Wikipedia has a built-in dark mode on its desktop and mobile websites and in the official iOS and Android apps.
On desktop, find Appearance, choose Color, and select Dark. On the mobile website, open the menu and go to Settings → Color → Dark. You can also select Automatic to make Wikipedia follow your device appearance.
Wikipedia released native web dark mode in July 2024. If you do not see the setting, you may be using an older Wikipedia skin or a different interface.
Wikipedia Dark Mode: Quick Answer
| Platform or task | How to enable Wikipedia dark mode |
|---|---|
| Desktop website | Appearance → Color → Dark |
| Collapsed desktop menu | Spectacles icon → Color → Dark |
| Mobile website | Menu → Settings → Color → Dark |
| Follow the device theme | Select Automatic |
| iPhone or iPad app | Settings → Reading preferences → Dark or Black |
| Android app | Open an article → Theme → Dark or Black |
| Return to light mode | Select Light |
| Appearance setting is missing | Confirm that the website uses Vector 2022 on desktop or Minerva on mobile |
Table of contents
- Wikipedia Dark Mode: Quick Answer
- Does Wikipedia Have Dark Mode?
- How to Enable Wikipedia Dark Mode on Desktop
- How to Enable Wikipedia Dark Mode on Mobile Web
- How to Use Wikipedia Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad
- How to Use Wikipedia Dark Mode on Android
- When Did Wikipedia Release Dark Mode?
- Wikipedia Native Dark Mode vs. Night Eye
- When a Darker Wikipedia Interface May Be Useful
- Why Wikipedia Dark Mode Is Not Showing or Working
- How to Turn Off Wikipedia Dark Mode
- Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wikipedia Have Dark Mode?
Yes. Wikipedia provides native dark mode on its current desktop and mobile websites, as well as dark reading themes in its official iOS and Android apps.
The exact path depends on where you read Wikipedia. Desktop web, mobile web, iPhone and iPad, and Android each use different controls. The instructions below cover all four.
Most readers do not need a browser extension just to make Wikipedia dark. Night Eye is optional if you want more control over the website's appearance or one dark-mode solution across other supported websites.
How to Enable Wikipedia Dark Mode on Desktop
- Open Wikipedia in your browser.
- Find the Appearance panel on the right side of the page.
- Under Color, select Dark.
- Select Automatic instead if you want Wikipedia to follow your operating system's light or dark appearance.
If the Appearance panel is collapsed, select the spectacles icon near the upper-right corner of the page. Logged-in readers who use an older skin must switch to Vector 2022 to access native dark mode.
How to Enable Wikipedia Dark Mode on Mobile Web
- Open Wikipedia in your mobile browser.
- Tap the hamburger menu in the upper-left corner.
- Select Settings.
- Find the Color setting.
- Select Dark, or choose Automatic to follow your device theme.
These steps apply to Wikipedia's mobile website. The native iOS and Android apps use separate theme controls, covered below.
How to Use Wikipedia Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad
In the official Wikipedia app for iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings.
- Select Reading preferences.
- Choose Dark or Black.
- Enable image dimming if you prefer images to appear less bright.
The app also offers Light and Sepia themes. Select Default (Matches system theme) if you want Wikipedia to follow your iPhone or iPad appearance automatically.
For the current options, see the official Wikipedia iOS FAQ.
How to Use Wikipedia Dark Mode on Android
In the official Wikipedia Android app:
- Open an article.
- Tap Theme in the bottom toolbar.
- Select Dark or Black.
- Turn on Match system theme if you want the app to follow Android automatically.
- Adjust image dimming if desired.
The Android app currently offers Light, Sepia, Dark and Black themes. If you want a fixed dark theme while the rest of Android stays light, turn off Match system theme before choosing Dark or Black.
For the current controls, see the official Wikipedia Android FAQ.
When Did Wikipedia Release Dark Mode?
Wikipedia launched native dark mode for its desktop and mobile websites in July 2024. The web feature supports the default Vector 2022 desktop skin and Minerva mobile skin.
Wikipedia's iOS and Android apps offered dark reading themes before the website rollout. This is why older sources may give different dates: app themes and native website dark mode were separate releases.
You can review the official Wikimedia rollout updates or Wikipedia's dark mode help page.
Wikipedia Native Dark Mode vs. Night Eye
Wikipedia's native mode is the simplest option for its current website and mobile apps. Night Eye is an optional browser solution for readers who want more control over the web version or a consistent dark appearance across supported websites.
| Capability | Wikipedia native mode | Night Eye |
|---|---|---|
| Built into the current Wikipedia website | Yes | No, it is a browser extension |
| Works on Wikipedia's mobile website | Yes | Depends on browser support |
| Works inside the Wikipedia iOS or Android app | Yes | No |
| Can follow the device color scheme | Yes | Yes, in supported browsers |
| Brightness, contrast, saturation, dim and blue-light controls | No comparable native controls | Yes |
| Works across other supported websites | No | Yes |
| Required for ordinary Wikipedia dark mode | No extension required | No |
When Night Eye may be useful
Night Eye can be useful when Wikipedia's built-in choices are not adjustable enough for you, when you use a legacy or nonstandard wiki interface that needs testing, or when you want the same browser-based controls on other supported websites.
With Night Eye, you can adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, dimming and blue light, schedule dark mode, and enable or disable it for selected domains. Website transformations happen locally, and Night Eye does not collect your browsing history.
- Install Night Eye in a supported browser.
- Open the relevant Wikipedia domain and make sure Night Eye is enabled for it.
- Adjust the appearance controls to suit your reading setup.
Night Eye changes websites in the browser. It does not control the native Wikipedia app on iOS or Android.
Wikipedia dark mode with Night Eye
When a Darker Wikipedia Interface May Be Useful
A darker interface may feel more comfortable in a dim room or when the rest of your device uses a dark appearance. Some readers prefer light mode in bright surroundings, while others choose Dark, Black or Automatic.
Dark mode changes Wikipedia's colors. It is not a treatment for migraines, eye conditions, sleep problems or other health concerns. Screen-reader compatibility is also separate from the selected color theme.
Why Wikipedia Dark Mode Is Not Showing or Working
- Confirm that Color is set to Dark rather than Light.
- If Wikipedia is set to Automatic, check your device's current appearance.
- On desktop, look for the Appearance panel or the spectacles icon.
- If you are signed in, confirm that you use the Vector 2022 desktop skin.
- On mobile web, open Settings from the hamburger menu and look under Color.
- Make sure you are following the correct instructions for either the mobile website or the native app.
- Update the Wikipedia app before following the current iOS or Android steps.
- If Wikipedia reports a conflict, disable an older dark-mode gadget or switch native mode back to Light. Use one method at a time.
- Temporarily disable other theme extensions to check for overlapping styles.
- Check whether the issue affects every article or only a specific table, template or image.
- If you use Night Eye, confirm that it is enabled for the relevant Wikipedia domain.
How to Turn Off Wikipedia Dark Mode
Desktop or mobile website
Open the same Color controls and select Light. Choose Automatic if you want Wikipedia to switch with your operating system instead.
iPhone or iPad app
Open Settings → Reading preferences, then select Light or Default.
Android app
Open an article, tap Theme, and select Light. You can also turn on Match system theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wikipedia have dark mode?
Yes. Wikipedia has native dark mode on its desktop and mobile websites and dark themes in its official iOS and Android apps.
How do I enable Wikipedia dark mode on desktop?
Find the Appearance panel, choose Color, and select Dark. If the panel is collapsed, open it with the spectacles icon.
Can Wikipedia follow my computer's theme?
Yes. Select Automatic under Color to make Wikipedia follow your operating system's light or dark appearance.
Can I use Wikipedia dark mode without signing in?
Yes, on Wikipedia sites that make the native setting available to logged-out readers using the supported current skins. Availability can differ on some language editions or interfaces.
How do I make Wikipedia dark on iPhone?
In the Wikipedia app, open Settings, select Reading preferences, and choose Dark or Black. Select Default if you want the app to follow the iPhone's appearance.
How do I enable Wikipedia dark mode on Android?
Open an article in the Android app, select Theme from the bottom toolbar, and choose Dark or Black.
When did Wikipedia add dark mode?
Wikipedia launched native dark mode on its desktop and mobile websites in July 2024. Its mobile apps had dark reading themes before the web release.
Why can't I find dark mode on Wikipedia?
You may be using a legacy skin, a collapsed Appearance menu, an outdated app or an interface with different controls. On desktop, native dark mode requires Vector 2022.
Does Wikipedia dark mode work in Chrome, Firefox and Safari?
Yes. Wikipedia's native setting is part of the website and is not limited to one major desktop browser.
Does Russian Wikipedia have dark mode?
Native dark mode is designed for Wikipedia sites using the supported current skins. Availability and article compatibility can still differ across individual language editions and templates.
Do I need a dark mode extension for Wikipedia?
No. Most readers can use Wikipedia's native setting. A browser extension is optional when you want additional appearance controls or dark mode across other supported websites.
Does Night Eye change the Wikipedia mobile app?
No. Night Eye is a browser extension and does not control the native Wikipedia app on iOS or Android.
