Apple is adding system-wide Dark Mode to iOS 13

Finally announced at WWDC 2019, a system-wide dark mode is coming to iOS when version 13 arrives later this year.

System-wide dark mode on iOS 13

Even though science says we’re better off with dark-on-white for our screens, enough of the minority is vocal enough for Dark Mode to be in everything now. System-wide dark mode came to macOS last year, so this year it’s iOS’s turn.

• All system UI will be darkened when the feature is turned on
• All native apps will also benefit from Dark Mode
• Tweaked to give a “great viewing experience” in low-light environments
• It’ll also be coming to the iPad, with the new iPadOS
• Third-party developers can also build their apps to use the new feature
• Users can schedule Dark Mode to turn on at a set time or at sunset

Now, both major mobile operating systems will be getting system-wide dark modes, as Google announced it will be coming to Android Q later this year (you can already use it on Android Pie).

Questionable science about eye-strain aside, it’s true that using dark themes on OLED devices have an appreciable effect on battery life. We’ll see just how much when dark mode arrives later this year on both iOS and Android.

What do you think? Glad to see a real Dark Mode come to iOS? Plan on using it? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

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