Change your iPhone's color scheme through Display & Brightness settings

You can switch your iPhone between Light mode, Dark mode, and Auto mode in the Display & Brightness section of Settings. Light mode shows black text on a white background. Dark mode shows white text on a dark background. Auto mode switches between the two based on the time of day or your schedule. The change takes effect when ready across most apps and system screens.

The steps are the same whether you have an iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, or newer. Older iPhones running iOS 13 or later also support Dark mode, though some visual options may differ slightly.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and choose Light, Dark, or Automatic to change your color scheme.
  • Auto mode switches to Dark mode at sunset and back to Light mode at sunrise, or you can set a custom schedule.
  • Dark mode applies to the system interface and most built-in apps, but some third-party apps may not support it fully.
  • You can also enable Dark mode from Control Center without opening Settings, though this overrides your Auto schedule temporarily.

Step-by-step: changing your color scheme in Settings

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap the gray gear icon if you do not see Settings pinned to your dock.

Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness. You will see three options at the top: Light, Dark, and Automatic. Tap whichever you prefer. If you choose Light or Dark, your iPhone stays in that mode all the time. If you choose Automatic, your phone switches modes based on the schedule you set next.

When Automatic is selected, you will see Options below it. Tap Options and choose either Sunset to Sunrise or Schedule. Sunset to Sunrise uses your location and the actual sunset and sunrise times each day. Schedule lets you pick exact times—for example, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Tap your choice, confirm the times if needed, and tap back to return to Display & Brightness.

Using Control Center for a quick toggle

If you want to switch modes without opening Settings, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Look for the brightness slider and the Dark mode icon (a half-moon symbol). Tap the moon icon to turn Dark mode on or off.

Keep in mind that toggling Dark mode from Control Center overrides your Automatic schedule. If you have Auto set to Sunset to Sunrise, manually turning on Dark mode in Control Center will keep it on until you turn it off again, even after sunset. To return to your automatic schedule, go back to Settings and confirm Automatic is still selected.

What happens to apps and wallpapers in Dark mode

Built-in Apple apps like Mail, Messages, Calendar, and Notes automatically adapt to Dark mode. The background turns dark and text becomes light. Third-party apps from the App Store vary—some support Dark mode fully, some show a light interface even when Dark mode is on, and some let you choose independently within the app itself.

Your wallpaper may also change appearance. Some wallpapers are designed to look different in Light and Dark modes. If you set a custom photo as your wallpaper, it will stay the same, but the icons and text overlaid on it will change color to remain readable.

Adjusting text size and contrast alongside color scheme

While you are in Display & Brightness, you can also adjust Text Size and Bold Text to make reading easier. Drag the slider under Text Size to make all text larger or smaller system-wide. Toggle Bold Text on if you want text to appear thicker and darker, which some people find easier to read.

If you need even more contrast, scroll down to Accessibility in Settings and tap Display & Text Size. Turn on Increase Contrast to make text stand out more against backgrounds. These changes work in both Light and Dark modes.

Troubleshooting: Dark mode not working as expected

If Dark mode is on but some apps still show a light background, the app itself may not support Dark mode yet. Check the app's settings to see if there is a separate Dark mode toggle inside the app. Some apps like Instagram, Spotify, and older versions of third-party tools have their own Dark mode controls that override the system setting.

If Automatic mode is not switching at the time you expect, check that your location services are on. Go to Settings, tap Privacy, tap Location Services, and make sure it is toggled on. If you chose Schedule instead of Sunset to Sunrise, verify the times are correct by going back to Display & Brightness, tapping Options, and checking your scheduled times.

If your iPhone is running an older version of iOS, update it to the latest version. Go to Settings, tap General, tap Software Update, and follow the prompts. Dark mode works best on iOS 13 and newer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dark mode save battery on my iPhone?

On iPhones with OLED screens (iPhone 12 and newer), Dark mode uses less battery because dark pixels require less power than light ones. On iPhones with LCD screens (iPhone 11 and older), Dark mode makes little to no difference in battery life. If battery is your main concern, check your phone's screen type in Settings under General, then About.

Can I set different color schemes for different times of day?

Yes. Choose Automatic in Display & Brightness, then tap Options and select either Sunset to Sunrise or Schedule. Sunset to Sunrise changes based on your location's actual sunset and sunrise. Schedule lets you pick exact times, like 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., and your phone switches at those times every day.

Why does my wallpaper look different in Dark mode?

Some wallpapers are designed with two versions—one optimized for Light mode and one for Dark mode. Apple's built-in wallpapers often work this way. If you use a custom photo, it stays the same, but the system icons and text on top of it change color to stay readable against your photo's background.

Will changing my color scheme affect my data or settings?

No. Switching between Light, Dark, and Automatic modes only changes how your screen looks. Your photos, messages, contacts, and all other data remain unchanged. You can switch modes as often as you want without any risk to your information.