Hello Darkness: WhatsApp dark mode now rolling out globally to Android and iOS users

One of the most requested features from WhatsApp users is the availability of a dark mode. After more than a month of being in the beta, dark mode is finally rolling out globally to WhatsApp users on Android and iOS.

WhatsApp says that dark mode is "designed to reduce eye strain in low light environments". According to a WhatsApp spokesperson speaking to The Verge,

During testing, we found that combining pure black and white creates high contrast that can lead to eye fatigue. So instead, you’ll notice a special dark gray background and off-white colour that lowers the brightness of the screen, cuts down the glare, and improves contrast and readability."

After updating to the latest version, WhatsApp will automatically switch to a dark mode if a system-wide dark mode theme is enabled on iOS 13 and Android 10. If not, users can manually enable dark mode by going to Settings -> Chats -> Theme and selecting Dark from the options.

Interestingly, iOS users will get to see a pure black theme in most areas of the app while those on Android will have to make do with a dark grey background. It is a matter of preference but a pure black theme is much more suited for OLED displays and makes the content stand-out.

WhatsApp has also released a short video titled "Hello Darkness", which includes a previously unreleased version of "The Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon. 

Have you received the dark mode update for WhatsApp yet? Let us know what you think.