Spotify's color options depend on which app you're using
Spotify offers a dark theme and a light theme on most devices, but the steps to switch between them vary. On desktop and mobile, you'll find the theme setting in your account preferences. The app doesn't let you pick custom colors — you're choosing between Spotify's built-in dark mode (the default) and light mode.
The exact location of this setting differs between the desktop app, the web player, and mobile phones. Some devices also let the app follow your system's theme preference, so changing your phone or computer's overall appearance automatically changes Spotify's look too.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify offers a dark theme (default) and light theme on desktop, web, and mobile apps.
- On the desktop app, go to Settings, scroll to Display, and toggle between Dark and Light.
- On mobile (iOS and Android), open Settings, tap Display, and choose your preferred theme.
- The web player uses your browser's light or dark mode setting, so you may need to change that instead.
- Some devices let Spotify follow your system theme, so the app switches automatically when you change your phone or computer's appearance.
Changing the theme on the Spotify desktop app
Open Spotify on your computer and look for the gear icon in the top right corner. Click it to open Settings. Scroll down until you see the "Display" section — this is where the theme options live.
You'll see three choices: Dark (the default), Light, and sometimes a third option that says "Use system setting" or "Follow system theme." If you choose the system setting option, Spotify will automatically switch between dark and light whenever you change your computer's appearance preference. Click your choice and the app updates when ready — no restart needed.
Changing the theme on mobile (iPhone and Android)
On both iPhone and Android, open the Spotify app and tap the home icon at the bottom of the screen. Look for the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner and tap it. Scroll down to find "Display" or "Display and Sound" depending on your phone's version.
Tap that section and you'll see the same three options: Dark, Light, or Use System Setting. Choose whichever you prefer. The change takes effect when ready when you return to the main app screen. If you pick "Use System Setting," Spotify will match whatever theme your phone is set to — so if you switch your iPhone to light mode in Settings, Spotify switches too.
Using the web player and browser settings
The Spotify web player (open.spotify.com) doesn't have its own theme toggle. Instead, it follows your browser's light or dark mode setting. If you want to change how Spotify looks in your browser, you need to change your browser's theme instead.
In Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, go to Settings, then Appearance, and choose your theme. In Safari on Mac, go to System Settings, then Appearance, and pick Light or Dark. In Firefox, click the menu button, go to Settings, then Appearance, and select your theme. Once you've changed your browser, reload the Spotify web player and it will display in the new theme.
What to do if the theme won't change
If you've toggled the setting but Spotify still looks the same, try closing and reopening the app completely. On desktop, quit Spotify entirely (not just minimizing it) and launch it again. On mobile, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or tap the back button repeatedly (Android) to fully close the app, then open it fresh.
If that doesn't work, check whether you have "Use System Setting" turned on. If you do, the app is following your device's theme preference, so you'll need to change that preference instead. On Windows, go to Settings > Personalization > Colors. On Mac, go to System Settings > Appearance. On iPhone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness. On Android, go to Settings > Display > Dark Theme.
Why Spotify might look different on different devices
If Spotify looks dark on your phone but light on your computer, it's because each device has its own theme setting. The app doesn't sync your theme choice across devices — you set it separately on each one. This also means if you use "Use System Setting" on one device and manually pick Dark on another, they'll look different even though you're logged into the same account.
The web player adds another layer: it always follows your browser's theme, not Spotify's own setting. So you could have dark mode on the desktop app, light mode on your phone, and whatever your browser is set to on the web player, all at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Spotify a different color besides dark and light?
No. Spotify only offers dark and light themes — you cannot customize the colors or create a custom color scheme. The app doesn't have a settings option for picking individual colors or accent shades.
Why does my Spotify look different than my friend's?
Your friend probably has a different theme selected. Ask them to check their Settings > Display and see which option they've chosen. You can also have different themes on different devices — for example, dark on your phone and light on your computer.
Does changing Spotify's theme affect the music or playlists?
No. The theme is purely visual and changes only how the app looks. Your music, playlists, and account settings stay exactly the same no matter which theme you use.
Will my theme choice stay the same if I log out and log back in?
Yes. Your theme preference is saved to that device, so logging out and back in won't change it. However, if you uninstall and reinstall the app, it will reset to the default dark theme.
Can I set different themes for different times of day?
Not directly through Spotify. However, if you use "Use System Setting," you can set your device to automatically switch between light and dark mode at sunrise and sunset. Spotify will follow that change automatically.