Dark mode changes Android system screens and many apps from light backgrounds to dark gray or black. It can feel easier at night and may save battery on phones with OLED or AMOLED displays.
These steps apply to Android 10 and later on Samsung Galaxy, Pixel, Motorola, and similar phones.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you want a darker phone interface, want dark mode to turn on automatically, or have an app that is not following the system theme.
Turn On Dark Mode from Quick Settings
- Swipe down twice, or swipe down with two fingers, to open Quick Settings.
- Find Dark mode or Dark theme.
- Tap the tile to turn it on.
- If the tile is missing, swipe through the panel pages or tap the edit pencil and add it.
Turn On or Schedule Dark Mode in Settings
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display.
- Tap Dark mode on Samsung or Dark theme on Pixel and stock Android.
- Turn it on now, or open Schedule.
- Choose sunset to sunrise or set custom start and end times.
If Apps Stay Light
Some apps have their own theme setting. Open that app settings and choose Follow system or Dark. Older apps may not support a dark theme at all.
Samsung Forced Dark Mode
Some Galaxy phones include an option under Dark mode settings to apply dark mode to apps that do not officially support it. Results vary because Samsung is estimating colors rather than using a theme designed by the app developer.
Battery Savings Depend on the Screen
OLED and AMOLED screens save more power with dark pixels because black pixels use little or no light. LCD phones still use a backlight, so dark mode may look nicer but usually does not change battery life much.
Sources
- Google Android Help: Turn on dark theme
- Samsung Support: Turn Dark mode on or off on Galaxy phone
- Google Pixel Help: Change display and brightness settings