Facebook Messenger 'Dark Mode' How to and Tips - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Facebook Messenger 'Dark Mode' How to and Tips

by

Over the weekend we noted that Facebook had added a "hidden" setting in Facebook Messenger that allows you to turn on a long-awaited Dark mode. The new mode was found by several sites and users and remains hidden for now.

facebook dark mode

How to Turn on Dark Mode in Facebook Messenger

  1. Send just the 🌙 emoji to anyone (or even yourself).
  2. Tap on the moon emoji in the chat after you send it.
  3. A pop up should appear saying you found dark mode.
  4. Go to settings and you should see it here.
  5. You may have to force quit the Facebook Messenger app and relaunch it before tapping on the Moon emoji will work.

Facebook acknowledged the Dark mode setting in a blog post.

As many may have discovered, dark mode can be accessed through a hidden, limited-time only experience. Simply send a crescent moon emoji – 🌙 – in any Messenger chat to unlock the setting and prompt to turn on dark mode.

Facebook promises that the feature will be deployed our to everyone in a matter of weeks. The secret method to enable dark mode works in both Android and iOS.

The new mode works particularly well with Facebook's color/gradient option. If you tap on the name of the person you are chatting with, you can choose a custom color for that chat. The gradients work well against the new dark background.

Apple is widely rumored to be adding a dark mode in iOS 13 which is expected to be debuted at WWDC 2019.

(Thanks, Nathan!)

Related Forum: iOS 13

Top Rated Comments

FairlyKors Avatar
98 months ago
The most satisfying way to enter dark mode is to simply hold down the fb icon until it wiggles and then press that “secret” X that appears.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
98 months ago
Pretty sure FB messenger always had a hidden dark mode, with any messages or photos sent directly to Zucc for his strange gratification.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BWhaler Avatar
98 months ago
Facebook. Gross.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
podycust Avatar
98 months ago
not working for me

edit: after sending I force quit messenger then tapped on the moon in the chat and it worked!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
squizzler Avatar
98 months ago
I’ve quit Messenger and Facebook altogether. Never felt better.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
98 months ago
Facebook is not spelt with an uppercase b...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Gurman: iPhone Ultra Wows Early Testers, Except for Its Camera

Sunday August 23, 2026 11:19 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra is winning over the few people who have had hands-on time with the device, though the camera setup may leave some users wanting, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says people who have used the device – which is reportedly referred to internally as the iPhone Ultra – like how it fits in your...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Pre-Orders and Release Date

Thursday August 20, 2026 8:00 am PDT by
Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern. As usual, the iPhone event is expected to take place in the first half of September. Labor Day falls on September 7 this year. The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to...
Rivian Explains Why CarPlay Debate Will Become Completely Obsolete Feature

iOS 27 Introduces CarPlay's Biggest New Feature in Years

Monday August 17, 2026 2:38 pm PDT by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, but we did not hear many specific details about this functionality until recently. In a WWDC 2026 video aimed at developers, Apple said the CarPlay video feature is available in new vehicles that support it. When playing a video in an iPhone...