How to Enable Dark Mode on WhatsApp

Use WhatsApp in low-light environments with the help of the dark mode.

By
Saikat Basu
Saikat Basu
Saikat Basu
Writer
  • University of Pune (India)
Saikat has been a technology writer for 12+ years. His writing has appeared at MakeUseOf, OnlineTechTips, GoSkills, and many others.
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Updated on February 1, 2021
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know:

  • Dark mode is available on mobile, desktop, and WhatsApp Web.
  • Choose between Light, Dark, and System default modes. 
  • On iPhones, enable automatic dark mode after sunset or at any other time.

This article explains how to enable the dark mode in WhatsApp on all supported platforms. The Dark Mode on WhatsApp helps you reduce the stress on your eyes in low-light. A darker screen can also subdue the glare of the white light when you are in a darkened room and make it easier on the eyes for everyone. 

How to Use Dark Mode on WhatsApp iOS

WhatsApp supports the system-wide dark theme in iPhones. Dark Mode feature is available on iOS 13 and above. Update your phone if the phone is running a lower version. Then, enable the Dark theme from Settings or the Control Center.

Enable Dark Theme from Settings

Choose the dark theme from the Settings screen or set it appear at a specific time of the day or night.

  1. Open Settings > Display & Brightness.

  2. Tap on the Dark option under Appearance to enable system-wide dark mode. 

  3. The Automatic setting can switch on dark mode at a specific time. Select Sunset to Sunrise or set a Custom Schedule.

    Enabling Dark Mode on iOS.

Enable Dark Theme from Control Center

Including the Dark Mode among the Control Center options can help you toggle it on and off in an instant. 

  1. Open Settings > Control Center > More Controls.

  2. Tap the green plus icon for Dark Mode to move it under the INCLUDED CONTROLS list.

  3. Open Control Center with a swipe from the top or bottom of the screen according to your iPhone model. 

    • On iPhone X and newer, swipe down from the top right of the screen.
    • On iPhone 8 and older, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

  4. Tap the Dark Mode icon to turn your iPhone dark or tap it again to go back to the default light theme.

    Moving Dark Mode to Control Center and how to activate it inside Control Center.

Change the Wallpaper for a Darker WhatsApp

After you enable dark mode, you can also change the chat wallpaper in WhatsApp to enhance the dark mode within each chat. Switch on Dark Mode from Settings or the Control Center and launch WhatsApp.

  1. Open WhatsApp. Select Settings > Chats > Chat Wallpaper

  2. Select Choose Dark Mode Wallpaper or move the slider to the right and adjust the brightness of the current wallpaper.  

    Choosing a Dark Wallpaper in WhatsApp iOS.

How to Use Dark Mode on WhatsApp Android

Open WhatsApp and tap on the three vertical dots located at the top right corner to display the action overflow menu.

  1. Tap Settings > Chats > Theme

  2. Choose Dark mode from the three options under Choose theme.

    Choosing Dark theme in WhatsApp Android.

Note:

If you have an Android 10 phone or upwards, you can also set dark mode system-wide.

How to Use Dark Mode on WhatsApp Desktop & WhatsApp Web

Open web.whatsapp.com or launch your WhatsApp desktop app. The steps to apply the dark mode are the same in both the desktop and browser versions of WhatsApp. 

  1. Tap on the three dots located above your contacts on left.

    Selecting Settings on the WhatsApp Interface on Desktop and Browser.

  2. From the dropdown, select Settings > Theme.

    Selecting Theme in WhatsApp Settings.

  3. Select Dark to enable the dark mode. 

    Selecting dark mode in WhatsApp.
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