How to Schedule Dark Mode Based on Sunrise and Sunset in Your Location

Most devices can switch between light and dark mode at sunset and sunrise where you live. Set it once at the system level, and Chrome plus many websites follow automatically.

Mac

Go to System Settings → Appearance and choose Auto. Your Mac switches to dark in the evening based on the time of day. For a warmer screen at night too, turn on Night Shift under Displays and set its schedule to Sunset to Sunrise.

iPhone and iPad

Go to Settings → Display & Brightness, turn on Automatic, then tap Options and choose Sunset to Sunrise. Location Services must be on for it to know your local times.

Android

Go to Settings → Display → Dark theme and set a schedule of Turns on from sunset to sunrise. The exact wording varies by phone maker.

Windows

Windows 11 doesn't have a built-in schedule for dark mode. Two options:

• The free, open-source Auto Dark Mode app switches Windows between light and dark at sunset and sunrise, using your location.
• Windows' Night light (Settings → System → Display) can follow sunset to sunrise, but it only warms the colors, it doesn't switch to dark mode.

Make Chrome follow

In Chrome, go to Settings → Appearance → Mode and choose Device. Chrome then switches with your system, and websites that support automatic dark mode switch too.

Websites without a dark mode

For sites with no dark theme, a dark mode extension fills the gap. Modern Dark Mode has a schedule with fixed start and end times (18:00 to 08:00 by default). It doesn't follow sunrise and sunset, so adjust the times a few times a year as the days change, for example later in summer and earlier in winter. It keeps images and video in their real colors, and Alt + Shift + D toggles it at any time.

For warmer colors in the evening, Blue Light Filter also runs on a schedule (20:00 to 07:00 by default).

Is a sunset schedule better?

Matching your screen to daylight makes sense: bright mode when the room is bright, dark when it's dim. But the light in your room matters more than the time outside. If you work in a dark office during the day, dark mode may be more comfortable then too. See dark mode that follows your system theme.