diff --git a/bottom-bar/src/main/java/com/roughike/bottombar/BottomBar.java b/bottom-bar/src/main/java/com/roughike/bottombar/BottomBar.java
index c29ec368..a55d75f0 100644
--- a/bottom-bar/src/main/java/com/roughike/bottombar/BottomBar.java
+++ b/bottom-bar/src/main/java/com/roughike/bottombar/BottomBar.java
@@ -130,6 +130,7 @@ public class BottomBar extends RelativeLayout implements View.OnClickListener, V
     private boolean mShouldUpdateFragmentInitially;
 
     private int mMaxFixedTabCount = 3;
+    private boolean mForceUseCustomActiveColor = false;
 
     /**
      * Bind the BottomBar to your Activity, and inflate your layout here.
@@ -614,6 +615,13 @@ public void useDarkTheme() {
         mIsDarkTheme = true;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Always use custom color for selected tab
+     */
+    public void forceUseCustomColor() {
+         mForceUseCustomActiveColor = true;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Ignore the automatic Night Mode detection and use a light theme by default,
      * even if the Night Mode is on.
@@ -1398,7 +1406,7 @@ private void selectTab(View tab, boolean animate) {
 
         int tabPosition = findItemPosition(tab);
 
-        if (!mIsShiftingMode || mIsTabletMode) {
+        if (mForceUseCustomActiveColor || (!mIsShiftingMode || mIsTabletMode)) {
             int activeColor = mCustomActiveTabColor != 0 ?
                     mCustomActiveTabColor : mPrimaryColor;
             icon.setColorFilter(activeColor);
@@ -1463,7 +1471,7 @@ private void unselectTab(View tab, boolean animate) {
         ImageView icon = (ImageView) tab.findViewById(R.id.bb_bottom_bar_icon);
         TextView title = (TextView) tab.findViewById(R.id.bb_bottom_bar_title);
 
-        if (!mIsShiftingMode || mIsTabletMode) {
+        if (mForceUseCustomActiveColor || !mIsShiftingMode || mIsTabletMode) {
             int inActiveColor = mIsDarkTheme ? mWhiteColor : mInActiveColor;
             icon.setColorFilter(inActiveColor);