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10 Tech How-To

How to Enable Dark Mode on Mac (macOS)

Guide 10-20635 · Updated · Step by step

Dark Mode on your Mac changes the system-wide color scheme to dark backgrounds with light text, which can reduce eye strain in low-light environments and give your desktop a sleek look. This guide walks you through turning it on manually, scheduling it automatically, and forcing dark mode for specific apps, plus how to fix common issues.

What You’ll Need

  • A Mac running macOS Mojave (10.14) or later. Dark Mode is not available on older versions.
  • Administrator access is not required for changing appearance settings—any user account can do it.
  • For scheduled dark mode (auto-switching), your Mac must be running macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.

Step-by-Step

  1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences):
    • On macOS Ventura and later, click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select System Settings.
    • On macOS Monterey and earlier, click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
  2. Navigate to Appearance settings:
    • In System Settings, click Appearance in the sidebar.
    • In System Preferences, click General.
  3. Select Dark Mode:
    • In the Appearance section, you’ll see three options: Light, Dark, and Auto (on macOS Catalina and later).
    • Click Dark to apply dark mode immediately. The system UI, built-in apps, and supported third-party apps will switch instantly.
  4. Schedule Dark Mode (Optional):
    • Choose Auto to have your Mac switch between light (during the day) and dark (at night) based on the time of day or your location.
    • To customize the schedule, click Options next to Auto, then select either Sunset to Sunrise (uses your location) or Custom Schedule to set specific times.
    • For a custom schedule, check the boxes for Light and Dark and set the times you want each to start.
  5. Force Dark Mode for Specific Apps:
    • Some apps don’t automatically follow the system setting. To force them, go to System Settings > Appearance (or System Preferences > General).
    • Find the Force Dark Mode for apps section (on macOS Big Sur and later) and click Add.
    • Select the app from your Applications folder, and it will run in dark mode even if it doesn’t natively support it. Note that this may cause visual glitches in some apps.
  6. Toggle Dark Mode from Control Center (macOS Big Sur and later):
    • Click the Control Center icon (two toggles) in the menu bar.
    • Click Appearance (the half-moon icon), then choose Dark or Light. This is the fastest way to switch without opening System Settings.

Common Mistakes

  • Clicking the wrong setting: In System Settings, there is also a Wallpaper section. Changing the wallpaper to a dark image does not enable Dark Mode. Make sure you are in Appearance.
  • Expecting all apps to change: Some older or poorly coded apps may not respond to Dark Mode. Use the “Force Dark Mode” option, but be aware it may not be perfect.
  • Forgetting to update macOS: If you don’t see the Appearance section or the Dark option, your macOS is likely older than Mojave. Check for updates via System Settings > General > Software Update.
  • Using Auto without location services: If you choose “Sunset to Sunrise” but have Location Services disabled, your Mac may not know your location and will fall back to a default schedule. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and enable it for System Services.

Tips

  • Use a keyboard shortcut: You can assign a shortcut to toggle dark mode: go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts, click the +, select “System Settings” as the app, type “Dark Mode” (or “Appearance” on older versions), and assign a shortcut like Command+Option+D.
  • Make the menu bar and dock dark only: If you want a dark menu bar and dock but keep windows light, go to System Settings > Appearance and select Light for the overall appearance, then check the box for Dark menu bar and Dock (this option appears only when Light is selected).
  • Use Night Shift together: Dark Mode is about colors, not blue light. For better night-time viewing, enable Night Shift in System Settings > Displays to warm the screen colors.
  • Check app-specific settings: Many apps (like Safari, Mail, and Notes) have their own appearance settings that can override the system. For example, in Safari, go to View > Use Dark Mode if you want the browser chrome to stay light.

Troubleshooting

  • Dark Mode is not applying: First, restart your Mac. If that doesn’t work, go to System Settings > Appearance and toggle between Light and Dark a few times. This often forces the system to refresh. If the issue persists, check if you have any third-party themes or apps that override appearance (like a wallpaper utility).
  • Auto schedule not working: If your Mac doesn’t switch at sunset/sunrise, ensure Location Services are enabled for System Services: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, click Details next to System Services, and enable “Setting Time Zone” and “System Customization”.
  • Some apps look broken in Dark Mode: If an app shows black text on black backgrounds, it likely doesn’t support dark mode. Use the “Force Dark Mode” option, but if it’s still unreadable, you may need to keep that app in Light mode by not forcing it, or check for an in-app appearance setting.
  • Dark Mode is on but some menus are still light: This can happen if you have “Increase contrast” enabled in Accessibility settings. Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Display and try turning off “Increase contrast” or “Reduce transparency” to see if that resolves it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dark Mode save battery on Mac?

On OLED displays (like the newer MacBook Pro models), dark mode can save a small amount of battery because black pixels are turned off. On traditional LCD screens (most Macs), the difference is negligible.

Can I set Dark Mode to turn on only for certain apps?

Yes, you can force dark mode for specific apps using the “Force Dark Mode for apps” option in System Settings > Appearance. However, this forces it regardless of your system setting, so it will be dark even in light mode.

Why is Dark Mode not available on my Mac?

Dark Mode requires macOS Mojave (10.14) or later. If you’re running an older version, update via System Settings > General > Software Update. If your Mac doesn’t support Mojave, you cannot get system-wide dark mode.

How do I make Dark Mode turn on automatically at night?

Choose Auto in System Settings > Appearance, then click Options to set a custom schedule or use sunset to sunrise. Ensure your Mac’s date, time, and location settings are correct.

Does Dark Mode affect how my Mac performs?

No, Dark Mode has no noticeable impact on performance. It only changes the color scheme of the interface.

Can I use Dark Mode on a Mac with an external display?

Yes, Dark Mode applies to all displays connected to your Mac. Some external monitors may have their own brightness/contrast settings that you might want to adjust separately for better dark-mode viewing.

Related

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

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