How To Enable Dark Mode on Iphone

Dark Mode on the iPhone provides a sleek, visually comfortable interface that’s easy on the eyes, especially in low-light environments. Not only does it reduce eye strain, but it can also help conserve battery life on OLED screens. Introduced in iOS 13, Dark Mode applies a darker color scheme across the system and compatible apps. This guide will cover everything you need to know about enabling and customizing Dark Mode on your iPhone.

What is Dark Mode?

Dark Mode is an alternative display setting that shifts the color palette of your iPhone from light backgrounds to darker ones.

This feature benefits users in several ways:

1. Reduces Eye Strain: The darker background is easier to look at, particularly in low-light or nighttime settings.

2. Saves Battery: For iPhones with OLED screens (iPhone X and later models), dark pixels use less power, potentially extending battery life.

3. Improved Aesthetics: Dark Mode offers a sleek, modern appearance and can enhance the overall user experience.

Compatible iPhone Models for Dark Mode

Dark Mode is available on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later, which includes:

iPhone 6s and newer models

While Dark Mode is available across all iPhones running iOS 13 or newer, the battery-saving benefits are most noticeable on models with OLED screens, as these screens use less power for dark pixels.

How to Enable Dark Mode on Your iPhone

There are multiple ways to enable Dark Mode on the iPhone, allowing you to choose the method that’s most convenient for you.

Enabling Dark Mode Through Settings

1. Open the Settings app: Locate and open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Go to Display & Brightness: Scroll down and select Display & Brightness.

3. Select Dark Appearance: In the Appearance section, you’ll see two options: Light and Dark. Tap Dark to enable Dark Mode instantly.

Once Dark Mode is enabled, the entire interface of your iPhone will shift to a darker theme.

Using Control Center for Quick Access

If you want to toggle Dark Mode on or off quickly, you can do it from the Control Center.

1. Open Control Center:

• On iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
• On iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

2. Long Press Brightness Control: Locate the brightness slider in Control Center and press it firmly (or long-press).

3. Tap Dark Mode Icon: In the Brightness settings, tap the Dark Mode icon to turn it on or off as needed.

Scheduling Dark Mode

If you prefer to use Dark Mode at specific times, such as at night, you can set a schedule.

1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.

2. Enable Automatic: Toggle on the Automatic setting. This will automatically switch between Light and Dark modes based on the time of day.

3. Customize Schedule:

• Tap Options below Automatic, then select Sunset to Sunrise (automatically adjusts based on your location and local sunset/sunrise times).
• Alternatively, choose Custom Schedule to manually set the exact times you want Dark Mode to activate and deactivate.

How to Use Dark Mode with Apps

Many iPhone apps support Dark Mode and will automatically adapt to your iPhone’s appearance settings. Apps like Messages, Safari, Mail, and Photos will immediately shift to a darker look when Dark Mode is enabled.

Using Dark Mode in Third-Party Apps

For third-party apps, Dark Mode support varies, but most major apps offer a dark theme option. When you enable Dark Mode on your iPhone, supported third-party apps should adjust automatically. If not, you may need to enable it directly in the app’s settings.

To check or change Dark Mode settings in a third-party app:

1. Open the app and go to its Settings menu.

2. Look for an option labeled Appearance, Theme, or Dark Mode.

3. If available, select Use System Setting to follow the iPhone’s Dark Mode schedule, or manually set the app to dark or light mode.

Using Safari with Dark Mode

Dark Mode affects Safari’s user interface, but websites will still display their regular colors unless they support a dark theme.

To view websites in Dark Mode:

1. Enable Reader Mode for supported websites. This will display the content in a dark theme.

2. Open Safari and go to a webpage.

3. Tap the Reader icon (looks like lines of text) in the address bar.

4. Select A (Text Options), then tap the dark theme option.

Customizing Dark Mode Settings

While Dark Mode has a standardized look, you can customize certain display settings to suit your needs better.

Adjusting Brightness Levels

Dark Mode can reduce eye strain, but you might still want to adjust the brightness.

1. Open Control Center and use the Brightness slider to adjust the screen brightness.

2. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and toggle on True Tone (if available on your device). True Tone automatically adjusts screen brightness and color based on ambient light, offering a comfortable viewing experience.

Using Night Shift with Dark Mode

Night Shift is a feature that reduces the amount of blue light emitted by your iPhone’s screen, making the display warmer in tone.

1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.

2. Select Night Shift and set a schedule, or enable it manually until the next day.

3. Adjust the color temperature slider to control how warm or cool the display becomes when Night Shift is active.

Combining Dark Mode with Night Shift can provide a more comfortable viewing experience at night.

Dark Mode and Battery Life

For iPhones with OLED screens (iPhone X and newer), Dark Mode can help save battery life. OLED displays work by lighting up individual pixels, so darker pixels use less power.

Here’s how you can maximize battery life with Dark Mode:

1. Use Dark Wallpapers: A darker wallpaper will require less power on OLED screens.

2. Reduce Brightness: Keeping brightness levels low can further extend battery life.

3. Enable Auto-Lock: Set a short Auto-Lock duration to turn off the display quickly when not in use.

While battery savings may not be dramatic, every little bit helps extend usage.

Accessibility Features with Dark Mode

If you need additional contrast or visual adjustments while using Dark Mode, consider these accessibility options:

1. Increase Contrast: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle Increase Contrast for better differentiation between colors.

2. Reduce Transparency: This feature improves legibility by reducing the transparency of background elements. Toggle Reduce Transparency in the Display & Text Size settings.

3. Smart Invert: For apps that don’t support Dark Mode, Smart Invert offers an alternative by inverting colors across the system. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on Smart Invert.

These adjustments can make Dark Mode even more comfortable and accessible for a wide range of users.

Common Issues with Dark Mode and How to Fix Them

Dark Mode Not Working in Apps

If Dark Mode isn’t appearing in some apps, check the app’s settings for an appearance option. Some apps don’t support Dark Mode, while others may require an update.

Dark Mode Not Switching Automatically

If Dark Mode doesn’t switch automatically according to your schedule:

1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and ensure Automatic is enabled.

2. Check that Location Services is on (Settings > Privacy > Location Services) if you’re using the Sunset to Sunrise option.

Brightness Seems Too High in Dark Mode

If Dark Mode appears too bright, lower your screen brightness in Control Center or go to Settings > Display & Brightness and adjust Brightness.

Tips and Tricks for Using Dark Mode on iPhone

1. Use Dark Wallpapers: Pair Dark Mode with a dark wallpaper for a more seamless appearance.

2. Experiment with Widgets: Some widgets have a Dark Mode variant that looks great with the theme.

3. Dark Mode on macOS and iPadOS: If you use multiple Apple devices, you can enable Dark Mode on your Mac and iPad to keep a consistent look across platforms.

4. Siri Shortcut for Dark Mode: Create a Siri shortcut to quickly switch between Dark Mode and Light Mode by voice command.

Conclusion

Enabling Dark Mode on your iPhone can enhance your experience, reduce eye strain, and potentially save battery life on OLED models. With multiple methods for enabling, customizing, and scheduling Dark Mode, you can tailor it to suit your preferences and daily routine. Experiment with the different ways to use Dark Mode in apps and set up schedules to automatically switch modes based on your environment.