How to Enable Dark Mode on Android 14

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

AndroidMobile PhonesOperating SystemSettingsUser InterfaceCustomizationDisplayDevicesAccessibilityNight Mode

In the world of mobile operating systems, Android has been a popular choice for many due to its user-friendly interface and the vast range of features it offers. With each iteration, Android has introduced improvements to make the user experience seamless and more engaging. The essential feature that many users look for today is “dark mode.” This feature not only enhances the visual appeal of your device but also helps reduce eye strain, especially in low-light environments. Also, it can aid in saving battery life, especially on OLED screens. In this comprehensive guide, we are going to explore how to enable dark mode on Android 14, the latest version, as of this writing.

The journey to enable dark mode begins with understanding why it is necessary and what benefits it offers. Before diving into the steps, let’s find out why dark mode is catching the attention of smartphone users around the world.

Why use dark mode?

For those new to this concept, dark mode is a display setting for user interfaces, apps, and operating systems that is designed to reduce the light emitted by a device screen. The feature has been developed primarily in response to growing concerns about blue light exposure and rising awareness about digital eye strain. Here are some of the reasons why dark mode is beneficial:

• Reduces eye strain: Looking at a bright screen can be uncomfortable, especially in the dark. Dark mode can make your viewing experience more pleasant due to reduced brightness and lower contrast.
• Battery efficiency: If your device uses an OLED or AMOLED display, dark mode can help save battery life. In these types of displays, true black pixels are turned off, which can help your device use less power.
• Improved readability: For some users, white or light-colored text on a dark background is easier to read over long periods of time.
• Aesthetic preferences: Some users prefer dark mode because it looks more modern and is easier on the eyes.

Keeping these benefits in mind, let us take a look at the different methods you can use to enable dark mode on your Android 14 device. We will also address all the common questions and steps that users might find challenging during this process.

Steps to enable dark mode on Android 14

The process of enabling dark mode on Android 14 is straightforward and doesn't require too much time. However, the steps may vary slightly depending on the device manufacturer as they may customize the Android interface. In this guide, we assume a typical Android experience, but we will point out possible changes where necessary.

Method 1: Through the Quick Settings Panel

The quickest way to enable dark mode on Android 14 is through the Quick Settings panel. Here's how you can do it:

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the notification shade.
2. Swipe down again to view the full Quick Settings panel.
3. Look for an icon that says "Dark Mode" or "Night Mode."
4. If it’s visible, just tap on it to turn on dark mode.
5. If you don't see it right away, go to the Edit Tile section by tapping the pencil icon. You can also drag the Dark Mode tile into your Quick Settings for easy access in the future.

This method provides quick access to toggle dark mode without having to dig deep into your device's Settings every time you want to enable or disable it.

Method 2: Through the Settings menu

If you can't find the dark mode icon in the quick settings panel, you can turn it on through the settings menu. Here are the detailed steps:

1. Open the “Settings” app on your device. You can often find this app represented by a gear icon.
2. In the Settings menu, navigate to "Display".
3. In the display settings, you should find an option called “Theme” or “Dark Mode”.
4. Tap on this option and select “Dark” to change your system theme to dark mode.
5. Exit Settings, and your device should now be in Dark Mode.

This method is reliable for all Android 14 devices, regardless of the manufacturer, as these basic settings are usually not removed by customization.

Method 3: Scheduling dark mode

One of the features of Android 14 is that you can schedule dark mode based on time or sunset/sunrise. This feature allows you to automate the process so that you can turn on dark mode whenever you want. To schedule it, follow these steps:

1. Go to “Settings” and then select “Display”.
2. In the Display menu, navigate to “Dark Theme” or “Dark Mode”.
3. Here you will find an option like “Schedule” or something similar.
4. Tap “Schedule” and choose your preferred schedule – either “Turns on at custom time” or “Turns on from sunset to sunrise”.
5. If you select a custom time, set your desired times for dark mode activation and deactivation.

Scheduling dark mode is especially beneficial if you want to ensure it is automatically enabled in the evening without having to toggle it manually. This feature can be a real time-saver if you often forget to switch the mode manually.

Method 4: Third-party applications

Although Android 14 supports dark mode natively, you may find that not all your apps support it. Thankfully, there are third-party apps available on the Google Play Store that can help you apply dark mode to incompatible apps:

• DarQ: This is a popular app that offers per-app dark mode settings on Android devices.
• Dark Mode (by Julian Eggers): This free application helps you apply a system-wide dark mode to older apps that don’t support it natively.

To use any third-party dark mode implementing app, simply download it from the Google Play Store, follow the instructions provided by the app, and apply dark mode to any app you want.

Common issues and solutions

Enabling dark mode is generally easy, but some issues may arise. Here we address some common problems and provide possible solutions:

Dark mode not working on some apps

Issue:

Some apps do not comply with the dark mode settings of Android 14. You may find that after enabling dark mode, some apps remain in light mode.

Solution:

• Check for updates: Make sure all your apps are up-to-date, as developers frequently release updates to ensure compatibility with new Android features, such as dark mode.
• Use third-party apps: As mentioned earlier, apps like DarQ can help apply dark mode to permanent apps that don't support it natively.
• Contact Support: If a specific app is important to you, consider contacting its developers' customer support to inquire about planned updates or solutions for enabling dark mode.

The device returns to light mode

Issue:

Your device may suddenly switch back to light mode without your permission.

Solution:

• Check the schedule: Revisit your dark mode schedule settings to make sure they're set correctly.
• Restart your device: A reboot can sometimes solve persistent software issues.
• System updates: Make sure your Android 14 device is running the latest version of its OS, as updates may fix bugs related to settings and preferences.

Conclusion

Enabling and managing dark mode on Android 14 can greatly improve your device experience by reducing eye strain, saving battery life, and making the user interface more pleasant. With the information from this guide, you'll now be well-prepared to easily incorporate dark mode into your everyday device use. Whether you're scheduling dark mode to suit your lifestyle preferences or using a third-party app to extend its reach, dark mode is a valuable tool in your Android 14 arsenal.

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