How to Change Outlook to Dark Mode

Microsoft Outlook has a built-in dark mode. The setting is in a different place depending on which version you use.

For new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web, go to Settings > General > Appearance, select Dark, and choose Save. In classic Outlook for Windows, go to File > Office Account > Office Theme and select Black.

This guide follows Microsoft’s current Dark Mode in Outlook instructions and covers the major current versions, including the reading pane and message background controls that often make dark mode look as if it is only partly working.

Outlook Dark Mode: Quick Steps for Every Version

If these steps do not match what you see, first confirm whether you are using new Outlook, classic Outlook, the browser version, or a mobile app. The names look similar, but their appearance controls are not identical.

Does Outlook Have a Dark Mode?

Yes. Microsoft provides native dark mode in new Outlook, classic Outlook for Windows, Outlook.com, Outlook on the web, Outlook for Mac, and the Outlook mobile apps.

There is one important difference between the Windows versions:

• New Outlook has a dedicated Dark option under Appearance.
• Classic Outlook enables dark mode through the Black Microsoft 365 theme.

Outlook also treats the app interface and the email message background as separate layers. Your inbox can be dark while an open email stays white, or an individual message can be switched back to white without turning off dark mode everywhere.

How to Turn On Dark Mode in New Outlook for Windows

Use these steps in the new Outlook app:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select the Settings gear at the top of the window.
3. Select General.
4. Select Appearance.
5. Under Dark mode, choose Dark.
6. Select Save.

To make Outlook follow the theme used by Windows, choose Use system settings instead. To return to a bright interface, choose Light and save the change.

Make the Reading Pane or Compose Window Light

You do not have to turn off the entire Outlook dark mode just to view one email on a white background.

• While reading a message, select Turn on the lights at the top of the reading pane. If the button is hidden, open the More menu.
• While writing an email, use Toggle light background on the Message toolbar. Select Toggle dark background to switch it back.
• To keep the reading pane and new-message window light, open the View tab and select Light Reading Pane.

The light-background control is also useful when an email’s original colors, logo, or formatting do not look right against a dark background.

How to Enable Dark Mode in Classic Outlook for Windows

Classic Outlook uses the Black Office theme:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select File.
3. Select Office Account.
4. Under Office Theme, select Black.
5. Select the back arrow to return to your inbox.

The Black theme enables dark mode for Outlook. It also applies to your other Microsoft 365 desktop apps, so do not be surprised if Word, Excel, or PowerPoint changes appearance too.

Change Only the Message Background

When an email is open, use the background button at the top of the message window:

• Select the sun button for a white message background.
• Select the moon button to return the message background to black.

The same control appears on the Message toolbar while you compose an email.

To keep email messages white while the rest of classic Outlook remains dark:

1. Go to File > Options.
2. Open the General page.
3. Find Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office.
4. Confirm that Office Theme is set to Black.
5. Select Never change the message background color.
6. Select OK.

This setting disables the sun and moon background buttons because Outlook will always show the message area in white.

How to Turn On Dark Mode in Outlook.com and Outlook on the Web

The browser version uses the same appearance path as new Outlook:

1. Sign in to Outlook.com or Outlook on the web.
2. Select the Settings gear at the top of the page.
3. Go to General > Appearance.
4. Under Dark mode, select Dark.
5. Select Save.

Choose Use system settings if you want the web interface to follow your device theme. Choose Light to turn dark mode off.

If an email is difficult to read in the dark reading pane, select Turn on the lights above the message. This restores the light background for that message and shows its original formatting more clearly.

How to Make Outlook Dark on Mac

Outlook for Mac can use its own appearance or follow macOS:

1. Open Outlook.
2. In the menu bar, select Outlook > Preferences.
3. Select General.
4. Under Appearance, choose Dark.

You can also choose System to match the current macOS appearance, or Light to keep Outlook bright regardless of the Mac setting.

To switch the whole Mac to dark appearance, go to Apple menu > System Settings > Appearance > Dark. Select Auto if you want macOS and apps set to System to change between light and dark automatically.

How to Enable Outlook Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad

On current versions of Outlook for iOS:

1. Open the Outlook app.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select Appearance.
4. Choose Dark.

Choose System Default if you want Outlook to follow the light or dark appearance selected on your iPhone or iPad.

How to Enable Outlook Dark Mode on Android

In Outlook for Android:

1. Open the Outlook app.
2. Open Settings.
3. Under Preferences, select Dark Theme.
4. Turn on Dark Theme.

Microsoft also provides a Set by Battery Saver option. When selected, Outlook can switch to its dark theme while Android Battery Saver is active.

Why Is the Outlook Reading Pane Still White?

A white reading pane does not always mean Outlook dark mode failed. Outlook lets you control the message background separately from the surrounding inbox.

Check the setting for your version:

• New Outlook or web: Look for the light or dark background control above the message. It may be inside the More menu.
• New Outlook: Check whether View > Light Reading Pane is enabled.
• Classic Outlook: Check the sun or moon button above the message.
• Classic Outlook: Go to File > Options > General and see whether Never change the message background color is selected.

Some emails use fixed colors and complex HTML supplied by the sender. Switching that message to its original light background can be clearer than forcing every element to remain dark.

Outlook Dark Mode Not Working? Try These Checks

1. Confirm Which Outlook You Use

If you see File at the left end of the ribbon, you are likely using classic Outlook. Use the Black Office theme instructions. If you see a Settings gear with General > Appearance, use the new Outlook steps.

Microsoft also notes that when the new Outlook instructions do not match the screen, the user may still be in classic Outlook.

2. Save the Appearance Change

New Outlook and Outlook on the web require you to select Save after choosing Dark, Light, or Use system settings.

3. Check the Message Background Separately

If the inbox is dark but the email is white, use the reading-pane controls above. If the inbox is light but only the message is dark, return to the main Appearance or Office Theme setting.

4. Restart the Mobile App if the Setting Is Missing

Microsoft recommends closing Outlook from the iOS or Android multitasking screen and reopening it when the Dark Mode setting does not appear.

5. Avoid Applying Two Dark Modes at Once in a Browser

If Outlook’s native dark mode and a browser extension are both changing the same page, colors or contrast may look wrong. Use one method as the main dark layer. Set Outlook on the web to Light before applying an extension, or set the extension to Normal while using Outlook’s native Dark option.

When Night Eye Is Useful for Outlook on the Web

Outlook’s native dark mode is the fastest choice for most people. Night Eye is useful when you read Outlook in a supported browser and want more control than the native Light, Dark, and System choices provide.

Night Eye can apply a customizable dark appearance to the Outlook webpage. You can adjust brightness, contrast, warmth, and dimming for Outlook without changing the native Outlook desktop or mobile apps.

To use it:

1. Open the Night Eye download page and choose your browser.
2. Install the extension from the official store linked on that page.
3. Open Outlook in your browser.
4. Open Night Eye and choose Dark Mode for a full conversion or Filtered Mode to keep the site’s original colors while adjusting display controls.
5. Fine-tune the Outlook website with the brightness, contrast, warmth, or dim controls if needed.

For a clean starting point, set Outlook on the web to Light before applying Night Eye’s Dark Mode. If you prefer Outlook’s built-in theme, leave Night Eye in Normal Mode for the site.

Night Eye changes webpage colors locally on your device. It does not turn on dark mode inside the native Outlook app, and its webpage-conversion process does not send Outlook page content or browsing history to Night Eye.

Outlook Dark Mode FAQ

How do I change Outlook to dark mode quickly?

In new Outlook or Outlook on the web, go to Settings > General > Appearance > Dark > Save. In classic Outlook, go to File > Office Account > Office Theme > Black.

Can I keep the Outlook interface dark but make emails white?

Yes. Use Turn on the lights in new Outlook or the web version. In classic Outlook, select the sun button above the message. Classic Outlook also has a Never change the message background color option under File > Options > General.

Why did dark mode change Word and Excel too?

In classic Outlook, the Black Office theme applies to the other Microsoft 365 desktop apps as well. This is expected behavior.

Does Outlook dark mode change how recipients see my email?

No. The Outlook theme changes how the interface and message area appear on your device. It does not add a dark theme to the email in someone else’s inbox. Actual colors that you apply while formatting a message are separate.

How do I turn Outlook dark mode off?

In new Outlook or Outlook on the web, go to Settings > General > Appearance, select Light or Use system settings, and save. In classic Outlook, change Office Theme from Black to another theme.

Can Night Eye turn the Outlook desktop or mobile app dark?

No. Night Eye is a browser extension. It can customize Outlook on the web in a supported browser, but it does not change the native Outlook apps for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android.