To turn on dark mode, open your device or app’s appearance settings and choose Dark. The exact path depends on the platform: Windows uses Settings > Personalization > Colors; macOS uses System Settings > Appearance; iPhone and iPad use Settings > Appearance (or Display & Brightness on iOS 26 and earlier); desktop Chrome uses Customize Chrome > Appearance; and Chrome for Android uses More > Settings > Theme.
Dark mode is not one universal switch. Your operating system, browser and individual apps can each have their own theme, so one white window does not necessarily mean dark mode failed.
Which dark-mode setting should you change?
| Platform | Settings path | Scope and automation | If an app stays light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11/10 | Settings > Personalization > Colors | System interface and supported apps; Custom separates Windows elements from app mode | Check the app’s own theme setting |
| macOS | System Settings > Appearance | Menu bar, Dock, windows and built-in apps; Auto follows a schedule | Use the app’s appearance control or Accessibility display options |
| iPhone/iPad | Settings > Appearance; on iOS 26 and earlier, Settings > Display & Brightness | System interface and compatible apps; Automatic schedules switching | Look in the app’s settings |
| Chrome computer | New tab > Customize Chrome > Appearance | Chrome homepage, toolbar, settings and some pages | Set Chrome separately from the operating system |
| Chrome Android | More > Settings > Theme | Chrome theme; System Default follows Android and may respond to Battery Saver | Choose Dark directly or change Android’s theme |
Windows 11 and Windows 10
Turn on the standard Dark mode
- Open Settings.
- Select Personalization, then Colors.
- Under Choose your mode, select Dark.
Windows dark mode changes supported parts of the Start menu, taskbar, Action Center, File Explorer and Settings, along with many Microsoft Store apps. It does not force every third-party application or website to use a dark design.
Use Custom when Windows and apps should differ
Select Custom under Choose your mode. Windows then presents separate choices for the default Windows mode and the default app mode. This lets you keep a dark taskbar and File Explorer while leaving an app light, or reverse that combination. Microsoft notes that some applications expose their own light/dark control independently of Windows.
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Windows checks when nothing changes
- Close and reopen the affected app after changing the mode.
- Install pending Windows and app updates; older builds may not support the current theme API.
- Open the app’s settings and search for Theme, Appearance or Color scheme.
- Remember that a website can remain light even while the browser and Windows are dark.
macOS
Choose Dark or Auto
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Appearance.
- Choose Dark for a constant dark interface, Light for a constant light interface, or Auto to switch according to the configured schedule.
Dark appearance affects the menu bar, Dock, windows and built-in applications. For a quick toggle, open Control Center, choose Display, and select Dark Mode.
When a Mac app remains white
Native macOS support is not automatic for every application. Check the app’s menu for Settings or Preferences, then look for an appearance selector. A website inside a browser can also use its own theme, independent of macOS.
Accessibility fallback: Invert Colours
Open System Settings > Accessibility > Display and use Invert colours when an app or site has no usable dark mode. Inversion changes colours and images as well as backgrounds, so it is an accessibility fallback rather than a true dark theme. Turn it off if photographs, logos or charts become difficult to interpret.
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iPhone and iPad
Current Apple settings path
- Open Settings.
- Select Appearance.
- Tap Dark.
On iOS 26 and earlier, the control is under Settings > Display & Brightness, where you choose Dark, Light or Automatic.
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Use Control Center
- Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right on Face ID devices, or up from the bottom on older models.
- Press and hold the brightness bar.
- Tap Dark Mode.
Select Automatic in the appearance controls to schedule light and dark periods. The system setting changes Apple interfaces and compatible apps; each app can still override it.
If one iPhone or iPad app is still light
Open that app’s settings and look for Appearance, Theme or Use system settings. Some apps offer dark mode only in newer releases, while some websites provide a separate theme switch. Updating the app can add support, but it cannot make an unsupported design change automatically.
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Chrome on a computer
- Open a new Chrome tab.
- Select Customize Chrome in the lower-right corner.
- Under Appearance, choose Light, Dark or Device.
Device makes Chrome follow the computer’s current theme. Chrome’s dark theme applies to the homepage, toolbar, settings and some other Chrome pages; it does not recolor every website. A site must support dark styling itself, or you must use a site-specific setting or extension.
Chrome on Android
- Open Chrome and tap More (the three-dot menu).
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Theme.
- Choose Dark, Light or System Default.
System Default follows the phone’s Android theme. On some devices it can switch when Battery Saver is active, so Chrome may become dark or light without a manual change. Choose Dark if you need a fixed Chrome appearance.
Why is one app or website still white?
Separate control layers
Dark mode can be controlled independently at three levels: the operating system, the browser and the app or website. Turning on one level does not guarantee the others. For example, Windows can be dark while a desktop app is light, or Chrome can be dark while a website uses a fixed white stylesheet.
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Check the app before changing system settings
- Open the app’s settings or preferences.
- Search for Appearance, Theme, Color scheme or Use system setting.
- Choose Dark or System, then restart the app if required.
On Windows, Custom mode is useful when you want dark Windows controls but light applications. On Apple devices, an app that has no native dark mode may remain light even when the system is dark.
Websites that ignore the browser theme
Chrome’s dark appearance covers Chrome-owned pages, not every page you visit. Look for a moon icon, display menu or account preference on the website itself. Forced-colour extensions can alter pages, but they may reduce readability, break layouts or change brand colours; treat them as a last resort.
Scheduling and consistent behavior
- Windows: The basic Dark choice is persistent. Use Custom to assign different modes to Windows and apps; Windows does not provide the same universal Auto control described for macOS and Apple mobile devices in these settings.
- macOS: Choose Auto in System Settings > Appearance. The switch follows the schedule configured by macOS.
- iPhone/iPad: Choose Automatic in the appearance controls to schedule light and dark.
- Chrome desktop: Device follows the computer theme; it is the practical choice when you schedule dark mode at the operating-system level.
- Chrome Android: System Default follows Android and can react to Battery Saver. Dark fixes Chrome independently.
Readability and accessibility checks
Dark mode is a preference, not a guarantee of better visibility. After enabling it, check text contrast, disabled controls, links, code blocks and images. Very dark gray backgrounds can be easier to read than pure black for some people, while others prefer a light theme. If dark text becomes unreadable or images lose their intended colours, return to Light for that app.
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On macOS, Invert colours can help with an otherwise bright interface, but because it also inverts images and other colours it should not be confused with native dark mode. System, browser and app settings should be tested separately so you know which change produced the result.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does dark mode save battery on every screen?
Not necessarily. The battery benefit depends on the display technology and the app’s rendering; the settings above enable appearance changes but do not promise a measurable power saving.
Can I make every website dark in Chrome?
No single Chrome theme guarantees that result. Chrome’s own pages can be dark, while each website may need its own dark setting or compatible styling.
Why does Chrome switch themes when Battery Saver turns on?
Chrome for Android’s System Default follows Android’s theme, and Android may change that theme when Battery Saver is active. Choose Dark in Chrome’s Theme setting for a fixed choice.
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