How to Turn On Dark Mode in Teams (2026)
Dark mode gives Microsoft Teams a darker, lower-glare interface that’s easier on the eyes in low light. It’s a per-app setting that takes two clicks. Here’s how to turn it on everywhere.
Turn On Dark Mode on Desktop
- Next to your profile picture, click Settings and more (the …).
- Choose Settings.
- Open Appearance and accessibility (called General in some versions).
- Under Theme, click Dark.
The change applies instantly — no restart needed in current versions. The other options are Light and High contrast (for maximum legibility).
Turn On Dark Mode on the Web
The web version of Teams follows the same path:
- Settings and more (…) > Settings.
- Appearance and accessibility > Theme > Dark.
Note that some browsers also have their own dark-mode extensions — if the web app looks odd, disable those and use the built-in Teams theme.
Turn On Dark Mode on Mobile (iOS/Android)
- Tap your profile picture (top-left).
- Tap Settings > Appearance (or General > Theme).
- Choose Dark, or System default to follow your phone’s setting.
On mobile, System default ties Teams’ theme to your phone’s light/dark schedule automatically.
Troubleshooting
Dark mode won’t apply or looks half-changed
Close Teams completely and reopen it. On the desktop app, fully quit from the system tray (not just close the window) so it reloads the theme.
There’s no theme option in settings
You may be on an older or admin-locked build. Update Teams (Settings and more > Check for updates), and if it’s still missing, your org may control appearance via policy.
My phone is dark but Teams stays light
Set the mobile theme to System default so it follows the phone, or pick Dark explicitly in Teams settings.
Meeting windows are still bright
Some shared content and embedded apps render in their own colors regardless of your theme — that’s the content, not your Teams setting.
Quick Reference
| Goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Turn on dark mode | Settings > Appearance and accessibility > Theme > Dark |
| Match your phone (mobile) | Theme > System default |
| Maximum legibility | Choose High contrast theme |
| Fix a stuck theme | Fully quit and reopen Teams |
| Add the option | Update Teams to the latest version |
Related Teams guides: How to change your status in Teams · How to mute notifications in Teams · How to change your profile picture in Teams · How to blur your background in Teams · How to change your name on Teams
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