How To Enable WhatsApp Dark Mode on Android

Richard Goodwin

·

How To Enable WhatsApp Dark Mode on AndroidPin

Dark Mode for Whatsapp is now available on Android, and this is how to activate it…

Dark Mode for Whatsapp was, perhaps, the #1 most-wanted feature by Android phone users in 2019. Apple’s iPhone has had Dark Mode for a while now, thanks to 2019’s iOS 13 release, but the Android equivalent took a little longer to happen – you need Android 10 for it to work across the board.

The good news with Dark Mode for Whatsapp for Android is that you don’t need Android 10 to make it work, though it helps because it’ll match the rest of your phone’s UX if you have Android’s Dark Mode enabled.

In this guide, we’ll show you in just several steps how to enable Dark Mode in WhatsApp – please note you’ll need the latest beta of WhatsApp for Android to make this work!

How To Turn On Whatsapp Dark Mode For Android

  • Open WhatsApp
  • Tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner
  • Open Settings > Chats > Themes
  • Inside Themes, Open Choose Themes and select Dark
  • Boom! You now have WhatsApp Dark Mode enabled

I Can’t See Dark Mode In WhatsApp For Android?

Dark Mode for WhatsApp on Android is only available in beta at the moment; you need to be running version 2.20.14 of the app to access Dark Mode in Themes. If you’re not running that version, you might have to wait a while for Dark Mode to come to your phone. But don’t worry it’s coming soon. Or, you can download it here. Personally, I’d just wait – betas can be VERY buggy.

Does It Make Much Difference?

Not really, although it does look really cool with WhatsApp’s use of green color accents – green on black is always a nice combination! It is a little easier on your eyes, so if you spend hours using WhatsApp every day, chances are your eyes won’t feel quite as strained.

Dark Mode uses less battery, though, hence its inclusion on iOS and Android. In order to reap the battery benefits of Dark Mode, however, you will need to run a phone with an OLED or AMOLED display. Why? Because OLED panels, when displaying dark pixels, do not use any power, and this, in turn, means around 30% less battery drain throughout a typical day’s worth of usage.

30% isn’t a great deal, but over a week it adds up to hours of extra uptime on your phone. This is one of the #1 reasons to buy phones with OLED displays. OLED displays also look better too, and while OLED iPhones aren’t cheap (even the iPhone 11 doesn’t have OLED), with Android you can pick up OLED-display-using phones like the Google Pixel 3a and OnePlus 7T for more than 50-60% less than the price of an iPhone 11.

There’s a reason we included the Google Pixel 3a so high in our guide to the best Android phones for 2019/20…

And check out How To End-To-End Encrypt WhatsApp Backups! And take a look at How To Make Your Sent WhatsApp Messages Disappear!

LinkedInMessengerMix1PinterestPocketRedditWhatsAppFlipboard
Richard Goodwin avatar
Richard Goodwin
Richard Goodwin is a leading UK technology journalist with a focus on consumer tech trends and data security. Renowned for his insightful analysis, Richard has contributed to Sky News, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 2, and CNBC, making complex tech issues accessible to a broad audience.

Latest Smartphone Releases

View All Phones

  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

    +

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

    +

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

    +

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

    +

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

    +

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

    +

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

    +

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

    +

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

    +

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

    +

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

    +

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

    +

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals

View All Data Plans

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

    +

    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB

Best Flagship Phones

2025’s finest smartphones from the biggest and best brands. From ultra-flagships to Pro-focussed models for content creators and media-shooters

View Top-Rated Flagship Phones
pixel 9 Pro XL colors
OnePLus 13 Camera

Best Android Phones

The best Android phones you can buy right now, including ultra-flagships, flagships, and affordable models.

View The Best Android Phones

Best iPhones

From the best value to the one that delivers the best performance, here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best iPhone for your exact needs…

View The Best iPhone Models
iPhone 16 Pro Max Main
samsung galaxy z fold 6

Best Foldable Phones

If you’re thinking of switching to a foldable phone and you got the cash, here’s the best options on the market right now

View The Best Foldable Phones

Best Budget Phones

These affordable, mid-range Android phones are brilliant for anyone looking to save a few bucks without scrimping on performance

View The Best Budget Android Phones
Nothing Phone 2 vs. Nothing 2a vs. 2a Plus How They Compare…