WhatsApp Dark Mode rolls out to Android and iOS

WhatsApp has launched a new update for Android and iOS which finally brings Dark Mode, the most requested feature from users everywhere says WhatsApp.

It’s claimed dark mode has many benefits: as well as preventing eye strain, it’s also supposed to mitigate the effects of blue light which can keep you up at night. It’s also expected to boost battery life by 30 per cent.

The company admits it has taken a while to get to this stage. Apple and Google both rolled out dark mode as part of their respective mobile software updates last autumn, whilst Instagram followed suit in October.

It says it took its time researching and experimenting on how dark mode would work on the app in two particularly areas: readability, so it would minimise eye fatigue; and information hierarchy, so it’s easier for users to focus their attention on the information they need on each WhatsApp screen. 

WhatsApp says the new feature is rolling out wordwide over the coming days so if it isn’t available on your device just yet, don’t worry.

Activating WhatsApp Dark Mode

Activating the new dark mode is simple, but differs depending on which version of Android you are running and Dark Mode will only be available to users on iOS 13 and above.

Android

• Android 10 — Head to system settings and activate the system-wide dark mode.
• Android 9 and earlier — Open up WhatsApp and find the settings section. Then head to Chats > Theme > and select “Dark.”

iOS

1. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. Swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X or newer and iPad, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen on iPhone 8 and older.
2. Press and hold or press firmly on the screen brightness slider.
3. Tap Dark Mode to toggle the feature on and off.

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