After years of requests from the Android community, the forthcoming Android P will finally introduce a 'dark mode'.
If you’re currently running the software’s Beta version, here’s how to enable it:
- Open up the Settings app.
- Select Display.
- Tap Advanced, and then Device Theme.
- Finally pick the Dark option from the list.
We might not have an official name for the new OS (although the release of Google’s Spring 2018 wallpapers strongly suggests it’ll end up being called ‘Popsicle’), but its eventual functionality it becoming clearer and clearer with each new update.
Related: Best Android Phones
Dark mode, everywhere
Android P isn’t the only piece of upcoming software to receive a new display mode. Apple’s upcoming version of MacOS ‘Mojave’ will also include a dark mode of its own when it’s released in late September.
The idea behind dark mode is that a darker colour-scheme makes it easier to use devices in dimly lit environments. A bright white screen in a pitch black room can cause a pretty uncomfortable amount of eye strain, but dark colours reduce this immensely.
Android’s competitor iOS doesn’t quite have a dark mode of its own, but a setting called ‘Smart Invert’ is a decent replacement in a pinch.
So if you’re a habitual late night phone user then this update will be perfect for you. Then again, with Android P’s focus on reducing the amount of time we spend on our phones, the days of using a device long into the night might soon be behind us. Or maybe not.
Are you a fan of dark mode? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook @TrustedReviews
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
