WhatsApp Dark Mode finally launches - How to try it on your phone

The moment WhatsApp fans have been waiting months for is finally here - Dark Mode has officially launched!

As the name suggests, dark mode changes the background colour of the app window to a dark colour, making it much easier on the eyes - particularly when using your phone in the evening.

In a blog announcing the update, WhatsApp explained: “Dark mode for WhatsApp offers a fresh look on a familiar experience.

“It’s designed to reduce eye strain in low light environments. And we hope it helps prevent those awkward moments where your phone lights up the room.”

Dark Mode was developed with a focus on two key areas - readability and information hierarchy.

WhatsApp explained: “When choosing colours, we wanted to minimise eye fatigue and use colours that are closer to the system defaults on iPhone and Android respectively.

“We wanted to help users easily focus their attention on each screen. We did this by using colour and other design elements to make sure the most important information stands out.”

WhatsApp teased eager fans with the update yesterday, sneakily changing its Twitter and Instagram profile pictures from the standard bright green logo to a dark version.

Several noticed the change, and tweeted about their excitement for Dark Mode.

One user tweeted: “WhatsApp dark theme is coming. They updated the profile picture.”

Another added: “WhatsApp has updated the profile picture on Instagram too. The dark theme is really coming!”

How to try Dark Mode on WhatsApp

Users on Android 10 and iOS 13 can use dark mode by enabling it in system settings.

Meanwhile, users on Android 9 and below can go into WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Theme > select ‘Dark’.

WhatsApp added: “We hope everyone enjoys dark mode, which is rolling out in the coming days on the latest version of WhatsApp.”