TikTok is a popular short-form video app that launched in 2016 under the name Douyin in China, before expanding internationally as TikTok the following year. The app quickly became one of the world’s fastest growing social platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2021.
TikTok allows users to create, view, and share 15-60 second videos covering a variety of content from dance trends to comedy skits and more. It utilizes an AI-powered recommendation system called the “For You” page that personalizes content for each user based on their interactions. This algorithmic feed is key to TikTok’s addictive nature and rapid growth.
The app is particularly popular among Gen Z, with over 60% of U.S. teens reporting using it. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is now one of the most valuable private companies in the world.
Popularity of Dark Modes
Dark modes have grown increasingly popular over recent years, with various studies showing a rise in usage across different apps and platforms. According to one report, up to 85% of users prefer dark mode when using e-reading apps and devices. Surveys also indicate over 80% of users enable dark mode when available for desktop apps like Microsoft Office (source). Gmail data from August 2022 shows 34% of users opening emails in dark mode, up significantly from just 0.35% in late 2020 (source). The rise in dark mode popularity can be attributed to various factors like improved readability, reduced eye strain, and personal preference.
Benefits of Dark Modes
Dark modes provide several advantages for users, making them highly desired on apps like TikTok. One of the main benefits is less eye strain. The high contrast of light text on dark backgrounds reduces the brightness emitting from the screen, putting less strain on eyes (source). This makes it easier to use devices in low light situations and for longer periods of time.
Along with less eye strain, dark modes offer better nighttime viewing. The darker screen reduces problems with glare and makes it easier to use devices in the dark before bedtime (source). This can help avoid disruption of circadian rhythms and melatonin release, allowing for better sleep. Dark modes also conserve battery life, particularly on devices with OLED displays where black pixels use less energy (source).
User Requests for TikTok Dark Mode
Many TikTok users have been requesting a dark mode feature for the app. This is evident through numerous posts on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit asking TikTok to implement a dark theme.
For example, there are several tweets directly mentioning the @tiktok_us account asking “when will TikTok add a dark mode?” and saying “Please add a dark mode to the TikTok app” [1].
Additionally, a petition on Change.org asking TikTok to create a dark mode had over 7,500 supporters at one point, showing the demand for this feature among users [2]. The petition’s description highlights the benefits of a dark theme, like reducing eye strain.
There are also many Reddit threads on subreddits like r/TikTok and r/apps discussing the lack of dark mode on TikTok and asking when it will be implemented.
TikTok’s Response
Up to this point, TikTok has not officially addressed the lack of a dark mode for its app. The company has not released any public statements regarding dark mode or acknowledged the many user requests for the feature. According to TikTok’s Help Center page https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings/dark-mode, there is no system-wide dark mode option within the TikTok app. The Help Center outlines how users can dim their screen and enable dark mode on their device, but this only changes the phone’s display settings and not the TikTok app itself.
Overall, TikTok has been silent in response to users asking for a built-in dark mode. The company has not provided any official rationale or timeline for implementing this popularly requested feature. Based on the lack of acknowledgment from TikTok so far, it appears that dark mode is not a priority for the platform at this time.
Possible Reasons for Lack of Dark Mode
TikTok’s lack of a native dark mode can likely be attributed to a few key factors related to the platform’s development priorities and design challenges.
One reason is that dark mode may not be as high a priority for TikTok compared to other new features. As a fast-growing social media app, TikTok is focused on building features that attract and retain users, such as new video editing tools, augmented reality lenses, and ecommerce capabilities [1]. Dark mode, while desired by some users, may not provide the same level of competitive advantage.
Implementing dark mode also poses some design challenges. TikTok’s interface relies heavily on bold colors, graphics, typography, and video clips. Converting all of these elements to be dark mode-friendly requires extensive design thinking to maintain visual consistency and branding [2]. Additionally, the mix of user-generated content on TikTok complicates dark mode implementation.
While these factors help explain the lack of native dark mode, TikTok may still prioritize developing it given strong user demand. But overcoming the development and design hurdles likely accounts for the delayed release.
Workarounds
Although TikTok does not yet have an official dark mode built into the app, some users have found workarounds to enable a pseudo dark mode for the TikTok app on their devices.
One option is to use your device’s system-wide dark mode settings. On Android phones running Android 10 and up, you can turn on system-wide dark mode in the Display settings. When enabled, this will make all apps with dynamic color schemes turn dark, including TikTok (Source: https://support.google.com/android/answer/9643124?hl=en). Similarly, on iPhones running iOS 13 and up, enabling dark mode in the Settings app will make TikTok dark (Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208976).
Another workaround is using third party apps that can force TikTok into dark mode. Apps like Hex Installer (Android) and Eclipse Dark Mode (iOS) allow applying custom themes and colors to specific apps, including TikTok (Source: https://www.sportskeeda.com/gaming-tech/how-enable-dark-mode-tiktok-android-ios-2023). However, these may require root or jailbreak access on your device.
While not official dark modes, these workarounds allow TikTok users to enable darker color schemes for the app manually. However, an integrated dark mode option within TikTok would be more convenient and accessible.
Dark Mode Implementation Challenges
Implementing a dark mode for an app like TikTok poses some significant technical challenges. The most obvious is the need to overhaul the codebase to support alternate color schemes and styling (Source). Whereas light mode apps often rely on black text on a white background, dark mode requires inverting those colors while maintaining legibility and usability.
This code change impacts everything from text colors to background images to logo display. Developers need to ensure that all UI elements display properly in both light and dark modes across platforms. They may need to create special dark mode versions of some graphical assets as well (Source).
Extensive testing is critical to catch any display or usability issues. Developers must check that dark mode works properly on different devices, operating systems, and for visually impaired users. Apps also need to allow users to easily toggle between modes. Overall, implementing a polished, bug-free dark mode requires significant development resources.
Outlook for the Future
While TikTok has not officially announced plans to implement a native dark mode, there are some signs it could be coming in the future. In 2020, references to “dark mode” were discovered in the TikTok Android app code by cybersecurity firm Traced, indicating TikTok may have been testing or developing the feature (TikTok Help Center).
Additionally, the rollout of dark mode on platforms like iOS, Android, and desktop web browsers has made the feature increasingly expected by users. With competitors like Instagram offering a dark theme, the demand for TikTok to add a dark mode option will likely continue to grow.
While TikTok has not provided any official timeline for releasing a native dark mode, the company seems aware of user requests and may potentially be working on developing and testing the feature. However, adding dark mode is a complex process requiring significant engineering resources, so TikTok may be prioritizing other initiatives for now. But users looking for a darker viewing experience shouldn’t lose hope – there’s a chance dark mode could arrive in a future TikTok app update.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok is one of the only major social media platforms that has yet to implement a dark mode, despite many requests from users. While TikTok has not provided a clear reason for this, potential challenges include prioritizing other product development, technical constraints, and ensuring ads remain visible and effective. However, as dark modes grow in popularity across apps and operating systems, TikTok will likely roll out the feature eventually to meet user demand and keep up with competitors.
For now, users have some limited workarounds like using phone settings and third party apps to darken TikTok’s interface. But an official dark mode would provide the best experience. With TikTok’s rapid growth and constant iteration on new features, users hoping for a dark mode shouldn’t lose hope. But they may need to keep requesting the feature or wait patiently for TikTok to fully prioritize and implement it.
