WhatsApp Dark Mode: How to Turn It On Every Device

Dark mode makes WhatsApp easier on the eyes at night and can make chats easier to read in a dark room. The way you switch it on depends on your device, and the iPhone works differently from the rest, which is why so many people can't find the setting. Here's every route.

WhatsApp dark mode on each device

Your phone or computer	Where the setting is
Android	WhatsApp Settings, then the app theme setting, then Dark
iPhone	Your iPhone's own Settings, Display and Brightness, then Dark
WhatsApp Web and desktop	Profile picture, then Chats, then Theme, then Dark

How to turn on dark mode on Android

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap More options, the three dots in the top right.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Open the theme setting. Depending on your version, it's under Chats or Appearance.
5. Choose Dark. Pick Light to go back, or System default to match your phone.

System default is the clever option. If your phone switches to dark mode at night, WhatsApp will follow it automatically, so you don't have to change two settings.

How to turn on dark mode on iPhone

This is the part that trips people up. On iPhone, there's no separate dark mode switch inside WhatsApp. The app follows your iPhone's appearance setting, a feature WhatsApp says is available on iOS 13 and above.

1. Open your iPhone's Settings app, not WhatsApp.
2. Tap Display and Brightness.
3. Choose Dark.
4. Turn on Automatic if you want your phone, and WhatsApp with it, to switch between light and dark at set times.

The catch: this changes your whole phone, not just WhatsApp. If you only want WhatsApp in dark mode, the iPhone doesn't give you a per-app choice here.

How to turn on dark mode on WhatsApp Web and desktop

1. Click your profile picture.
2. Click Chats, then Theme.
3. Click Dark. Choose Light to turn it off, or System default to follow your computer.
4. Click Ok.

Dark mode vs chat wallpaper

Dark mode changes the whole colour scheme of WhatsApp from light to dark. Your chat wallpaper and colours are separate settings, which WhatsApp covers in a different help article. So if your chats still look bright after you switch on dark mode, check your wallpaper too. A pale wallpaper behind dark-mode bubbles can look odd.

Why isn't dark mode working on my WhatsApp?

• You're on iPhone and looking inside WhatsApp. Change the setting in your iPhone's Settings app instead.
• Your iPhone is too old. WhatsApp says the feature works on iOS 13 and above.
• System default is on. If WhatsApp follows your device and your device is in light mode, WhatsApp will be light too. Choose Dark directly on Android or desktop.
• Your app is out of date. Update WhatsApp so you see the latest theme options.
• It's your wallpaper. A bright wallpaper can make dark mode look like it's not working.

Is dark mode better for you?

Many people find dark mode more comfortable at night, and it avoids the blast of white light when you check messages in bed. In bright daylight, light mode is often easier to read. The best setup for most people is System default on Android and desktop, or Automatic on iPhone, so the theme changes with the time of day.

If you're tuning WhatsApp for easier reading, you might also like our guide on whether WhatsApp lowers image quality, and if you share your screen on calls, here's how screen sharing works on WhatsApp.

Dark mode for business chats

If you use WhatsApp for customers, dark mode won't change anything for them. It only changes how the app looks on your own device. Your messages, photos and any catalogue look the same on their side, in whatever theme they've chosen.

Dark mode tips for night-time chatting

• Lower your brightness too. Dark mode helps, but a phone at full brightness in a dark room is still harsh.
• Pick a dark wallpaper. A bright chat wallpaper can undo the effect. Choose a dark one to match.
• Use your phone's night settings. Many phones can warm the screen colour in the evening, which pairs well with dark mode.
• Turn off notifications you don't need. Fewer pings at night means fewer reasons to pick up the phone at all.

None of these change how your messages look to anyone else. They only change your own screen, so set them up however you like.

Dark mode and battery

Many people switch to dark mode hoping to save battery. Whether it helps depends on your phone's screen, and WhatsApp doesn't make battery claims in its help article. What's certain is that it changes WhatsApp's colour scheme from light to dark, which many people find more comfortable to read at night.

My verdict

WhatsApp dark mode takes seconds once you know where to look. On Android and desktop, it's in WhatsApp's theme setting. On iPhone, it lives in your phone's Display and Brightness settings, because WhatsApp follows the system. Choose System default or Automatic and you'll never need to think about it again.

Frequently asked questions

How do I turn on dark mode in WhatsApp?

On Android, open WhatsApp Settings and choose Dark in the theme setting. On iPhone, set your phone to Dark in Settings, Display and Brightness. On WhatsApp Web, go to Chats, then Theme.

Why is there no dark mode setting in WhatsApp on my iPhone?

On iPhone, WhatsApp follows your phone's appearance setting, so you switch it in the iPhone Settings app.

Can I use dark mode on WhatsApp Web?

Yes. Click your profile picture, then Chats, then Theme, and choose Dark.

What does System default mean in WhatsApp's theme?

It makes WhatsApp use the same theme as your device, switching between light and dark when your device does.