How to Enable Dark Theme in YouTube App for iPhone and iPad

BY Khamosh Pathak

Published 17 Jan 2018

YouTube iPhone Dark Mode 6

After rolling out its dark mode (or as YouTube calls it, Dark Theme) feature for the web, YouTube is now bringing the feature to iOS. iPhone and iPad users are slowly starting to see the option to turn on Dark Theme on their devices. And thankfully, this new feature is not exclusive to YouTube Red subscription. So how to get on the dark side with YouTube? Read on to find out.

The Dark Theme feature is slowly rolling out across the world for users of version 13.01.4 and above. So first of all, go to App Store and update YouTube to the latest release. If you still can’t see the option for Dark Theme, wait a couple of days as this is a slow roll out.

YouTube White Theme and Dark Theme

Here’s how to enable the feature.

Step 1: Go to Profile

YouTube iPhone Dark Mode 2

After opening the YouTube app, tap on the Profile icon in the top-right.

Step 2: Select Settings

YouTube iPhone Dark Mode 3

From the list, tap on the Settings option.

Step 3: Toggle Dark Theme

YouTube iPhone Dark Mode 1

In the YouTube section of Settings, you’ll find the Dark Theme option right above the Restricted Mode toggle. Tap on it and the Dark Theme will be enabled instantly.

YouTube Dark Theme on Desktop

YouTube Dark Theme Safari Mac

You can do the same for YouTube web app as well. It works for both Safari and Chrome. Open YouTube, click on your Profile icon and from the drop-down, click on Dark Theme option to turn it on.

Now Waiting For True Black

If you’re using an iPhone X, you might be really excited about the dark mode. While it does look cool, it’s nowhere near as awesome as a true black theme we’ve seen on apps like Apollo or Overcast. The background is still very much grey and it doesn’t blend in with the rest of the device (the notch doesn’t disappear). Plus, because it’s not true black, you won’t’ end up saving on battery life either.

Read moreThe Best Apps for iPhone X

But now that the dark mode is here, maybe we can hope for a True Black theme for the iPhone X? What do you think of YouTube’s Dark Theme? Share with us in the comments below.