AO3 has a built-in dark site skin called Reversi. If you are signed in, you can select it from the footer or apply it permanently through your account settings.
If you do not have an AO3 account, you cannot apply an AO3 site skin. You can still get AO3 dark mode in a supported browser by using Night Eye.
This guide covers both methods on desktop and mobile browsers, including how to save your choice, customize the page and fix common problems.
Important: AO3 is a website, so these steps apply when you open Archive of Our Own in a browser. AO3 does not have an official mobile app. Be cautious with third-party apps that claim to be official or ask you to sign in. Read AO3’s current app guidance.
AO3 Dark Mode: Quick Answer
| Your situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Signed in to AO3 | Select the Reversi site skin |
| Want Reversi saved to your account | Apply Reversi with the Use button or through My Preferences |
| No AO3 account | Use Night Eye in a supported browser |
| Reading AO3 on a phone or tablet | Use Reversi while signed in, or check whether Night Eye supports your mobile browser |
| Want custom brightness, contrast or warmer colors | Use Night Eye’s appearance controls |
| Want the original light design again | Select Default in AO3, or set Night Eye to Normal for AO3 |
Table of Contents
Does AO3 Have Dark Mode?
Yes. AO3 calls its built-in dark appearance Reversi. It is an official public site skin with a dark background and light text. You must be signed in to an AO3 account to apply a site skin.
Reversi is the simplest option when you have an AO3 account and want a fixed dark design. Night Eye is the practical alternative when you read while logged out or want more control over brightness, contrast, warmth and dimming.
AO3 site skins vs. work skins
A site skin changes how AO3’s interface appears to you. A work skin controls formatting chosen for an individual work and may change how that work looks to its readers. Reversi is a site skin, so it does not replace every author-created work skin.
You can find the full distinction in AO3’s Skins and Archive Interface FAQ.
How to Turn On AO3 Dark Mode With Reversi
- Sign in to your AO3 account.
- Open any page on AO3 and scroll to the footer at the very bottom.
- Find the Customize heading.
- Select Reversi.
AO3 will apply Reversi immediately. This footer option uses AO3’s Set for Session feature. According to AO3’s current FAQ, the temporary setting lasts for two weeks, even if you log out and sign in again.
If you want Reversi associated with your account rather than a temporary browser session, save it using one of the methods below.
How to Save Reversi as Your AO3 Site Skin
Option 1: Use the Reversi skin page
After selecting Reversi in the footer, AO3 opens the Reversi skin page. Scroll below the skin’s code and select Use. This applies Reversi to your signed-in account until you choose another skin or return to the default design.
Option 2: Choose Reversi in My Preferences
- Open the Hi, [username]! menu and select My Preferences.
- Scroll to the section labeled Your site skin.
- Choose Reversi from the site-skin menu. You can also open Public Site Skins and select Use beneath Reversi.
- Select Update at the bottom of the Preferences page.
Because the saved skin is linked to your AO3 account, it can follow you across desktop and mobile browsers while you are signed in.
How to Get AO3 Dark Mode Without an Account
AO3 site skins are available only to signed-in users. If you read AO3 without an account, Night Eye can apply dark mode directly in a supported browser. Night Eye is an independent browser extension and is not part of AO3 or the Organization for Transformative Works.
- Install Night Eye from the official store for your browser.
- Open archiveofourown.org. If AO3 was already open when you installed Night Eye, refresh the tab once.
- Night Eye starts in Dark Mode and converts supported pages automatically. Open Night Eye from your browser toolbar if you want to confirm or change the current mode.
- Adjust brightness, contrast, warmth or dimming until the page suits your reading environment.
- Use the current-website setting if you want your changes to apply to AO3 without changing other websites.
Watch the Night Eye AO3 setup video
Install Night Eye for AO3
Choose your browser below to open the correct official store listing.
New users can try Night Eye Pro for three months. After the trial, AO3 can remain one of up to five websites selected under the free Lite plan, or you can choose a paid plan for broader use. See the current Night Eye plans and pricing.
How to Use AO3 Dark Mode on Mobile
AO3 does not need separate Reversi instructions for iPhone and Android. It is a website setting tied to your AO3 account.
- Open AO3 in your phone or tablet’s browser and sign in.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page.
- Under Customize, select Reversi.
- Select Use on the Reversi page if you want to save it to your account.
Night Eye support depends on the mobile browser and operating system. On iPhone and iPad, Night Eye works as a Safari extension. On Android, Chrome does not support traditional browser extensions, but Night Eye documents support through Firefox for Android and certain alternative browsers. Use the official Night Eye download page or review the current Android instructions before installing.
Reversi vs. Night Eye
| Capability | AO3 Reversi | Night Eye |
|---|---|---|
| Provided by AO3 | Yes | No, it is an independent browser extension |
| Requires an AO3 account | Yes | No |
| Useful when reading while logged out | No | Yes, in a supported browser |
| Basic dark appearance | Yes | Yes |
| Adjustable brightness and contrast | No dedicated Reversi controls | Yes |
| Warmer colors and dimming | No dedicated Reversi controls | Yes |
| Settings for AO3 only | Reversi affects AO3 only | Yes, through current-website controls |
| Can apply dark mode to other websites | No | Yes, on supported websites |
Choose Reversi if you have an AO3 account and want the site’s built-in dark skin. Choose Night Eye if you read without an account, want adjustable appearance controls or prefer one extension for AO3 and other websites.
How to Customize AO3’s Colors and Brightness
Reversi provides a ready-made color scheme but does not include sliders for brightness or contrast. If you want a more personalized result, you have two options:
- Use Night Eye controls: Open the extension and adjust brightness, contrast, warmth or dimming for AO3. You can also switch between Dark, Filtered and Normal modes.
- Create an AO3 site skin: Signed-in users can open Dashboard > Skins > Create Site Skin and use AO3’s Site Skin Wizard to change colors, fonts and spacing.
Use one dark-mode method at a time. Running Reversi and a browser dark-mode extension together can produce unexpected colors.
When a Darker AO3 Page May Be Useful
- Reading in a dim room
- Reducing the contrast between a bright page and dark surroundings
- Matching AO3 with other dark browser tabs
- Using a color scheme that better matches your personal preference
- Adjusting the page when AO3’s default white background feels too bright
Dark mode is a display preference, not a treatment for headaches, eye strain, sleep problems or light sensitivity. If screen use causes persistent symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
Why AO3 Dark Mode Is Not Working
- Reversi is missing: Confirm that you are signed in, then scroll to the actual page footer and look under Customize.
- Reversi did not stay selected: The footer option is temporary. Apply Reversi with Use or through My Preferences for a persistent account setting.
- AO3 is light while you are logged out: AO3 site skins require a signed-in account. Use Night Eye in a supported browser if you want AO3 dark mode without an account.
- Night Eye was just installed: Refresh the AO3 tab once so the extension can begin converting the page.
- Night Eye is not changing AO3: Open the extension and confirm that AO3 is not set to Normal mode or excluded from conversion.
- Colors look wrong: Disable other appearance extensions or custom CSS temporarily. Avoid applying Night Eye and Reversi at the same time.
- Only one work looks different: That work may use an author-selected work skin. A work skin and your personal AO3 site skin serve different purposes.
- A Reversi element looks broken: AO3 notes that its public skins are not tested and maintained as rigorously as the default skin, so occasional bugs can occur.
How to Turn Off AO3 Dark Mode
Turn off Reversi
- Scroll to the footer of any AO3 page.
- Under Customize, select Default.
You can also open Dashboard > Skins and select Revert to Default Skin, or change Your site skin in My Preferences.
Turn off Night Eye for AO3
Open Night Eye while you are on AO3 and select Normal mode for the current website. This restores AO3’s original appearance without removing Night Eye from your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AO3 have dark mode?
Yes. AO3 provides an official public site skin called Reversi. It uses a dark background and light text, and AO3 describes it as a high-contrast skin commonly called dark mode. You must be signed in to apply an AO3 site skin.
How do I turn on AO3 dark mode?
Sign in, scroll to the footer of an AO3 page and select Reversi under Customize. Use the Reversi page’s Use button if you want to save it to your account.
Can I make AO3 dark without an account?
AO3’s own site skins require a signed-in account. If you read while logged out, you can use Night Eye in a supported browser.
Does AO3 dark mode work on mobile?
Yes. Reversi works through the AO3 website when you are signed in on a mobile browser. Night Eye availability depends on the browser and operating system.
Why is Reversi not showing?
First confirm that you are signed in. Then scroll to the footer at the bottom of the page and look for Reversi under Customize.
Is Reversi the same as Night Eye?
No. Reversi is an AO3 site skin. Night Eye is an independent browser extension that can work without an AO3 account and includes extra appearance controls.
How do I turn off AO3 dark mode?
For Reversi, select Default in the AO3 footer or revert to the default skin from your Skins page. If you use Night Eye, set AO3 to Normal mode.
Does AO3 have an official mobile app?
No. The Organization for Transformative Works states that AO3 does not have an official app. Use AO3 through your mobile browser, and be careful about entering your account details into third-party apps.
If you have an AO3 account and want a simple built-in dark theme, use Reversi. If you read without an account or want more control over the page’s appearance, install Night Eye in a supported browser.