Facebook is getting a dark mode makeover for mobile

Facebook is working on a dark mode for its mobile app giving you an alternative to the current stark white design.

Researcher Jane Manchun Wong, who frequently combs through code in search of new features, did some digging into the Android app, and discovered that Facebook was working on a new, darker look.

• How to delete Facebook
• Google Chrome for desktop is finally getting a dark mode
• Check out the best Android apps to download in 2019

The dark color scheme is clearly still a work in progress, and Manchun Wong's discoveries show some of the problems that have dogged many other apps' dark modes, including dark colored text that's almost unreadable against a black background.

Nevertheless, it's a refreshing change for the app, which became even brighter and whiter with the launch of the new FB5 interface earlier this year. Whereas the app had previously made heavy use of the color blue, FB5 is dazzling, which can make for uncomfortable reading at night.

The FB5 design was applied to the apps for both Android and iOS, so it stands to reason that if the dark mode would be rolled out to both.

Dark times

Facebook is fairly late to the dark mode party, and there's no estimate of when the new interface will be available, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. By waiting, Facebook will be able to learn from the experiences of developers who have been quicker to create dark modes for their apps.

For example, Google is working on an update for Chrome that will stop the browser inverting the colors of all images in dark mode – something an image-heavy app like Facebook will want to avoid.

• 10 best Android phones 2019: which one should you choose?

Via Android Police