Switching to dark mode in iOS apps goes beyond aesthetics—it conserves battery life, especially on OLED screens. Surprisingly, Apple's default browser, Safari, lacks a built-in dark mode option.
Fortunately, two effective workarounds deliver dark mode functionality: Safari's Reader View and iOS's Smart Invert feature. They're not as seamless as some third-party browsers, but they work reliably based on years of iOS testing.
Safari's Reader View strips away distractions like ads, focusing on core content. It also supports a dark background, making it an excellent dark mode alternative.
This feature works on supported sites like blogs and news outlets, typically on individual articles rather than homepages. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Navigate to a compatible blog or article. A "Reader View Available" banner appears in the address bar.
Step 2: Tap the Reader View icon (resembling stacked lines) left of the address bar to activate it.
Step 3: Tap the aA icon right of the URL bar. Choose the darkest theme from the menu.
Step 4: Tap outside to close the menu. Scroll to hide the address and navigation bars for an immersive dark reading experience.
Reader View resets on new pages, but your background preference persists—just reactivate as needed.
Reader View pairs well with dark backgrounds but isn't universal. For broader coverage, use iOS's Smart Invert, which inverts colors intelligently across the system while preserving images.
It simulates dark mode effectively in Safari, though minor visual quirks may occur. To avoid tedious Settings navigation, set up a quick shortcut:
Step 1: Open Settings > General > Accessibility.
Step 2: Scroll to Accessibility Shortcut under the Learning section and select it.
Step 3: Choose Smart Invert (disable others for faster access). Triple-click the Home or Side button to toggle.
Step 4: In Safari, triple-click the assigned button for instant dark mode. Repeat to disable. If multiple shortcuts are set, select from the menu.
Alternatively, add Accessibility Shortcuts to Control Center (swipe down from top-right on iOS 12+), then tap Smart Invert.
Unlike Reader View, Smart Invert affects the entire interface, including keyboards and share sheets—perfect for quick toggles.
Reader View offers a distraction-free dark reading experience on supported sites, though manual activation per page can be repetitive. Smart Invert fills the gaps with effortless shortcuts.
Both methods have minor limitations, but they're invaluable until Apple adds native Safari dark mode, as seen in apps like Books. Apply them widely, noting variable results in third-party apps.
Next: Clear your iPhone browsing history with our guide to clearing Safari cache and history on iPhone and iPad.
