Instagram lets you change the app's color scheme through your phone's display settings, not through Instagram itself
Instagram does not have a built-in color or theme picker inside the app. Instead, the app follows your phone's system-wide dark mode or light mode setting. If you want Instagram to appear darker or lighter, you change your phone's display settings, and Instagram adjusts automatically. On some Android phones, you can also set Instagram to follow a custom color theme, but this requires your phone's operating system to support it.
The steps differ between iPhones and Android devices, and the options available depend on which version of the operating system your phone runs. This guide covers the main routes on both platforms.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram's appearance follows your phone's dark mode or light mode setting, which you control in your phone's system settings, not in the Instagram app itself.
- On iPhone, you toggle dark mode on or off in Settings > Display & Brightness, and Instagram switches automatically.
- On Android, you can set dark mode in Settings > Display, and newer Android versions let you choose a custom color theme that Instagram may follow.
- Some Android phones let you set Instagram to always use dark mode regardless of your system setting, but this option lives in the app's settings under Display, not in your phone's system settings.
- Instagram does not offer a way to change the app's accent colors or choose between multiple built-in color schemes.
How to enable dark mode on iPhone
On iPhone, open Settings and tap Display & Brightness. You will see three options: Light, Dark, and Automatic. Tap Dark to make Instagram and other apps appear with a dark background and light text. Tap Light to return to the standard white background. If you choose Automatic, your phone switches between light and dark mode based on the time of day—dark at night, light during the day.
Once you change this setting, Instagram updates when ready. Close and reopen the app if it does not change right away. Your choice applies to all apps that support dark mode, not just Instagram.
How to enable dark mode on Android
On Android, the path depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. Open Settings and look for Display or Display & Brightness. Tap Dark Mode or Dark Theme and toggle it on. Some phones call this option "Dark Mode," others call it "Dark Theme," and the exact location varies—it might be under Display, Display & Brightness, or even under Accessibility on older versions.
If you cannot find dark mode in Display settings, try searching for "dark mode" in your phone's Settings search bar at the top. Once dark mode is on, Instagram switches to a dark background automatically. If you want to turn it off for just Instagram while keeping dark mode on for the rest of your phone, see the section below on per-app settings.
Setting dark mode for Instagram only on Android
If your phone is set to light mode but you want Instagram to appear dark, you can override this on some Android phones. Open Instagram, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then tap Settings & Privacy. Scroll down and tap Display & Accessibility, then tap Theme. You will see options like Light, Dark, and Use Device Settings. Choose Dark to force Instagram into dark mode even if your phone is set to light mode.
This setting only affects Instagram—your other apps will still follow your phone's system dark mode setting. If you want to switch back, return to the same menu and choose Light or Use Device Settings.
Using custom color themes on newer Android phones
Android 12 and later versions let you set a custom color theme that pulls colors from your phone's wallpaper. This theme may extend to Instagram and other apps that support it, giving the app a personalized color tone rather than just light or dark. To set this up, open Settings, go to Display, and look for Wallpaper & Style or Theming. Tap Wallpaper & Style, choose a wallpaper, and your phone will automatically generate a color palette. Apps like Instagram that support Material You (Google's design system) will adopt these colors.
Not all phones have this feature—it is available on Google Pixels, Samsung Galaxy phones running Android 12 or later, and some other manufacturers' devices. If you do not see Wallpaper & Style in your Display settings, your phone does not support custom color themes.
What you cannot change in Instagram
Instagram does not let you change the accent colors of buttons, links, or icons. You cannot choose between multiple built-in color schemes, and you cannot customize individual elements like the navigation bar or text color. The only color-related control Instagram offers is the choice between dark mode and light mode, which your phone's system setting controls.
If you want a different look, your only option is to use your phone's dark mode or, on newer Android phones, to set a custom wallpaper-based theme. Third-party apps that claim to change Instagram's colors do not actually modify the real Instagram app—they are either skins that sit on top of the app or they are not legitimate Instagram tools.
Troubleshooting dark mode in Instagram
If you have turned on dark mode but Instagram still appears light, try closing the app completely and reopening it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Instagram, and swipe it up to close it. On Android, open your recent apps (usually by swiping up from the bottom or tapping the recent apps button), find Instagram, and swipe it away. Then tap Instagram to reopen it.
If dark mode still does not work after restarting the app, check that your phone's system setting is actually set to dark mode. On iPhone, go back to Settings > Display & Brightness and confirm Dark is selected. On Android, open Settings > Display and confirm Dark Mode or Dark Theme is toggled on. If the setting is on but Instagram is not responding, try updating Instagram from your phone's app store—older versions sometimes have bugs with dark mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set dark mode for Instagram but light mode for other apps?
On Android, yes—open Instagram, go to Settings & Privacy > Display & Accessibility > Theme, and choose Dark. Your phone's system setting will control all other apps. On iPhone, you cannot override the system setting for individual apps, so all apps that support dark mode will follow your Display & Brightness choice.
Why does Instagram look different on my phone than on my friend's?
Your friend likely has a different dark mode or light mode setting. Check your phone's system display settings and compare them to theirs. If you both have the same setting but Instagram still looks different, one of you may have an older version of the app—update Instagram from your app store to make sure you are running the latest version.
Does changing Instagram's color use more or less battery?
Dark mode uses slightly less battery on phones with OLED screens (most newer iPhones and high-end Android phones) because dark pixels require less power. On phones with LCD screens, the difference is negligible. If battery life is a concern, dark mode is worth trying, but the savings are usually small.
Will my dark mode choice sync across my devices?
On iPhone, if you use iCloud, your Display & Brightness setting syncs across all your Apple devices. On Android, dark mode settings do not sync automatically—you must set dark mode separately on each device. If you use Instagram on multiple Android phones, you will need to set the theme in each one.
Can I schedule dark mode to turn on and off at specific times?
On iPhone, set Display & Brightness to Automatic, and your phone will switch between light and dark mode based on sunset and sunrise. On Android, some phones offer a scheduling option in Display settings—look for Dark Mode Schedule or similar. If your phone does not have this, you can use automation apps, but Instagram itself has no scheduling feature.