With the advent of technology, our smartphone usage has significantly increased, often leading to strained eyes by the end of the day. One of the most effective ways to alleviate this issue is by switching to the dark mode. While most Android apps support this feature, some still lag behind. However, with a little tweaking in your Android device’s settings, you can force these apps to adopt the dark theme. In this we will walk you through the process of forcing Android apps to use dark mode.
Understanding Dark Mode: A Brief Overview
The dark mode, also known as dark theme, is a user interface that uses a dark color palette. It reduces the light emitted by the device’s screen while preserving the minimum color contrast ratios required for readability. Apart from being gentle on the eyes, the dark mode can also enhance battery life, particularly on devices with OLED screens.
The Importance of Dark Mode
Dark mode offers numerous benefits, including:
- Eye Comfort: It reduces eye strain, particularly in low-light conditions.
- Battery Conservation: It can help extend the battery life of OLED screen devices.
- Aesthetically Pleasing: Some users find dark mode more visually appealing.
- Low Light Friendly: It is less disturbing in dark or dimly lit environments.
Why Some Android Apps Do Not Support Dark Mode
While Android 10 and later versions support system-wide dark mode, not all third-party apps comply. Some apps might employ a third-party framework or a game engine that doesn’t check any theme state, preventing the automatic application of the dark mode. In such instances, the onus lies on the app developer to incorporate dark mode support.
Forcing Android Apps to Use Dark Mode
Luckily, Android offers a hidden feature that allows forcing the dark mode on apps that don’t natively support it. This feature resides in the developer options of your Android device. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to enable it:
1. Activating Developer Mode
The first step is to enable the developer mode on your device. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the System Settings of your device.
- Navigate to About phone > Device Identifiers or Software information, depending on your device.
- Tap the Build number seven times.
- You will now have access to developer options.
2. Enabling Force Dark Mode Setting
Once the developer mode is enabled, you can now activate the Force Dark Mode setting. Follow these steps:
- Open System Settings.
- Navigate to Developer Options.
- Scroll down to the Hardware accelerated rendering section and enable the Override force-dark/Force dark mode option.
Remember that the steps to enable developer options may differ a bit depending on the type of phone you have. As long as you keep the developer options and dark mode enabled on your device, the dark mode will be forced on third-party apps that do not support it.
Understanding the Limitations
While this feature is incredibly handy, it’s not perfect. Some apps may still not adhere to the dark mode even with the force option enabled. Moreover, depending on the apps on your device, you may experience glitches when trying to use them in dark mode. In such instances, disabling the app from the developer option before using it might help.
Using Third-Party Apps to Force Dark Mode
An alternative to the developer options is using third-party apps like DarQ. This app allows you to selectively use “Override force-dark” on certain apps without needing root. However, using this app involves a bit of a complex process and is only temporary, which means you’ll need to repeat some steps every time you restart your phone.
The Future of Dark Mode in Android Apps
With an increasing number of users preferring dark mode, more and more app developers are likely to incorporate this feature into their apps. This would eliminate the need for forced dark mode, providing a more seamless and user-friendly experience.
Conclusion
The dark mode has increasingly become a favorite among smartphone users, owing to its numerous benefits. While most Android apps have embraced this feature, a few still lack support. With this step-by-step guide, you can now force these apps to use dark mode. If you have any other method of forcing apps to use dark mode then share with us through contact forms.