Where to find iPhone theme and appearance settings

iPhone theme settings live in the Settings app under Display & Brightness. Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and you'll see your main options: Light, Dark, and Auto. Light mode shows black text on a white background. Dark mode shows white text on a dark background. Auto switches between them based on the time of day or your sunset and sunrise times.

The Dark mode option is available on iPhone XS and later. If you have an older iPhone, you'll only see Light mode. The Auto setting is the most common choice because it reduces eye strain in low light and saves battery on phones with OLED screens (iPhone 12 and newer).

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone theme settings are in Settings > Display & Brightness, where you choose Light, Dark, or Auto mode.
  • Dark mode is available only on iPhone XS and later models.
  • Auto mode switches your theme based on sunset and sunrise times, which you can adjust in the same menu.
  • You can also set a schedule to change themes at specific times instead of using sunset and sunrise.
  • Some apps have their own theme settings that override your system setting, so check individual app settings if a theme doesn't change.

Switching between Light and Dark mode

To change your theme right now, open Settings and go to Display & Brightness. You'll see three buttons at the top: a sun icon for Light, a moon icon for Dark, and a circle with both for Auto. Tap the one you want. Your entire system—home screen, Control Center, notifications, and most built-in apps—will change when ready.

Light mode is easier to read in bright sunlight. Dark mode is gentler on your eyes in dim rooms and uses less power on newer iPhones. Many people use Auto so they don't have to think about it.

Setting up automatic theme switching with sunset and sunrise

If you choose Auto mode, your iPhone will switch themes automatically based on when the sun sets and rises in your location. Your phone uses your location services to figure out the exact times. You don't need to do anything else—it just happens.

If you want to see or adjust the times, scroll down in Display & Brightness and tap Options (under the Auto setting). You'll see "Sunrise to Sunset" selected by default. If you want to change the times manually instead, tap "Schedule" and set your own start and end times. This is useful if you work night shifts or want the theme to change at a specific hour regardless of sunset.

Customizing your home screen and lock screen appearance

Beyond Light and Dark mode, you can customize how your home screen and lock screen look by creating custom themes. Long-press your home screen, tap the plus button, and select "Create New Theme" (or tap an existing theme to edit it). You can change the wallpaper, icon style, and lock screen appearance.

These custom themes are separate from your Light and Dark mode setting. You can have a custom theme active while Light mode is on, or while Dark mode is on. Some custom themes will override your system theme choice for that specific screen.

Why some apps don't follow your theme choice

Some third-party apps—like Gmail, Twitter, or Instagram—have their own theme settings that don't follow your system Light or Dark mode. If an app isn't changing when you switch themes, open that app's settings and look for a Theme, Appearance, or Display option. You may need to set it to "System" or "Auto" to make it match your iPhone's overall theme.

Built-in Apple apps like Mail, Messages, and Safari will always follow your system theme unless you've customized them separately. If you've created a custom home screen theme, some apps may not update to match it—this is normal and depends on how the app was built.

Adjusting text size and contrast alongside your theme

While you're in Display & Brightness, you can also adjust text size and contrast to make reading easier. Tap Text Size to make all text larger or smaller across your system. This works alongside your Light or Dark theme choice.

If you have vision concerns, scroll down to Accessibility and tap Display & Text Size. Here you'll find options like Bold Text, Increase Contrast, and Reduce Transparency. These settings work with any theme and can make your screen easier to read in any lighting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different themes for different times of day?

Yes. Use the Auto setting with either Sunrise to Sunset or Schedule. Auto will switch your theme at the times you set. You cannot have multiple custom themes that rotate automatically, but you can manually switch between custom themes whenever you want.

Does Dark mode really save battery?

On iPhone 12 and newer (phones with OLED screens), Dark mode uses less battery because black pixels use less power than white ones. On older iPhones with LCD screens, the difference is minimal. Dark mode does reduce eye strain in low light on all models.

Why did my theme change back after I set it?

If you chose Light or Dark mode but it switched back, you may have Auto mode turned on. Check Display & Brightness and make sure Auto is not selected. If Auto is off and the theme still changes, check your custom home screen theme settings—a custom theme may be overriding your choice.

Can I make my lock screen a different theme than my home screen?

Yes. Create a custom lock screen theme by long-pressing your lock screen and tapping the plus button. You can set it to a different appearance than your home screen. Your system Light or Dark mode will still explore to apps and menus, but your lock screen can look different.

What if my iPhone is too old for Dark mode?

iPhones older than XS only have Light mode. You can still customize your home screen and lock screen appearance, adjust text size, and use accessibility features to change how your screen looks. Upgrade to a newer iPhone if you want Dark mode.