Get Dark Mode on POCO Launcher: Easy Steps
Yes, you can get dark mode on POCO Launcher, and it takes less than a minute once you know where to look. You either switch your whole phone to dark mode (which the launcher follows automatically) or force the launcher itself into dark mode from its own settings. Below are the exact steps for both methods, plus what to do when the toggle seems missing.
What Dark Mode Does on POCO Launcher
POCO Launcher is the home screen app that ships with Xiaomi’s POCO phones (and is also available for other Android devices). Dark mode changes the launcher’s background surfaces—the app drawer, folder backgrounds, search bar, and the “At a Glance� widget—from white or light gray to near-black or dark gray. It does not change the look of third-party apps; each app has its own dark mode setting. The launcher simply provides the frame around your icons and widgets.
Method 1: Use System Dark Mode (Recommended)
The cleanest way is to set your phone to dark mode, and POCO Launcher will follow. This also darkens the notification shade, settings, and any other system UI that supports it.
- Open Settings on your POCO phone.
- Scroll to Display (sometimes called “Display & Brightness�).
- Tap Dark mode and toggle it on.
- If you want it to turn on automatically at sunset, tap Schedule and choose “Sunset to sunrise� or a custom time.
After this, POCO Launcher should immediately switch to dark. If it doesn’t, force-stop the launcher (Settings → Apps → POCO Launcher → Force stop) and reopen it.
Method 2: Force Dark Mode in POCO Launcher Settings
Some versions of POCO Launcher have their own dark mode toggle, which overrides the system setting. This is handy if you want a dark home screen but keep other apps in light mode.
- Long-press on an empty area of your home screen.
- Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the menu that appears.
- Scroll to Dark mode or Theme.
- Select Dark instead of “Light� or “System default�.
If you don’t see a dark mode option in the launcher settings, it means your version relies on the system setting. In that case, use Method 1.
Why the Dark Mode Toggle Might Be Missing
POCO Launcher updates frequently, and Xiaomi sometimes moves or removes the launcher-specific dark mode toggle. On newer versions (MIUI 12 and later), the launcher typically follows the system dark mode and does not have its own toggle. On older versions, the toggle was under “Settings → Theme�. If you can’t find it, check for a launcher update in the Google Play Store or the system app updater, then look again.
How to Turn Dark Mode On for Individual Apps
Dark mode on the launcher does not affect apps. To darken individual apps, you usually need to enable dark mode inside each app’s settings. Many apps (YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, etc.) have their own appearance settings. Some also respect the system dark mode automatically. For apps that don’t, you can try forcing dark mode via developer options on some phones, but that can cause display issues and is not recommended for everyday use.
Common Problems and Fixes
Here are a few issues you might run into and how to solve them:
- Dark mode doesn’t apply to the app drawer – Make sure the launcher is not being killed by battery optimization. Go to Settings → Apps → POCO Launcher → Battery saver and select “No restrictions�.
- Icons remain light – Icons are part of the icon pack, not the launcher theme. Change the icon pack in launcher settings if you want darker icons.
- Dark mode is too dark or too light – Some versions have a “Dark mode� with sub-options like “Enhanced� or “Dim�. Try those to adjust contrast.
- Launcher reverts to light after restart – This can happen if the system theme is set to “Light� and the launcher is not set to “System default�. Re-check both settings.
Does Dark Mode Save Battery?
Dark mode can save battery on OLED screens because black pixels are turned off entirely. POCO phones with AMOLED displays (like the POCO F series) will benefit slightly. On LCD screens (like many POCO X and M series), dark mode has little to no battery impact because the backlight is always on. The main benefit on LCD is reduced eye strain in low light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my POCO Launcher not dark even though my phone is in dark mode?
This usually happens when the launcher has been forced to light mode via its own settings, or the launcher needs a restart. Check the launcher’s settings for a theme override, and if none exists, force-stop the launcher.
Can I schedule dark mode on POCO Launcher?
Yes, if you use the system dark mode schedule. POCO Launcher itself does not have a schedule option, but it will follow the system’s schedule. Go to Settings → Display → Dark mode → Schedule.
Will dark mode affect my wallpaper?
No, dark mode only changes the launcher’s UI surfaces. Your wallpaper stays the same. If you want a darker wallpaper, you need to change it manually.
Does dark mode work on all POCO phones?
Yes, as long as you have POCO Launcher installed and your phone runs Android 8 or later. Older devices may have limited dark mode support in the launcher, but system dark mode should still work on Android 10 and above.
How do I turn dark mode off?
Simply reverse the steps: turn off system dark mode in Settings → Display, or set the launcher theme to “Light� in launcher settings.
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