How to Turn On Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad

Ease your eye strain at night

By
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Writer
  • Swansea University, Staffordshire University
Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications.
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Updated on April 11, 2021
Reviewed by
Jerrick Leger
Jerrick Leger headshot
Reviewed by Jerrick Leger
Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.
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What to Know

  • Ask Siri to turn on Dark Mode by saying, "Hey Siri, turn on Dark Mode."
  • Swipe down diagonally to open Control Center. Hold your finger down on the Brightness indicator. Tap Dark Mode Off to turn it on.
  • Tap Settings > Display & Brightness > Dark. Select Automatic to have it come on automatically.

This article teaches you three ways to turn Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad and how to set Dark Mode automatically. These instructions apply to both iPhone and iPad with screenshots depicting the iPhone 11's screen. 

How to Turn on Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad Using Siri

All you need to do is ask Siri to switch your iPhone or iPad over to Dark Mode, and you're all set. Here's what to do.

You'll need to have Siri enabled on your iPhone or iPad to follow these steps. 

  1. Near your iPhone or iPad, say 'Hey Siri, turn on Dark Mode' or 'Hey Siri, turn on Dark Appearance.'

  2. Siri will now respond in the affirmative and turn on Dark Mode for you. 

    Steps needed to talk to Siri to switch Dark Mode on

How to Turn On Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad Using Control Center

If you'd prefer to turn on Dark Mode via a more hands-on method, then using Control Center is the next simplest method. Here's what to do to switch on Dark Mode in this way. 

  1. Swipe down diagonally from the upper-right corner of your iPhone or iPad's display to open Control Center.

  2. Hold your finger down on the Brightness indicator.

  3. Tap Dark Mode Off to toggle it to Dark Mode On.

    Steps needed to turn Dark Mode on via Control Centre

  4. Tap on a blank part of the screen to return to the Control Center.

How to Turn On Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad Using Settings

It's also possible to turn on Dark Mode via the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. It takes a few more steps to complete than the previous methods, but it's also potentially the easiest method to remember how to follow. Here's what to do.

  1. Tap Settings.

  2. Tap Display & Brightness.

  3. Tap Dark to switch to Dark Mode.

    Steps needed to turn Dark Mode on via Settings

How to Turn On Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad Automatically 

If you'd prefer to switch to Dark Mode automatically throughout the day, such as when evening comes, and your eyes may feel the strain of looking at a screen, it's simple to make Dark Mode switch on or off automatically based on the time of day. Here's what to do.

  1. Tap Settings.

  2. Tap Display & Brightness.

  3. Tap Automatic.

    Steps needed to toggle Dark/Light mode automatically according to daylight hours

  4. Dark Mode will now automatically activate when the sun sets.

    Tap Options > Custom Schedule to change when Dark Mode is turned on. 

Why Should I Use Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad? 

Dark Mode inverts the color scheme of your iPhone or iPad, meaning you see a dark background and white text. It can simply look cool, but it also enhances your experience using it in low-light environments. 

The bright color scheme of an iPhone or iPad can be harsh on your eyes, leading to eye strain if you use it in a low-light environment all the time. Switching to Dark Mode eases that issue, although it doesn't work on all apps. You'll need to update third-party apps to take advantage of this feature, but all of Apple's apps utilize it. 

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