How to Enable Dark Mode on YouTube [On Any Device] (2024)

With the recent addition of Dark Mode to various operating systems and apps, you can finally tone down the screen brightness during the nighttime. And that is without having to reduce the brightness of your screen and turning all those white menus to a dark gray tone.

This option is especially useful when you want to watch YouTube in the evening, but do not want to expand the video to full screen. By turning YouTube’s interface dark, that overwhelming white glow will no longer interfere with the content you are watching. Of course, before you can enjoy this option, you will have to learn how to enable it.

How to Enable Dark Mode for YouTube on an iPhone

Depending on the iOS version you are using on your iPhone, this process may differ slightly. If your iPhone is running iOS 13 or newer, follow the steps below.

1. To start, open the YouTube mobile app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Tap the Settings option from the menu.
4. In the Settings menu, simply set the Dark Mode toggle to on.

For anyone with an iOS version older than iOS 13, enable the dark mode for YouTube by following these steps.

1. Open the YouTube app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your profile picture.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Appearance.
5. Tap the Dark Mode toggle to turn it on.

How to Enable Dark Mode for YouTube on an Android Device

The process for Android devices is slightly different. Of course, you will find some variations between the older and newer versions of the Android operating system as well.

If you have a device with Android version 10 or newer, do the following.

1. To start, open the YouTube app on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Now tap Settings from the menu.
4. Tap on the General option.
5. Within the General window, tap on Appearance.
6. Now, tap the Dark theme toggle to On.

If your device is running an Android version that is older than version 10, use this guide instead.

1. Open YouTube on your device.
2. Tap your profile picture.
3. Tap the Settings option from the menu.
4. Now tap General.
5. Finally, tap to switch from the Light to the Dark theme.

How to Enable Dark Mode for YouTube on Windows and Mac

Enabling the dark theme mode for YouTube using a computer is super simple.

Open a web browser on your computer.

1. Open www.youtube.com.
2. Click on your profile icon to open the Account dropdown menu.
3. Tap Dark Theme and toggle it On.

Additional FAQ

Can I choose a custom color scheme for YouTube?

Yes and no. It all depends on which type of device you are using to watch YouTube videos. If you do it from a mobile device, whether Android or iOS, you will not be able to change anything. The reason is that the interface for mobile apps does not allow for any external add-ons to change it.

But when you watch YouTube on your computer, things are significantly different. Since you are using a web browser to access YouTube, there is a way to apply different color schemes to the site’s interface. Of course, this will also depend on the browser you are using.

If Google Chrome is your go-to browser, then changing YouTube’s color scheme will be simple. All you need to do is install one of the many available add-ons that allow you to do just that. To do so, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Chrome browser on your computer.

2. Click the Extensions option from the menu at the top of the page.

3. Click Manage extensions.

4. Click Open Chrome Web Store.

5. Click the ‘Search the store box.’

6. Type in “color changer youtube” and hit Enter.

7. Depending on availability, there could be several options to choose from. When you decide, click the extension you chose. The extension’s page will open and all you have to do is click the Add to Chrome button.

Once you have installed the extension, it is time to play with the options and customize the look for your YouTube experience.

How do I turn Night/Dark mode off for YouTube?

Turning off dark mode for YouTube is quite simple. Since YouTube uses a toggle button to turn on the dark mode, you use the same button to turn it off. Simply follow one of the guides in the sections above, depending on the device you are using.

Although there are slight differences between the platforms, they all follow a similar path. For desktop computers and laptops running Windows 10 or Mac OS X, follow these steps.

1. Open YouTube in a web browser.

2. Click your profile image in the top right corner.

3. Click the Dark theme toggle to set it to Off.

For Android and iOS mobile devices, do this.

1. Open the YouTube mobile app.

2. Tap your profile image.

3. Tap Settings.

4. Tap General if you are using an Android device. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

5. Tap Appearance.

6. Tap the Dark theme toggle to the Off position.

And that is it. You have successfully disabled the dark mode, turning your YouTube appearance to a lighter color scheme.

YouTube in the Dark

Hopefully, you have managed to enable the dark mode for YouTube. Now you do not have to squint at the screen in the evening when trying to watch the latest upload from your favorite YouTuber. And if you want to change YouTube’s entire color scheme, you can do that as well. Of course, this is available only on the Google Chrome web browser with a proper add-on.

Have you managed to enable dark mode for YouTube? Which device do you use the most for watching YouTube videos? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.