A bright white screen can feel out of place when you’re using your iPhone in a dark room. Maybe you want your messages, browser, and other apps to match a darker look, or you simply prefer a different style for your Home Screen.
If you’ve been wondering how to make apps dark on iPhone, a few settings can help you change the appearance without downloading a separate app for every screen.
1. How to Make Apps Dark on iPhone with Dark Mode
Dark Mode changes the appearance of the iPhone interface and supported apps, replacing many light backgrounds with darker colors. It’s a good starting point when you want a consistent look across your device, although the result depends on whether each app supports Dark Mode.
The system-wide setting is the easiest place to start when learning how to make my apps dark on iPhone. You can also switch modes from Control Center or set a schedule that fits your routine.
Turn On Dark Mode from Settings
The Settings app gives you the most direct way to change your iPhone’s appearance. Here’s where to find the Dark Mode option:
- Open Settings
- Tap Appearance
- Select Dark
On earlier iOS versions, open Settings > Display & Brightness, then select Dark under Appearance.
Your iPhone will switch to Dark Mode immediately. Supported apps should also adopt a darker interface when they follow the system’s appearance settings.
This is the simplest way to learn how to make apps on iPhone dark without adjusting each app individually. Keep in mind that apps with their own appearance controls may need an additional change.
Turn On Dark Mode from Control Center
If you switch between Light and Dark Mode often, Control Center can save you a few taps:
- Open Control Center. On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner. On older iPhone models with a Home button, swipe upward from the bottom of the display.
- Touch and hold the brightness control.
- Tap Dark Mode to turn it on or off.
If Dark mode doesn’t appear in the expanded brightness controls, you can add it to Control Center. Open Control Center’s editing options, tap Add a Control and select Dark Mode.
Once the control is available, you can change the appearance whenever you need it without returning to Settings.
Make Dark Mode Turn on Automatically
You don’t have to switch between Light and Dark Mode manually every day. Your iPhone can do it automatically based on a schedule you choose. Here’s how to set it up:
- Open Settings
- Tap Appearance; on earlier iOS versions, go to Display & Brightness.
- Select Automatic
- Tap Options to choose a schedule
Depending on the available options, you can set Dark Mode to follow sunset and sunrise or choose specific times for the light and dark appearances.
This is useful if you prefer a light interface during the day and a darker one at night. Setting a schedule is another way to control how to make apps dark on iPhone without having to switch modes yourself each evening. If you prefer Dark Mode all day, leave the appearance set to Dark instead.
Use the App’s Built-In Dark Mode
Some apps have their own appearance settings. This can be helpful when an app stays light even after you’ve enabled Dark Mode on your iPhone.
Open the app and look under Settings, Appearance, Theme, or a similar menu. If you see options such as Light, Dark, or System Default, choose Dark to use the app’s darker interface. Select System Default if you want the app to follow your iPhone’s appearance settings.
However, not every app offers this choice. If there’s no dark theme and the app doesn’t respond to system-wide Dark Mode, you may not be able to change its interface through its own settings.
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2. Can You Make Only Certain Apps Dark on iPhone?
Yes, but it depends on the app. Understanding how to make apps dark on iPhone starts with knowing that iOS has a system-wide Dark Mode setting rather than a built-in switch that lets you assign a separate appearance to every individual app.
For apps with their own theme controls, you can often choose Dark for one app while leaving your iPhone in Light Mode. The exact setting varies by app, and some apps only follow the system appearance.
Here’s what you can try:
- Check the app’s settings: Look for an Appearance or Theme menu and select Dark if it’s available.
- Keep system Dark Mode on: Supported apps that follow iOS’s appearance setting will use their dark interface automatically.
- Check for updates: If an app doesn’t offer Dark Mode, an update may add support, although this isn’t guaranteed.
If your goal is to make every app dark while keeping the rest of your iPhone light, you may run into limitations. The system setting affects supported apps together, while individual apps can only be customized when they provide their own controls.
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3. Why Are Some Apps Still Light?
Turning on Dark Mode doesn’t guarantee that every screen on your iPhone will become dark. If you’re trying to figure out how to make the apps dark on iPhone and one still has a white background, check these common causes.
- The app doesn’t support Dark Mode: Some apps don’t offer a dark interface or respond to your iPhone’s system setting. In that case, check the app’s settings for a theme option. If there isn’t one, you may need to use an alternative app that supports Dark Mode.
- The app uses its own appearance setting: An app may be set to Light even when your iPhone is in Dark Mode. Open its settings and look for a theme or appearance option. Choose Dark or System Default if available.
- You’re viewing a webpage rather than an app interface: Dark Mode may change Safari’s controls without changing the background of every website. To darken the page itself, check whether the website offers a dark theme. If it doesn’t, the page may remain light even when Safari is in Dark Mode.
- The app needs an update: An older version may not handle Dark Mode correctly, even if the app supports it. Check the App Store for an available update, then reopen the app to see whether its appearance has changed.
If an app doesn’t have a built-in dark theme, changing your iPhone’s appearance again probably won’t help.
You can also try the accessibility color-inversion settings, but these affect screen colors more broadly and may change images or other content in ways you don’t want.
4. FAQs
How to Make App Icons Dark on iPhone?
To make your app icons dark on iPhone, touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen until the icons jiggle. Tap Edit > Customize, then select Dark. This is one way to change the look of your Home Screen when learning how to make my apps dark on iPhone, but it won’t darken the interface inside every app.
How Do I Change the Color of All My Apps on My iPhone?
Turn on Dark Mode to change the interface of supported apps. To customize Home Screen icons and widgets, use the Customize options and choose Dark or Tinted. These settings affect different parts of the iPhone, and not every app supports every appearance.
How to Customize iPhone App Icons?
Touch and hold the Home Screen, tap Edit > Customize, and choose an available appearance such as Light, Dark, Clear, or Tinted. You can also change the icon size. Options may vary by iOS version, so update your iPhone if you don’t see the same controls.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to make apps dark on iPhone can help you create a more comfortable viewing experience, especially when using your phone at night.
If an app still looks too bright, check its own theme settings before assuming Dark Mode isn’t working. You can also try a different app if dark appearance matters to you and the current one doesn’t support it.