WhatsApp is finally getting a new dark mode on iOS and Android today. After months of beta testing on both mobile operating systems, the WhatsApp dark mode will be available for all users today. If you already have dark mode enabled at the system level on iOS 13 or Android 10, then WhatsApp will automatically switch over.
Dark mode is an increasingly requested feature in these days of extended screen time and tired eyes.
Facebook has tweaked its WhatsApp dark mode to ensure it lowers the brightness of a phone display. “During testing we found that combining pure black and white creates high contrast that can lead to eye fatigue,” explains a WhatsApp spokesperson. “So instead, you’ll notice a special dark gray background and off-white color that lowers the brightness of the screen, cuts down the glare, and improves contrast and readability.”
If you choose to enable it, your WhatsApp interface will look pretty much the same, just darker, obviously. The app’s developers have specifically chosen colours that are close to the system defaults on both operating systems, while a few minor design tweaks will make sure all the important information continues to stand out.
Android 10 and iOS 13 users can use dark mode by enabling it in system settings.
Users on Android 9 and below can select it via WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Theme > Dark. It’s rolling out to everyone on the latest version of WhatsApp in the coming days.
