How to Enable WhatsApp Dark Mode

WhatsApp finally rolled out its most awaited Dark Mode feature in March 2020. Now you can enable WhatsApp Dark Mode on both Android and iOS devices. Well, with over 2 billion users WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app. So, Dark mode is the best feature for dark theme lovers.

Early on, WhatsApp wasn’t allowed to change its default white gray and green theme. But, some users prefer a dark theme at night. So, most of the WA users use mod versions (like GBWhatsApp) to change the theme or getting extra features.  That’s why WhatsApp added this feature in its latest update.

WhatsApp added the dark colors that are closer to the system defaults on Android and iOS. That’s why on Android the WA theme is not completely black as iOS. On Android, you’ll see the dark gray theme and on the other side, iOS gets a completely black theme.

Before this feature, you had the only option to change its theme with background and keyboard color. WhatsApp also allows to change the chat thread background wallpaper. Also, you can change the keyboard theme on Android and iPhone. So, this was the best option to change WhatsApp theme till now.

However, WhatsApp doesn’t change its header color after changing the background color. But, now you can change the whole theme including the app header.

Pros of using WhatsApp Dark Mode

• Dark theme emits less glare at night that helps to reduce eye strain. So, it’s best to use WhatsApp at night. This feature is also called “WhatsApp Night Mode”.
• If your Smartphone has an AMOLED display, then Dark Mode also helps to save the battery life.
• Your phone doesn’t light up the room at night.

According to the WhatsApp Blog, WhatsApp designing its dark theme by researching, experimenting, and focusing on two areas – Readability and Information Hierarchy.

If you want to change WhatsApp theme to Pink, Purple, or full black, then you can read how to customize WhatsApp theme color.

Enable Dark Mode on WhatsApp for Android

Well, WhatsApp gives two options to use this feature on Android 10. Either, you can turn on the dark mode from WhatsApp Settings, or set this mode as system default settings that match your device settings.

If you are using Android 9 or below, you need to turn on this mode from WhatsApp settings. There is no system default option available. Below is the step by step guide.

Steps:

1. Open Play Store and update the WhatsApp application to the latest version. If you already updated the WhatsApp then skip to the step 2.

2. Open WhatsApp application and tap on the More option (⋮) from the top right of the screen and you’ll see the list of options. Tap on the Settings that is the last option in the list.

3. Now open Chats option and you’ll see the Theme option. Tap on it and you’ll see the two options – Light and Dark. Select the “Dark” option. After that, tap on the OK button. That’s it. If you are using Android 10, you’ll see the System default option with Light and Dark options. You can select the System default option if you want to sync your theme with the Smartphone theme.

How Dark Mode looks like:

WA Night mode uses a dark gray color. Below is the screenshot.

You can turn on Light Theme any time from the settings. Also, you can customize a theme by changing the background. Also, you may need to change the keyboard color to black.

Enable Dark Mode on WhatsApp for iOS (iPhone)

Like and Android 10, iOS 13 allows you to change the dark theme automatically according to the iOS theme settings. Well, you can’t change the theme manually from the WhatsApp Settings.

Steps:

1. Open App Store and update the WhatsApp.

2. Now open Control Center on your iPhone. If you are using the iPhone x or newer, then swipe down from the top-right of the screen. Otherwise, iPhone 8 or later users need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

3. Now tap and hold on the Screen Brightness and you will see the Dark Mode option. Tap on this option to enable it.

That’s all. You can turn off dark mode any time from the Control Center.

Final Words

According to the WhatsApp, Dark Mode is the most requested feature from its users. Most of the WA users are irritated by its white theme while using it in the low light. So, this guide helps you to enable WhatsApp Dark Mode on Android and iOS.

Also, the black theme helps to minimize eye fatigue. Well, this feature is most helpful for Android 10 and iOS 13 users, because they can get the dark theme automatically according to their system theme settings. However, iOS users can’t enable this mode manually.