Welcome to the world of Mac dark mode! Are you sick of staring at the white background of your Mac all day long? Do you want to give your eyes a break and try something new? Well, you’ve come to the right place, my friend. In this article, we will show you how to make your Mac dark mode and give you some tips on how to customize it to your liking. So, let’s dive in!
Steps
Step 1: Go to System Preferences
The first step in making your Mac dark mode is to go to System Preferences, which is located in the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen. Once you’ve opened System Preferences, click on the General icon.
Step 2: Select Appearance
In the General menu, you will see an option for Appearance. This is where you can change your Mac’s appearance from light mode to dark mode. Click on the dark mode option to turn it on.
Step 3: Use the Shortcut
If you want to quickly switch between light mode and dark mode, you can use the shortcut Shift + Command + A. This will toggle between the two modes instantly.
Step 4: Change Your Wallpaper
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the dark mode experience, consider changing your wallpaper to something darker. You can find a variety of dark wallpapers online or use the default ones that come with your Mac.
Step 5: Customize Your Dock
The dock is the bar of icons at the bottom of your screen. You can customize the appearance of your dock in dark mode by going to System Preferences > Dock and selecting the Dark option.
Step 6: Change Your Menu Bar
The menu bar is the bar at the top of your screen that displays the time, battery life, and other important information. To change the menu bar’s appearance in dark mode, go to System Preferences > General and select the Use Dark Menu Bar and Dock option.
Step 7: Adjust Your Contrast
If you find that the dark mode is too dark or too bright, you can adjust the contrast by going to System Preferences > Accessibility > Display. You can drag the slider to adjust the contrast to your liking.
Step 8: Use Night Shift
If you want to further reduce eye strain, you can use the Night Shift feature in conjunction with dark mode. Night Shift adjusts the color temperature of your screen at night to reduce blue light emissions. You can find this feature in System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift.
Step 9: Use Third-Party Apps
There are many third-party apps available that can help you customize your dark mode experience even further. Some popular ones include Dark Reader, which makes websites dark, and f.lux, which adjusts the color temperature of your screen based on the time of day.
Step 10: Customize Your Apps
Many apps have their own dark mode options that you can customize to your liking. For example, in Safari, you can go to Preferences > General and select the Dark option to make websites appear in dark mode.
Step 11: Experiment with Fonts
In dark mode, you may find that some fonts are too bright or too dark. You can experiment with different fonts to find one that works well with your dark mode setup. You can change the font in System Preferences > General > Sidebar icon size and change the font size under Display > Text.
Step 12: Enjoy Your New Dark Mode
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of our 12-step guide to making your Mac dark mode! Enjoy your new setup and experiment with different customization options to make it your own.
Explanation
Now that you know how to make your Mac dark mode, let’s dive into the explanation behind some of these steps. Dark mode is a feature that changes the color of your Mac’s user interface from light-mode to dark-mode. This helps reduce eye strain and can make working on your Mac more comfortable, especially at night.
To fully embrace dark mode, you can customize the appearance of your Mac even further by changing your wallpaper, customizing your dock and menu bar, using Night Shift, and experimenting with fonts. There are also many third-party apps available that can help you make the most out of your dark mode experience.
By following these steps, you can customize your Mac’s dark mode to your liking and improve your overall user experience. So, go ahead and try it out for yourself!
Tips and Tricks
Tip #1: Use Siri
Did you know that you can use Siri to turn on dark mode? Simply say “Hey Siri” and then say “turn on dark mode.” This is a quick and easy way to switch between light mode and dark mode.
Tip #2: Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts can save you time and make navigating your Mac easier. Some useful keyboard shortcuts in dark mode include Command + Tab to switch between apps and Command + Shift + 4 to take a screenshot.
Tip #3: Use Night Shift on a Schedule
You can set Night Shift to turn on and off on a schedule by going to System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift. This way, your screen will adjust automatically based on the time of day.
Tip #4: Use Dark Mode in Different Apps
Different apps have different ways to enable dark mode. For example, in Slack, you can go to Preferences > Themes > Dark to enable dark mode. By using dark mode in different apps, you can create a cohesive and comfortable experience across all your devices.
Tip #5: Turn off Transparency
If you find that the transparency effects in dark mode are distracting, you can turn them off by going to System Preferences > Accessibility > Display and selecting Reduce Transparency.
Tip #6: Use the Web Inspector
If you’re a web developer or designer, you can use the Web Inspector in Safari to test how your website looks in dark mode. Simply enable dark mode in Safari, open the Web Inspector, and select the “Emulate CSS media” option.
Tip #7: Adjust the Brightness
In dark mode, you may find that the brightness of your screen is too high. You can adjust the brightness by going to System Preferences > Displays and dragging the brightness slider to your desired level.
Tip #8: Use Auto Dark Mode
If you don’t want to manually switch between light mode and dark mode, you can use the Auto Dark Mode feature. This feature automatically changes your Mac’s appearance based on the time of day.
Tip #9: Use Dark Mode in Presentation Mode
If you’re giving a presentation, enabling dark mode can help reduce eye strain for you and your audience. Simply go to System Preferences > Displays and select the “Use as a separate display” option.
Tip #10: Experiment with Contrast
If you find that the contrast in dark mode is too high, you can experiment with different contrast levels by going to System Preferences > Accessibility > Display and adjusting the contrast slider. Find a level that is comfortable for you.
In conclusion, making your Mac dark mode is a quick and easy way to improve your overall user experience and reduce eye strain. By following our 12-step guide and using our tips and tricks, you can customize your dark mode setup to your liking and create a more comfortable working environment. Happy computing!
Advantages and Disadvantages of How to Make Your Mac Dark Mode
Advantages
1. Aesthetically pleasing: Dark Mode gives a sleek and mysterious look to your Mac, making it look more modern and sophisticated.
2. Comfortable on eyes: The dark background makes it easier on your eyes when working for prolonged periods of time, reducing eye strain and fatigue.
3. Extended battery life: Dark Mode consumes less energy on displays with OLED or AMOLED technology, increasing the battery life of your Mac.
4. Improved visibility: With Dark Mode, the visibility of text, icons, and buttons is enhanced, providing a better user experience.
5. Better focus: Dark Mode reduces distractions and enhances user focus, allowing you to concentrate better when using your Mac.
6. Consistency: Dark Mode provides consistency across all apps, making it easier to navigate with the same look and feel.
7. Customisable: You can customise Dark Mode to suit your preferences, such as increasing or decreasing contrast levels.
8. Supports multiple displays: Dark Mode allows you to set different themes for separate displays, ensuring a consistent experience across all screens.
9. Sets the mood: Dark Mode creates a calming ambiance, perfect for working in low-light environments or just to relax.
10. Attracts attention: Dark Mode attracts attention, making your Mac stand out in a sea of light-themed devices.
Disadvantages
1. Limited compatibility: Dark Mode may not be compatible with some applications, resulting in inconsistent theme switching.
2. Incompatibility with colour-blindness: For some individuals who are colour-blind, Dark Mode may create additional difficulties in distinguishing between foreground and background elements.
3. Learning curve: For some users, there may be a slight learning curve in getting used to the new appearance of their Mac.
4. Limited accessibility: Dark Mode may not be as accessible to certain individuals with visual impairments, depending on the severity of their condition.
5. Appearance changes: Some users may not prefer the darker look of their Mac and may feel that it takes away from the overall aesthetic appeal.
6. Increased display reflections: On some displays, Dark Mode may increase reflections, reducing its effectiveness and potentially causing eye strain.
7. No improved performance: Dark Mode does not provide any improved performance, merely a change in appearance.
8. Less visibility in bright light: In bright light conditions, such as direct sunlight, Dark Mode may reduce visibility, making it harder to use your Mac.
9. Possible Desktop and App conflicts: using Dark mode may conflict with apps and icons that are optimized for light mode on the Desktop.
10. Features may not be visible: In Dark Mode, there may be some features or elements that are less visible or harder to see, making them more difficult to use.
Overall, the decision to use Dark Mode on your Mac comes down to personal preference and how it affects your productivity. Remember that while there are many advantages, there are also some drawbacks to consider. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if Dark Mode suits your needs and enhances your computing experience.
FAQ
1. What is Dark Mode on Mac?
Dark Mode is a feature on Mac that allows the user to change the appearance of the interface to a darker theme. This is helpful for reducing eyestrain and creating a comfortable viewing experience, especially in low-light conditions.
2. How do I turn on Dark Mode on my Mac?
To turn on Dark Mode on your Mac, go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences. Then, click on General and choose the appearance option Dark.
3. Can I schedule Dark Mode on my Mac?
Yes, you can schedule Dark Mode on your Mac by going to the System Preferences and selecting General. Then, click on the Appearance option and choose “Automatic” in the “Schedule” section. From there, you can set a specific time for Dark Mode to turn on and off.
4. Will Dark Mode affect the performance of my Mac?
No, Dark Mode does not affect the performance of your Mac. It only changes the appearance of the interface, so your computer should work just as well as it did before.
5. Which Mac models support Dark Mode?
Dark Mode is available on all Mac models that are running macOS Mojave or later.
6. Will Dark Mode affect the battery life of my Mac?
Dark Mode may help preserve the battery life of your Mac if you have an OLED screen. However, the impact on battery life may vary depending on the type of display and usage habits of the user.
7. Can I use Dark Mode on third-party apps?
Yes, many third-party apps support Dark Mode. However, some apps may not have a dark theme available. In this case, you can use an app like Night Owl to apply dark mode to those apps.
8. Can I customize the Dark Mode appearance on my Mac?
Yes, you can customize the Dark Mode appearance on your Mac. Go to System Preferences and select General. Then, click on Appearance to customize the colors, accent, and highlight colors to your liking.
9. Why is Dark Mode popular among users?
Dark Mode is popular among users because it can help reduce eyestrain and make the viewing experience more comfortable, especially in low-light environments. Additionally, some users find the darker themes aesthetically pleasing.
10. Is there a way to disable Dark Mode on my Mac?
Yes, to disable Dark Mode on your Mac go to System Preferences, General, and select the Light option under the Appearance section.
11. Does Dark Mode affect the colors of images and videos?
Yes, Dark Mode may affect the colors of images and videos, especially if they’re designed for a Light Mode interface. However, most modern apps and browsers are designed to work seamlessly with both light and dark themes.
12. How do I know if an app supports Dark Mode?
If an app supports Dark Mode, the app’s appearance should change automatically when you change the system appearance setting. Additionally, you can check the app’s settings to see if there is a Dark Mode option.
13. Can I use third-party apps to enable Dark Mode on older Mac models?
No, Dark Mode is only available on Mac models that are running macOS Mojave or later. However, you can use an app like Night Owl to apply a dark theme to older versions of macOS.
How to Make Your Mac Dark Mode
If you’re using a Mac and want to change the appearance of your desktop, you might want to try switching on the Dark Mode. This feature will invert the colors of your screen, making it easier on your eyes during low light conditions or if you simply prefer a darker theme. Below, we’ll discuss how you can enable Dark Mode on your Mac.
Conclusion and Closing
Enabling Dark Mode on your Mac is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can quickly switch from Light Mode to Dark Mode whenever you want. Not only can this help reduce eye strain, but it can also make your desktop look more stylish and modern. Give it a try today and see how it works for you!
Thanks for reading. We hope you found this article helpful. If you have any other Mac-related topics you’d like us to cover, please don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy computing!