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Instagram Settings Guide · Updated October 2026

How to Turn On Dark Mode in Instagram DMs

Instagram messages do not have their own dark mode switch. DMs follow the app's appearance, which is set differently on iPhone, Android and the desktop website. Chat themes add a second layer that changes the look of one conversation.

iPhone steps Android steps Desktop & chat themes
Quick answer

How Do You Get Instagram Message Dark Mode?

Turn on dark mode for the whole Instagram app and your DMs turn dark too. On iPhone, use your phone's Display & Brightness setting. On Android, use Accessibility, then Dark mode inside Instagram. On a computer, use Switch appearance on Instagram.com.

To change the colors of a single chat, pick a chat theme from the conversation's settings.

iPhone Android Desktop Chat themes FAQ
iPhone

How to Turn On Instagram DM Dark Mode on iPhone

The Instagram app for iPhone has no in-app dark mode setting. It follows your iPhone's appearance.

1

Open iPhone Settings

Open the Settings app and tap Display & Brightness.

2

Choose Dark

Under Appearance, select Dark. Turn on Automatic if you want it to switch at sunset.

3

Reopen Instagram

Open Instagram and go to your messages. The inbox and chats now use the dark look.

Android

How to Turn On Instagram DM Dark Mode on Android

On Android, Instagram has its own dark mode setting. It needs Android 10 or later and only changes the Instagram app.

1

Open your profile menu

Tap your profile picture, then the three-line menu at the top right.

2

Go to Accessibility

Under "Your app and media", tap Accessibility, then Dark mode.

3

Pick On or System default

Choose On for permanent dark mode, or System default to follow your phone's Dark theme. Menu names can vary by app version.

Computer

How to Use Dark Mode for Instagram Messages on Desktop

On Instagram.com, dark mode is a setting on the website itself and applies to your messages as well.

1

Open the More menu

Sign in on Instagram.com and click More (the three-line icon) at the bottom left.

2

Click Switch appearance

Select Switch appearance and turn on Dark mode.

3

Repeat per device

The setting only applies to the device and browser where you change it.

Chat themes

How to Change a Chat Theme in Instagram DMs

Chat themes change the background and message bubbles of one conversation. Several themes use dark backgrounds, so they are a way to make a single chat darker.

Open chat settings

In the Instagram app, open the conversation and tap the person's or group's name at the top to open its settings.

Choose a theme

Tap Theme, then pick a theme or a solid color or gradient. Each conversation can have its own theme.

Everyone sees it

A chat theme changes for everyone in the conversation, and the chat shows a note that the theme was changed.

Turn it off

How to Turn Off Dark Mode in Instagram DMs

Going back to light messages uses the same settings in reverse.

iPhone

Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness and choose Light. If Automatic is on, Instagram will switch again at sunset, so turn Automatic off to stay in light mode.

Android

In Instagram, go to Accessibility, then Dark mode, and choose Off. Off keeps Instagram light even when your phone uses a dark theme.

Desktop and chats

On Instagram.com, open More, then Switch appearance, and turn dark mode off. For a dark chat theme, open the chat settings and pick a lighter theme or the default one.

Troubleshooting

Instagram DM Dark Mode Not Working?

If your messages stay light, update the Instagram app and check that your phone's appearance is set to Dark. On Android, make sure Instagram's Dark mode is not set to Off, which overrides the system. If only one chat looks different, it is using a chat theme.

More settings

Other Instagram Message Settings Worth Knowing

Dark mode changes how your chats look. To control who reaches you, see how to mute someone on Instagram, how to unmute Notes on Instagram, and how to turn off active status on Instagram so people cannot see when you are online.

FAQ

Instagram Message Dark Mode FAQ

Is there a separate dark mode for Instagram DMs?
No. Instagram DMs follow the app's dark mode. Chat themes can make one conversation darker, but they are not a dark mode setting.
How do I turn on Instagram message dark mode on iPhone?
Go to iPhone Settings, then Display & Brightness, and choose Dark. Instagram for iPhone has no in-app switch.
How do I get Instagram DM dark mode on Android?
In Instagram, open your profile menu, tap Accessibility, then Dark mode, and choose On or System default. It needs Android 10 or later.
Can I use dark mode for Instagram messages on a computer?
Yes. On Instagram.com, click More, then Switch appearance, and turn on Dark mode.
Does changing a chat theme notify the other person?
The theme changes for everyone in the conversation, and the chat shows that it was changed.