Dark Mode – How to enable it

Dark Mode may be easier on your eyes

Dark Mode is all the rage these day.  By reversing the dark and light elements of the page you may reduce eye strain, lessen battery demand, and help you sleep at night. If you wish to enable it, this article walks you through the steps to do so in various programs, operating systems and devices.  Even if you are just curious and want to just try it out, this article will show you how to quickly enable or disable it.

Note: Dark Mode has nothing to do with the “Dark Web”, and has no security implications.

How does Dark Mode look?

Here is an image of MS Word in a split screen, with Dark Mode on the left and regular mode on the right.  Note that in MS Word, the actual document does not change.  The option to view your Word document with light text on a dark background is coming with the next version of MS Office.

How to enable Dark Mode:

Windows

Windows can now be configured to enable Dark Mode in the operating system.  By enabling it at this level, it will apply to all apps which are built to support it (most are).

ENABLE IT:

1. 1. Click the Start menu
   2. Click the Settings icon (looks like a cog)
   3. Click Personalization
   4. Click Colors (from the left menu)
   5. Under the “Choose your color” heading choose Dark.

TO DISABLE IT:

Follow the same steps and choose “Light” or “Custom” to revert back to your previous setting.

MacOS

Similar to Windows, macOS also has a system-wide dark mode setting.  In addition to Light and Dark Mode, Apple also offers Auto.  This last setting will switch between Light and Dark Mode during the course of the day and night.  Most apps will follow suit, including all apps from Apple.

ENABLE IT:

1. 1. Open the Apple menu
   2. Choose System Preferences
   3. Select General
   4. For Appearance, select Light, Dark or Auto

TO DISABLE IT:

Follow the same steps and make another selection for Appearance.

 MS Office

Selecting Dark Mode in Windows 10 will not affect MS Office apps, but Office has its own Dark theme.  The default theme is “Colorful”, but Office allows you to instead select “Dark Gray”, Black or White.

ENABLE IT:

1. 1. Open any installed MS Office app
   2. Select File at the upper left
   3. Select Account from the menu along the left
   4. Under Office Theme, select your desired new theme.  For Dark Mode, select “Black”

TO DISABLE IT:

Follow the same steps and select “Colorful” to reset to the default theme.

Android

As with most settings in Android, how to access Dark Mode will depend on your phone manufacturer.  Directions below are for the stock Android 10 (such as can be found on the Pixel phones).

Android Dark Theme options include on and off, but also “sunset to sunrise” and custom schedule.

ENABLE IT:

1. 1. Open the Settings app
   2. Select Display
   3. Select Dark Theme
   4. Here, you can turn it on or off, or select the “sunset to sunrise” / custom time options.

TO DISABLE IT:

Follow the same steps and make another selection.

 iOS and iPadOS

iPhones, iPods and iPads also have options for “sunset to sunrise” and custom schedules in addition to on and off for Dark Mode.  This allows you to have the device automatically switch back and forth between light and dark mode according to the clock.

ENABLE IT:

1. 1. Open the Settings app
   2. Select Display & Brightness
   3. Under the Appearance heading, select Light or Dark
   4. Once you select Light or Dark, you can enable Automatic (which leads you to another page to select “sunset to sunrise” / custom time options.

TO DISABLE IT:

Follow the same steps and make another selection.

If you have questions about this, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.
Take care,