Some apps look great with Dark Mode, and some do not. So when you have system-wide Dark Mode enabled on your iPhone and are using an app that only looks good in Light Mode, you'd normally have to turn the dark appearance off manually, then switch it back on when you leave. But there's a workaround that can automate the process for you. Show
Perhaps the best improvement to the Dark Mode that appeared in iOS 13 is per-app dark and light appearances. Only it's not as simple as flipping a switch. While iOS 15 and iOS 16 have a "Per-App Settings" section in the Accessibility preferences that lets you set app-specific text size, button shapes, color style, and other customizations, there are no "Use Dark Mode" or "Use Light Mode" switches.
Instead, you'll have to see if the app in question has an override in its settings, and if not, you'll have to set up two or more automations in Shortcuts to achieve per-app Dark Mode settings. You can build super simple automations that turn on Dark or Light Mode when you open an app, but there are downsides to doing so, namely, that your system-wide appearance will be affected overall. If you want to maintain your iPhone's system-wide Dark or Light Mode setting after leaving an app you assigned to Dark or Light Mode automation, the workflows are a little bit more involved but not difficult. This is the closest thing to assigning each app a preferred dark or light appearance that we'll see until Apple gives us a real per-app option or until all apps include overrides. Option 1: Use Override Switches for Individual AppsSome third-party apps build in override settings for Dark Mode that let you choose to keep the app on Dark Mode, Light Mode, or synced with the system-wide appearance. If you decide to make an app use a specific appearance, it will always use that look, and it won't affect the current system-wide setting. So if you set an app to Light Mode only and Dark Mode is currently on system-wide, the app will use the light appearance, and you'll see the system-wide night look for everything else when you exit the app. Not all apps have an override, but some big-name ones include:
Option 2: Create Your Own Override Switches for AppsWhen the app itself doesn't have an override for the device-wide Dark Mode setting, you'll need to build an automation that turns on Dark or Light Mode for all the apps you select. Then, you'll need another for when you close those apps, which will switch the appearance back to whatever it was before opening the apps. That way, assigning apps to a specific look won't affect your system-wide setting. Step 1: Create a Blank TXT or RTF Document in FilesBefore making the automations, create a new .txt or .rtf file called something like "DarkOrLight," then move it to a specific location in the Files apps. Since you'll want the automations to work whether you have internet access or not, I'd suggest putting it in a "Shortcuts" folder in the "On My iPhone" directory instead of on iCloud somewhere. You can create a blank .txt or .rtf file on your computer, then share it with your iPhone. Or you could use an app like Pages or Documents by Readdle on your iPhone and save it directly to your chosen directory in Files. The first automation will use the file to write the name of the current appearance as either "Dark Mode" or "Light Mode" before the app that opens switches to its assigned Dark or Light Mode. Then, the second automation will review that file whenever the app closes, and it will switch to whatever appearance it reads. Step 2: Set Apps to Always Use Dark or Light ModeNow it's time for the first automation. This is where you choose either Dark Mode or Light Mode and assign all of the apps you want to your desired appearance. If you want some apps to stay dark while some always look light, you'll want to build separate automations for each. The automation will also detect the previously used appearance and record the state in the document that the second automation will reference.
Step 3: Set Apps to Return to the Previous Appearance When ClosedNow it's time for the second automation. You'll choose all of the same apps you did for the first automation; only this one will work when those apps close. This automation will also need to read the appearance that the first automation recorded in the document, then set it as the device-wide appearance. That way, when the app closes, your system returns to that dark or light state that iOS was using before you opened the app.
And that's all there is to it. Now, any time you open one of the apps you chose, they'll turn Dark Mode or Light Mode on, whichever you set up in the first automation. Whenever you close one of the set apps, iOS will return to the previously recorded appearance. Option 3: Create a Simple Automation to Assign Apps an AppearanceIf Option 2 above is too complicated, there's an easier way to assign apps certain appearances, but there are downsides, namely:
If that's OK, you can build a more straightforward automation that turns on Dark Mode or Light Mode for all the apps you select. That way, whenever an assigned app opens, Dark Mode or Light Mode will activate no matter what the current system-wide appearance is — even if the system-wide one is on a schedule. If you want more control, you can set up another automation for the opposite appearance you set first. So if you just set up a Dark Mode list of apps, also set up a Light Mode list of apps. Then, make sure you set all of the apps on your iPhone to one or the other. Whenever you close or switch to another app, except the Home Screen, the next app should switch or keep the current appearance based on how it's set up. There are also downsides to this:
If it still sounds OK, here are the instructions:
Keep Your Connection Secure Without a Monthly Bill. Get a lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited for all your devices with a one-time purchase from the new Gadget Hacks Shop, and watch Hulu or Netflix without regional restrictions, increase security when browsing on public networks, and more. Why does iPhone keep going to dark mode?Most of the time, your iPhone keeps dimming because Auto-Brightness is turned on. Auto-Brightness is a feature that automatically adjusts the brightness of your iPhone screen depending on the lighting conditions around you.
Why does my iPhone keep changing to light mode?To keep your iPhone's brightness from changing, turn off Auto-Brightness and Night Shift. You can then change your iPhone's brightness manually in Control Center or Settings. Overheating can make your iPhone auto-dim even with Auto-Brightness and Night Shift turned off.
How do I permanently turn my iPhone off dark?Question: Q: I want to turn off dark mode permanently
Settings>Display & Brightness>Light Mode = ON, and Automatic = OFF. Check also: Settings>Accessibility>Display & Text Size... and make sure all of the options there are disabled, except the last one at the very bottom (AutoBrightness).
How do I stop my dark mode from turning on?In the Settings screen, go to Themes. A screen will allow you to choose between the Dark, Light, and System default settings. It is pretty clear what you need to do here.
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