WhatsApp finally launches dark mode, but only in beta.
WhatsApp finally launches dark mode, but only in beta
Among the most popular mobile apps, WhatsApp is one of the few that still hasn't embraced dark mode.
This is bound to change soon, though, as the dark mode setting has appeared in the latest beta version of the WhatsApp app for Android (via Android Authority).
The option is precisely what you'd expect, giving you a choice between a light or dark theme (you can also choose to conform to the system default theme). If you go dark, the app's backgrounds will turn darker, but don't expect a totally black look; instead, you'll get various shades of dark gray.
You can find the option under Settings - Chats - Theme.
To get the option, you must have the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android (2.20.13), which you can only get if you've signed up as a beta tester (and WhatsApp isn't accepting more testers at the moment). However, the fact that the option made it to beta is a good indicator we'll see it in one of the coming public releases, probably fairly soon.
With the addition of a dark mode option, WhatsApp follows many popular apps such as Twitter and Instagram which introduced the feature last year. However, WhatsApp's parent company Facebook still isn't offering the option for its main app, though it should be coming fairly soon as well.
I love it, I'm using it
ReplyDeleteI'd say they will bring the full dark more soon
ReplyDeleteSo what's their problem? Why not go full black. TRUE dark mode? Why this half-measure and why has it taken them this long to even do this? I'm trying to understand what the massive technical feats are involved to make an app have a "dark" mode. It must be incredibly difficult. I can only imagine the army of developers it takes.
ReplyDeleteAvailable on Telegram for donkey years.
ReplyDeleteFinally!
ReplyDeletethanks a lot !!!
ReplyDeleteit finally worked on my phone
This is the worst dark theme I've seen yet.
ReplyDeleteLooks like bare minimum. I'm surprised they didn't update the fonts to be more in line with the Google sans font as other apps. Oh well better than nothing. Surprised it took this long
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable. The developers in charge of Facebook Messenger managed to deliver a proper Dark Theme, the developers of Instagram also managed to deliver a pretty acceptable Dark Theme...yet the WhatsApp developers deliver this greenish crap? smh...
ReplyDeleteThe Instagram one is also pretty crappy; for example the navigation bar is not themed 🤮
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteWell, there's a reason why I wrote "pretty acceptable". It's unpolished, but it's still better than this WhatsApp one :P
Delete(Also, if you're having issued with the navigation bar not being themed in apps, try "Navbar Apps". I've had that issue on a couple of phones and that app solved it for me)
It is on Pixel
DeleteWhat phone are you using? The nav bar is dark on my Pixel.
DeleteWhat Phone are you on? One Plus just fixed the bar
DeleteThat's because they want you to use Messenger where they can get you with ads
ReplyDeleteI'd sooner use Telegram.
DeleteIf that's their plan, it's not gonna work...lol
In Telegram you can even create your own theme...
ReplyDeleteThen don't use it. Simple. Nobody is forcing you to use something you don't like.
ReplyDeleteNo sh*t, Sherlock.
DeleteDoesn't change the fact that I'm still free to criticise it, whether you like it or not.
This also doesn't change the fact that I'm still free to tell you that your criticism isn't going anywhere. I tried the theme and I liked it - it might not be the AMOLED black that most people where expecting but it is FAR better than that f*cking blinding white.
DeleteMy point is - it could've been better, for sure, but I rather have a not-so-good option rather than having no option at all. After all, it might take them another few months to implement a true dark mode...
True thing !!! Can deny the fact that the dark theme is not something which i am satisfied with...but a hell lot happy that atleast i dont have that f*cking blinding white.
DeleteIf you think WhatsApp is going to improve this, you're sorely mistaken. They had a better version than this crap months ago.
DeleteYou also seem to think this even constitutes a Dark Mode. It doesn't. Not in my book. And between this and the existing theme... Meh. No big difference.
Luckily some of us have Substratum. But doesn't change the fact this looks horrible and isn't much better than what existed before.
If you think WhatsApp is going to improve this, you're sorely mistaken. They had a better version than this crap months ago.
DeleteIt definitely will improve, like many stuff improved over the time. Sure they could be quicker, though.
You also seem to think this even constitutes a Dark Mode. It doesn't. Not in my book.
Not in mine, either. But like I said... this dark-ish theme is better than the blinding white. Specially when you've just woken up and are still waiting for your soul to return to your body at 5 AM.
And between this and the existing theme... Meh. No big difference.
Luckily some of us have Substratum. But doesn't change the fact this looks horrible and isn't much better than what existed before.
What theme? I don't recall it. Sadly I guess I can't use Substratum (stock S8 running Pie), so this is a very welcome addition.
The developers in charge of Facebook Messenger managed to deliver a proper Dark Theme
ReplyDeleteIt's not a proper dark theme when you have to manually turn it on. A proper dark theme would have on option to follow system theme. It may look better, but functionally wise it's much worse than WhatsApp's dark theme.
In comparison maybe. But the wait was so long that it didn't bother me even at first glance.
DeleteCan't belive they haven't used the opportunity for a major redesign. Whatsapp for Android is very outdated compared to ios..
ReplyDeleteLooks bad. Should go with black for the green it doesn't work with this hideous gray.
ReplyDeleteOn Pie, there's no "System default" option, rather, "Set by Battery Saver". WTF... It's a pretty terrible dark theme to begin with and the app looks laughably outdated anyway!
ReplyDeletePie doesn't have non-OEM dark mode!
Delete"has been quite stubbornly behind the curve on ***ever updating their design"
ReplyDeleteHappy 2013 from Windows Phone User
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should have waited for the entire smartphone app world to have native OLED dark theme (true-black tone, not a paint job) before getting a phone with an OLED display.
ReplyDeleteGood. Now, move it up to the cloud.
ReplyDeleteYeah.. that's not how End-to-End works..
DeleteOMG FINALLY!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
ReplyDeleteUgly, i hqve to change the background to get full dark...
ReplyDeleteLooks great. It's dark, which meets my requirements. Not sure what all the hate is about, is it supposed to have a Mona Lisa background to be acceptable?
ReplyDeleteThank god it is not amoled black
ReplyDeleteThe trick is to to download a black image from the Internet and choose itas the chat wallpaper to make it full dark mode that's more amoled friendly. Wish it was more like Messenger dark mode but it's still a beta. Hopefully it will be more polished and more OLED friendly like Messenger for full release
ReplyDeleteDoes look kinda terrible but I feel like it might be largely to do with that awful background
ReplyDeletePeople having an issue cause Its not "a true dark theme" yeah it could be better but at this point this dark theme is better than being blinded by how white it used to be
ReplyDeleteOmg :))
ReplyDeleteI'm not a member of the beta group...still I downloaded this latest apk.. Will it be harmful for my phone or is my data unsecured anymore?? Please let me know thank you
ReplyDeleteYou're fine. But if you're not part of the beta program you won't get Whatsapp updates via the play store anymore.
DeleteFinally.
ReplyDeleteI used to be in the beta program but it appears I was kicked out, and can't rejoin. Lame
ReplyDeleteYou aren't losing out on much tbh.
Delete