Skip to Content

Apple Reminds Developers to Get Ready for Dark Mode in iOS 13

by

Apple today reminded developers to optimize their apps for Dark Mode in iOS 13 and iPadOS. All apps built with the iOS 13 SDK will support ‌Dark Mode‌, which can be tested with the beta versions of iOS 13 and iPadOS.

ios 13 dark mode collage
Apple's notice to developers:

Dark Mode introduces a dramatic new look for iPhone and iPad that is seamlessly integrated throughout the system and simple to turn on from Control Center or Siri. With a dark appearance for all user interface elements, your app’s content becomes the focus.

When a user has Dark Mode turned on, all apps built with the iOS 13 SDK will run in Dark Mode. Learn how to optimize for Dark Mode, then test your apps on a device running the latest beta version of iOS 13 or iPadOS. If you need more time to make your apps look fantastic in Dark Mode, or if Dark Mode is not suited for your app, you can learn how to opt-out.

Also see Apple's developer documentation for Dark Mode and related WWDC 2019 videos.

Top Rated Comments

WiiDSmoker Avatar
85 months ago
Where’s MacRumors dark mode?
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alpi123 Avatar
85 months ago
Nice of them. They’re really pushing this Dark Mode feature forward, and would be nice to see most of the apps support it.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hagjohn Avatar
85 months ago
My app was originally in dark mode. Do I need to make a light mode?
Wouldn't hurt to give people a choice. Some do not like dark mode.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rafark Avatar
85 months ago
Wouldn't hurt to give people a choice. Some do not like dark mode.
I loathe dark mode, reminds me of android.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Awesome Avatar
85 months ago
My app was originally in dark mode. Do I need to make a light mode?
No. In the iOS and iPadOS betas, apps that use a dark theme by default (clock, compass, etc.) stay dark in both dark mode and light mode.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnyb098 Avatar
85 months ago
Im sure facebook will have dark mode day one (SARCASM). Only took them 5 years to optimize for iPads....not that i even use facebook anymore. Just using them as one of the worst offenders
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

MacBook Neo Feature Pastel 1

First MacBook Neo Benchmarks Are In: Here's How It Compares to the M1 MacBook Air

Thursday March 5, 2026 4:07 pm PST by
Benchmarks for the new MacBook Neo surfaced today, and unsurprisingly, CPU performance is almost identical to the iPhone 16 Pro. The MacBook Neo uses the same 6-core A18 Pro chip that was first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro, but it has one fewer GPU core. The MacBook Neo earned a single-core score of 3461 and a multi-core score of 8668, along with a Metal score of 31286. Here's how the...
imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils Seven New Products

Friday March 6, 2026 11:48 am PST by
Apple this week unveiled seven products, including an iPhone 17e, an iPad Air with the M4 chip, updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, a new Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, and an all-new MacBook Neo that starts at just $599. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the iPhone 16e, but it gains Apple's A19 chip, MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging and magnetic...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

Apple Planning 'MacBook Ultra' With Touchscreen and Higher Price

Sunday March 8, 2026 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch an all-new "MacBook Ultra" model this year, featuring an OLED display, touchscreen, and a higher price point, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Gurman revealed the information in his latest "Power On" newsletter. While Apple has been widely expected to launch new M6-series MacBook Pro models with OLED displays, touchscreen functionality, and a new, thinner design...