Dark mode is in your Facebook settings, and the steps differ slightly depending on whether you use the app or a web browser
Facebook's dark mode darkens the interface to white text on a dark background, which reduces eye strain in low light and uses less battery on phones with OLED screens. The setting lives in your preferences, not in your phone's system settings, so you control it separately for Facebook even if your phone is set to light mode. You can turn it on in under a minute.
The exact steps depend on whether you are using the Facebook app on Android or iPhone, or accessing Facebook through a web browser on desktop or mobile. Each route has a slightly different path to the same setting.
Key Takeaways
- On the Facebook app for iPhone or Android, open the menu, tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then scroll to Preferences and select Dark Mode.
- On a desktop web browser, click the downward arrow in the top right, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings, scroll to Preferences, and choose your dark mode option.
- Facebook offers three dark mode choices: Off, On, and Automatic (which matches your phone's system setting).
- Dark mode applies only to Facebook and does not change your phone's overall display settings.
Dark mode on the Facebook mobile app
Open the Facebook app and look for the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the bottom right on Android. Tap it to open the menu.
Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. You will see a list of options. Scroll down until you find Preferences and tap it. Look for Dark Mode in that section. Tap Dark Mode and you will see three options: Off, On, and Automatic. Choose On to enable dark mode when ready, or choose Automatic to have Facebook match whatever your phone's display setting is. The change takes effect right away.
Dark mode on Facebook in a web browser
On desktop, log into Facebook and look for a small downward-pointing arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. Click it to open a dropdown menu. Click Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, you will see a menu. Click Preferences. Scroll down to find Dark Mode.
Click Dark Mode and select On to turn it on, or Automatic to sync it with your computer's display setting. The page will refresh and dark mode will be active. On mobile browsers (like Safari or Chrome on your phone), the steps are the same as the app: tap the menu icon, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Preferences, then Dark Mode. The setting applies to that browser on that device.
What the three dark mode options do
Off keeps Facebook in light mode no matter what your phone or computer is set to. On turns dark mode on permanently in Facebook, even if your device is in light mode. Automatic makes Facebook follow your device's setting — if your phone is set to dark mode, Facebook will be dark; if your phone switches to light mode, Facebook will too.
Most people choose Automatic so they do not have to manage the setting separately. If you prefer dark mode in Facebook but light mode everywhere else on your phone, choose On. This keeps your Facebook experience independent from your device's overall display preference.
Dark mode does not work on all Facebook pages
Dark mode applies to your main feed, messages, and most of Facebook's core pages. Some older features, third-party apps connected to Facebook, and certain business tools may still show in light mode even when dark mode is on. This is a limitation of how those pages were built, not a problem with your setting.
If you see light mode on a specific page, try refreshing it or closing and reopening the app. If it persists, that page may not yet support dark mode. Facebook continues to roll out dark mode support to older sections of the platform, so a page that does not support it today may gain support in a future update.
Turning dark mode off again
To turn dark mode off, follow the same path: menu, Settings & Privacy, Settings, Preferences, Dark Mode, then select Off. The change is when ready. You can switch between dark and light mode as often as you want — there is no limit to how many times you can change it.
If you change your mind later, the process is identical whether you are on mobile or desktop. Your choice is saved to your Facebook account, so the setting will be the same across all devices where you log in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does dark mode save battery on my phone?
On phones with OLED screens (most newer iPhones and many Android phones), dark mode uses less battery because black pixels require less power than white ones. On phones with LCD screens, the difference is minimal or nonexistent. Dark mode does reduce eye strain in low light on any phone.
Will dark mode affect my Facebook notifications or messages?
No. Dark mode only changes how the interface looks. Your notifications, messages, and all your data work exactly the same way. The setting is purely visual.
Can I set dark mode for Facebook but not for other apps?
Yes. Facebook's dark mode setting is separate from your phone's system setting. You can have Facebook in dark mode and everything else on your phone in light mode, or vice versa.
What if dark mode is not showing up in my settings?
Make sure your Facebook app is up to date. Open your phone's app store, search for Facebook, and install any available updates. Dark mode has been available for several years, but very old versions of the app may not have it. If you are using a web browser, try a different browser or clear your cache.
Does dark mode work on Facebook Messenger?
Yes. Messenger uses the same dark mode setting as Facebook. When you turn on dark mode in Facebook settings, it applies to Messenger as well. You can also access Messenger through the Facebook app and the setting will carry over.