How to Turn on Instagram Dark Mode: Tips and Tricks for Android and iOS

Do you like using Instagram’s dark mode? If so, you're not alone. Many people prefer to use darker themes on apps and websites because they're easier on the eyes. Luckily, Instagram now has such functionality, too. In this article, we will show you how to turn on dark mode on Instagram and explain the details of using it on Android and iOS devices. We will also discuss some of the benefits of using this mode and provide additional tips on saving your phone’s battery life.

History of Instagram's Dark Mode

Instagram announced the addition of dark mode in March of 2019. The company said that the new feature would be rolling out to users over the coming weeks. However, it wasn't until May that the rollout began in earnest. As of October of the same year, nearly all Android and iOS users have gotten access to Instagram's brand-new feature.

Why nearly all? The mode came with certain requirements, making it unavailable to some people. Apparently, having an outdated version of Android or iOS was the culprit behind the slow rollout. The company made it a requirement to update your phone’s operating system before you could switch Instagram to dark mode. Since not everyone was rocking the newest phones at the time, some people found that they couldn’t do so and thus couldn’t take advantage of this new Instagram feature.

Requirements for Turning Dark Mode On in the Instagram App

Even though everyone can install the latest version of the Instagram app, only smartphones updated to a more recent OS version can see the option to turn on dark mode. That’s because Google and Apple have added support for the dark mode to their operating systems around the time Instagram implemented it, too.

If you’ve just bought a new smartphone, chances are that you’re all set. On the other hand, people with older phones will need to check whether they can even update the OS on their devices. So, on to the system requirements. Android users need to be on Android 10 or newer. As for iOS users, dark mode is available on devices with iOS 13 installed. If you're not sure what version of Android or iOS your device uses, you can find out by going to Settings and then selecting About Phone/Tablet or About Device.

How To Turn on Dark Mode on Instagram for Android

Now that we know the requirements, let's take a look at how to turn on dark mode for Android smartphones. The process is very simple. Here are the steps:

Open your phone’s settings menu either by swiping from the top and clicking on the cogwheel or by tapping on Settings in the app menu. Find the ‘Display’ section in this menu and click on it. Here, you’ll need to find a toggle for the dark theme. Tap on it and close the Settings app.

That's all there is to it! You can now enjoy using Instagram’s dark theme.

Enabling Instagram’s Dark Mode on iOS

For iPhone and iPad users, the method of getting into dark mode is similar to how you’d set it up on an Android device. It also involves tinkering with your device’s Settings menu, as the app itself doesn’t have a dedicated dark mode button.

So, head over to your iOS Settings menu and tap on Display & Brightness to open up the settings for your screen. At the top of this menu, you’ll see the Appearance section with a choice between light and dark modes. Tap on the dark mode, and you’ll notice that your phone has immediately switched its color theme.

This is how to turn on dark mode on Instagram and any other app on your iPhone or iPad. Additionally, using this menu, you can set your phone to switch between light and dark modes automatically at sunset or turn on eye comfort mode that dims the harsh blue tones and protects your eyesight.

There’s another way to switch between modes on your iPhone, and it’s not just through the display settings. You can also enable the dark/night theme through the Control Center. Once you open this menu, find the dark mode button and tap on it to switch your phone and all supported apps to dark mode.

Advantages of Using Dark Mode on Instagram

There are several advantages to using a dark theme on your phone’s apps like Instagram. Here are some of the most notable ones:

1. Dark mode is easier on the eyes and can help reduce eyestrain.
2. It can be helpful for people who use their phones in bed before going to sleep because it won't disrupt their circadian rhythms as much as a light theme would.
3. Dark mode looks great on OLED displays, such as those used on the iPhone X and newer models.
4. Some research suggests that using a darker screen interface may help you focus better or improve your mood, so turn Instagram’s dark mode on if you’re feeling under the weather.

Tips on Saving Battery When Using Instagram

Browsing Instagram can eat up your phone’s battery in no time. It’s a combination of having the phone’s screen up, a CPU-intensive app running front and center, and your phone communicating with the internet over the network. Additionally, if you have your phone’s speakers on full blast and watch a lot of YouTube and IGTV clips, your battery will get drained in no time.

So, what can you do to extend your device’s battery life without having to keep a charger handy 24/7? First off, turn on Instagram’s dark mode and reduce the screen’s brightness down a notch while keeping it comfortable for your eyes. Darker screens need less power to operate.

If you don’t need to hear the videos you’re watching, mute your speakers. If you’re using Instagram at home, switch to Wi-Fi instead of using your data plan - this saves battery AND bandwidth on your mobile data plan. You can also set the app to use less data through the Options menu and a setting within the Cellular Data Use section. For Instagram users that don’t need notifications, it’s advisable to shut them down, so the app doesn’t constantly run in the background, eating up your device’s battery.

While you can switch to dark mode on Instagram, extending the time you can use the app between two charges, there’s an additional setting that works even better for saving precious battery life. Disable saving photos to your phone’s camera roll. Tap on Options, then turn off a setting labeled ‘Save Original Photos.’ This way, Instagram won’t spend precious resources making a copy of each photo you take, saving battery life and storage space along the way.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you learn how to turn on Instagram dark mode for mobile devices. As we mentioned earlier, there are several advantages to using dark mode, so we encourage everyone to try it out! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!