Discord's sidebar color options are limited, but you can darken or lighten it through theme settings

Discord does not let you pick a custom color for the sidebar. Instead, you choose between a light theme and a dark theme, and the sidebar color changes automatically with whichever you pick. The dark theme makes the sidebar nearly black, and the light theme makes it pale gray. If you want the sidebar to look different from what these two options offer, you will need to use a third-party mod — but that carries security risks, since mods can access your login information and messages.

The safest approach is to use Discord's built-in themes. This guide walks you through switching between them on desktop and mobile, and explains why custom mods are not worth the risk.

Key Takeaways

  • Discord offers only two sidebar colors: dark (nearly black) and light (pale gray), controlled by switching between dark and light themes in User Settings.
  • The dark theme is the default and makes the sidebar blend with the rest of the interface, while the light theme brightens everything including the sidebar.
  • Third-party mods like BetterDiscord can change sidebar color to anything you want, but they require giving a program access to your Discord login and all your messages.
  • If you use a mod, change your Discord password when ready afterward, since the mod can capture it during installation.

How to switch themes on desktop

Open Discord on your computer. In the bottom left corner, click the gear icon to open User Settings. On the left side of the window, scroll down and click Appearance.

Under the Theme heading, you will see two options: Dark and Light. Click whichever one you prefer. The sidebar will change color when ready. Dark makes it nearly black; Light makes it pale gray. Close the settings window when you are done — your choice saves automatically.

How to switch themes on mobile

Open the Discord app on your phone. Tap the gear icon in the bottom right corner to open User Settings. Scroll down and tap Appearance.

Under Theme, tap either Dark or Light. The sidebar color changes right away. Go back to the main Discord screen to see the change take effect across the whole app.

Why custom sidebar colors require risky third-party mods

Discord's official app does not include a custom color picker for the sidebar. To get one, you have to install a mod like BetterDiscord, which modifies how Discord runs on your computer. These mods work by injecting code into Discord before it starts, which means they run with the same permissions Discord has — including access to your login token, all your messages, and any files you share.

When you install a mod, you are trusting the person who wrote it not to steal your account or read your private conversations. Even if the mod itself is safe, the installation process often requires you to paste your login token into a command window, which means the mod sees it in plain text. Discord's terms of service forbid using mods, so if Discord detects one, your account can be suspended.

What to do if you have already used a mod

If you installed BetterDiscord or another mod in the past, change your Discord password right now. Open Discord, click the gear icon, go to User Settings, then Account, and click Change Password. Enter your current password and your new one twice. This makes sure that if the mod captured your old password, it no longer works.

After you change your password, uninstall the mod. The exact steps depend on which mod you used, but most have an uninstall option in their own settings menu. If you are not sure how to remove it, search for the mod's name plus "uninstall" to find the official instructions.

The difference between dark and light theme

Discord's dark theme is the default. It makes the sidebar, message area, and all text dark gray or black, which reduces eye strain in low light and makes Discord blend into most computer setups. The light theme inverts these colors — the sidebar becomes pale gray, text becomes dark, and the whole interface looks like a typical office process.

Neither theme lets you pick the exact shade. Dark is always the same dark gray, and Light is always the same pale gray. If you want a sidebar that is, for example, blue or green or a different shade of gray, a mod is the only way — but the security cost makes it not worth it for most people.

Why Discord limits sidebar color options

Discord keeps sidebar colors locked to two options because the sidebar needs to contrast clearly with the message area and buttons so you can read everything. If users could pick any color, some would choose combinations that make text hard to read or make buttons invisible. By limiting the choice to dark and light, Discord makes sure the interface stays usable for everyone.

The two-theme system also keeps Discord's code simpler and faster. Every time Discord updates, the developers only have to test the interface in two color modes instead of thousands of custom combinations. This means updates roll out faster and bugs get caught sooner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the sidebar a different color on just one server?

No. The theme you choose in User Settings applies to all servers and direct messages. Discord does not have a per-server theme option. The only way to change sidebar color per server is through a mod, which carries the security risks described above.

Does changing the theme affect how other people see my messages?

No. Your theme choice only changes how Discord looks on your own device. Other people see your messages in whatever theme they have chosen for themselves. Changing from dark to light does not change anything about what you send or how it appears to others.

Will Discord ever add custom sidebar colors?

Discord has not announced plans to add a custom color picker. The company has kept the two-theme system for years, which suggests it is intentional. If you want to request the feature, you can post in Discord's feedback forum, but there is no may provide it will be added.

Is it safe to use BetterDiscord if I trust the person who made it?

Even if the creator has good intentions, using a mod violates Discord's terms of service and risks account suspension. The mod also requires access to your login information during installation. The safest choice is to stick with Discord's built-in dark and light themes.