How to use Dark Mode on Mac: Complete guide

Dark Mode on Mac is an essential cool feature for those of us spending long hours at the computer. I’ve personally found it irreplaceable for reducing eye strain during my late-night work sessions. Stick with me, and I’ll share some handy tricks that not only enhance your viewing comfort but also increase your productivity.

Understanding Mac Dark Mode

If you often squint at a bright screen while working late, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Yikes, your eyes… They deserve better! Fortunately, there is Dark Mode, and here’s what it can do: 

• It reduces glare from a bright screen, making it easier to focus for longer periods. 
• Some studies show people are more productive and focused when using Dark Mode. Possibly, this is due to its calming effect and reduced visual noise.
• From a technical point of view, it increases battery life on devices with OLED screens.

Which macOS has Dark Mode?

Not every Mac user can try Dark Mode. However, if you have an eligible device, you’re in for a treat. This mode was first introduced with macOS Mojave. Since that time, it has been included in the next macOS versions, like Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia. This means that most modern Apple computers, including the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMac, can offer this eye-friendly feature. 

If you’re looking to upgrade your macOS to access Dark Mode, check out our article for step-by-step instructions.

How to turn Dark Mode on your Mac via System Settings

So, if you want to start using Dark Mode on your Mac, here is how. Actually, there are a couple of different ways to turn Dark Mode on and off. I prefer using the Control Center method, but I’ll show you both ways. 

Here is how to turn Dark Mode on in System Settings: 

1. Go to the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
2. Click Appearance in the left sidebar.
3. Choose Dark at the top of the window.

Turn Dark Mode on your Mac in Control Center

You can also just turn it on straight from your menu bar instead of digging through the settings.

Here is how to turn Dark Mode on in Control Center:

1. Click Control Center in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
2. Next, click on the arrow in the Display section.

3. Click the Dark Mode button to switch it on or off.

Optimizing apps with Dark Mode

Dark Mode doesn’t just end with the system interface; many apps support it as well.

For example, I’m writing in an app called Ulysses, designed for writers who want a clean, distraction-free environment. And I’ve got to say, it’s one of my favorites for focused writing. Speaking of features in the context of Dark Mode, I want to highlight the app’s ability to switch between light and dark modes, which is perfect for adjusting to different lighting conditions.

Ulysses also can automatically switch appearances based on the time of day — light mode until sunset and dark mode afterward. This flexibility is super handy. Just love it! 

To enable Dark Mode, install and open Ulysses > Simply click View in the menu bar > Dark Theme.

How to turn Dark Mode in browser

While macOS allows for a seamless Dark Mode experience across most native apps, not all of them automatically inherit this setting — especially web-based platforms.

To ensure a comfortable browsing experience, you may need to enable Dark Mode directly in your browser and on specific websites. Here is how. 

Browser/app	How to enable Dark Mode
Chrome	Go to the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, click on Settings, and then select Appearance to enable Dark Mode.
Safari	Safari follows the system-wide Dark Mode settings on macOS. Enable Dark Mode in System Preferences to apply it to Safari.
Facebook	Navigate to your account, select Display & Accessibility, and turn on Dark Mode.
Instagram	Click the three-line menu in your profile, go to Settings, and choose Theme to switch to Dark Mode.
YouTube	Click on your profile picture, select Appearance, and enable the Dark theme.

This way, you can keep your eyes more relaxed across all your favorite platforms.

Additional Mac feature: Night Shift Mode

Remember I mentioned I would talk about more features? Here’s one of my favorites: Night Shift. This handy tool adjusts the colors on your display to make them warmer in the evening, helping to reduce blue light and ease eye strain after a long day.

You can find Night Shift in the Control Center by clicking the icon in the menu bar and selecting Display. From there, you can easily turn Night Shift on or set a schedule.

As for the auto option for Dark Mode in the System Settings, when activated, it syncs with Night Shift to automatically switch your Mac’s appearance based on your preferences.

Why doesn’t Dark Mode work on Mac?

If you’re having trouble getting Dark Mode to work properly on your Mac, here are some common issues and solutions to help you troubleshoot:

Possible reason for Dark Mode not working	What can I do?
macOS version not supporting Dark Mode	Check your macOS version. Dark Mode is supported starting from macOS Mojave.
Incorrect system settings	Apple menu > System Settings. Click Appearance in the left sidebar. Choose Dark.
Minor glitches affecting performance	Try restarting your Mac to resolve any minor glitches.

Dark Mode on Mac: Final thoughts 

Mac Dark Mode is definitely a huge benefit for your daily computer routine. While most apps have native support for Dark Mode on the latest operating systems, many are still missing out. This is why I encourage you to upgrade your own setup with powerful apps like News Explorer and Ulysses for dark reading and writing, as well as One Switch for being the master of your display preferences, Noizio for a stress-free environment, and CleanMyMac to further optimize your Mac. All of these are available with a Setapp membership, so you don’t have to waste money on licenses. Enjoy the darkness, folks!