Facebook Dark Mode: What It Is and How to Enable It

If you’ve ever scrolled Facebook at night, you know how harsh that bright white screen can feel. That’s where dark mode comes in; it flips the light background into calming blacks and grays, making text pop and your eyes breathe a sigh of relief. Bonus: it even saves a little battery on OLED screens.

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to turn on Facebook dark mode (and Messenger dark mode) on iPhone, Android, and desktop. By the end, you’ll be scrolling with comfort—day or night.

What Is Dark Mode on Facebook?

Dark mode simply changes the app’s interface from bright white to black or dark gray, with light-colored text and icons for contrast. Facebook balances this look so photos and videos stay vibrant, not washed out.

You can tie it to your device’s system theme (so it follows your iPhone/Android/macOS settings) or turn it on manually. No hacks or third-party add-ons required—it’s built right in.

FaceTime Like a Pro:

Get our exclusive Ultimate FaceTime Guide 📚 — absolutely FREE when you sign up for our newsletter below.

Why You Should Enable Facebook Dark Mode

Switching to dark mode isn’t just about aesthetics. Here’s why I recommend it:

• Less eye strain: Cuts glare in low light, reducing headaches and fatigue.
• Better for night use: Perfect for late-night scrolling without harsh brightness.
• Battery saver: On OLED/AMOLED screens, dark pixels save energy (up to 30%).
• Improves sleep quality: Less blue light means less disruption before bedtime.
• Sleek design: Honestly, it just looks cooler and more modern.

Therefore, it’s just an easy toggle that cranks up the comfort without affecting the way Facebook works. Try it out; you might never switch back to light mode! 

How to Turn On Dark Mode on Facebook

The process to enable Facebook dark mode is consistent across platforms, with options to go full dark, match your system’s theme, or stick to light. Let’s break it down by device. 

On iPhone and Android (Facebook App)

1. Open the Facebook app on your phone. Make sure it’s updated to the latest version.
2. Tap the three-line hamburger menu icon. On iOS, that’s in the bottom right; on Android, it’s usually the top left corner.
3. Tap Settings & privacy.
4. Under it, select Dark Mode. 
5. Choose between:
   • On to force dark mode all the time
   • Off for light mode
   • System to enable it to match your phone’s appearance setting (which you can flip on in your device’s Display settings).
     

That’s it! The app will toggle the theme immediately. If you have an older device, please be aware that dark mode is optimized on iOS 13+ or Android 10+.  

On Desktop (facebook.com)

1. Go to facebook.com and log in if you haven’t already. 
2. Click the downward arrow (▼) or your profile picture in the top-right corner. 
3. From the menu, select Display & Accessibility.
   
4. Under the Dark Mode section, select On. You can also choose Automatic if you want it to sync with your system’s light/dark preference.
   

If you use a browser extension for dark themes, disable it. Facebook’s native dark mode is smoother.

Bonus: Dark Mode on Messenger

If you use the standalone Messenger app, you can also darken it. Update the app first and then follow the steps below: 

On Mobile (iPhone or Android)

1. Open the Messenger app on your phone. 
2. Tap the three-line menu icon in the top left corner on iPhone or the bottom right corner on Android. 
3. Select Settings (a gear icon). 
4. Tap Dark Mode and select the On option for a consistently dark display.
   

Your chats will go dark right away.  

Fun fact: Back in the day, you had to send a moon emoji to unlock it, but now it’s easy! 

On Desktop App

Facebook has rolled out dark mode to the Messenger desktop app too: 

1. Launch the Messenger app and click your profile icon in the upper-left. 
2. Select Preferences. 
3. Under the Dark Mode option, choose On. 

If it’s not showing up, update the app to the latest version. Easy peasy for those desktop chat sessions. 

Note: Facebook doesn’t support dark mode on messenger.com. If you use Messenger on the web, you’ll need to use a dark theme extension. 

Troubleshooting Facebook Dark Mode

If dark mode isn’t working, try these quick fixes:

• Dark mode missing or not toggling: First, update the app or refresh your browser. On mobile, force-close the app (swipe it away) and reopen. On a desktop, clear your browser cache. 
• Facebook keeps turning off dark mode: If it’s set to System/Automatic, make sure your device’s display settings have dark mode enabled. Log out and back in to sync. 
• Glitches or partial dark mode: Clear the app cache on Android. For iOS, restart your phone, and delete and reinstall the app. Disable any browser extensions for themes, as they can interfere. 
• If nothing works, report it via the app: Menu > Help & support > Report a problem, and include your device details. 

For older devices, dark mode might not be fully supported, but Facebook has significantly improved compatibility lately. A quick restart usually sorts it out for me! 

Final Thoughts: Scroll Better with Dark Mode

That’s it! You now know how to enable Facebook dark mode on every device, plus Messenger. It’s a tiny switch that makes a huge difference: less eye strain, longer battery life, and a cleaner look.

Once you try it, chances are you’ll never go back to blinding white feeds again.

You may also like to read these:

• How to Lock Facebook Profile
• How to Hide Likes on Facebook
• How to Unlink Your Facebook Account From Instagram