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How to Make Instagram Dark Mode on PC

Published July 18, 2024

We’re bombarded with screens almost everywhere we go. They dominate our daily lives, basking us in their glow even at night. This is why dark mode (or night mode) has become an important feature for many devices and applications.

It reduces eye strain, offers a more pleasing experience, and even conserves battery life on mobile devices. The Instagram app on mobile devices has incorporated this design choice, but what about Instagram on PC?

Well, don’t fret. Instagram for PC hasn’t been left out of this development, even though it was overlooked for so long. We’ll show you how to switch your Instagram view to dark mode for better viewing.

How to Turn on Dark Mode on Instagram for PC

  • Locate the ‘More’ Menu: Tap on ‘More’ with the hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom left corner of your screen. Clicking on this icon unlocks a pop-up menu.
  • Tap on ‘Switch Appearance’: Search within the menu for ‘Switch Appearance.’ Click on it to open another popup menu.
  • Embrace the Dark Side: You should see the toggle switch for Dark mode now. Tap on it to turn it on. With this, you’ve successfully activated dark mode on your Instagram for PC.

Quick Note: Activating dark mode on a PC is restricted to the website and that device. If you log in on another device, you’ll have to do these processes again. This change also doesn’t reflect on the mobile app, so you’ll also have to tweak that one separately.

Benefits of Dark Mode for Applications

There are tons of reasons why users would want to turn on dark mode for Instagram. Here are a few benefits of dark mode:

  • Reduced Eye Strain: The primary benefit is undeniable: dark mode reduces eye strain. By replacing bright white backgrounds with darker tones, it creates a more comfortable viewing experience, especially in low-light environments. This translates to less squinting and potentially fewer headaches after prolonged screen time.
  • Enhanced Battery Life for OLED Screens: For devices with OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays, dark mode can become a battery life saver. In OLED screens, each pixel functions independently. When displaying black in dark mode, these pixels turn off completely. That uses less power compared to illuminating them for bright white backgrounds.
  • Aesthetics and Focus: Dark mode offers a sleek and modern aesthetic, often preferred by users. The darker interface minimizes visual clutter, allowing you to focus more on the content within the app. This can be particularly beneficial for reading articles, browsing photos, or editing creative content.
  • Improved Sleep Patterns: Studies suggest that exposure to blue light emitted from screens can disrupt sleep patterns. Dark mode, which typically reduces blue light emission, might offer some users a leg up in achieving a more restful sleep.

Step Into the Dark Side

Dark mode isn’t just a trend; it offers a multitude of benefits for your eyes, battery life, and overall user experience. Whether you’re a night owl browsing social media or a power user editing photos, consider diving into the dark side and see the difference for yourself. You’ll thank us.

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Written By:
AUTHOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jessica is a consultant, researcher, and the editor-in-chief of the Buzzoid blog, who specializes in social media, marketing, and digital strategy. She is a graduate of Antioch College and earned her MBA at Boston College’s Carroll Graduate School of Management, specializing in STEM Management.

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