An AppCompat (i.e. uses startSupportActionMode method) solution for modifying the Contextual Action Bar (CAB) done button image, while reinstating it so that Text Selection behaviour remains as per normal. This example will replace the normal back/up icon for a tick icon when an ActionMode is created by the app and reinstate the back/up icon whe…

gistfile1.java

Drawable mDefaultActionModeDoneDrawable;    //used to cache the original doneButton drawable so it can be reinstated to provide TextSelection as per normal

    void customiseActionModeDoneButton(boolean showTick) {
        //updated for AppCompat, based on http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6556116/how-can-i-customize-the-action-modes-color-and-text
        if(showTick) {
            mHandler.post(new Runnable() {
                @Override
                public void run() {
                    int doneButtonId = R.id.action_mode_close_button;
                    View v = findViewById(doneButtonId);
                    if (v == null){
                        //appcompat id for doneButton not found, probably some OS customisation shennanigans
                        return;
                    }
                    TintImageView img = (TintImageView) v;
                    mDefaultActionModeDoneDrawable = img.getDrawable();
                    img.setImageResource(R.drawable.ic_cab_done_mtrl_alpha);
                }
            });
        } else {
            int doneButtonId = R.id.action_mode_close_button;
            View v = findViewById(doneButtonId);
            if (v == null){
                //appcompat id for doneButton not found, probably some OS customisation shennanigans
                return;
            }
            TintImageView img = (TintImageView) v;
            img.setImageDrawable(mDefaultActionModeDoneDrawable);
        }
    }
    
    final class ExampleActionMode implements ActionMode.Callback {
        @Override
        public boolean onCreateActionMode(ActionMode actionMode, Menu menu) {
            customiseActionModeDoneButton(true);
            return true;
        }

        @Override
        public void onDestroyActionMode(ActionMode actionMode) {
            customiseActionModeDoneButton(false);
        }
    }