YouTube desktop mode gone

How to Enable Dark Mode in YouTube

• Justin Duino and

  @jaduino



• Updated

YouTubes dark mode provides an easier-on-the-eyes viewing experience. Its particularly nice when watching videos in the dark or at night. YouTubes dark theme is available on the YouTube website and in YouTubes mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Enable Dark Mode On the Web

On YouTubes desktop website, click your profile icon found in the top-right corner of the page. Then select the Appearance: Device Theme option in the menu.

If you arent signed in, click the menu button [it looks like three vertical dots] instead. Youll find the same Appearance: Device Theme option here.

By default, YouTube will follow your computers system-wide theme settings. Choose Dark Theme from the following page. This setting applies to your current web browser only, so youll have to enable the dark theme on each computer you useit doesnt sync with your Google account.

To undo this change, click your profile picture or three-button menu button again, select Appearance: Dark, and choose Use Device Theme [if your computer is using a system-wide light mode] or Light Theme.

For a complete dark mode on your desktop, enable dark mode in your Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge browser. You can also enable a dark theme in Gmail, too. You can also activate Windows 10s built-in dark mode.

RELATED: How to Enable Dark Mode for Google Chrome

Enable Dark Mode On iPhone and iPad

The YouTube app for iPhone and iPad has its own dark mode option, too. To enable it, open the app and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of your screen.

Next, tap Settings found at the bottom of the menu that appears.

Choose the General option.

Finally, toggle on Dark Theme.

To use YouTubes normal light theme again, return to this submenu and toggle off the Dark Theme slider.

RELATED: Dark Mode Isn't Better For You, But We Love It Anyway

Enable Dark Mode OnAndroid

As with the other platforms, the YouTube for Android app follows your devices system-wide theme settings. But if you dont want everything on your Android phone or tablet to be in dark mode, you can manually change it in the YouTube app.

RELATED: How to Turn on Dark Mode on Android

Start by opening the app on your Android device and tapping on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.

Next, select the Settings option found at the bottom of the menu.

From there, choose General.

Select Appearance from the list of options. This menu is where you can choose between a dark and light theme.

The Use Device Theme option will be highlighted by default. Select Dark Theme to instantly transform the YouTube apps interface.

Return to the Appearance menu anytime you want to revert back to the Light theme!