How to use Dark Mode

Nowadays, we’re all more reliant on our smartphones than ever. But what is this doing to our health? With screens getting bigger and brighter in recent years, there’s concern among experts that this will have a knock-on effect on our eyesight and sleep patterns.

Luckily, smartphone manufacturers have created some useful features to help combat these adverse risks. And one of the most popular ones is something called Dark Mode.

But what is Dark Mode? Is it helpful? And how do you set it up? Here’s everything you need to know about using Dark Mode.

What is Dark Mode?

Dark Mode is a setting on most smartphones which changes the screen’s default white background to a darker grey/black one. This setting can be switched on permanently or set to activate at a scheduled time.

The mode takes effect across the device’s menus and screens. The change can also be applied to certain third-party apps including, Gmail, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube, and more.

The benefits of Dark Mode

Using phone in bed blue light health hero image

Dark Mode has several benefits, from improving eye health and sleep quality to extending battery life. And to a lot of people, it just looks nicer.

Most people will at some point find themselves using their phone after they’ve gone to bed, whether it’s to finish writing that last-minute email, surf the web or even just check the time or set an alarm. However, research suggests that too much time spent looking at your phone can be detrimental to your eyes.

This is because of the impact blue light can have as it emanates from the phone’s screen. There is also some suggestion that nocturnal phone use can affect sleep patterns.

Optician Andy Hepworth explains, “Blue violet light is potentially hazardous and toxic to the back of your eyes. It's the combination of not blinking enough and bringing the device closer than you normally look at objects - it strains your eyes."

Dark Mode can ease the effects as it uses less intense light, helping the user to avoid eye strain and get a better night sleep.

For those who struggle to maintain a decent level of battery life, there’s good news in store for you as well.

According to Mobile Enerlytics, using Dark Mode can extend your battery life by much as 23.5%, depending on the apps you use.

Want more tips for improving your digital wellbeing? Here's our definitive guide to smartphones and your health.

How to turn Dark Mode on

First, head into your Settings and then scroll down to display.
Select the Display option and then hit Dark Mode. This option might be listed under alternate names such as Night Mode or simply just Dark.

Phone on Dark Mode screenshot

Some third-party apps like WhatsApp should make an instant transition to Dark Mode. However, for certain supporting apps to work you will have to make the change directly within the specific application.

Using Twitter as an example, here’s how to do this: