sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

WhatsApp Dark Mode: How to Turn It On or Off on iPhone

Guide 10-12543 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to enable or disable dark mode in WhatsApp on your iPhone. Dark mode changes the app’s interface to a dark color scheme, which can reduce eye strain in low-light environments and help save battery life on OLED screens. You can control WhatsApp’s appearance either by following your iPhone’s system-wide setting or by overriding it within the app itself.

What You’ll Need

  • An iPhone running iOS 13 or later (dark mode is a system feature introduced in iOS 13).
  • The latest version of WhatsApp installed from the App Store.
  • Your iPhone’s Settings app accessible.

Step-by-Step

There are two main ways to control WhatsApp’s dark mode: through your iPhone’s system settings (which affects all apps) or directly within WhatsApp’s own settings (which only affects WhatsApp). Here’s how to do both.

Method 1: Using iPhone’s System Dark Mode (Affects All Apps)

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone (the gear icon).
  2. Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness.
  3. Under the Appearance section at the top, you’ll see two options: Light and Dark. Tap Dark to enable dark mode system-wide, or Light to disable it.
  4. If you want dark mode to turn on and off automatically based on the time of day, toggle on Automatic (the switch will turn green). When enabled, you can tap Options to choose between Sunset to Sunrise (follows your local sunset/sunrise times) or a Custom Schedule where you set specific times.
  5. Once you’ve made your selection, open WhatsApp. It will automatically match your system appearance setting, provided WhatsApp is set to use the system default (which it is by default).

Method 2: Override Within WhatsApp (Only Affects WhatsApp)

If you want WhatsApp to be dark even when your iPhone is in light mode (or vice versa), you can override the system setting directly in WhatsApp.

  1. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
  2. Tap the Settings tab in the bottom-right corner (the gear icon).
  3. Tap Chats.
  4. Tap Display (or in some versions, it may be listed as Theme).
  5. You’ll see three options:
    • System: This makes WhatsApp follow your iPhone’s appearance setting (Light or Dark).
    • Light: This forces WhatsApp to always use the light theme, regardless of your iPhone’s setting.
    • Dark: This forces WhatsApp to always use the dark theme, regardless of your iPhone’s setting.
  6. Select your preferred option. The change applies immediately—you don’t need to restart WhatsApp.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting that WhatsApp follows the system by default: If you change your iPhone’s appearance but WhatsApp doesn’t change, it’s likely because WhatsApp’s own setting is set to Light or Dark (not System). Check the in-app override.
  • Looking for a toggle in the wrong place: Some users look for a dark mode switch directly in WhatsApp’s main Settings screen. It’s not there—it’s under Settings > Chats > Display.
  • Expecting dark mode to affect only the chat list: Dark mode in WhatsApp applies to the entire interface, including chats, settings, and contact lists. If only part of the app is dark, you may have an older version of WhatsApp that doesn’t fully support dark mode.
  • Not updating iOS: If your iPhone is running iOS 12 or earlier, the system-wide dark mode option won’t exist, and WhatsApp won’t have the in-app override either. Update your iPhone to iOS 13 or later.

Tips

  • Use the Automatic schedule: If you want dark mode at night but light mode during the day, set up an automatic schedule in your iPhone’s Display & Brightness settings. This way, WhatsApp will switch automatically without you having to remember.
  • Battery saving: Dark mode can help save battery life on iPhones with OLED displays (like the iPhone X and later). If battery life is a concern, keeping dark mode on might help.
  • Quick toggle: You can quickly toggle dark mode from the Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), then press and hold the Brightness slider. A small dark mode icon (a circle with a half-moon) will appear—tap it to toggle dark mode on or off. This affects all apps, including WhatsApp.
  • Check for updates: WhatsApp occasionally changes the location of the theme setting. If you can’t find it, make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp from the App Store.

Troubleshooting

If dark mode isn’t working as expected, try these steps in order:

  1. Check WhatsApp’s in-app theme setting: Go to Settings > Chats > Display and make sure it’s set to System (if you want it to follow your iPhone) or Dark (if you want it always dark). If it’s set to Light, that’s why dark mode isn’t appearing.
  2. Restart WhatsApp: Close the app completely (swipe up from the bottom and pause, then swipe the WhatsApp card away) and reopen it. Sometimes the app needs a refresh to pick up the new theme.
  3. Restart your iPhone: A simple restart can resolve glitches in the appearance settings. Press and hold the power button and either volume button until the slider appears, then slide to power off. Turn it back on after a few seconds.
  4. Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates. Older iOS versions may have bugs with dark mode.
  5. Update WhatsApp: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, scroll to see pending updates, and update WhatsApp if available.
  6. Reinstall WhatsApp (last resort): If nothing works, back up your chats (Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now), then delete and reinstall WhatsApp. Restore your chat history when prompted. This resets all settings to default, which usually fixes theme issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn’t WhatsApp have a dark mode toggle in its main settings?

The dark mode toggle is tucked under Settings > Chats > Display. It’s not on the main settings screen because WhatsApp groups it with other display options like font size and wallpaper.

Can I have dark mode only for WhatsApp and not for other apps?

Yes. In WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Display and select Dark. This forces WhatsApp to use dark mode even if your iPhone is in light mode. Other apps will remain in light mode.

Will dark mode affect the color of my chat wallpapers?

Dark mode changes the app’s interface (menus, backgrounds, text bubbles) but your custom chat wallpaper will remain as you set it. If you want a darker wallpaper to match, you can change it in a chat’s settings (tap the contact name > Wallpaper > Choose New Wallpaper).

Does dark mode save battery on all iPhones?

Dark mode saves battery primarily on iPhones with OLED displays (iPhone X, XS, 11 Pro, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series, etc.) because those screens turn off individual pixels to show black. On older LCD iPhones (like iPhone 8 or SE), the battery savings are negligible.

Why did my WhatsApp suddenly switch to dark mode without me changing anything?

This usually happens because your iPhone’s Automatic appearance setting is enabled, and the time changed (e.g., sunset). To stop this, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and turn off Automatic, or change WhatsApp’s theme to Light in its own settings.

Can I schedule dark mode in WhatsApp independently of my iPhone?

No, WhatsApp doesn’t have its own scheduling feature. You can only schedule dark mode through your iPhone’s Display & Brightness settings (using the Automatic option). If you want WhatsApp to be dark only at certain times, you’ll need to set your iPhone’s schedule and keep WhatsApp’s theme set to System.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →