How to swap your messaging apps to ‘Dark Mode’

To some, the idea of a ‘Dark Mode’ will be a familiar concept. For example, many software developers choose to use such a mode for their development software, as it can provide less eye strain over long periods. It’s also a way of optimising the night-time viewing experience on a mobile app or website. It usually involves flipping the colour contrast, swapping bright backgrounds for blacks or dark greys, and black text for white. It’s easier on your eyes and won’t disturb other people who are trying to sleep if you use your phone at night. What’s more, these colour themes are known for giving out less blue light, which can be responsible for reducing sleep quality.

Both Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are currently trialling a Dark Mode that you can now get your hands on if you’re using an Android device. If you regularly use your phone in low light environments, then you might want to give them a try.

Dark Mode for Facebook Messenger

For now, this is limited to Android phones after being hinted at back in May 2018. Google is currently preparing to roll out native ‘Dark More’ support to the next version of Android, Android Q. But for now, you’ll have to jump through a few hoops to get hold of this experimental feature on Facebook Messenger.

1. Start by sending one of your contacts as yellow crescent moon emoji, as odd as that sounds. Specifically, it must be the faceless moon crescent.
2. At this point, you’ll see the screen filled by a cascade of moon symbols, and then a pop-up message advising that you can enable the feature. Believe it or not, we are being serious!
3. Next, open your App Settings and you will find a toggle to enable ‘Dark Mode’. Simply tap on this toggle to enable the feature.The toggle will remain visible from now on so that you can switch it on or off.

Dark Mode for WhatsApp

WhatsApp, owned by the Facebook company, is also trialling a new ‘Dark Mode’ for Android devices that should make things easier on the eyes at night. Unconvered in the latest Android beta version of WhatsApp, it changes the messenging application to a black background with white font.

If you sign up to be a beta tester for the application, you can already test the new feature out. If you’re simply using the regular, live version of the app, then you’ll not have access to the adjusted colour scheme. There’s currently no indication of when the mode will be rolled out to users around the world, but it’s not usually too far behind the beta test.

Here’s how you can get your hands on the beta version of the application:

1. Open up an internet browser and navigate to the Google Play website
2. Search for the WhatsApp beta test page; the website search function works in the same way as the Play Store app
3. Log into your Google account, the same one you use for your device
4. Click on the button to “Become a Tester”

If you follow the above steps for both of these apps, then you should find things much less harsh on the eyes when sending messages at night, as well as having less chance of affecting your sleep cycles.

For other useful tips and advice about apps on your Android or iOS devices, check out the other topics on our blog. Alternatively, get in touch with WiseGuys on 0808 1238 20 for a chat.