What changing app colors actually means

Changing app colors means adjusting the visual appearance of an process — usually the background, text, buttons, or overall theme — to match your preference or make the app easier to read. Most apps let you pick between a light theme (white or bright backgrounds) and a dark theme (dark backgrounds with light text), and some let you customize individual colors.

The location of these settings varies by app. Some put a theme option in the main menu, others hide it in account settings or preferences, and a few don't offer color changes at all. On phones and computers, you can also force many apps to follow your system-wide dark mode or light mode setting, which overrides the app's default colors.

This is different from changing your phone's or computer's overall appearance — that's a system-level setting that affects everything at once. App color changes only affect that one program.

Key Takeaways

  • Most apps have a theme or appearance setting in their menu or preferences, usually labeled "Dark Mode," "Light Mode," or "Theme."
  • On phones and computers, you can often force apps to use your system's dark mode or light mode setting instead of their default colors.
  • Some apps let you pick specific colors for backgrounds, text, or accents, while others only offer preset light and dark options.
  • If an app doesn't have a built-in color option, your phone or computer's accessibility settings may let you invert colors or increase contrast for the entire screen.

Finding the color or theme setting in an app

Start by opening the app and looking for a menu icon — usually three horizontal lines, three dots, or a gear symbol. Tap or click it and scan for words like "Settings," "Preferences," "Appearance," "Theme," or "Display." The color option is often grouped with other visual settings.

If you don't see a menu icon on the main screen, try tapping your profile picture or account name, which often opens a menu with settings inside. Some apps also hide appearance settings in a "More" or "Advanced" section at the bottom of the menu.

Once you find the setting, you'll usually see options like "Light," "Dark," or "Auto" (which switches based on your system setting or time of day). Tap the one you want and the app should change when ready.

Using your phone's system dark mode to change app colors

On both iPhones and Android phones, you can turn on dark mode at the system level, and many apps will automatically follow that setting. This is faster than changing colors in each app individually.

On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and choose Dark. On an Android phone, go to Settings, tap Display, and turn on Dark Theme or Dark Mode (the exact name varies by phone brand). You can also set it to turn on automatically at sunset and turn off at sunrise.

Not every app respects your system dark mode setting — some have their own default that overrides it. If an app stays light when your phone is in dark mode, open that app's settings and manually switch it to dark theme if the option exists.

Changing app colors on a computer

On Windows, right-click the desktop, choose Personalize, then click Colors. You can select Dark, Light, or Custom, and toggle "Use dark mode" to force most apps to use dark colors. Some apps will follow this setting automatically; others require you to change their theme inside the app itself.

On a Mac, click the Apple menu, choose System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click General, and select Dark or Light under Appearance. Again, many apps will follow this setting, but some have their own theme option you need to change separately.

If an app doesn't have a color option and doesn't respect your system setting, check the app's preferences or settings menu — the option might be labeled "Match system appearance" or "Use system theme."

When an app doesn't have a color option

Some apps, especially older ones or less common programs, don't offer a built-in way to change colors. If that's the case, your phone or computer's accessibility settings may help. Both phones and computers have options to invert colors, increase contrast, or explore filters to the entire screen, which affects all apps at once.

On an iPhone, go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then Display & Text Size, and look for options like Invert Colors or Increase Contrast. On Android, go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then Display, and choose Color Correction or Contrast. On Windows, go to Settings, click Accessibility, then Display, and toggle High Contrast. On a Mac, go to System Settings, click Accessibility, then Display, and adjust the options there.

These system-level changes affect everything on your screen, not just one app, so they're a last resort if the app itself doesn't cooperate.

Why apps have color options

Dark mode reduces eye strain in low-light environments and uses less battery power on phones with OLED screens (which turn off pixels to display black). Light mode is easier to read in bright sunlight and for people with certain vision conditions. Apps offer both so you can pick what works for your situation.

Some people also prefer one mode for work and another for evening use, or switch based on the time of day. That's why many apps let you set it to "Auto" — the app changes automatically at sunset and sunrise, or follows your phone's system setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing an app's color affect other apps?

No. Changing colors inside one app only affects that app. If you change your phone's or computer's system dark mode, most apps will follow it, but each app can override that setting with its own theme choice.

Can I make an app a different color than just light or dark?

Most mainstream apps only offer light and dark themes. Some apps, especially social media platforms and music services, let you pick accent colors or custom themes, but this varies widely. Check the app's settings menu to see what options are available.

Why does an app stay light even though my phone is in dark mode?

The app either doesn't support system dark mode, or it has its own theme setting that overrides the system choice. Open the app's settings and look for a Theme or Appearance option, then manually switch it to dark if available.

Does dark mode actually save battery?

On phones with OLED screens (most newer iPhones and many Android phones), dark mode uses less battery because black pixels are turned off. On phones with LCD screens, dark mode makes little difference to battery life. The main benefit is reduced eye strain in low light.

Can I change colors for just part of an app?

Most apps don't let you customize individual elements — you pick a preset theme and everything changes together. Some apps let you adjust accent colors or highlight colors separately, but this is less common. Check the app's full settings menu to see what's possible.