Where to find the theme settings in Outlook
The theme controls are in Outlook's settings menu, but the exact path depends on whether you use Outlook on the web, Outlook desktop, or Outlook on your phone. On the desktop version for Windows or Mac, click the File menu in the top left, then select Options (Windows) or Preferences (Mac). On Outlook on the web, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select View settings, then General. On your phone, open Settings and look for Display or Appearance.
The reason these paths differ is that each version of Outlook is built separately — the web version runs in your browser, the desktop version is its own program, and the phone version uses your device's native design. This means a change you make in one place does not automatically carry over to another. If you use Outlook on both your computer and phone, you may need to change the theme in both places.
Key Takeaways
- Desktop Outlook stores theme settings under File > Options (Windows) or File > Preferences (Mac), in a section labeled Display or Appearance.
- Outlook on the web uses your profile picture menu and View settings to control whether the interface appears light or dark.
- Phone versions of Outlook usually pull the theme from your device's system settings unless you override it in the app itself.
- Dark mode reduces eye strain in low light and uses less battery on phones with OLED screens, while light mode is often easier to read in bright sunlight.
- Changing the theme affects only the Outlook interface — your email messages themselves stay the same color regardless of which theme you choose.
Changing the theme in Outlook desktop (Windows)
Open Outlook and click File in the top left corner. From the menu that appears, click Options. In the Options window, click General in the left sidebar. Look for a section labeled Personalization or Display — the exact name varies by Outlook version. You will see a dropdown menu or radio buttons with options like Light, Dark, and sometimes Use system setting.
Select the theme you want, then click OK at the bottom of the window. Outlook will explore the change when ready. If you chose Use system setting, Outlook will follow whatever theme your Windows system is set to — so if you switch Windows to dark mode, Outlook switches automatically without you having to return to this menu.
Changing the theme in Outlook for Mac
Click Outlook in the menu bar at the very top of your screen, then select Preferences. In the Preferences window, click General. Scroll down until you find Appearance or Display. You will see options for Light, Dark, or Automatic (which follows your Mac's system setting).
Choose your preferred theme and close the Preferences window. The change takes effect right away. If you select Automatic, your Outlook theme will match whatever appearance setting you have chosen in your Mac's System Preferences, so you only need to change it in one place.
Changing the theme in Outlook on the web
Sign into your Outlook account at outlook.com or outlook.office.com. In the top right corner, click your profile picture or initials. A small menu will drop down. Click View settings or Settings (the exact wording depends on your account type). In the settings panel that opens, click General in the left sidebar.
Look for Theme or Appearance and select Light, Dark, or Auto (which uses your browser or device's system setting). The change applies when ready in your browser. Unlike the desktop version, Outlook on the web does not require you to close and reopen anything — you will see the new theme as soon as you click away from the settings panel.
Changing the theme on Outlook mobile apps
On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Outlook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Display or Appearance. You will see options for Light, Dark, or Use device setting.
By default, most phones are set to Use device setting, which means Outlook will switch to dark mode automatically when your phone switches to dark mode (usually at sunset or when you manually enable it). If you want Outlook to stay in light mode even when your phone is in dark mode, select Light instead. The change takes effect as soon as you return to your inbox.
Why you might choose dark mode or light mode
Dark mode is easier on your eyes in dim lighting because it reduces the amount of bright light coming from your screen. If you check email in the evening or in a dark room, dark mode causes less eye strain. On phones with OLED screens (most newer iPhones and high-end Android phones), dark mode also uses slightly less battery power because black pixels require less energy than white ones.
Light mode is often easier to read in bright sunlight or in very well-lit rooms, where a dark screen can create too much contrast and make text harder to see. Some people also find light mode more familiar because it matches the appearance of printed paper. There is no objectively correct choice — it depends on where and when you read your email most often, and what feels comfortable to your eyes.
Keep in mind that changing Outlook's theme only changes the color of the Outlook interface itself — the buttons, menus, and sidebar. Your email messages appear the same way regardless of which theme you choose. If an email was written with a white background and black text, it will look that way whether you are viewing it in light or dark mode.
What to do if the theme setting does not appear
If you cannot find the theme or appearance setting, you may be using an older version of Outlook. Desktop versions older than Outlook 2016 do not have a built-in dark mode option. If you are on Windows, you can still enable dark mode system-wide through Windows Settings, and some older Outlook versions will follow that setting partially, though the result may not be perfect.
If you are using Outlook on the web and the setting is not visible, try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the page. Sometimes cached data can hide newer settings. If you are on a work or school account, your organization's administrator may have locked the theme setting, in which case you will not be able to change it — contact your IT department if you believe this is the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the theme in Outlook desktop also change it on Outlook on the web?
No. Each version of Outlook stores its own settings separately. If you use Outlook on your computer and also on the web, you need to change the theme in both places. Your phone version is also separate, though it may follow your device's system setting if you choose that option.
Will dark mode make my emails harder to read?
Dark mode changes only the Outlook interface, not the emails themselves. If an email has a white background with black text, it will still look that way in dark mode. However, if an email was poorly designed with dark text on a dark background, dark mode might make it harder to read — but that is a problem with the email design, not with Outlook's theme.
Can I set different themes for different times of day?
Not directly in Outlook. However, if you choose Automatic or Use system setting, you can set your device or operating system to switch themes automatically at sunset or at a specific time. Outlook will then follow that schedule without you having to change it manually.
What if I use Outlook through Microsoft 365 — does that change where the theme setting is?
No. Whether you have a standalone Outlook license or Outlook as part of Microsoft 365, the theme settings are in the same place. The difference is that Microsoft 365 includes other programs like Word and Excel, but Outlook's settings work the same way.
Does dark mode use less battery on my computer?
On laptops with OLED screens, dark mode uses slightly less battery, but most laptops use LCD screens where the difference is negligible. On phones with OLED screens, the battery savings are more noticeable. If battery life is your main concern, the theme choice matters much less than closing other apps or lowering your screen brightness.