal.theme_updated.emit(theme)
-    apply_theme(theme)
-
-    if theme != "auto":
-        return
-
-    if not hasattr(app, "os_listener") or app.os_listener is None:
-        app.os_listener = OSThemeSwitchListener(_theme_update_callback)
-        app.installEventFilter(app.os_listener)
-
-
 def apply_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light"]):
     """
     Apply the theme to all pyqtgraph widgets. Do not use this function directly. Use set_theme instead.
@@ -133,8 +103,9 @@ def apply_theme(theme: Literal["dark", "light"]):
         histogram.axis.setTextPen(pg.mkPen(color=label_color))
 
     # now define stylesheet according to theme and apply it
-    style = bec_qthemes.load_stylesheet(theme)
-    app.setStyleSheet(style)
+    apply_theme_global(theme)  # TODO for now this is patch
+    # style = bec_qthemes.load_stylesheet(theme)
+    # app.setStyleSheet(style)
 
 
 class Colors:
diff --git a/bec_widgets/utils/toolbars/toolbar.py b/bec_widgets/utils/toolbars/toolbar.py
index 21b3c710..c1b7b7f2 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/toolbars/toolbar.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/toolbars/toolbar.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import QSize, Qt
 from qtpy.QtGui import QAction, QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QLabel, QMainWindow, QMenu, QToolBar, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_theme_name, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_theme_name
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.actions import MaterialIconAction, ToolBarAction
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.bundles import ToolbarBundle, ToolbarComponents
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.connections import BundleConnection
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
                 self.test_label.setText("FPS Monitor Disabled")
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     main_window = MainWindow()
     main_window.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec_())
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py
index 2f5f233b..5b3f5a93 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/advanced_dock_area/advanced_dock_area.py
@@ -171,6 +171,7 @@ class AdvancedDockArea(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
         # Init Dock Manager
         self.dock_manager = CDockManager(self)
+        self.dock_manager.setStyleSheet("")
 
         # Dock manager helper variables
         self._locked = False  # Lock state of the workspace
@@ -906,4 +907,5 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     window.setCentralWidget(ads)
     window.show()
     window.resize(800, 600)
+
     sys.exit(app.exec())
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py
index ca6a698b..50210b24 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/dock/dock_area.py
@@ -616,10 +616,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     import sys
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("auto")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     dock_area = BECDockArea()
     dock_1 = dock_area.new(name="dock_0", widget="DarkModeButton")
     dock_1.new(widget="DarkModeButton")
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py
index b6e91f30..78719e08 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/containers/main_window/main_window.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 import bec_widgets
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.widget_io import WidgetHierarchy
 from bec_widgets.widgets.containers.main_window.addons.hover_widget import HoverWidget
@@ -374,11 +374,12 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
         dark_theme_action.triggered.connect(lambda: self.change_theme("dark"))
 
         # Set the default theme
-        theme = self.app.theme.theme
-        if theme == "light":
-            light_theme_action.setChecked(True)
-        elif theme == "dark":
-            dark_theme_action.setChecked(True)
+        if hasattr(self.app, "theme") and self.app.theme:
+            theme_name = self.app.theme.theme.lower()
+            if "light" in theme_name:
+                light_theme_action.setChecked(True)
+            elif "dark" in theme_name:
+                dark_theme_action.setChecked(True)
 
         ########################################
         # Help menu
@@ -448,7 +449,7 @@ class BECMainWindow(BECWidget, QMainWindow):
         Args:
             theme(str): Either "light" or "dark".
         """
-        set_theme(theme)  # emits theme_updated and applies palette globally
+        apply_theme(theme)  # emits theme_updated and applies palette globally
 
     def event(self, event):
         if event.type() == QEvent.Type.StatusTip:
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/stop_button/stop_button.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/stop_button/stop_button.py
index 7d0456ec..fdedf4f1 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/stop_button/stop_button.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/buttons/stop_button/stop_button.py
@@ -31,9 +31,7 @@ class StopButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
             self.button = QPushButton()
             self.button.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Minimum, QSizePolicy.Policy.Fixed)
             self.button.setText("Stop")
-            self.button.setStyleSheet(
-                f"background-color:  #cc181e; color: white; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12px;"
-            )
+            self.button.setProperty("variant", "danger")
         self.button.clicked.connect(self.stop_scan)
 
         self.layout.addWidget(self.button)
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box/positioner_box.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box/positioner_box.py
index 4a686d8c..a573623e 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box/positioner_box.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box/positioner_box.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from qtpy.QtGui import QDoubleValidator
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDoubleSpinBox
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box._base import PositionerBoxBase
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box._base.positioner_box_base import (
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication  # pylint: disable=ungrouped-imports
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = PositionerBox(device="bpm4i")
 
     widget.show()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box_2d/positioner_box_2d.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box_2d/positioner_box_2d.py
index 7a8edd00..fdb5df06 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box_2d/positioner_box_2d.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_control/positioner_box/positioner_box_2d/positioner_box_2d.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from qtpy.QtGui import QDoubleValidator
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QDoubleSpinBox
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import UILoader
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box._base import PositionerBoxBase
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_control.positioner_box._base.positioner_box_base import (
@@ -478,7 +478,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication  # pylint: disable=ungrouped-imports
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = PositionerBox2D()
 
     widget.show()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_combobox/device_combobox.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_combobox/device_combobox.py
index b80227be..620773bd 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_combobox/device_combobox.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_combobox/device_combobox.py
@@ -202,10 +202,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_line_edit/device_line_edit.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_line_edit/device_line_edit.py
index 3a0f1925..e9d523fd 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_line_edit/device_line_edit.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/device_line_edit/device_line_edit.py
@@ -175,13 +175,13 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
     from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.signal_combobox.signal_combobox import (
         SignalComboBox,
     )
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_combobox/signal_combobox.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_combobox/signal_combobox.py
index 7c0bdadd..134bc836 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_combobox/signal_combobox.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_combobox/signal_combobox.py
@@ -179,10 +179,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_line_edit/signal_line_edit.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_line_edit/signal_line_edit.py
index 4c8ecb0d..759706a1 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_line_edit/signal_line_edit.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/device_input/signal_line_edit/signal_line_edit.py
@@ -147,13 +147,13 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QVBoxLayout, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
     from bec_widgets.widgets.control.device_input.device_combobox.device_combobox import (
         DeviceComboBox,
     )
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py
index 27bad023..8948e4ef 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/control/scan_control/scan_control.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_accent_colors
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_accent_colors
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.buttons.stop_button.stop_button import StopButton
 from bec_widgets.widgets.control.scan_control.scan_group_box import ScanGroupBox
@@ -136,13 +136,8 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
         self.scan_control_group.setSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Preferred, QSizePolicy.Fixed)
         self.button_layout = QHBoxLayout(self.scan_control_group)
         self.button_run_scan = QPushButton("Start", self.scan_control_group)
-        self.button_run_scan.setStyleSheet(
-            f"background-color: {palette.success.name()}; color: white"
-        )
+        self.button_run_scan.setProperty("variant", "success")
         self.button_stop_scan = StopButton(parent=self.scan_control_group)
-        self.button_stop_scan.setStyleSheet(
-            f"background-color: {palette.emergency.name()}; color: white"
-        )
         self.button_layout.addWidget(self.button_run_scan)
         self.button_layout.addWidget(self.button_stop_scan)
         self.layout.addWidget(self.scan_control_group)
@@ -547,12 +542,10 @@ class ScanControl(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
 # Application example
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
-
     app = QApplication([])
     scan_control = ScanControl()
 
-    set_theme("auto")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     window = scan_control
     window.show()
     app.exec()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/dap/dap_combo_box/dap_combo_box.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/dap/dap_combo_box/dap_combo_box.py
index c9892ba3..5931d672 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/dap/dap_combo_box/dap_combo_box.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/dap/dap_combo_box/dap_combo_box.py
@@ -175,10 +175,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setFixedSize(200, 200)
     layout = QVBoxLayout()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/editors/dict_backed_table.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/editors/dict_backed_table.py
index 3efe3887..a9fb0644 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/editors/dict_backed_table.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/editors/dict_backed_table.py
@@ -249,10 +249,10 @@ class DictBackedTable(QWidget):
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
 
     window = DictBackedTable(None, [["key1", "value1"], ["key2", "value2"], ["key3", "value3"]])
     window.show()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/scan_metadata.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/scan_metadata.py
index 742936df..d3c4be01 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/scan_metadata.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/editors/scan_metadata/scan_metadata.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from bec_lib.metadata_schema import BasicScanMetadata
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     class ExampleSchema1(BasicScanMetadata):
         abc: int = Field(gt=0, lt=2000, description="Heating temperature abc", title="A B C")
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
         layout.addWidget(selection)
         layout.addWidget(scan_metadata)
 
-        set_theme("dark")
+        apply_theme("dark")
         window = w
         window.show()
         app.exec()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/games/minesweeper.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/games/minesweeper.py
index 607cde57..ad9e496f 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/games/minesweeper.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/games/minesweeper.py
@@ -407,10 +407,10 @@ class Minesweeper(BECWidget, QWidget):
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     widget = Minesweeper()
     widget.show()
 
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map.py
index e9e5f979..dc50ca63 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/motor_map/motor_map.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from qtpy.QtGui import QColor
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMainWindow, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import MaterialIconAction
@@ -830,7 +830,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = DemoApp()
     widget.show()
     widget.resize(1400, 600)
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_waveform.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_waveform.py
index a7b81c89..dc99fd31 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_waveform.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/scatter_waveform/scatter_waveform.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import QTimer, Signal
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QHBoxLayout, QMainWindow, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import Colors, ConnectionConfig
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
 from bec_widgets.utils.toolbars.toolbar import MaterialIconAction
@@ -546,8 +545,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
+
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = DemoApp()
     widget.show()
     widget.resize(1400, 600)
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform.py
index 1d388a7d..10fc8baa 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/plots/waveform/waveform.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 
 from bec_widgets.utils import ConnectionConfig
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_signal_proxy import BECSignalProxy
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import Colors, apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.utils.container_utils import WidgetContainerUtils
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeProperty, SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.utils.settings_dialog import SettingsDialog
@@ -2059,7 +2059,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     import sys
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = DemoApp()
     widget.show()
     widget.resize(1400, 600)
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.py
index ca22a2f6..e1b8948d 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/services/bec_status_box/bec_status_box.py
@@ -315,10 +315,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     main_window = BECStatusBox()
     main_window.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec())
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.py
index 55a06668..fbe6fe7d 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_browser.py
@@ -240,10 +240,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     widget = DeviceBrowser()
     widget.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec_())
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_config_dialog.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_config_dialog.py
index f952f2c1..d81a2beb 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_config_dialog.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_config_dialog.py
@@ -262,12 +262,12 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QLineEdit, QPushButton, QWidget
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     dialog = None
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     widget = QWidget()
     widget.setLayout(QVBoxLayout())
 
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_signal_display.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_signal_display.py
index 934030a5..db828c53 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_signal_display.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/services/device_browser/device_item/device_signal_display.py
@@ -110,10 +110,10 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
 
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+    from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     widget = SignalDisplay(device="samx")
     widget.show()
     sys.exit(app.exec_())
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/logpanel.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/logpanel.py
index 76aca47d..ad5dee29 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/logpanel.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/utility/logpanel/logpanel.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ from qtpy.QtWidgets import (
 )
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_connector import BECConnector
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import get_theme_palette, set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme, get_theme_palette
 from bec_widgets.utils.error_popups import SafeSlot
 from bec_widgets.widgets.editors.text_box.text_box import TextBox
 from bec_widgets.widgets.services.bec_status_box.bec_status_box import BECServiceStatusMixin
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":  # pragma: no cover
     from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication  # pylint: disable=ungrouped-imports
 
     app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    set_theme("dark")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     widget = LogPanel()
 
     widget.show()
diff --git a/bec_widgets/widgets/utility/visual/dark_mode_button/dark_mode_button.py b/bec_widgets/widgets/utility/visual/dark_mode_button/dark_mode_button.py
index e8f352e8..6fdb1f15 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/widgets/utility/visual/dark_mode_button/dark_mode_button.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/widgets/utility/visual/dark_mode_button/dark_mode_button.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from qtpy.QtCore import Property, Qt, Slot
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication, QHBoxLayout, QPushButton, QToolButton, QWidget
 
 from bec_widgets.utils.bec_widget import BECWidget
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 
 
 class DarkModeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class DarkModeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
         """
         self.dark_mode_enabled = not self.dark_mode_enabled
         self.update_mode_button()
-        set_theme("dark" if self.dark_mode_enabled else "light")
+        apply_theme("dark" if self.dark_mode_enabled else "light")
 
     def update_mode_button(self):
         icon = material_icon(
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class DarkModeButton(BECWidget, QWidget):
 if __name__ == "__main__":
 
     app = QApplication([])
-    set_theme("auto")
+    apply_theme("dark")
     w = DarkModeButton()
     w.show()
 
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/test_dark_mode_button.py b/tests/unit_tests/test_dark_mode_button.py
index 3dca50a2..e8a02bac 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/test_dark_mode_button.py
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/test_dark_mode_button.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import pytest
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWidgets import QApplication
 
-from bec_widgets.utils.colors import set_theme
+from bec_widgets.utils.colors import apply_theme
 from bec_widgets.widgets.utility.visual.dark_mode_button.dark_mode_button import DarkModeButton
 
 # pylint: disable=unused-import
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def dark_mode_button(qtbot, mocked_client):
     button = DarkModeButton(client=mocked_client)
     qtbot.addWidget(button)
     qtbot.waitExposed(button)
-    set_theme("light")
+    apply_theme("light")
     yield button