[Updated: Sep. 13] Snapchat Dark mode for Android phones: Here's how to get the feature

Here’s the crux of the article in video form:

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on May 04, 2021) follows:

Not long ago, using a phone at night or in dimly lit rooms used to be a pain since our eyes had to bear the brunt of bright light that was blasted through the screens of our phones and laptops.

This was, and still is in some cases, because apps and websites only offered a white/light background or theme.

Luckily, most developers have introduced a dark mode to their apps that lets users give their eyes a break in low-light situations.

Snapchat was one of the last social media apps to implement a dark mode and that is currently only available on its iOS application. More details here.

Snapchat Inc. has not shared any details regarding the availability of dark mode on its Android app, meaning users will have to wait indefinitely to get a simple feature such as dark mode, at least officially.

Why did we mention ‘officially’ specifically? Well, that’s because there are a few ways to get a dark mode in the Snapchat app on Android unofficially.

So without any further ado, let’s check out the ways you can get dark mode in the Snapchat app on your Android smartphone.

Substratum: In case you’ve tried tinkering with your Android smartphone in the past, you’ve probably used Substratum or have at least heard of this theme engine.

Substratum lets you theme your device’s UI as well as third-party applications. Of course, you’ll need a rooted device for it to work and you may also have to purchase a theme such as Flux.

Force dark mode: Some OEMs such as Realme offer a force dark mode option in their skins. This allows users to force certain apps to use a dark mode even if they don’t support it officially.

Simply search for Dark Mode in the Settings menu on your Android smartphone and then find the option that says something like ‘Dark mode for third-party apps’ or ‘force enable dark mode’.

Alternatively, you can also force dark mode on some apps via the developer options.

First off, head to Settings > About phone > Tap on the build number until you see a message that says something like ‘Developer options unlocked’.

Now open the developer options via the Settings menu and then toggle on the force dark mode option.

DarQ app: Users who’ve got devices running on Android 10 can install the DarQ application to force enable per-app dark mode. Fortunately, you don’t even need a rooted device. However, you’ll need access to a computer to pass a few commands to get the DarQ app to work on your phone.

You can watch this tutorial to set up DarQ on your Android phone:

That said, these are the best ways you can get the dark mode in the Snapchat app on your Android phone.

None of these ‘workarounds’ will offer perfect results but are still worth trying out until the official dark mode arrives.

Going by reports, another tweak that can be used to get Snapchat Dark mode is to install the Preferences Manager app. After installing the app, choose Snapchat on the app’s home page and then open the APP_START_EXPERIMENT_PREFS.xml file.

Following that look for the “DARK_MODE” flag, set it to “ENABLED.” That’s all

Dark Mode app on Google Play Store is another option that can be used to enable the feature, as has been shared by a user in the following video:

Months have gone by since Snapchat first rolled out Dark Mode for the iOS app, however, Android users are still left in the dark (pardon the pun) regarding the availability of the feature.

The Snapchat beta app for Android picked up a new update on July 6 (version 11.36.0.36) but there are still no signs of the dark theme we’re all waiting for.

Responding to a user’s query regarding the availability of dark mode for the Snapchat Android app, the company’s support shared the steps to enable it:

To enable Dark Mode:

Tap ⚙️ in your Profile to open Settings
Tap ‘App Appearance’ under ‘My Account’
Select the ‘Always Dark’ option
To turn off Dark Mode, select the ‘Always Light’ option

Note: Dark Mode is rolling out slowly and may not be available to you just yet! (Source)

This is a bit strange since the Dark Mode feature isn’t even available on Android, yet. Hence, it’s possible that we might see the feature coming to the Android app soon. The note below the steps also says that Dark Mode is rolling out slowly. So let’s hope for a quicker rollout.

Some users say that the Dark Mode feature disappears for them and Snapchat revers back to using the Light theme on iOS. Fortunately, this seems to be fixed by updating the app to the latest version, as confirmed by an individual on Twitter.

my snap changed back to light mode but the option between light and dark mode isn’t there anymore??? and i’m too scared to update my snapchat bc of all the bugs people have tweeted about (Source)

i ended up updating it and it’s okay now!! (Source)

Snapchat picked up a new beta update on the Google Play Store as version 11.38.0.31 but there are still no signs of the Dark mode feature in the app.

Another day and another beta update is rolling out as version 11.39.0.30. Unfortunately, there’s still no Dark mode theme available for Android users and neither has Snapchat offered up any new explanation.

Snapchat has rolled out a new update that brings 3D Bitmoji to profiles, however, there’s still no signs of the Dark mode option in the Android app.

Snapchat has reportedly pushed a new update to bring 3D Bitmoji avatars to more Android users. However, the company has still not managed to bring the dark mode feature to the platform.

A lot of people are seemingly disapponted that Snapchat brought in the new Bitmoji feature instead of the long-requested Dark mode.

IST 16:04 pm: Snapchat support is still telling people that the Dark mode feature is rolling out slowly. However, the team is yet to share any details regarding the availability of the new mode.

Please Note: Dark Mode is rolling out slowly and may not be available to you just yet! (Source)

IST 12:10 pm: Snapchat Beta on Android has just picked up a new update as version 11.40.0.36. However, users who have installed this new beta note that still there’s no dark mode option.

IST 04:57 pm: Snapchat is rolling out the 3D Bitmoji to more Android users and iOS users but there are still no signs of dark mode in the Android app. Further, the app’s support team has stopped responding to user queries regarding the feature on Twitter, at least for the past week.

IST 02:03 pm: An individual shared a video on YouTube detailing a way to get dark mode working on the Snapchat app, however, it involves downloading a practically ancient version of the app. Check it out:

Note that if you do decide to follow this, you’ll end up losing many new features. Hence, it’s not something we’d recommend to everyone, but if you’re fine with the answer to the question “What did it cost?” being “Everything,” then go ahead and give it a shot.

IST 12:03 pm: When responding to a user request for info on when dark mode would be coming to Snapchat for Android, the platform’s official support handle goes to notify the user to stay tuned for an update to the Snapchat app.

Hi! Thanks for reaching out! Certain features roll out at different times. Please keep an eye on your device’s app store for new updates.
Source

Could this mean that the dark mode feature is rolling out to users? I guess there’s only one way to find out. Many thanks to one fakejohncena_ for the tip.

IST 06:03 pm: Snapchat rolled out a new beta update for the Android app as version 11.42.0.28 but there’s still no dark mode. So the wait continues…

IST 06:59 pm: Another Snapchat beta is live on the Google Play Store as version 11.42.0.33 sans the Dark mode option. Phew! It seems Snapchat developers are really struggling with implementing the dark theme on Android.

IST 04:43 pm: To celebrate India’s Independence day, Snapchat reportedly added a cool AR feature dubbed ‘Landmarker’ to superimpose an augmented reality embellishment of the tricolor on the India Gate. But while that was a fun addition, dark mode is still hidden away.

IST 04:43 pm: A new beta is here as version 11.41.0.36 on the Play Store, but as we’ve come to expect, there’s no signs of the dark mode option.

IST 04:11 pm: Those who don’t mind taking a bit of a risk can try out Snapchat++ to get Dark Mode on their Android phones as highlighted by an individual on YouTube. However, third-party apps may lead to a breach of your account, hence, proceed with caution.

IST 01:57 pm: Snapchat rolled out a new update for the beta version on Android as version 11.43.0.32 sans the dark mode option.

IST 03:35 pm: Snapchat support is straight-up lying to users on Twitter by responding to queries regarding the availability of dark mode for Android claiming that it’s rolling out already.

Hi, Dark Mode is rolling out slowly and may not be available to you just yet! (Source)

Of course, support agents are tied to canned responses most of the time. However, sharing confusing information isn’t the correct way.

IST 03:35 pm: There’s a new beta version for Snapchat — 11.44.0.26 — but there’s no dark mode, again.

IST 04:00 pm: Another beta version for Snapchat is out as 11.44.0.32 but dark mode still remains elusive for the Android app.

IST 03:50 pm: Snapchat is sending a notice to users about its new ‘Terms of Service’ that will come into effect on September 30, 2021. Here’s a screenshot of the major changes:

So it seems Snapchat will literally do everything else before they roll out the dark mode feature for Android phones. Nevertheless, we hope this statement does not turn out to be true.

IST 04:14 pm: Snapchat beta users on Android are getting a new update as version 11.44.0.36 sans the Dark mode option. So well, nothing new to see here, again.

IST 03:35 pm: Another beta update — version 11.45.0.29 — is rolling out but it too does not bring the much-awaited dark mode function to the Snapchat app on Android.

IST 05:29 pm: Another day and another Snapchat beta — 11.45.0.32 — is out sans the dark mode feature for Android. Hence, it appears you will have to resort to the various workarounds shared above until the real deal is available.

IST 05:29 pm: Yet again, another beta version of the Snapchat app on Android, version 11.45.0.33 is out, and still, there is no dark mode. Please note that this Beta version will only appear for you if you have signed up for the Snapchat beta program.

IST 12:32 pm: Once again, a new version of Snapchat for Android on the Play Store, this time, version 11.46.0.26 and still, no sign of Dark Mode.

IST 12:32 pm: Snapchat beta users are getting another update as version 11.46.0.30 but there’s nothing to be excited about as there are no front-end changes.

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