Check Out Dark Mode in iOS 13

One of iOS 13's major new features is a systemwide Dark Mode option, which matches the ‌Dark Mode‌ feature we got in macOS Mojave last year.

Enabling ‌Dark Mode‌ can be done through the Settings app on the iPhone (or iPad) under the Display & Brightness section. You can select Light or Dark mode, or choose to enable them based on the time of day (Sunrise to Sunset) or a custom-picked schedule. If you long press on the Brightness indicator in Control Center, you can toggle on ‌Dark Mode‌ from there if you don't want to use the Settings app.

darkmodeschedules
Turning on ‌Dark Mode‌ changes the look of the entire operating system, darkening everything from the wallpaper and the Home screen to individual apps.

darkmodehomescreenlockscreen
Speaking of wallpaper, iOS 13 has several new wallpapers available, which turn colors from light to dark based on which mode you have activated.

darkmodewallpapers
You'll see darker themes in all of your apps, from Settings and Photos to Apple Music.

darkmodesettingsmusicphotos
Messages and Phone have new darker interfaces that are easier on the eyes when ‌Dark Mode‌ is activated.

darkmodephonemessages
Apple has put a lot of work into ‌Dark Mode‌, and most Apple apps at this time are supporting the feature. Maps already had a nighttime ‌Dark Mode‌, but now it's activated all the time when ‌Dark Mode‌ is turned on. Dark themes are available in Mail and Apple News.

darkmodemapsmailapplenews
The App Store, the Reminders app, and even the Health app have ‌Dark Mode‌ interfaces, as do other apps like Home (though it was already dark) and Wallet.

ios13wallpaperappstorehealth
Other apps shown in ‌Dark Mode‌ include Shortcuts, Notes, and Contacts.

darkmodeshortcutsnotescontacts
Safari has a dark theme too, but it looks best when websites are in ‌Dark Mode‌ themselves, such as Apple's website. MacRumors has a dark theme coming in a future update, so stay tuned.

darkmodesafari
For those who prefer darker themes on their devices, iOS 13 isn't going to disappoint. Once third-party apps have all implemented dark options, ‌Dark Mode‌ will be seamlessly available across the iOS and iPadOS operating systems.

Right now, iOS 13 with ‌Dark Mode‌ is limited to developers, who will need to download the update using Xcode 11 or a Mac running macOS Catalina. Apple plans to make iOS 13 and iPadOS available to public beta testers in July ahead of a fall launch.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Popular Stories

iOS 26 on iPhone Feature

Here's When iOS 26 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: Out Now!]

Monday September 15, 2025 12:00 am PDT by
Update 10:06 a.m.: iOS 26 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Today's the day! Apple is about to release iOS 26, which will deliver the biggest redesign since iOS 7 and bring a range of new features and improvements to iPhones worldwide. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at last week's iPhone event that...
iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

Apple Says Installing iOS 26 Might Impact Battery Life

Monday September 15, 2025 10:56 am PDT by
In the iOS 26 release notes, Apple is warning iPhone users that installing the new software might have a temporary impact on battery life, which is normal. A new support document explains that major iOS updates require background setup like indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps. Further, Apple says that new features could require more resources,...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Reportedly Plans to Launch These 10 Products in 'Coming Months'

Sunday September 14, 2025 8:45 am PDT by
Apple's annual September event is now in the rearview mirror, with the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3 set to launch this Friday, September 19. As always, there is more to come. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple plans to release many products in the...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

Monday September 15, 2025 10:50 am PDT by
Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware. With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 support better audio quality for phone calls and...
iOS 26 Feature

iOS 26 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 15, 2025 5:45 am PDT by
Following three months of beta testing, iOS 26 was released today, September 15. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer, and it is available to install via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features included in iOS 26. Even more new features and changes are outlined in Apple's release notes for the update. Some of ...
iphone 17 lineup

iPhone 17 Models Launch on September 19 With These New Features

Friday September 12, 2025 7:58 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 lineup and ultra-thin iPhone Air in stores on Friday, September 19, and the company has already shown off the new devices at its fall event, which ran with the the tagline "Awe dropping." The iPhone 17 series brings a host of new features and enhancements. Here's a rundown of the biggest upgrades and changes: iPhone 17 Display Changes The iPhone...

Top Rated Comments

Bin Cook Avatar
82 months ago
I can't be the only person who finds dark mode more intensive on my eyes, particularly in comparison to when true tone is enabled and blue light is minimised.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
82 months ago
I am still trying to figure out what is all the hype about "dark mode". :eek:
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tozovac Avatar
82 months ago
Now lose the Flat Design and give us back Intuitive Mode.
Lose the low contrast hard to read obsession and give back the feeling of It Just Works.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleHaterLover Avatar
82 months ago
Wow. Things that were white before are now black.

Amazing
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
koifish22 Avatar
82 months ago
So what does private browsing look like in dark mode?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
82 months ago
The advantages of dark mode are so obvious that they should be impossible to miss.
Other than minute battery savings with OLED equipped devices, what is so obvious? Since you are so capable of identifying them, mind to show a list instead of giving an empty reply?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)