How to Turn on Dark Mode on YouTube

YouTube enabled the dark theme option in 2018, and many users have been making the switch ever since. It is typically compatible with your browser’s dark theme (such as Google Chrome), so you don’t have to worry about potential glitches.

An additional benefit to Using the Dark Theme on your iPhone and Android devices is that it can potentially save battery life if you are not on auto brightness. This will allow you to watch the YouTube app for longer when you are out and about.

When you enable YouTube dark mode, your may notice that it is easier to focus on the video and ignore other aspects of your screen. This post will walk you through the steps to turning on the mode on the desktop site and the YouTube mobile app.

To enable YouTube dark mode on your desktop computer, you must first log in to your YouTube account. At that point, complete the following steps.

1. STEP 1

   

   Click on your avatar in the top right corner of your screen, then click “Appearance: Light” from the drop-down menu that appears.

2. STEP 2

   

   Choose “Dark Theme” from the available options. You can also select the “use device theme” option if your device is already set to dark mode.

3. STEP 3

   

   At this point, your YouTube should have a dark interface. You may also notice that if you repeat these steps, the appearance option will have switched to dark.

Which Browsers Have a Dark Theme Option

Many top browsers have enabled a dark theme mode for their users, as most people seem to prefer it. If you use Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, or Vivaldi, you may be able to manage this option in your browser settings.

Changing your browser to dark mode is often as easy as clicking a dark theme toggle in your browser’s settings. That being said, it is a good idea to look into the browser of your choice so that you can get the results you wish.

You can also enable dark mode on the YouTube app on either an Android or iOS device. While there is a separate iOS version and Android version of a device theme, the settings should be the same when set in the YouTube app.

Here is how to enable dark mode from a mobile device, iPad, or tablet:

1. STEP 1

   Open YouTube on the device you wish to set, then tap on your profile icon in the upper right corner of your screen.

2. STEP 2

   

   A menu will appear. Tap “Settings” which should be located about halfway down the menu.

3. STEP 3

   

   Tap “General” on the following menu that appears.

4. STEP 4

   

   When the general settings appear, tap “Appearance.”

5. STEP 5

   

   From this screen, you can select either “dark theme” or “device theme” to change the YouTube app to dark mode.

If you ever decide that you want to watch your favorite YouTube videos on light mode again, all you have to do is repeat the above steps but choose the appropriate option. You are free to change these settings as often as you wish.