Facebook

Activating Dark Mode on Facebook

Taylor Brooks

· 8 min read

In today’s digital age, where we spend countless hours in front of screens, the importance of reducing eye strain cannot be overstated. One of the most effective ways to ease the strain on your eyes during late-night scrolling sessions or extended periods of browsing is by switching to dark mode. Facebook, one of the world’s largest social media platforms, offers this feature across its various interfaces. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about activating dark mode on Facebook, whether you're using it on your smartphone, desktop, or through a web browser.

Why Use Dark Mode?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s discuss why dark mode has become so popular. Dark mode is a feature that switches the background of an application from light to dark. This inverse color scheme offers several benefits:

  1. Reduced Eye Strain: Prolonged exposure to bright screens, especially in low-light conditions, can cause eye fatigue. Dark mode minimizes the brightness, making it easier on the eyes.

  2. Improved Battery Life: On devices with OLED screens, dark mode can save battery life because black pixels consume less power than white ones.

  3. Aesthetic Appeal: For many, dark mode simply looks better. It’s sleek, modern, and can give a fresh feel to your favorite apps.

  4. Better Readability: For some users, white text on a dark background is easier to read, particularly in dim lighting.

Now that we've covered why you might want to use dark mode, let's get into the specifics of enabling it on Facebook.

Enabling Dark Mode on the Facebook Mobile App

The majority of Facebook users access the platform through its mobile app, available on both iOS and Android devices. Here’s how you can enable dark mode:

For iOS Users:

  1. Open the Facebook App: Make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app installed. You can update the app via the App Store.

  2. Access the Menu: Tap on the three horizontal lines located in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will open the Facebook menu.

  3. Scroll Down to ‘Settings & Privacy’: Once you’re in the menu, scroll down until you see the "Settings & Privacy" option. Tap on it to expand more options.

  4. Select ‘Dark Mode’: Within the expanded menu, you’ll find the “Dark Mode” option. Tap on it.

  5. Choose Your Preferred Option: You’ll be given three options:

    • On: Enable dark mode regardless of system settings.
    • Off: Keep dark mode disabled.
    • Use System Settings: This option syncs with your phone’s system-wide settings, turning dark mode on or off based on your device’s appearance settings.

  6. Confirm Your Selection: Once you’ve made your choice, dark mode will be activated according to your preference.

For Android Users:

The process for enabling dark mode on Android devices is quite similar to that on iOS:

  1. Open the Facebook App: Ensure your Facebook app is up to date. You can update it via the Google Play Store.

  2. Access the Menu: Tap on the three horizontal lines located in the top right corner of the screen.

  3. Go to ‘Settings & Privacy’: Scroll down and tap on “Settings & Privacy” to reveal more options.

  4. Select ‘Dark Mode’: Find and tap the “Dark Mode” option in the menu.

  5. Choose Your Mode: As with iOS, you can select from three options:

    • On: Activates dark mode permanently.
    • Off: Deactivates dark mode.
    • Use System Settings: Syncs dark mode with your device’s settings.

  6. Apply Your Setting: Dark mode will be applied based on your selection.

Enabling Dark Mode on Facebook Web (Desktop)

If you primarily use Facebook on your desktop or laptop via a web browser, here’s how you can switch to dark mode:

  1. Login to Facebook: Open your preferred web browser and log in to your Facebook account.

  2. Access the Account Menu: Click on the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner of the screen. This will open a drop-down menu.

  3. Select ‘Display & Accessibility’: In the drop-down menu, find and click on the “Display & Accessibility” option.

  4. Toggle Dark Mode: Under the “Dark Mode” section, you’ll see two options:

    • On: Activates dark mode.
    • Off: Keeps dark mode deactivated.

  5. Choose ‘On’: Click “On” to enable dark mode. Your Facebook interface will immediately switch to the dark theme.

Browser-Specific Dark Mode

Some modern web browsers also offer their own dark mode settings, which can affect how websites like Facebook appear. If you enable dark mode on a browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, Facebook might automatically adopt the darker theme, even if you haven’t enabled it within the Facebook settings.

Here’s how to enable dark mode in popular browsers:

  • Google Chrome:

    • Go to chrome://settings/ in the address bar.
    • Scroll down to "Appearance" and select "Themes."
    • Choose a dark theme from the Chrome Web Store.

  • Mozilla Firefox:

    • Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner and go to "Add-ons."
    • Select "Themes" from the sidebar.
    • Choose or search for a dark theme to apply.

  • Microsoft Edge:

    • Go to the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
    • Select "Settings" > "Appearance."
    • Choose "Dark" under the theme settings.

Enabling Dark Mode on Facebook Lite

Facebook Lite is a lighter version of the Facebook app designed for devices with less processing power or slower internet connections. Fortunately, it also supports dark mode. Here's how to activate it:

  1. Open Facebook Lite: Make sure you have the latest version installed from the Google Play Store.

  2. Tap on the Menu Icon: In the top-right corner of the app, tap on the three horizontal lines.

  3. Find ‘Dark Mode’: Scroll down and look for the “Dark Mode” option.

  4. Toggle it On: Simply switch it on to activate dark mode.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Dark Mode

While activating dark mode on Facebook is generally straightforward, some users may encounter issues. Here are a few common problems and their solutions:

1. Dark Mode Option Missing

  • Check for App Updates: Ensure your Facebook app is up to date. Dark mode is only available in the latest versions.
  • Clear Cache: Sometimes, clearing the app's cache can resolve missing options. On Android, go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Facebook" > "Storage" > "Clear Cache."
  • Reinstall the App: If the option is still missing, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Facebook app.

2. Dark Mode Not Syncing with System Settings

  • Restart the App: Close and reopen Facebook to see if it syncs properly.
  • Check System Settings: Make sure your device's dark mode settings are correctly configured.

3. Inconsistent Dark Mode Across Devices

  • Log Out and Back In: Logging out of Facebook on all devices and then logging back in can sometimes resolve syncing issues.
  • Check Each Device: Ensure dark mode is enabled individually on each device you use.

Additional Tips for a Better Dark Mode Experience

To enhance your dark mode experience on Facebook, consider the following tips:

  • Adjust Brightness: Even with dark mode on, high brightness levels can cause eye strain. Adjust your device's brightness to a comfortable level, especially in low-light environments.

  • Use Blue Light Filters: Some devices offer blue light filters or night modes that reduce the amount of blue light emitted by your screen. This can be used in conjunction with dark mode for even better eye comfort.

  • Customize Themes: If you’re using dark mode in a browser, you can further customize your experience with extensions that allow for more theme options or color adjustments.

Conclusion

Dark mode on Facebook is more than just a trendy feature—it's a practical tool that can make your social media experience more comfortable, especially during extended use. Whether you're browsing on your phone, using the web version, or even on Facebook Lite, enabling dark mode is a quick process that offers significant benefits.

Now that you know how to activate dark mode across all platforms, why not give it a try? Your eyes—and perhaps your device’s battery—will thank you. Remember, whether you're using dark mode to reduce eye strain, save battery life, or simply because you like the look, it’s a feature worth exploring. Happy browsing!

FAQs

Q1: Will enabling dark mode on Facebook affect other apps?
No, enabling dark mode on Facebook will only affect the Facebook app or website. Other apps will remain unaffected unless you enable dark mode system-wide.

Q2: Can I schedule dark mode to turn on and off automatically?
Currently, Facebook does not offer an in-app scheduling feature for dark mode. However, you can use your device’s system settings to schedule dark mode, which may affect Facebook if you choose the “Use System Settings” option.

Q3: Does dark mode work the same on Facebook’s Messenger app?
Yes,

Facebook Messenger also supports dark mode. The process for enabling it is similar to the steps outlined above for the Facebook app.

Q4: Can I customize the dark mode theme on Facebook?
As of now, Facebook does not offer customization options for its dark mode. You can only switch between light and dark themes. However, using browser extensions may allow for some level of customization.

Q5: Why does my Facebook appear in dark mode even though I didn’t enable it?
This might happen if you have dark mode enabled at the system level on your device, and Facebook is set to follow system settings. Check your device’s appearance settings to verify.