How to Turn On Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad

Dark Mode changes the appearance of menus and many supported apps to a dark color scheme, which can be more comfortable in dim surroundings. You can switch it on from Settings or Control Center, and you can choose to have it turn on automatically at certain times. The steps are similar on iPhone and iPad.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone or iPad running a recent version of iOS or iPadOS. Menu wording can vary slightly on older releases.
• Nothing to download: Dark Mode is built into the system.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Settings. Find the gray gear icon on your Home Screen or in the App Library, then tap it.
2. Go to Display & Brightness. In Settings, scroll if needed and tap Display & Brightness.
3. Select Dark. Under the Appearance choices, tap the circle or option labeled Dark. The interface should change immediately. This setting affects system screens and apps that support the device’s appearance setting; it does not force every app or webpage into a dark design.
4. Choose whether to use Automatic. If you want Dark Mode to stay on all the time, leave Automatic off. If you want the device to switch appearances on a schedule, turn Automatic on.
5. Set the schedule, if desired. With Automatic enabled, tap Options. Choose Sunset to Sunrise to follow local sunset and sunrise, or choose Custom Schedule and set the times for Light and Dark appearance. Your device may need location access for the sunset and sunrise option to use your local times.
6. Check the result. Return to the Home Screen and open a few built-in apps, such as Settings or Notes. Some apps follow the system appearance, while others have their own display setting or remain light.

Quick switch from Control Center: On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge. On most iPads, swipe down from the top-right corner. Touch and hold the brightness slider, then tap Dark Mode to turn it on or off. If that control is not shown, use Settings or add it to Control Center where your software version allows customization.

Common Mistakes

• Leaving Automatic on unintentionally. If the screen changes back to Light later, a schedule may be responsible. Check Settings > Display & Brightness and review Automatic and its Options.
• Expecting every app to change. Dark Mode is a system appearance preference, not a universal command. An app may not support it, may use a separate theme choice, or may offer a webpage-specific setting.
• Confusing Dark Mode with Night Shift. Night Shift changes the color temperature of the display, generally making it warmer. It does not turn the interface dark. Find it under Settings > Display & Brightness or in the expanded brightness controls.
• Looking only at the wallpaper. A dark wallpaper does not mean Dark Mode is enabled. Confirm that Dark is selected in Display & Brightness.
• Assuming darker means every display element is black. Some screens use dark gray, keep photos and videos in their original colors, or show content that stays bright by design.

Tips

• Use the schedule that suits your routine. Sunset to Sunrise is convenient if you want the appearance to follow daylight. A custom schedule is better if you want it to change at fixed times, regardless of the season.
• Use Control Center for occasional changes. The brightness-slider shortcut is faster than opening Settings when you only want to switch temporarily. Remember that a schedule can change it again later.
• Check app-specific appearance controls. If one app stays light, look in that app’s settings for options such as Appearance, Theme, or Display. The label and location depend on the app.
• Try both appearances in your usual lighting. Dark Mode can be easier to look at in low light, but personal preference and readability vary. You can switch back at any time without losing data or changing the screen’s brightness setting.
• Keep brightness separate from appearance. Dark Mode changes the colors used by supported interfaces; the brightness slider controls how bright the display is. Adjust both independently for comfortable viewing.

Troubleshooting

Dark Mode does not turn on: Open Settings > Display & Brightness and tap Dark again. If you are in a sub-menu, return to the main Display & Brightness screen and confirm the selected appearance. Close and reopen the affected app to see whether it refreshes.

It turns off by itself: Check whether Automatic is enabled and review the schedule under Options. If you want Dark Mode to remain on continuously, turn Automatic off and select Dark. Also check whether a Focus mode or other automation you set up changes appearance; settings and automation options can differ by software version.

Control Center has no Dark Mode button: Use the Settings method instead. You can also touch and hold the brightness slider, since Dark Mode may be available inside its expanded controls even when there is no separate button. Control Center customization varies between versions; look for its edit or add-controls option if you want a dedicated control.

Only one app stays light: Confirm that the app supports the system appearance. Look in its own settings for a theme choice, and check whether the specific screen or webpage has a separate appearance setting. If no such choice exists, the app may not offer Dark Mode.

Settings are missing or look different: Search for Display & Brightness in the Settings search field. Older software may arrange options differently. If the setting still cannot be found, restart the device and check for an available iOS or iPadOS update under Settings > General > Software Update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dark Mode work on both iPhone and iPad?
Yes. Both include a system appearance setting under Settings > Display & Brightness, although details can vary by software version.

Can I turn on Dark Mode without opening Settings?
Usually. Open Control Center, touch and hold the brightness slider, then tap Dark Mode. The Settings route works if the shortcut is unavailable.

Can Dark Mode turn on automatically at sunset?
Yes. Enable Automatic in Display & Brightness, tap Options, and choose Sunset to Sunrise.

Why are some apps still white?
Not every app supports the system appearance. Some have a separate theme setting, and others remain light even when Dark Mode is on.

Does Dark Mode lower screen brightness?
No. It changes the colors of supported interface elements. Use the brightness slider separately to make the screen brighter or dimmer.

How do I turn Dark Mode off?
Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and select Light. You can also use the Dark Mode control in Control Center.

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