LinkedIn is one of the most popular social media platforms for professionals. With over 740 million users worldwide, LinkedIn allows people to connect with colleagues, discover new job opportunities, share content, and more.
One common feature that many apps and websites offer nowadays is a dark mode or night mode. This switches the color scheme from light to dark, creating a darker aesthetic that is easier on the eyes in low light environments.
Many LinkedIn users have wondered if the LinkedIn mobile app offers a dark mode option. In this article, we’ll take a look at whether LinkedIn has dark mode for its iOS and Android apps and how you can enable it if available.
Does LinkedIn Have a Dark Mode?
The short answer is yes, LinkedIn does have a dark mode, but only for its Android app so far.
The LinkedIn app for iOS does not currently have a built-in dark mode. However, the LinkedIn Android app does offer a dark theme that users can toggle on.
So Android users can enjoy a darker LinkedIn interface, while iOS users will have to rely on their device’s system-wide dark mode for now.
Let’s look at how to use dark mode on each platform in more detail.
Dark Mode on LinkedIn for Android
The LinkedIn app for Android allows users to easily switch between light and dark themes. Here are the steps to enable dark mode:
1. Open the LinkedIn app on your Android device.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner.
3. In the menu that pops up, tap ‘Settings & Privacy’.
4. Under ‘General Account Settings’, toggle the switch next to ‘Dark theme’ to the on position.
Once you enable dark theme, you’ll notice the LinkedIn app interface turn to a black/dark gray color scheme. All menus, pages, and content will display in dark mode.
To switch back to the regular light theme, just toggle ‘Dark theme’ to the off position. The setting takes effect right away.
So Android users can conveniently find the dark mode option within the LinkedIn app itself.
Dark Mode on LinkedIn for iOS
Unlike the Android version, the LinkedIn app for iOS unfortunately does not have its own built-in dark mode currently.
However, iOS users can take advantage of the system-wide dark mode on their iPhone or iPad to also get LinkedIn to display in a darker color scheme.
Here’s how to use iOS dark mode for the LinkedIn app:
1. Make sure you have iOS 13 or later installed on your device. This is required for system-wide dark mode.
2. Open the Settings app on your iPhone/iPad.
3. Tap on ‘Display & Brightness’.
4. Under the ‘Appearance’ heading, select the ‘Dark’ option to turn on dark mode across iOS.
Once activated, open the LinkedIn app and it should now display with a black background and white text. The dark scheme will apply across all views in LinkedIn for iOS.
To revert back to regular mode, just choose the ‘Light’ appearance option in your iOS settings.
The downside here is you have to toggle dark mode on/off at the system level rather than within LinkedIn itself. So if you only want LinkedIn to be in dark mode, this approach doesn’t offer that flexibility.
Hopefully LinkedIn will add a proper built-in dark theme option to its iOS app in the future for more control. But for now, system-wide dark mode is the only way for iPhone/iPad users to get a darker LinkedIn experience.
The Pros and Cons of Dark Mode
Why do people like using dark mode in apps and websites? Here are some of the major pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Less eyestrain – Staring at bright white screens in low light can strain your eyes. Dark mode creates less glare.
- Improved readability – Dark text on a light background can seem harsh. Light text on dark cuts down glare.
- Saves battery life – Dark pixels use less power on some screens like OLED displays.
- Creates a stylish look – Many find dark schemes more modern and sleek.
Cons
- Reduced accessibility – Light mode typically offers the most contrast for those with visual impairments.
- Important details hard to see – Subtle elements can get lost on an overly dark background.
- Disorientation – Switching between light and dark modes can be confusing for some users.
- Astigmatism issues – People with astigmatism might find dark mode strains their eyes more.
So dark mode isn’t universally better for all users and use cases. The ideal is giving people the choice based on their individual preferences and vision needs.
Is Dark Mode Better for Battery Life?
One commonly touted benefit of dark mode is improved battery life, especially on devices with OLED displays like newer iPhones. Is this claim accurate?
The answer is: it depends. Here are the key factors:
How OLED displays work
Unlike LCD screens, OLED displays illuminate each individual pixel. Displaying black pixels requires no power at all. So in theory, dark mode interfaces save battery by turning unused pixels off.
Testing confirms minor improvement
Lab tests by outlets like Tom’s Guide have found dark mode can extend battery life on OLED phones by anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour compared to light mode. However the gains are not huge.
Other variables affect battery more
While dark mode saves some power, other factors like brightness level, activity usage, and battery health play bigger roles in battery drain. So dark mode gives a slight boost but isn’t a magic bullet for dramatically longer battery life.
In summary, the battery life benefits of dark mode are real but modest on OLED displays. It’s not a game-changing battery saver but a nice little perk.
Should You Use Dark Mode?
So should you use dark mode on LinkedIn and other apps? Here are some tips on deciding:
- Test it out over a few days – See if you like the aesthetic look and find it easier to read.
- Consider your environment – Dark mode works best in dimmer indoor settings.
- Evaluate eye comfort – Check if dark mode reduces eyestrain for you personally.
- Check text/details – Make sure you can still see all interface elements clearly.
- Think about accessibility – Weigh if you need light mode’s higher contrast.
The bottom line is dark mode offers some legitimate benefits for many users. But it also comes with tradeoffs to weigh. Try enabling it on your devices and see if the pros outweigh any cons based on your usage and vision.
Dark modes are here to stay and offer an appealing alternative look for many situations. But good old tried and true light mode still has its place as well, especially for accessibility needs. Having options is ideal.
Conclusion
To wrap up, LinkedIn does offer a dark mode, but only in its Android mobile app so far. iOS users can access system-wide iOS dark mode for now but lose the ability to toggle specifically within LinkedIn.
Dark mode provides some nice benefits like reduced eye strain and stylish aesthetics. But it also comes with drawbacks to consider, so decide what works best for your needs and preferences.
Hopefully this breakdown gave you a better understanding of how to access dark mode in LinkedIn and whether it’s worth using or not based on the pros and cons. Let your eyes enjoy a break from bright light when you need it!