# Deprecate `ThemeData.indicatorColor` in favor of `TabBarThemeData.indicatorColor`

> The `ThemeData.indicatorColor` parameter has been replaced by `TabBarThemeData.indicatorColor`.




:::important
These breaking change docs are accurate, as of the release
under which they are published. Over time, the
workarounds described here might become inaccurate.
We don't, in general, keep these breaking change docs up
to date as of each release.

The [breaking change index file](/release/breaking-changes)
lists the docs created for each release.
:::


## Summary

The [`ThemeData.indicatorColor`][] parameter was deprecated in favor of
the [`TabBarThemeData.indicatorColor`][] parameter.

## Context

The defaults for the [`TabBar`][] widget can be overridden with a
component-specific theme like [`TabBarThemeData`][].
Previously, the `ThemeData.indicatorColor` parameter was used to
override the default tab bar indicator color in Material Design 2,
which was made redundant by [`TabBarThemeData`][].

## Description of change

The [`ThemeData.indicatorColor`][] is deprecated in
favor of a component-specific theme.
Use [`TabBarThemeData`][] to override the default indicator color.

## Migration guide

Replace [`ThemeData.indicatorColor`][] with
[`TabBarThemeData.indicatorColor`][] to override the default tab bar
indicator color when [`ThemeData.useMaterial3`][] flag is set to `false`.

Code before migration:

```dart
theme: ThemeData(
  indicatorColor: Colors.red,
  useMaterial3: false,
),
```

Code after migration:

```dart
theme: ThemeData(
  tabBarTheme: const TabBarThemeData(indicatorColor: Colors.red),
  useMaterial3: false,
),
```

## Timeline

Landed in version: 3.30.0-0.0.pre<br>
In stable release: 3.32

## References

API documentation:

- [`ThemeData.indicatorColor`][]
- [`ThemeData.useMaterial3`][]
- [`TabBarThemeData.indicatorColor`][]
- [`TabBarThemeData`][]
- [`TabBar`][]

Relevant issues:

- [Issue #91772][]

Relevant PRs:

- [Deprecate `ThemeData.indicatorColor` in favor of `TabBarThemeData.indicatorColor`][]

[`ThemeData.indicatorColor`]: https://api.flutter.dev/flutter/material/ThemeData/indicatorColor.html
[`ThemeData.useMaterial3`]: https://api.flutter.dev/flutter/material/ThemeData/useMaterial3.html
[`TabBarThemeData.indicatorColor`]: https://api.flutter.dev/flutter/material/TabBarThemeData/indicatorColor.html
[`TabBarThemeData`]: https://api.flutter.dev/flutter/material/TabBarThemeData-class.html
[`TabBar`]: https://api.flutter.dev/flutter/material/TabBar-class.html
[Issue #91772]: https://github.com/flutter/flutter/issues/91772
[Deprecate `ThemeData.indicatorColor` in favor of `TabBarThemeData.indicatorColor`]: https://github.com/flutter/flutter/pull/160024