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0
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Apple Mail won't use Dark Mode in Sequoia 15.4.1?
I am using 'Dark Mode' on my Macbook Pro but Apple Mail is ignoring the setting. I've searched here and on the web and [few people][1] seem to have this issue so I don't know what to try. I've restarted numerous times, flipped 'Appearance' from dark to light to auto and back, and been all through th...
I am using 'Dark Mode' on my Macbook Pro but Apple Mail is ignoring the setting. I've searched here and on the web and few people seem to have this issue so I don't know what to try. I've restarted numerous times, flipped 'Appearance' from dark to light to auto and back, and been all through the Mail preferences. I am running Mail Version 16.0 (3826.500.181.1.5) and the OS version is Sequoia 15.4.1. The other Apple apps I use (Numbers, Reminders, etc.) display dark mode correctly.
Has anyone encountered this and/or can suggest something else I can try? Screenshots of the various setting panels are below
Here's my Appearance display panel:
And my Mail Settings panel:
Searching around on the web, this is what the Apple Mail Settings should look like in Dark Mode:



spring
(523 rep)
May 14, 2025, 07:11 PM
• Last activity: Jul 28, 2025, 06:23 PM
0
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2
answers
126
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Dark mode issues in iPhone 6s running iOS 13.6.1
Until yesterday, the Dark Mode on my iPhone was fine. But, I don’t know what happened to it just now. I’m talking about using it on WhatsApp and Settings app (only minor change in settings app). An earlier look at sent messages and you will see a bit darker shade of green. [

Manan
(313 rep)
Aug 23, 2020, 08:33 PM
• Last activity: Jul 3, 2025, 11:03 PM
0
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1
answers
44
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How to set appearance settings for a specific screen?
Is there a way to display the app on a specific screen always in light mode while simultaneously ensuring that the app follows the system appearance settings when its window is moved to another screen without restarting the app? The screen in question is an e-ink monitor, and it is more convenient t...
Is there a way to display the app on a specific screen always in light mode while simultaneously ensuring that the app follows the system appearance settings when its window is moved to another screen without restarting the app? The screen in question is an e-ink monitor, and it is more convenient to use it in light mode.
zhuxiaoxi
(61 rep)
Oct 9, 2023, 12:24 PM
• Last activity: Jul 1, 2025, 06:10 AM
6
votes
2
answers
489
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macOS App Switcher, transparency and Dark Mode?
I recently switched to macOS Mojave Dark Mode, and I like many aspects of it. But there's one thing that really gives me trouble, i.e., using the App Switcher in front of a window that is mainly dark/black. When I use the keyboard shortcut, Command + Tab to invoke the App Switcher, the switcher *hig...
I recently switched to macOS Mojave Dark Mode, and I like many aspects of it.
But there's one thing that really gives me trouble, i.e., using the App Switcher in front of a window that is mainly dark/black.
When I use the keyboard shortcut, Command + Tab to invoke the App Switcher, the switcher *highlights* the *currently selected* app using a black frame. Black frames do not work too well when they are used transparently above black background.
I did then turned to the Accessibility settings to *Reduce transparency* but that actually made things worse.
Is there a way to somehow fix this problem?
(I installed HyperSwitch as a workaround. The UI part works much better there for me, but the actual logic of app switching is "wrong" when using multiple screens, so that renders it a no go for me)
Two screenshots are shown below. The first one shows the App Switcher with the first app (iTerm) selected.
In the second one, now the selection is on Google Chrome (which one can somehow guess from the fact, that the app name is highlighted below the icon).


GhostCat
(1027 rep)
Apr 9, 2019, 01:30 PM
• Last activity: Jan 20, 2025, 02:55 AM
1
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0
answers
61
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Dark Calendar Widget on Apple Watch
Is there any way to set the calendar widget to dark mode in the watch's smart stack (*i.e. when scrolling down on the Apple Watch - see example image from Apple below*)? It seems to always be in light mode with no other options available. Everything else on my watch is dark but for this widget, whic...
Is there any way to set the calendar widget to dark mode in the watch's smart stack (*i.e. when scrolling down on the Apple Watch - see example image from Apple below*)? It seems to always be in light mode with no other options available.
Everything else on my watch is dark but for this widget, which is way too bright at night.
From Apple's website:

hlzl
(970 rep)
Jan 3, 2025, 01:23 PM
0
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1
answers
342
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How to set macOS Sonoma Dark Mode to work to your schedule?
Using the “Auto” option for appearance switches from light to dark based on sunset and sunrise times. I want to set a custom schedule. For instance, time to time for light, otherwise it's dark. Or, turn on dark mode 4 hours before sunset each day. I came across an [article][1] that put forth Night S...
Using the “Auto” option for appearance switches from light to dark based on sunset and sunrise times. I want to set a custom schedule. For instance, time to time for light, otherwise it's dark. Or, turn on dark mode 4 hours before sunset each day.
I came across an article that put forth Night Shift as the solution, but it's from 2021 and does not seem to work any more.
Kamil
(43 rep)
Jun 14, 2024, 06:08 PM
• Last activity: Jun 14, 2024, 09:32 PM
8
votes
4
answers
5687
views
How can I keep light mode for Google Chrome while using dark mode in Mojave?
I've just got my Google Chrome updated to Version 73.0.3683.86 and run it on macOS Mojave 10.14.3 with dark mode set. I prefer to use Chrome in light mode with some custom themes. Can I revert Chrome back to the light mode in spite of Mojave operating in dark mode?
I've just got my Google Chrome updated to Version 73.0.3683.86 and run it on macOS Mojave 10.14.3 with dark mode set.
I prefer to use Chrome in light mode with some custom themes.
Can I revert Chrome back to the light mode in spite of Mojave operating in dark mode?
Kamil
(81 rep)
Mar 23, 2019, 11:54 AM
• Last activity: Jan 19, 2024, 03:46 PM
1
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0
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518
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How to get Auto Dark Mode to work at sunset, not many hours later?
On Monterey 12.6.3 I have System Prefs > General > Appearance set to 'Auto'. This works, changing Dark to Light mode and back again automatically. But it does so some hours after sunset. I confirm Date & Time settings have me in the correct time zone (GMT) and Closest City is where I live. Is there...
On Monterey 12.6.3 I have System Prefs > General > Appearance set to 'Auto'. This works, changing Dark to Light mode and back again automatically.
But it does so some hours after sunset.
I confirm Date & Time settings have me in the correct time zone (GMT) and Closest City is where I live.
Is there any way to make it work at around sunset, as Apple says it will?
Updates:
- still not correct on Ventura 13.6.1
- even more weird is that it has always worked as expected on my old Intel MacMini but not on my 2020 Apple Silicon MBA.
JGC
(214 rep)
Mar 18, 2023, 09:10 PM
• Last activity: Dec 12, 2023, 04:59 PM
5
votes
3
answers
3686
views
What is a program to display PDF's in a dark theme friendly fashion on MacOS?
I am trying to read all my PDF's in dark theme, to preserve my vision since I work at a computer all day. Adobe Acrobat reader offers this feature, in that you can go into accessibility and change the background color and also the color of text. This would work great, except that on my machine, an M...
I am trying to read all my PDF's in dark theme, to preserve my vision since I work at a computer all day.
Adobe Acrobat reader offers this feature, in that you can go into accessibility and change the background color and also the color of text. This would work great, except that on my machine, an M1 Mac Air, it constantly crashes, refuses to open, or just sits there consuming 100%+ CPU resources.
Ideally I would like another program which at the least, will flip black and white text, and at best, would actually make the text and background a user-configurable color, like black and green.
Most importantly, it won't crash constantly and hopefully be more lightweight than Adobe.
Any help is much appreciated!!!
Edit: this question may be a duplicate, check other answers here
https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/84999/change-background-colour-for-pdf-when-viewing
Jacob Waters
(584 rep)
Oct 24, 2021, 08:33 PM
• Last activity: May 7, 2023, 08:51 PM
3
votes
1
answers
2257
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Is there a way to force a macOS app to open in dark mode when the system is set to light mode?
Is there a way to open a specific app in dark mode while the rest of the system is set to light mode? I know the reverse can be done by setting `NSRequiresAquaSystemAppearance=true` for the app in question, but that just forces it to always use light mode regardless of the system setting, and settin...
Is there a way to open a specific app in dark mode while the rest of the system is set to light mode?
I know the reverse can be done by setting
NSRequiresAquaSystemAppearance=true
for the app in question, but that just forces it to always use light mode regardless of the system setting, and setting it to false means the app will follow the system theme.
I'm mainly looking for an answer that works back in macOS 10.14 but tricks for later systems would be great too.
Bri Bri
(2930 rep)
Jan 2, 2023, 05:31 PM
• Last activity: Mar 19, 2023, 05:30 PM
103
votes
8
answers
126419
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Is there the dark mode (inverted colors) in the 'Preview' Application for PDF reading?
I am using the “Preview” application for reading a PDF file on a MacBook Pro. Is there any way in I can read it in dark mode? You can do it in Adobe Acrobat Reader by changing background and text color, but can “Preview” do that too?
I am using the “Preview” application for reading a PDF file on a MacBook Pro. Is there any way in I can read it in dark mode?
You can do it in Adobe Acrobat Reader by changing background and text color, but can “Preview” do that too?
Anwar Shaikh
(1131 rep)
Mar 10, 2018, 11:45 PM
• Last activity: Mar 13, 2023, 02:30 PM
0
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1
answers
154
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Always use dark mode, on Mojave
I have chosen Dark mode, under System Preferences > General > Appearance. Yet, it seems whenever starting up the computer, it switches back to Light. I am guessing there is some "switch theme based on time of day" setting but I can't find it. How can I have Dark mode permanently? Is there a workarou...
I have chosen Dark mode, under System Preferences > General > Appearance. Yet, it seems whenever starting up the computer, it switches back to Light.
I am guessing there is some "switch theme based on time of day" setting but I can't find it.
How can I have Dark mode permanently? Is there a workaround at least?
(To be really clear, the options are just Light and Dark, there is no Auto)
Mojave 10.14.2, mid 2014 MacBook Pro
Steve Bennett
(597 rep)
Feb 19, 2021, 04:02 AM
• Last activity: Oct 30, 2022, 04:51 PM
5
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1
answers
1310
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Why Auto-Dark-Mode doesn't work sometimes?
I'm using the [2020 Intel MacBook Pro][1] and I'm facing the following problem. The Auto-Dark-Mode of MacOS is not as stable as iOS or iPadOS. If I'm using a single app in foreground (probably Safari) and it's sunset time, the Auto-Dark-Mode works as expected, but when I'm working on a project so I...
I'm using the 2020 Intel MacBook Pro and I'm facing the following problem.
The Auto-Dark-Mode of MacOS is not as stable as iOS or iPadOS. If I'm using a single app in foreground (probably Safari) and it's sunset time, the Auto-Dark-Mode works as expected, but when I'm working on a project so I have 5-6 apps opened together in foreground, Auto-Dark-Mode fails but the wallpaper goes to Dark-Mode (but the the apps doesn't), and it happened right now while I'm writing this post.
**Note:** When I toggle Dark-Mode manually after Auto-Dark-Mode fails, they goes to Dark-Mode as expected (if they have light mode, for example some apps like VS-Code don’t change their theme with system). I’ve faced this issue on Catalina as well.
How can I resolve the issue?
user405784
Feb 7, 2021, 02:14 PM
• Last activity: Oct 15, 2022, 11:30 AM
3
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0
answers
376
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Can night shift be untied from automatic dark mode?
I have "Appearance" set to auto, which makes dark mode kicking in at the sunset. I'd like to have night shift shifting to warmer colours at 10pm, shortly before I go to bed, **not at the sunset**. However, they seem to be tied: if I just schedule the night shift it sets the appearance to light mode...
I have "Appearance" set to auto, which makes dark mode kicking in at the sunset. I'd like to have night shift shifting to warmer colours at 10pm, shortly before I go to bed, **not at the sunset**.
However, they seem to be tied: if I just schedule the night shift it sets the appearance to light mode immediately if I'm already on dark mode, and it prevents dark mode starting if it hasn't started already. Then, when night shift starts, dark mode starts as well.
I couldn't find any duplicate target with the tag [tag:night-shift], googling it gives a couple of pages claiming they are tied, no further explanation.
Are they really tied? Can I have the dark mode starting at dusk but the night shift only later?

Gerardo Furtado
(129 rep)
Jun 9, 2022, 07:43 AM
• Last activity: Sep 7, 2022, 02:13 AM
5
votes
1
answers
16490
views
How can I force Dark theme on menu bar?
I am using `macOS Monterey 12.3`. From `Desktop & Screen Saver` => `Desktop` I have selected `Dark (Still)` under `Big Sur`. [![enter image description here][1]][1] When I reboot the machine menu bar color is always `light`, as light blue, hence dark-theme is not applied to the menu bar: [
light
, as light blue, hence dark-theme is not applied to the menu bar:

Desktop & Screen Saver
=> Desktop
after each reboot I have to re-select Dark (Still)
to apply dark color on the top bar as:

Dark (Still)
to take place on the menu bar?
alper
(239 rep)
Mar 26, 2022, 09:18 AM
• Last activity: Mar 26, 2022, 10:24 AM
0
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0
answers
215
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Make PDF dark-mode friendly in Adobe DC Acrobat Reader or alternative
I was looking for a way to read a PDF in "dark mode". Found this answer [here][1] However I was curios if there's a way to make Adobe Acrobat Reader more dark-mode friendly or if there exists an alternative to it; because currently, Python line codes ("line art" is how they are called in Adobe Acrob...
I was looking for a way to read a PDF in "dark mode". Found this answer here However I was curios if there's a way to make Adobe Acrobat Reader more dark-mode friendly or if there exists an alternative to it; because currently, Python line codes ("line art" is how they are called in Adobe Acrobat Reader, if I am not mistaken) are indecipherable sometimes. For instance, in the photo you can see that the blue text below the "Load the data" comment below is hard to be read. (see photo)

M.Ionut
(1 rep)
Mar 25, 2022, 08:40 AM
3
votes
1
answers
290
views
How can I switch to/from dark mode depending on "darkness" instead of sunset?
On BigSur the Sunset-Detector works but it doesn't make sense, because in the real world darkness arrives a bit earlier than sunset. It hurts my eyes, because I stay focused on my work and don't notice that it's dark already. How can I have macOS toggle dark mode earlier/later than sunset/sunrise fo...
On BigSur the Sunset-Detector works but it doesn't make sense, because in the real world darkness arrives a bit earlier than sunset. It hurts my eyes, because I stay focused on my work and don't notice that it's dark already.
How can I have macOS toggle dark mode earlier/later than sunset/sunrise for whatever location I'm currently in?
user405784
Feb 7, 2021, 01:32 PM
• Last activity: Mar 5, 2022, 12:00 AM
5
votes
2
answers
4497
views
Toggle system dark mode from Terminal
How can I toggle the system dark mode from Terminal without using AppleScript? I have already searched things like "zsh toggle dark mode" and "terminal set dark mode mac", but I can't find relevant results. Is there any way to do this? I'd like to do it without AppleScript unless it's absolutely nec...
How can I toggle the system dark mode from Terminal without using AppleScript? I have already searched things like "zsh toggle dark mode" and "terminal set dark mode mac", but I can't find relevant results. Is there any way to do this? I'd like to do it without AppleScript unless it's absolutely necessary.
shreyasm-dev
(295 rep)
Feb 26, 2022, 02:52 AM
• Last activity: Feb 28, 2022, 04:29 PM
0
votes
1
answers
182
views
How to change syntax coloring for JavaScript files in Automator Dark Mode?
In Automator on macOS 10.15.7, Javascript code is too dark when using Dark Mode: [![enter image description here][1]][1] Is there a way to change the colors? [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/KhmR5.png
In Automator on macOS 10.15.7, Javascript code is too dark when using Dark Mode:
Is there a way to change the colors?

OrigamiEye
(448 rep)
Nov 25, 2020, 01:20 PM
• Last activity: Feb 27, 2022, 10:04 PM
0
votes
0
answers
265
views
MacOS dark mode not working
No matter how I try to change my Mac color to dark mode, it keeps changing to light.[![enter image description here][1]][1] [![enter image description here][2]][2] [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/9XTBD.png [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/a2p6d.png
No matter how I try to change my Mac color to dark mode, it keeps changing to light.


Charlie Zhang
(1 rep)
Jan 9, 2022, 08:17 AM
• Last activity: Jan 9, 2022, 08:48 AM
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