iTunes Dark Mode on Mac or Windows 10: A How-To

This guide walks you through enabling dark mode in iTunes on both macOS and Windows 10. Dark mode changes the interface to a darker color scheme, which can reduce eye strain in low-light environments and give the app a more modern look. You’ll need to have iTunes installed and be running a compatible operating system version—macOS Mojave or later, or Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) for the system-wide dark mode method.

What You’ll Need

• iTunes installed (latest version recommended)
• macOS Mojave (10.14) or later, or Windows 10 version 1809 or later
• Administrator rights on your computer (to change system settings)

Step-by-Step

On macOS

1. Update macOS: Go to the Apple menu () > System Settings (or System Preferences) > Software Update. Install any available updates to ensure you have Mojave or later.
2. Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select “System Settings” (or “System Preferences” on older versions).
3. Navigate to Appearance: In System Settings, click “Appearance” in the sidebar. On older macOS versions, it’s under “General” in System Preferences.
4. Select Dark Mode: Under the “Appearance” section, choose the “Dark” option. This will immediately switch the entire system, including iTunes, to dark mode.
5. Launch iTunes: Open iTunes from the Dock or Applications folder. The interface should now appear dark. If it doesn’t, quit and reopen iTunes.

On Windows 10

1. Check Windows Version: Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to System > About. Confirm your Windows version is 1809 or later. If not, update Windows first.
2. Open Personalization Settings: Right-click on your desktop and select “Personalize”. Alternatively, go to Settings > Personalization.
3. Choose Colors: In the left sidebar, click “Colors”.
4. Set App Mode to Dark: Scroll down to the “More options” section. Under “Choose your default app mode”, select “Dark”. This will apply dark mode to supported apps, including iTunes.
5. Restart iTunes: Close iTunes completely and reopen it. The dark theme should now be active.

Common Mistakes

• Not updating the OS: Dark mode for iTunes requires system-level support. If you’re on an older macOS or Windows version, the option won’t appear.
• Using iTunes’ own settings: iTunes does not have its own dark mode toggle. It relies entirely on the system appearance. Don’t search for a setting inside iTunes.
• Forgetting to restart iTunes: Sometimes the app doesn’t pick up the system change immediately. A full restart (quit and reopen) is often necessary.
• Selecting the wrong option on Windows: On Windows, there are two separate dark mode options: one for Windows apps and one for the taskbar. Make sure you choose “Dark” under “Choose your default app mode”, not just the taskbar setting.

Tips

• Use automatic switching: On macOS, you can set Appearance to “Auto” and it will switch between light and dark based on the time of day. On Windows, you can use the “Custom” option to keep the taskbar light while apps are dark.
• Keyboard shortcut (macOS): If you have a MacBook with Touch Bar, you can assign a Control Strip button to toggle dark mode quickly.
• Third-party tools (Windows): If you want dark mode only for iTunes without changing the whole system, you can try third-party tools that force dark themes, but these are not officially supported and may break with updates.
• Check for iTunes updates: Apple periodically updates iTunes for Windows. Make sure you have the latest version from the Microsoft Store or Apple’s website to ensure compatibility with dark mode.

Troubleshooting

Dark mode isn’t applying to iTunes on macOS

• Restart iTunes: Quit iTunes (Cmd+Q) and reopen it.
• Check macOS version: Go to Apple menu > About This Mac. If you’re on High Sierra or earlier, dark mode is not available. You need Mojave or later.
• Reset System Settings: Sometimes the appearance setting gets stuck. Try switching to Light, wait a few seconds, then switch back to Dark.

Dark mode isn’t applying to iTunes on Windows 10

• Ensure Windows is updated: Dark mode for apps was introduced in Windows 10 version 1809. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any pending updates.
• Check if iTunes is a Store app: If you installed iTunes from the Microsoft Store, it should follow the system setting. If you downloaded it from Apple’s website, it may not. In that case, try reinstalling from the Microsoft Store.
• Run in compatibility mode: Right-click the iTunes shortcut, go to Properties > Compatibility, and try running it in Windows 8 mode. This sometimes forces the dark theme.
• Clear iTunes cache: Corrupted cache files can prevent the theme from updating. Delete the iTunes cache folder (usually in %AppData%\Apple Computer\iTunes) and restart iTunes. Note: This may reset some preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does iTunes have its own dark mode setting?

No. iTunes does not have an in-app dark mode toggle. It follows the system-wide appearance setting on both macOS and Windows 10.

Will dark mode work on older versions of macOS or Windows?

Dark mode for iTunes requires macOS Mojave (10.14) or later, and Windows 10 version 1809 or later. Older versions do not support system-wide dark mode.

Can I use dark mode only for iTunes without changing the whole system?

On macOS, no—it’s all or nothing unless you use third-party apps. On Windows, you can use third-party tools, but they are not officially supported and may cause issues.

Why does my iTunes look different from the screenshots I see online?

Apple has redesigned iTunes over the years. The dark mode appearance may vary slightly depending on the version you have. Also, on Windows, the title bar might remain light if you haven’t enabled the “Show accent color on title bars” option in Personalization > Colors.

Does dark mode affect the performance of iTunes?

No. Dark mode is purely a visual change and does not impact performance or battery life significantly.

I switched to dark mode, but some parts of iTunes are still light. What’s wrong?

This can happen if you have an older version of iTunes that hasn’t fully adopted the dark theme. Update iTunes to the latest version. On Windows, also ensure that the “Default app mode” is set to Dark, not just the taskbar.

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