YouTube Gets a Dark Mode on Android and iOS

YouTube for iOS and Android has officially turned to the dark side. But this doesn’t mean YouTubers are suddenly all stormtroopers. Instead, it just means you can now watch YouTube on your smartphone at night without hurting your eyes.

Having once argued that websites with dark backgrounds suck, I have now seen the error of my ways. Darker themes put less strain on your eyes at night, and this is why so many apps now other dark modes. And YouTube is the latest app to do so.

YouTube Turns to the Dark Side

The desktop version of YouTube has had a dark mode since 2017. And now YouTube for iOS has joined the party. The same dark mode will be added to YouTube for Android soon, and possibly even by the time you read this, so just update the app to find out.

YouTube’s dark mode offers a simple inversion of colors. So the usual white background turns black, and the other elements—such as the logo, titles, and menu items—turn white. It won’t suit everyone, but it makes it easier to use the app at night.

It’s finally here! ?

Dark theme is rolling out on iOS over the next few days. Toggle it on/off in settings. pic.twitter.com/Mkfl1Dzu3M

— Team YouTube (@TeamYouTube) March 13, 2018

Beyond putting less strain on your eyes, YouTube’s dark mode has a more cinematic feel to it than the default mode. So when you’re actually watching a video the background melts away, allowing you to wholly concentrate on what your favorite vlogger is saying.

To turn on YouTube’s dark mode on iOS, just click on your profile picture in the top, right-hand corner of the app. Then click Settings, and find the Dark Theme option. Click to move the slider across to the On position, and everything will go dark.

Put Your Phone Down Before Bed

As YouTube’s dark mode is so easy to turn on and off you can experiment with it to see if it’s your cup of tea. We recommend turning dark mode on when you’re watching YouTube in bed. Although, ideally, you would be reading a good book instead.

If you’re new to the idea that using technology at night can be bad for you, be sure to read our article detailing how to filter out your phone’s blue light. Especially if you’re always getting tired eyes or headaches caused by eyestrain.

Image Credit: Lars Plougmann/Flickr

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