macOS Catalina makes your Mac’s dark mode smarter. From now on you can choose to switch dark mode on and off automatically. iPhone shows how to do this.
Activate automatic dark mode in macOS Catalina
Since Mojave, the Mac has a dark mode. This gives all apps and settings with white space a dark touch. The dark mode is not only nicer for your eyes, but also a lot more energy efficient. With macOS Catalina, dark mode gets a bit smarter.
From now on you no longer have to manually switch dark mode on or off, but your Mac can arrange this itself. The dark mode then switches on automatically as soon as the sun goes down. This way you can relax in the hours before you go to bed. As soon as daylight breaks through, dark mode automatically turns off and the screen is bright again.
Here’s how to enable macOS Catalina’s automatic dark mode:
- Perhaps unnecessarily, but make sure your Mac (Book) is updated to macOS Catalina;
- Go to ‘System Preferences’ and tap ‘General’;
- At ‘Display’, choose the last option: ‘Automatic’.
The automatic dark mode works on the basis of sunset and sunrise. The exact time at which the mode switches on and off therefore differs from day to day. If you prefer to keep control over the brightness of your screen, it is better to manually switch between light and dark display.
More about macOS Catalina
macOS Catalina is the annual major update for the Mac and adds multiple improvements. Check out our article on the main macOS Catalina features for an overview. A handy feature is Sidecar, with which you can use an iPad as a second screen. Still unsure whether you should update? Then check the macOS Catalina review.
Read the latest news about macOS Catalina
- Taking screenshots on your Mac (Book): this is how you do it (26-3)
- macOS Battery condition: this way your MacBook battery stays healthy for longer (24-1)
- Is your MacBook getting very hot since the last update? Then try these solutions (10/2/2020)
- macOS 10.15.7 Now Available: Fixes Wi-Fi bug and iMacs graphics issues (9/25/2020)
- Latest macOS Catalina update fixes Wi-Fi and iCloud Drive bugs (11-9-2020)