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WhatsApp dark mode is nearly here, and some Android users have even been able to get an early glimpse of it by exploiting a small bug in the current beta release. So what is it, why does it matter, and when will it roll out?
WhatsApp dark mode is a new design for the hugely popular messaging app, which will swap its current palette of light gray and green for shades of black, teal and midnight blue. It wonât replace the current look completely, but will be available as an option for anyone who wants to use it.
There are several reasons why you might want to try it. First of all, some users find dark backgrounds easier to look at for long periods of time, as thereâs less glare than you get with a light colored interface. Darker screens also use less power (particularly if your device has an AMOLED display, as explained in the video below. Finally, it just looks cool.
How to get WhatsApp dark mode
You might be able to get a sneaky early glimpse of WhatsApp dark mode if you have a phone running Android 10, and are part of the beta program. You wonât find the option in the appâs settings, but you may be able to trigger it using the appâs built-in video player.
[ol]
[li]Ensure your phone is set to dark mode[/li][li]Download the latest version of WhatsApp Beta.[/li][li]Open the YouTube app, select a video, tap âShareâ and copy the URL[/li][li]Open WhatsApp Beta and select a contact or a group chat[/li][li]Paste the video URL as a new message[/li][li]With the keyboard still open, tap the video thumbnail to start the YouTube player[/li][/ol]
This trick doesnât always work, but if youâre lucky, the app will switch to dark mode when the YouTube picture-in-picture player is started,
If you want to be the first to try dark mode for WhatsApp when itâs launched officially, youâll need to join the beta program. If you use an Android device, you can sign up and download the beta through the Google Play Store. The beta program for iOS is currently full, but it could re-open at any time. If it does, youâll need to install TestFlight on your device, then sign up to join the program.
When dark mode finally arrives, itâs likely that there will be several ways to activate it. From what weâve established by combing through the appâs install files, you will be able to activate dark mode using a simple switch in the appâs settings, which you can access by tapping the menu bottom at the top right.
It also looks like WhatsApp dark mode will activate automatically when you switch on your phoneâs power-saving mode. This makes a lot of sense, and is sometime weâd like to see other apps embrace.
What WhatsApp dark mode will look like
According to WABetaInfo, which specializes in dissecting WhatsApp beta releases, there will be not one, but two WhatsApp dark modes to choose from.
[IMG alt=âWhatsApp dark modeâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tny...XSFX9BqaVa.jpg
Exploring the WhatsApp betaâs install files reveals various assets labelled ânight modeâ, including these new black and dark teal message bubbles
You canât switch to WhatsApp dark mode yet (even if youâre part of the beta program), but trawling through the appâs installation files reveals various icons, wallpapers and other goodies that will be used when itâs eventually released.
It originally looked like the new color scheme would be mainly dark blue/green rather than black or gray. Now, however, it seems the designers have switched tack slightly, and are now developing two different dark modes: one with a dark gray/blue background, and another with black.
Itâs possible that the black version is specifically optimized for AMOLED screens. Black pixels on these screens are actually turned off, which uses less power.
[IMG alt=âWhatsApp dark mode wallpapersâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uim...6Pte34PdNV.jpg
Two new dark wallpapers for WhatsApp
The appâs splash screen is also expected to be darkened, which will avoid the problem some apps have where a person using dark mode is startled by an unexpected burst of white light.
WhatsAppâs sticker and emoji menus have been updated with dark backgrounds, and developers have been hard at work adapting the appâs signature message bubbles with a new look that will be used for both dark modes. There are also new wallpapers for both WhatsApp dark modes.
[IMG alt=âWhatsApp dark mode iconsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MtG...WkVLckM5Ef.jpg
The appâs install files include several new icons designed to stand out against darker backgrounds
When WhatsApp dark mode is coming
We donât yet know; WhatsAppâs developers donât appear to be in any hurry to complete and release the appâs dark modes, and have yet to reveal when the option will become available. Itâs possible that it might arrive in a major update at the same time as self-destructing messages, which will be deleted automatically after a certain period of time.
Based on leaked screengrabs, it looks as though youâll be able to set messages to be erased after a period between five minutes and an hour. Rival messaging apps Facebook Messenger, Telegram and Signal already offer a similar feature, so itâs an overdue addition to WhatsApp.
Beta releases have also revealed a new option that will allow you to completely hide updates from muted contacts. Currently, if you mute a contact, their updates will appear grayed out, but still visible. When the new update rolls out, youâll be able to hide them fully, and only see them if you choose to.
Other ways to extend battery life in WhatsApp
One of the main reasons you might want to try dark mode for WhatsApp is to extend battery life, but there are other ways to make the app less power-hungry until the setting becomes available.
Enter the appâs settings, select âChatsâ and tap âWallpaperâ, then choose âSolid colorâ and select something darker than the standard pale gray background. This wonât change the color of the message bubbles, menus and other interface elements, but Googleâs research has found that black pixels drain substantially less power than other colors.
[IMG alt=âWhatsApp wallpapersâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BR3...LbTRLLpFr3.jpg
Itâs not the same as an actual dark mode, but switching to a black wallpaper can help save a little battery life when youâre using WhatsApp
By default, WhatsApp will download a lot of files in the background, which can really drain your phoneâs battery, so you can also conserve power by opening WhatsAppâs settings and selecting âData and storage usageâ.
Here. you can choose when media should be downloaded (when youâre using mobile data, when youâre connected to Wi-Fi, and when youâre roaming). If you turn these off, videos and images sent in messages will only be downloaded when you tap them.
Activating your phoneâs own power-saving mode is another way to make it last longer between charges. Depending on which setting you choose, this may turn down the brightness of your screen, stop apps sending and receiving data when they run in the background, and limit CPU speed. Itâs up to you whether youâre willing to take the performance hit in order to extend your battery life.
[ul]
[li]How to enable dark mode for Google Chrome[/li][/ul]
Continue readingâŚ
WhatsApp dark mode is a new design for the hugely popular messaging app, which will swap its current palette of light gray and green for shades of black, teal and midnight blue. It wonât replace the current look completely, but will be available as an option for anyone who wants to use it.
There are several reasons why you might want to try it. First of all, some users find dark backgrounds easier to look at for long periods of time, as thereâs less glare than you get with a light colored interface. Darker screens also use less power (particularly if your device has an AMOLED display, as explained in the video below. Finally, it just looks cool.
How to get WhatsApp dark mode
You might be able to get a sneaky early glimpse of WhatsApp dark mode if you have a phone running Android 10, and are part of the beta program. You wonât find the option in the appâs settings, but you may be able to trigger it using the appâs built-in video player.
[ol]
[li]Ensure your phone is set to dark mode[/li][li]Download the latest version of WhatsApp Beta.[/li][li]Open the YouTube app, select a video, tap âShareâ and copy the URL[/li][li]Open WhatsApp Beta and select a contact or a group chat[/li][li]Paste the video URL as a new message[/li][li]With the keyboard still open, tap the video thumbnail to start the YouTube player[/li][/ol]
This trick doesnât always work, but if youâre lucky, the app will switch to dark mode when the YouTube picture-in-picture player is started,
If you want to be the first to try dark mode for WhatsApp when itâs launched officially, youâll need to join the beta program. If you use an Android device, you can sign up and download the beta through the Google Play Store. The beta program for iOS is currently full, but it could re-open at any time. If it does, youâll need to install TestFlight on your device, then sign up to join the program.
When dark mode finally arrives, itâs likely that there will be several ways to activate it. From what weâve established by combing through the appâs install files, you will be able to activate dark mode using a simple switch in the appâs settings, which you can access by tapping the menu bottom at the top right.
It also looks like WhatsApp dark mode will activate automatically when you switch on your phoneâs power-saving mode. This makes a lot of sense, and is sometime weâd like to see other apps embrace.
What WhatsApp dark mode will look like
According to WABetaInfo, which specializes in dissecting WhatsApp beta releases, there will be not one, but two WhatsApp dark modes to choose from.
[IMG alt=âWhatsApp dark modeâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tny...XSFX9BqaVa.jpg
Exploring the WhatsApp betaâs install files reveals various assets labelled ânight modeâ, including these new black and dark teal message bubbles
You canât switch to WhatsApp dark mode yet (even if youâre part of the beta program), but trawling through the appâs installation files reveals various icons, wallpapers and other goodies that will be used when itâs eventually released.
It originally looked like the new color scheme would be mainly dark blue/green rather than black or gray. Now, however, it seems the designers have switched tack slightly, and are now developing two different dark modes: one with a dark gray/blue background, and another with black.
Itâs possible that the black version is specifically optimized for AMOLED screens. Black pixels on these screens are actually turned off, which uses less power.
[IMG alt=âWhatsApp dark mode wallpapersâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uim...6Pte34PdNV.jpg
Two new dark wallpapers for WhatsApp
The appâs splash screen is also expected to be darkened, which will avoid the problem some apps have where a person using dark mode is startled by an unexpected burst of white light.
WhatsAppâs sticker and emoji menus have been updated with dark backgrounds, and developers have been hard at work adapting the appâs signature message bubbles with a new look that will be used for both dark modes. There are also new wallpapers for both WhatsApp dark modes.
[IMG alt=âWhatsApp dark mode iconsâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MtG...WkVLckM5Ef.jpg
The appâs install files include several new icons designed to stand out against darker backgrounds
When WhatsApp dark mode is coming
We donât yet know; WhatsAppâs developers donât appear to be in any hurry to complete and release the appâs dark modes, and have yet to reveal when the option will become available. Itâs possible that it might arrive in a major update at the same time as self-destructing messages, which will be deleted automatically after a certain period of time.
Based on leaked screengrabs, it looks as though youâll be able to set messages to be erased after a period between five minutes and an hour. Rival messaging apps Facebook Messenger, Telegram and Signal already offer a similar feature, so itâs an overdue addition to WhatsApp.
Beta releases have also revealed a new option that will allow you to completely hide updates from muted contacts. Currently, if you mute a contact, their updates will appear grayed out, but still visible. When the new update rolls out, youâll be able to hide them fully, and only see them if you choose to.
Other ways to extend battery life in WhatsApp
One of the main reasons you might want to try dark mode for WhatsApp is to extend battery life, but there are other ways to make the app less power-hungry until the setting becomes available.
Enter the appâs settings, select âChatsâ and tap âWallpaperâ, then choose âSolid colorâ and select something darker than the standard pale gray background. This wonât change the color of the message bubbles, menus and other interface elements, but Googleâs research has found that black pixels drain substantially less power than other colors.
[IMG alt=âWhatsApp wallpapersâ]http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BR3...LbTRLLpFr3.jpg
Itâs not the same as an actual dark mode, but switching to a black wallpaper can help save a little battery life when youâre using WhatsApp
By default, WhatsApp will download a lot of files in the background, which can really drain your phoneâs battery, so you can also conserve power by opening WhatsAppâs settings and selecting âData and storage usageâ.
Here. you can choose when media should be downloaded (when youâre using mobile data, when youâre connected to Wi-Fi, and when youâre roaming). If you turn these off, videos and images sent in messages will only be downloaded when you tap them.
Activating your phoneâs own power-saving mode is another way to make it last longer between charges. Depending on which setting you choose, this may turn down the brightness of your screen, stop apps sending and receiving data when they run in the background, and limit CPU speed. Itâs up to you whether youâre willing to take the performance hit in order to extend your battery life.
[ul]
[li]How to enable dark mode for Google Chrome[/li][/ul]
Continue readingâŚ