{"id":151363,"date":"2020-06-08T18:27:47","date_gmt":"2020-06-08T18:27:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=151363"},"modified":"2025-07-01T21:18:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T04:18:59","slug":"how-to-enable-dark-mode-on-the-most-popular-messaging-apps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-enable-dark-mode-on-the-most-popular-messaging-apps\/","title":{"rendered":"How to enable dark mode on the most popular messaging apps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apps are constantly being updated, and that comes as no surprise. They receive all sorts of upgrades and features to respond to the changing times and needs, and one of them is certainly night mode. Anyone who\u2019s even slightly familiar with the world of technology knows that one of biggest trends is having your entire interface in a dark tone instead of bright white. If you want to make this change too, read on to find out how to enable dark mode on the most popular messaging apps<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Why dark mode?<\/h2>\n

Before we get down to business, let\u2019s quickly go over what dark mode is and what it\u2019s for exactly. First of all, dark mode<\/strong> is simply a style change that makes an app\u2019s entire interface dark instead of light. That\u2019s all, plain and simple. However, it does have \u201csecondary\u201d advantages that we can\u2019t overlook.<\/p>\n

The first is that it reduces damage to your eyes. The glare from your white screen affects your eyes quite a bit, causing symptoms like eyestrain, feeling like your eyes are \u201cburning\u201d (because they\u2019re dry), or headaches. Enabling this mode will reduce these harmful effects (they\u2019ll still be there, but to a lesser extent). It also improves visibility in low-light situations<\/strong> (with a black background and white text, it\u2019s easier to see).<\/p>\n

The second advantage is extended battery life<\/strong>. Dark mode has been proven to make your battery last a bit longer. We\u2019re not talking about a huge change, but it does get you a few more minutes. That may not sound like a big deal, but if you add up those minutes each week, the number keeps growing. Who knows? After a month you may have gained three or four hours of extra battery life, which is pretty decent.<\/p>\n

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Dark mode for your operating system<\/h2>\n

Now that we\u2019ve explained the purpose of dark mode, let\u2019s talk about how to enable it from your operating system. \u201cHey, wait a minute, I don\u2019t want it for my operating system, but for a specific app,\u201d you might be thinking. Well, unfortunately, many apps don\u2019t include \u201cnight mode,\u201d so it has to be enabled in your operating system\u2019s settings (like WhatsApp on iOS, for example).<\/p>\n

Starting with Android, Google\u2019s operating system has natively configured night mode in several Android versions, but let\u2019s talk about the latest one, Android 10. It\u2019s easy to activate: tap \u201cSettings<\/strong>,\u201d then \u201cDisplay<\/strong>,\u201d then \u201cDark mode<\/strong>.\u201d As we mentioned before, depending on your Android version and the manufacturer\u2019s customization layer, the option could be found elsewhere, but it\u2019s definitely there.<\/p>\n

iPhone is easier, because as long as your device is updated with the latest iOS<\/strong> version, night mode will appear under settings. Just tap the \u201cSettings<\/strong>\u201d icon and look for \u201cDisplay and Brightness<\/strong>.\u201d Then the choice is pretty straightforward: \u201cLight\/Dark<\/strong>.\u201d Select \u201cDark,\u201d save the setting and that’s it! From now on, iOS (and many of your apps) will appear in that dark tone.<\/p>\n

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WhatsApp<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with the world\u2019s number-one messaging platform, an app that no smartphone can do without: WhatsApp<\/strong>. This Facebook-owned tool is one of the apps that have taken the longest to gain dark mode. Why? Nobody knows, and while the competition was quick to roll it out, WhatsApp really dragged its feet. But now it\u2019s finally here.<\/p>\n

To activate dark mode, just tap \u201cSettings<\/strong>\u201d in the app and look for the \u201cChats<\/strong>\u201d tab. There, tap \u201cTheme<\/strong>.\u201d A window will pop up with some very straightforward options: \u201cChoose theme: System default, Light or Dark<\/strong>.\u201d Tap \u201cDark\u201d and \u201cOK,\u201d and watch all the changes appear like magic.<\/p>\n

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On iPhone, dark mode is activated by default from iOS. So simply follow the steps we described above to enable it from your operating system.<\/p>\n

Telegram<\/h2>\n

Now let\u2019s talk about WhatsApp\u2019s main rival, an app whose popularity just keeps growing: Telegram<\/strong>. This tool has many more functions than WhatsApp, and its ever-increasing number of users should give Facebook\u2019s app reason to worry. This is the case because it understands the market better than anyone, and dark mode is a perfect example of this<\/p>\n

In Telegram, this mode has been activated for some time (we could even say it was one of the first to offer it). To enable night mode on Telegram, just tap your profile picture and then \u201cSettings<\/strong>.\u201d Then look for \u201cChat Settings\/Appearance<\/strong>,\u201d a section that lists every detail imaginable, from text size to color. But there\u2019s one setting that leaves no room for doubt: \u201cAuto-Night Mode<\/strong>.\u201d You can also personalize parameters such as brightness or when you would like Auto-Night Mode to be activated. Pretty neat, huh?<\/p>\n

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Facebook Messenger<\/h2>\n

Many people think of this messaging service as second-tier, or one that nobody uses anymore. But actually, Facebook Messenger<\/strong> continues to build an online following, especially in the United States. It’s having an increasing impact in Spain, so logically we can\u2019t overlook its dark mode.<\/p>\n

As is the case with WhatsApp, dark mode becomes the default setting on Facebook Messenger if we enable it through our operating system. That said, you might get an error message (in fact, it\u2019s pretty normal). If this happens, there\u2019s an alternative way to enable dark mode. All you have to do is open the messaging app and tap on your profile picture. A toggle will appear that leaves no room for doubt: \u201cDark mode<\/strong>.\u201d Your options will include \u201cEnable<\/strong>,\u201d \u201cDisable<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cUse system configuration<\/strong>\u201d (which refers to your smartphone operating system, but if you get an error message, this probably won\u2019t appear). Select \u201cEnable,\u201d and ta-da: night-mode activation problems solved! Not too hard, is it?<\/p>\n

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Instagram<\/h2>\n

\u201cBut Instagram isn\u2019t a messaging service!\u201d, you must be thinking. Well, it \u201cdidn\u2019t used to be\u201d a messaging service, but now it most certainly is. Facebook\u2019s popular social media platform \u2013 let\u2019s not forget that it owns Instagram \u2013 has improved its direct messaging feature, which is now a section of the app. In fact, it wasn\u2019t until this year, 2020, that it finally introduced a chat feature for the PC version<\/strong> (now you can chat with your friends directly from your browser, a great feature).<\/p>\n

To activate dark mode, you don\u2019t need to change the settings \u2013\u00a0 just enable the mode through your operating system. But there is a little \u201ctrick.\u201d Dark mode only works on iOS 13 and later versions<\/strong> and on Android 10 and later<\/strong>. So if Instagram doesn\u2019t switch to dark mode after you enable it on your operating system, check two things: 1) that your phone\u2019s firmware is updated to the latest version (at least the ones mentioned above) and 2) that your Instagram app is also updated to the latest version. It\u2019s that simple!<\/p>\n

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Twitter<\/h2>\n

Like Instagram, our Twitter inbox is overflowing with direct messages, and we\u2019re not ashamed to admit that we use this platform to communicate with many friends, acquaintances and work contacts (sometimes we don\u2019t want to bother people on WhatsApp or Telegram and prefer to message them here, since there are no character limits like there were a few years ago).<\/p>\n

Activating dark mode is pretty simple on both Android and iPhone. First of all, make sure you have the latest version of the Twitter app, or this option won\u2019t appear. Then tap your profile picture and \u201cSettings and privacy<\/strong>,\u201d the section where all the nuts and bolts of Twitter appear. Here, tap \u201cDisplay and sound<\/strong>\u201d and look for the \u201cDark mode<\/strong>\u201d toggle.<\/p>\n

Twitter\u2019s night mode is the most advanced one we\u2019ve seen on an app – no joke! It not only enables a dark tone, but also includes several subfields to make the most of it. For example, you can activate the basic setting, but also choose whether you want it really dark (Lights Out) or only a bit lighter (Dim). As if that were not enough, you can use device settings. In other words, the app enables \u201cLights Out<\/strong>\u201d or \u201cDim<\/strong>\u201d depending on how your operating system and its night mode are configured (you let the smartphone do everything). That\u2019s how advanced this mode is on Twitter.<\/p>\n

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Skype<\/h2>\n

It may have lost some importance in recent years, but nobody can overlook Skype as a messenger service. It was the undeniable leader for video calling in its day, and we think it\u2019s still a valid option.<\/p>\n

To enable night mode on Skype, be sure to update the program to its latest version. Next, select your profile picture, go to \u201cSettings\u201d at the bottom, and select \u201cAppearance<\/strong>.\u201d Finally, go to \u201cModes<\/strong>,\u201d where you\u2019ll find three options: \u201cLight<\/strong>,\u201d \u201cDark<\/strong>,\u201d or \u201cUse system setting<\/strong>.\u201d Again, if your operating system has night mode enabled, it should appear on Skype by default. Otherwise, just tap on \u201cDark\u201d and ta-da.<\/p>\n

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Discord<\/h2>\n

Last but certainly not least is the hottest messaging app on the market today, especially among gamers: Discord<\/strong>. This tool also has dark mode as an option that can be enabled. Simply tap your profile picture and look for the \u201cAppearance<\/strong>\u201d tab. There you\u2019ll see \u201cTheme<\/strong>,\u201d and again, three options: \u201cLight<\/strong>,\u201d \u201cDark<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cAutomatic<\/strong>.\u201d The last setting is for the operating system, so if you have it enabled there, it will appear by default. Otherwise, just select \u201cDark\u201d and problem solved.<\/p>\n

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And that\u2019s our tutorial on how to \u201cgo dark\u201d on the most popular apps from WhatsApp to Discord, one of the latest platforms to make a splash in the messaging services market. And be sure to check out this mode on the social media platforms we\u2019ve listed with integrated chat services. Remember that developers are working every day to roll out dark mode on most services. If you still don\u2019t have it and want to reduce eyestrain, maybe it\u2019s time to tinker with your operating system, just in case…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Apps are constantly being updated, and that comes as no surprise. They receive all sorts of upgrades and features to respond to the changing times and needs, and one of them is certainly night mode. Anyone who\u2019s even slightly familiar with the world of technology knows that one of biggest trends is having your entire … Continue reading “How to enable dark mode on the most popular messaging apps”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9193,"featured_media":151390,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":0},"categories":[],"tags":[],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-151363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9193"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151363"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":325252,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151363\/revisions\/325252"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151363"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=151363"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=151363"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=151363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}