How to Activate Facebook’s Dark Theme on Desktop and MobileDark theme (aka night mode) reduces screen glare, can improve battery life on OLED displays, and many users find it easier on the eyes in low-light conditions. This guide walks through enabling Facebook’s dark theme on desktop and mobile, plus tips for troubleshooting, customizing, and using browser extensions if you prefer alternative looks.
What “Dark Theme” on Facebook means
Facebook’s dark theme replaces the default white/light backgrounds with darker grays and blacks while preserving text contrast and interface elements. It’s available in the official Facebook apps and on the desktop website; availability can vary slightly by platform and app version.
Desktop (web) — Facebook.com
1) Check that you’re signed in
Open a web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) and go to https://www.facebook.com. Sign in with your account.
2) Use the Quick Settings menu
- Click the account menu in the top-right corner — the profile picture circle or the small downward chevron.
- In the menu that appears, look for “Display & accessibility” or a “Display” / “Dark mode” toggle.
- Toggle Dark mode: On. The site should switch immediately to the dark theme.
Notes:
- If you don’t see the option, Facebook may be rolling the feature out gradually or you may be on an older interface. Try refreshing the page or updating your browser.
- In some layouts the option appears under “Settings & privacy” → “Settings” → “Dark Mode.”
3) Browser-level dark appearance (alternative)
If Facebook’s built-in toggle isn’t available, you can force a dark theme via your browser’s appearance settings or flags:
- Chrome and Edge: enable “Force Dark Mode for Web Contents” in chrome://flags (experimental). This forces many sites into dark mode but can cause rendering issues.
- Firefox: set layout.css.prefers-color-scheme.content-override in about:config to 1 or 2 (forces dark/light). These are advanced and may alter site visuals unpredictably.
Mobile — iOS and Android (Facebook app)
1) Update the Facebook app
Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and make sure the Facebook app is updated to the latest version.
2) Enable dark theme via app settings
- Open the Facebook app and tap the hamburger menu (≡) — bottom-right on iOS, top-right on many Android builds.
- Scroll down and tap Settings & privacy.
- Tap Dark mode (or Display & accessibility → Dark mode) and choose On or Use system settings.
- Use system settings: Facebook will match your phone’s global dark/light preference.
- On: forces dark theme inside the Facebook app regardless of system settings.
3) System-level dark mode (optional)
If you prefer apps to follow device appearance:
- iOS: Settings → Display & Brightness → select Dark (or set Automatic).
- Android: Settings → Display → Theme → Dark (location varies by device). Set Facebook to “Use system settings” to sync with these.
Facebook Lite and Messenger
- Messenger: Messenger has its own dark mode. In the Messenger app, tap your profile picture → Dark Mode → toggle On.
- Facebook Lite: Many versions include a dark theme setting under the app menu → Dark Mode. If not present, update the app.
Customization and third-party options
Browser extensions
If you prefer alternative looks or Facebook’s option isn’t available on desktop, consider extensions:
- Stylus / Stylus-like: apply custom CSS themes written for Facebook.
- Dark Reader: a popular extension that intelligently inverts bright colors and provides brightness/contrast controls.
Comparison (short):
Option | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Built-in Facebook dark theme | Integrated, consistent design | May roll out slowly |
Dark Reader (extension) | Customizable, works on many sites | Extension permissions; occasional visual quirks |
Force browser dark flag | Works when site lacks dark mode | Experimental; can break layout |
Stylus (custom CSS) | Highly customizable | Requires installing/maintaining user styles |
Troubleshooting
- Option missing: update app/browser, clear cache, or wait for rollout.
- Visual glitches after enabling extensions: disable other extensions, then re-enable one-by-one.
- Colors or images still bright: try Dark Reader’s site toggle or custom CSS to invert or dim images.
- Battery not improving: dark theme helps mostly on OLED screens; LCDs see minimal battery gain.
Privacy and performance notes
Dark theme affects only appearance; it does not change your privacy settings. Extensions may request broad site permissions — review them before installing. For best performance, prefer Facebook’s native dark mode when available.
Quick recap
- On desktop: Account menu → Display & accessibility → Dark mode: On.
- On mobile: Facebook app → Menu → Settings & privacy → Dark mode → On or Use system settings.
- Use Dark Reader or Stylus if you need more customization or Facebook’s option isn’t available.