How to Turn On Instagram Dark Mode on Mobile and PC

Instagram is famous for its Reels, Stories, Highlights, and other features which hook you onto the app. This can often lead to what is commonly known as doom scrolling. However, if you’re frequently using the Instagram app in Light Mode, it may cause eye strain and impact battery life. To reduce this, you can enable Instagram Dark Mode. Keep reading to know how.

Turning on Instagram Dark Mode is easy when you’re using the Instagram Android app. However, what if you’re using the Instagram iOS app or accessing Instagram on a web browser? Can you still turn on Dark Mode for Instagram? Scroll along to get answers to all your questions.

1. Turn on Dark Mode for Instagram Android App

If you’re using the Instagram Android app, you’re in luck. There are native options within the app to enable Dark Mode. Here’s a step-by-step look at how to do it.

Step 1: Open the Instagram app.

Step 2: Tap on your profile icon.

Step 3: Then, in the top right corner, tap on the hamburger icon.

Step 4: Here, select ‘Settings and privacy’.

Step 5: Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.

Step 6: Select Dark mode.

Step 7: Select the On option.

Tip: If you wish for Instagram to match your device’s theme, select the System default option.

Dark Mode will now be enabled on the Instagram Android app. You can also select Off to turn off Dark Mode.

2. Enable Instagram Dark Mode Using Android and iPhone Settings

You can also turn on Dark Mode on the Instagram app using the Android and iPhone settings menu. This is especially useful for iOS users as the Instagram iOS app does not have any native option to turn on Dark Mode. Follow the below steps to do it.

Note: This will turn on Dark Mode systemwide on your Android and iPhone.

On Android

Note: This will only work if your Instagram app’s Dark mode setting has been set to System default.

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Display.

Step 3: Here, tap on Dark.

This will instantly turn on Dark Mode for your Android device and, by proxy, for the Instagram app as well.

On iOS

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on ‘Display & Brightness’.

Step 2: Here, tap on Dark.

This will turn on Dark Mode for the Instagram mobile app. If you want to disable it, simply tap on Light.

3. Use Instagram Website in Dark Mode on Desktop

In addition to using Instagram on your mobile, you can also access it using a web browser. This means that if you want Instagram in Dark Mode, you can make use of your Windows or browser settings menu in addition to Instagram’s settings. So, let us have a look at 4 easy ways you can turn on Instagram Dark Mode on your desktop.

I. Using Instagram Settings

When using the desktop app, you can enable Dark Mode using Instagram’s settings menu. This will allow you to use Instagram in Dark Mode even if your PC or browser is running in Light Mode. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Instagram on any web browser.

Open Instagram

Step 2: Then, in the bottom left corner, click on the hamburger icon.

Step 3: Here, click on Switch appearance.

Step 4: Turn on the toggle for Dark mode.

This will turn on Dark Mode. You can also turn this toggle off if you wish to continue using Instagram in Light Mode.

II. Using Windows 11 Settings

You can easily enable dark theme on Windows 11 PC using the Settings menu to access Instagram in dark mode. Here’s how to turn it on.

Step 1: Right-click anywhere on your desktop and click on Personalize.

Step 2: Here, click on Colors.

Step 3: Now, go to ‘Choose your mode’ and click on the drop-down.

Step 4: Then, click on Dark.

This will turn on Instagram Dark Mode on the desktop app. If you wish to turn it off, simply change the color profile back to Light, and your device will go back to Light Mode systemwide.

III. Using Chrome Flags

Chrome has a number of ways to load websites in Dark Mode, one of which is using Chrome’s Flags menu, an experimental feature. This way, you can force Instagram to load in Dark Mode when using it on Chrome.

Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Go to Search and type Chrome. Then, open Google Chrome from the search results.

Step 2: Open Chrome Flags.

Open Chrome Flags

Step 3: In the search bar, type Auto Dark Mode.

Step 4: Once the ‘Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents’ flag is visible, click on the drop-down.

Step 5: Here, select Enabled.

Step 6: Now, click on Relaunch.

This will restart Chrome and apply Dark Mode to all the websites, including Instagram. To disable Dark Mode, follow the above steps and select Default instead of Enabled. Then, restart Chrome to enforce the changes.

Also Read: How to get Dark Mode in Safari

4. Using Browser Extensions 

There are certain browser extensions available to help you force Dark Mode on websites that will usually load in Light Mode despite using the abovementioned methods. This will also allow you to use the Instagram website in Dark Mode. Here’s how.

Note: For demonstration purposes, we will be using the Microsoft Edge browser. The steps for adding the Dark Reader extension to Chrome are similar.

Step 1: Click on Search and type Edge. Open Microsoft Edge from the search results.

Step 2: Open Microsoft Edge’s Add-ons Store.

Open Edge Add-ons Store

Step 3: In the search bar, type Dark Reader and press enter.

Step 4: Here, click on the Dark Reader extension.

Step 5: Then, click on Get.

Step 6: Once the prompt appears, click on Add extension.

Step 7: After the extension finishes installing, go to the menu bar and click on the Extension icon.

Step 8: Then, click on the Dark Reader extension.

Step 9: Turn the extension toggle to On.

This will allow you to use the Instagram website in Dark Mode even if there is no native option for it. To change Instagram back to Light Mode, toggle it Off.

Tip: Check our list of the best Dark Mode extensions for Firefox.

FAQs for Using Instagram in Dark Mode

Use Instagram in Dark Mode

We hope this article helped you understand more about how you can turn on Instagram Dark Mode on your mobile and desktop. Additionally, if you’ve been facing issues, check our explainer on fixing Dark Mode not working on Instagram.