How to Turn On Dark Mode on Snapchat

Snapchat’s dark mode feature allows you to switch Snapchat’s bright white background to a darker shade, making it easier on your eyes and battery in low light conditions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to turning on dark mode on both iOS and Android devices.

Checking if Your Snapchat App Supports Dark Mode

Before trying to turn on dark mode, first check that you have an updated version of Snapchat that supports the feature.

To check your app’s version on iOS:

• Open the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top right
• Scroll down and tap Snapchat under ‘Available Updates’ if an update is available, or under ‘Most Recent’ if already updated

On Android:

• Open the Play Store and tap the hamburger menu in the top left
• Tap ‘My apps & games’
• Under ‘Installed’, check if Snapchat has an ‘Update’ button available

If an update is available, install it and then try turning on dark mode using the steps below.

Enabling Dark Mode on iOS

Once your iOS Snapchat app is up to date, you can enable dark mode by:

Turning on System-Wide Dark Mode

1. Open your iPhone’s Settings app
2. Tap ‘Display and Brightness’
3. Toggle ‘Dark’ on to enable system-wide dark mode
4. Open Snapchat to see it now has a dark background

This will make the Snapchat background dark, matching your overall iOS dark theme.

Manually Toggling Dark Mode in Snapchat

You can also choose to have Snapchat specifically display in dark mode while keeping your overall iOS appearance light:

1. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left
2. Tap the settings cog icon in the top right
3. Toggle ‘Dark Mode’ on

Toggling this will keep Snapchat in dark mode, even if you disable system-wide dark mode on your iPhone.

Switching on Dark Mode on Android

Similarly on Android, you have two options to enable dark mode:

Use Android 10 System-Wide Dark Mode

If your Android device is running Android 10:

1. Pull down the quick settings panel at the top
2. Long press the brightness slider
3. Choose one of the ‘Dark mode’ options
4. Open Snapchat to see the dark theme

This will make Snapchat match your device-wide dark mode setting.

Manually Enable It in Snapchat

To have dark mode just for Snapchat, regardless of your Android theme:

1. Open Snapchat and tap your profile
2. Tap the Settings gear icon
3. Toggle ‘Dark mode’ on

Now Snapchat will display in dark mode, while the rest of your device remains unchanged.

Customizing Your Dark Mode Experience

Once you have dark mode enabled, Snapchat allows you to customize the experience:

Adjust the Dark Mode Intensity

In Snapchat’s settings you can use the ‘Dark mode intensity’ slider to control how dark the background becomes. Drag the slider right for a darker experience, or left to make it lighter and subtler.

Use Alterative Icon

Snapchat’s default yellow icon doesn’t stand out well against the dark background. Fortunately, there’s an alternative dark background icon available.

To switch icons:

1. Go to your Snapchat profile
2. Tap the settings cog
3. Scroll down and tap ‘Dark mode icon’

This displays a darker icon on your home screen that’s easier to see.

The Benefits of Using Dark Mode

Using Snapchat’s dedicated dark mode makes the app easier on the eyes when using it in darker environments. But the benefits go beyond that:

Reduce Eye Strain

Staring at bright white screens in low light conditions can strain your eyes. The darker background puts less stress on your eyes.

Improve Battery Life

Especially on devices with OLED displays, switching apps to dark mode can significantly improve battery life. The darker pixels use less power.

Avoid Disrupting Others

The bright Snapchat interface can be distracting to others if using it in bed or other low light areas. Dark mode avoids illuminating surrounding areas.

So if you often use Snapchat at night or in the dark, enabling dark mode can make chatting and creating snaps a more pleasant, healthy experience.

Try out both system-wide and app-specific modes to see which works best for your usage!

Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Mode

Here are answers to some common questions about using Snapchat’s dark mode: