iOS 18 has brought some significant user experience enhancements with the introduction of dark mode icons. This feature not only improves the visual appeal but also has other practical benefits like reduced strain on the eyes and extended battery life.
These new dark mode icons are designed to compliment the dark background of your iOS device, providing a more visually pleasing interface.
How to Enable Dark Mode Icons?
iOS 18 allows users to switch between light and dark mode icons for a personalized home screen experience. To enable Dark Mode icons on your iOS 18 device, follow these steps:
- Long press on your iPhone’s Home screen to enter the edit mode.
- Tap Edit on the top left corner of the screen and select Customize from the menu that appears.
- Here, choose Dark to enable the dark mode icons for all apps. You can also set it to Automatic so it switches automatically according to the time of day.
- Apart from the Dark option, a Tinted option is available that allows setting the app icons to any desired color tint.
Once the dark mode icons are enabled or tinted to a different color, you’ll notice that your home screen will transition into a darker palette.
Why Not All Icons Change?
While the Dark mode icons offer a convenient way to personalize your iPhone's Home screen, you may notice that not all app icons switch to a dark theme. This is because many app developers haven't updated their apps yet to include the dark mode-specific icons.
However, iOS 18 attempts to automatically render a dark mode icon for which the developer hasn't provided one. This process analyses the icon elements and applies a suitable dark theme. Still, it may not always be successful, especially for complex icons.
The Future of Dark Mode Icons
As iOS 18 gets widely adopted by iPhone users across the globe, we can expect to see a significant increase in apps with dark mode icons. This will enhance the overall visual consistency of your iPhone, providing a more enjoyable experience.
While this operating system offers automatic dark mode conversion, developers of apps can still create custom dark mode icons and ensure the best possible look and feel for their apps.