How to Enable Dark Mode Everywhere on Android

Dark mode has become one of the most popular features in modern smartphones. Whether you’re looking to reduce eye strain, save battery, or simply enjoy a more sleek and stylish interface, enabling dark mode can significantly enhance your Android experience. While Android offers native support for dark themes, achieving a full dark mode experience across all apps and UI elements requires some additional steps.

Transform Your Android Experience: How to Customize the UI Without Rooting

Why Should You Enable Dark Mode?

1. Reduced Eye Strain

When you enable dark mode, especially in low-light environments, it reduces glare and makes content easier to read.

2. Battery Conservation

Dark pixels use less energy on OLED and AMOLED screens. So when you enable dark mode, your phone battery can last longer.

3. Modern Aesthetic

A unified dark theme offers a premium and professional look across your device.

System-Wide Settings to Enable Dark Mode

Android 10 and Above

Since Android 10, Google has provided a native option to enable dark mode across the system.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Display
2. Tap Dark theme
3. Toggle it ON

This will immediately enable dark mode for the system UI and all supported apps.

Schedule When You Enable Dark Mode

Many Android versions allow you to schedule dark mode automatically.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Dark Theme
2. Tap Schedule
3. Choose from options like Sunset to Sunrise or set custom times

By scheduling, you can automatically enable dark mode at night and disable it during the day for better usability.

Use Developer Options to Force Enable Dark Mode

If some apps don’t support dark mode by default, you can still try forcing it.

How to do it:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone
2. Tap Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Mode
3. Go back to Settings → System → Developer Options
4. Find Override Force-Dark and toggle it ON

This setting tries to enable dark mode in apps that don’t natively support it.

Enable Dark Mode in Google Apps

Most Google apps now support dark themes. Here’s how to enable dark mode in some of the most popular ones:

• Chrome: Settings → Themes → Dark
• Gmail: Settings → Theme → Dark
• YouTube: Settings → General → toggle Dark Theme
• Google Maps: Settings → Theme → choose Dark

Make sure these apps are up to date to access dark mode options.

Enable Dark Mode in Third-Party Apps

While many third-party apps support dark themes, some still lack built-in options. Here’s how to manage both:

Apps With Built-in Dark Mode

Go to each app’s settings and look for Appearance or Theme. If available, enable dark mode manually.

Apps Without Native Dark Mode

1. Use Force Dark Mode from Developer Options
2. Use apps like DarQ (no root required) to selectively enable dark mode on specific apps
3. Rooted users can apply full dark themes using Substratum or Magisk Modules

These tools give you greater control to enable dark mode wherever possible.

Enable Dark Mode Using Custom Launchers

Some Android launchers support dark themes, allowing you to enable dark mode across the home screen, app drawer, and widgets.

Best Launchers:

• Nova Launcher: Theme settings → Night Mode
• Lawnchair 2: Appearance → Theme → Dark
• Smart Launcher 6: Global Theme → Dark

By using these, you can enable dark mode even if your system settings don’t support it fully.

Browsers and Web Content: Enable Dark Mode

Many websites still show bright themes by default. Fortunately, browsers are catching up:

Chrome

Enable experimental flags:

1. Go to chrome://flags
2. Search for “Dark Mode”
3. Enable Force Dark Mode for Web Contents

Or, just use Chrome’s built-in dark theme:

• Settings → Themes → Dark

Firefox

• Go to Settings → Customize → choose Dark theme
• Use add-ons like Dark Reader to dark mode on all websites

Enable Dark Mode in Social Media and Messaging Apps

Most popular apps now allow you to enable dark mode easily:

• Facebook: Menu → Settings → Dark Mode → ON
• Instagram: Follows system setting
• Twitter: Display Settings → Dark Mode → Dim or Lights Out
• Telegram: Settings → Chat Settings → Theme → Dark
• WhatsApp: Settings → Chats → Theme → Dark

Always keep apps updated to access the latest dark mode features.

Root Users: Advanced Dark Mode Options

For rooted devices, the possibilities expand significantly.

Substratum Theme Engine

Allows you to install and apply custom dark themes across the system.

Magisk Modules

Modules like Dark Theme Enabler or Systemless Hosts help apply full system overlays.

Xposed Framework

Advanced users can dark mode at a deeper level, modifying specific UI elements and forcing app behavior.

Enable Dark Mode on Widgets and Wallpapers

To make your device visually consistent:

• Use dark wallpapers or AMOLED black backgrounds
• Choose widgets that offer dark themes or support transparent backgrounds
• Avoid overly bright live wallpapers that conflict with the dark theme

Automate Dark Mode with Tasker or Routines

You can automate when and how you dark mode using:

Tasker

Use plugins like AutoTools to toggle themes based on time, location, or battery.

Google Routines (Pixel phones)

Settings → System → Routines → Add condition → Set dark mode action

Samsung Bixby Routines

If you’re using Samsung, go to Settings → Advanced Features → Bixby Routines and set conditions like time or app launch.

Troubleshooting: When Dark Mode Doesn’t Work

Problem: Some apps still show light themes

Solution: Use DarQ or Force-Dark mode. If it still doesn’t work, the app may not support theme overlays.

Problem: Interface looks broken in Force-Dark

Solution: Disable Force-Dark for that app or switch to a different tool like Substratum.

Problem: Slow app performance after enabling dark themes

Solution: Clear cache, restart your device, or update the affected apps.

Final Checklist to Enable Dark Mode Everywhere

Task	Done
System-wide dark mode enabled	✅
Dark mode scheduled	✅
Developer options Force-Dark ON	✅
In-app themes toggled	✅
Launcher with dark mode	✅
Browser dark mode or extensions	✅
Third-party tools (DarQ, Substratum) installed	✅
Wallpapers and widgets adjusted	✅
Automation set with Tasker or routines	✅

Conclusion

Enabling dark mode on Android can be both simple and powerful. While Android’s system settings offer a solid starting point, going the extra mile to dark mode in all apps, browsers, and widgets gives you a visually consistent and more comfortable experience.

Whether you’re using built-in settings, third-party tools, or advanced root access, you now have everything you need to enable dark mode everywhere on your Android device. With better battery performance, reduced eye strain, and a modern look, there’s every reason to make the switch.