safari dark reader free

How-To Geek

How to get dark mode for all websites on mac.

Loving the dark mode feature on your Mac? Wish you could apply it to every website you visit? Well, there's an extension for that!

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How to use dark reader in chrome and firefox, how to use dark reader in safari.

Now that macOS Mojave has a dark mode , wouldn't it be neat if all websites automatically switched to dark mode along with the system interface? It's possible using the Dark Reader extension for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

While we're talking about the same extension, the implementations are different between Safari and Chrome (along with Firefox). We'll cover both versions below.

Related: How to Enable Dark Mode in macOS Mojave

The Dark Reader extension for Chrome and Firefox is simple and straightforward to use. If you've ever used an extension in the browser before, you'll feel right at home.

Once you've installed the Dark Reader Chrome or Firefox extension (links above), click on the "Dark Reader" extension icon.

Click on the "On" button to enable dark mode. All open websites will instantly switch to a dark theme.

All black text and white backgrounds will be inverted. When it comes to colors and images, nothing will be touched.

To disable the dark mode on a given site, click on the extension and then select the "Toggle Current Site" button.

In the "Filter" tab, you'll find the dark mode settings. From here, you can switch to light mode and change the contrast ratio. You can also add a sepia or a grayscale filter.

To manage the blacklist, click on the "Sites" tab. From here, you can add or remove websites that will always be shown in the light mode.

Chrome's interface supports Mac's system appearance. So when you enable dark mode on your Mac, the Chrome UI will also switch to dark mode. But that doesn't apply to the Dark Reader extension.

Chrome also has a built-in brute-force dark mode. You can go to the Flags section and enable the "Force Dark Mode for Web Contents" flag to get dark mode on all websites. Read our guide for detailed instructions for enabling the flag .

Related: How to Force Dark Mode on Every Website in Google Chrome

Safari handles extensions differently than Chrome and Firefox. Safari extensions are now distributed as apps on the App Store. This is one of the reasons why Dark Reader costs $4.99 on the Mac App Store while it's available for free on Chrome and Firefox.

The Safari version has one major advantage: It syncs with the global dark mode in macOS. So when you enable the dark mode in macOS (easily done using the NightOwl utility), all the websites will instantly shift to a dark theme as well.

Once you've purchased the Dark Reader extension , open the app. From the app window, click on the "Activate for Safari" button.

This will open the Extensions panel in Safari. Click on the checkmark next to "Dark Reader" to activate the extension.

You'll now see a Dark Reader icon in the Safari toolbar . Click on the "Dark Reader" button to see all options and settings.

To enable the dark mode for all websites, click the "On" button. Switch to the "Auto" mode to automatically toggle dark mode based on your Mac's system preferences.

If the images and icon don't look quite right to you, make sure the "Dynamic Mode" is enabled (it's much better than the Filter mode).

If you want to disable dark mode for the current website, click on the "Enabled For Current Website" button. You can change the brightness and the contrast using the slider in the extension menu.

Click on the "Settings" button for more options. From here, you can disable the dark mode for all websites by default. The "Theme" option will let you set up a custom theme for every website.

Now that you have a system-wide dark mode on the Mac, learn how you can enable it on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 13, iPadOS 13, or higher.

Related: How to Enable Dark Mode on your iPhone and iPad

How to enable Dark Mode on Facebook, Amazon, YouTube, Google Search, Wikipedia, Twitter and many other websites?

• Dark Reader for Chrome
• Dark Reader for Firefox
• Dark Reader for Safari
• Dark Reader for Edge

Dark Reader is an open source eye-care browser extension. It doesn't send user's data anywhere. Trusted by 5,000,000 users. Developed since 2014. Support us . Good luck!

Dark Reader: Dark mode for every website on your Mac and Windows PC

Alex Hernandez | December 4, 2022 August 25, 2021 Tech , Apple

For some, dark mode is fairly new, but for many dark mode has been around for a while and was actually a popular mod implemented in Android custom ROMs back when I lived in that world. Many mainstream websites now offer a dark mode or dark theme. Facebook, Twitter, MeWe, and even Google are all rolling out their dark mode versions.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

UPDATE: Dark Reader is now available on Chrome and Firefox as extensions. It seems to work just as well on Windows as it does on Mac. Read the rest of this article for more on Dark Reader.

But the fact remains that not all websites offer this, and many will probably never offer it. Enter Dark Reader for Safari. I’ve been testing out alternative browsers for the past few months and landed back on Safari to have a go with it again. It’s been many years since I’ve used Safari, opting instead for Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and, more recently, Brave Browser .

As I’ve been diving back into Safari over the past few weeks, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the improvements Apple has made to its native browser. I especially love the redesigned and more useful Start Page. Whatever they did with this now works much better for my workflow. But I’ve also discovered more extensions than ever before that are useful to me. Dark Reader is one of these.

Basically, Dark Reader turns dark mode on for every website you visit on Safari. Once you install the Dark Reader from the Mac AppStore, you will be asked to turn it on under Safari Extensions. Turn it on, and the Dark Reader logo will appear on the toolbar. Here you can turn Dark Reader ON, OFF, or set it to AUTO. You can also disable Dark Reader on any website from here. This is handy when the site you’re on already has dark mode enabled.

When a website already has dark mode enabled, Dark Reader can make things look a little wonky so being able to disable it by the website is useful. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast from the toolbar menu. You can also switch from Dynamic to Filter mode; Dynamic seems to give the best results.

I’ve been using Dark Reader for a few weeks now, and it works very well, but it’s also not perfect. As I mentioned, some sites already have dark mode enabled, and Dark Reader still changes that website’s colors. If you don’t know that site has dark mode enabled, the site may look a bit off. It’s not a huge deal cause you can toggle it off and check to see if that’s the issue.

Another problem with Dark Reader is that it has occasionally farted out on me and doesn’t allow access to the menu. In this case, I go to Safari extensions in preferences and toggle it off and back on. Then I can get back to normal—mostly minor annoyances for me.

You can find Dark Reader on the Mac AppStore , it does have a small cost, but it is worth it to me. Dark Reader also does not collect any personal data, which is a plus.

Dark mode isn’t for everyone, but I have found that it really helps eye strain for me. I even use it on the backend of our website, with a few hiccups now and then. There may be similar solutions for Chrome, Edge, and others that I am not aware of. If there are, feel free to share them on our social media channels. You can also comment on our  MeWe page  by joining the MeWe social network.

Last Updated on December 4, 2022.

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How to Get Dark Mode Everywhere in Safari for Mac

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer specializing in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, and Google web apps. Besides Guiding Tech, you can read his work at iPhone Hacks, Online Tech Tips, Help Desk Geek, MakeUseOf, and Switching to Mac.

Browsing the internet late at night isn’t exactly a fun experience when you’ve got websites flashing white backgrounds and gnashing their teeth at you. If Safari is your go-to browser on the Mac, then I’m sure that is a problem. It’s natural to want the Dark Mode everywhere in Safari when you are browsing.

So, you have Night Shift . But sometimes, there’s nothing like dark mode to lessen the strain on your eyes . However, enabling dark mode in Safari is easier said than done. The browser does sport the ability to switch to a dark theme. But that doesn’t really have an impact on the majority of websites out there.

If you want dark mode everywhere, then let’s check out what you must do below. Let’s start with how to enable the dark theme in Safari.

Note: The following instructions apply to Safari v13.0 running on macOS Catalina.

Enable Dark Theme for Safari

On macOS Catalina, you have a built-in dark color scheme that renders the entire operating system along with native apps, including Safari and supported third-party programs in dark mode. I bet some of you already know how to enable it. If so, skip ahead to the next section. Otherwise, here’s how to turn it on.

Step 1: Open the Apple menu, and then click System Preferences.

Step 2: Click the tile labeled General.

Step 3: Click Dark in the top-most section named Appearance. That should switch the entire operating system to a dark color scheme.

Launch Safari, and you should see the browser theme rendered in dark as well. You should also find websites that sport native a dark theme rendered automatically in the dark mode. However, only a tiny minority of sites do sport a native dark theme, which means that you still have to deal with a ton of white pixels on the screen.

That leads us to the next obvious question. How do you get dark mode in Safari everywhere?

Enable Dark Mode for Websites in Safari

Thankfully, there are a couple of ways that you can easily use to get websites — the ones that don’t sport a native dark theme — to render in dark mode. The first method involves using Reader View. The second method requires you to use an extension.

1. Use Reader View

Reader View is a built-in Safari functionality that strips ads and other unwanted elements from webpages and presents them in an easily readable format. It also lets you change the default white background color to black. Couple that with Safari’s dark theme, and you’ve got full-fledged dark mode functionality in your hands.

But there’s a catch — Reader View can’t be enabled everywhere. Usually, it’s limited to blog posts and articles, such as the one that you are reading right now. Regardless, let’s check it out in action.

Step 1: Click the Reader View icon to the left-corner of the Safari address bar. Keep in mind that this icon will only show up on Reader View-supported web pages.

Step 2: Click the aA icon to the right corner of the Safari address bar, and then switch to the darkest background color. You only have to do that once since Safari remembers your preferences automatically.

And voila! That should render the page in complete dark mode. Perfect.

By default, you must enable Reader View manually each time you visit a webpage. If that gets tedious, you can set it to kick in automatically on supported webpages. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1: Click Safari on the menu bar, and then click Preferences.

Step 2: Switch to the Websites tab, and then click Reader on the left pane.

To enable automatic Reader View for websites that are open in Safari, click the menu next to each listed website underneath the Currently Open Websites section, and select On.

To enable other websites to always switch to Reader View, click the menu next to When Visiting Other Websites, and then select On.

Exit the Preferences window. Safari will automatically switch to Reader View whenever you visit a page that supports the functionality.

2. Use Safari Extension

Dark mode with Reader View works well, but it doesn’t function on all websites and webpages. It is apt if you read a lot at night, but not ideal for web browsing in general.

If you want dark mode just about everywhere, you must resort to using a Safari extension. However, almost every dark mode extension that I ran into on the Mac App Store required a fee. Sadly, this included the fantastic Dark Reader extension, which is available free of charge for Chrome and Firefox .

But eventually, I did come across an extension that didn’t ask me to pay upfront — Night Eye. Here’s how to install and enable it.

Step 1: Install Night Eye via the Mac App Store.

Install Night Eye

Step 2: Open Safari Preferences.

Step 3: Click the Extensions tab, and then check the box next to Night Eye.

And that’s it. Every website, except very few such as Google Docs , that you come across should now render in dark mode.

The extension works quite well, and even sports the ability to work alongside the system color scheme, controls to adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation, etc. To access these options, click the Night Eye icon to the left of the address bar.

However, Night Eye isn’t totally free. You need to pay to keep using some of the advanced features in the extension after three months. The supposed ‘Lite’ version that it switches to afterward limits you to using dark mode for up to five websites.

If you like the extension, you can buy it. But I don’t recommend doing that. Its price is quite steep at $8.99 for a one-year subscription or $39.99 for a one-off license. Instead, Dark Reader for Safari only requires a one-time fee of $4.99. There are also multiple other dark extensions — such as Dark Mode for Safari — that you can find on the Mac App Store for just $1.99.

Don’t Lose Your Bearings

Using Safari in complete dark mode is a treat for the eyes. I wish Apple would incorporate some built-in toggle that would forcibly render sites in dark mode so that we won’t have to rely on workarounds.

But for now, using Reader View or a dark mode extension is the way to go. If you plan to go the extension-route, be prepared for that ding to your wallet eventually.

Next up: Is Firefox better than Safari on the Mac? Read our comparison to figure out which is the better browser for you.

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 03 February, 2022

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

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How to Enable Safari Dark Mode

Avoid eye strain with these settings

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What to Know

• Turning on dark mode in system preferences will enable the mode for compatible websites.
• If a website has a  Reader  button on the left side of the search field, click it to go dark.
• Use a Safari extension to enable dark mode on all websites. We recommend Night Eye and Dark Reader

This article covers three options to enable and disable Safari's Dark Mode on your Mac: via system preferences, by using Safari Reader View and using a browser extension.

How to Turn on Safari's Dark Mode via MacOS

At night, black text on white backgrounds is particularly tough on your eyes. It's very simple to switch on Dark Mode for your Mac. It doesn't just turn on Dark Mode for Safari, it does so for all your apps but that's perfect for protecting your eyes late at night or in dim lighting conditions.

Dark Mode is only available in macOS Mojave or later.

Click the Apple icon on the top left of your screen.

Click System Preferences.

Click General .

Click Dark .

If you want the dark appearance to only appear at night, you can click Auto for it to automatically adjust as the day progresses.

All websites that have been designed to support Dark Mode will now show in a darker form than before.

How to Switch off Safari Dark Mode

Switched on Dark Mode and realized you don't like it? It's simple to switch it back off.

As above, click the Apple icon on the top left of your screen and then choose System Preferences > General .

Click Light .

MacOS and Safari will now return to the light background permanently until you choose to switch it over again. 

How to Use Safari Reader View to Turn on Dark Mode

Depending on the website you're viewing, the only thing that may go dark with MacOS's Dark Mode is the buttons and menus around the website. To ensure the site goes fully dark to protect your eyes, you need to use Safari's Reader View.

Safari Reader View only works on certain websites. Often, this is restricted to blog posts and other text-heavy websites. It's worth using when able to though. 

On the website you want to view, click the Reader button on the left side of the search field.

This only appears on websites that support Safari Reader View.

Click the letter button on the right side of the search field.

Click the black background to change the background color. 

You can also adjust font size and font choice here.

The background has now been changed to a dark one with white text. 

Click away from the article to revert back to the original look or press the Escape key on your keyboard.

How to Use a Dark Mode Extension in Safari

The above solutions work only on a limited number of websites. If you want to enable Dark Mode for every website, you need to use a Safari extension. Many of these cost money but they can be useful. We recommend using either Night Eye which is free but limited or paying a one-off fee for Dark Reader. The process is the same for both extensions.

Install either Night Eye or Dark Reade r from the Mac App Store .

Open Safari then click Safari > Preferences .

Click the Extensions tab.

Check the box next to your newly installed extension to enable Dark Mode.

Both of these extensions should convert the vast majority of websites to Dark Mode as and when you need it.

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This incredibly simple tool gives every website you visit a 'dark mode'

• A web browser extension lets you change the color theme of websites from bright and/or white to dark mode . 
• The extension is called Dark Reader, and it's available for free for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. 
• Dark modes on pretty much everything — including operating systems, apps, and websites — are much more comfortable for your eyes, especially when you're in a dark room. 

I'm going to go ahead and claim that one of the biggest oversights in modern tech is darkness — blissful, easy-on-the-eyes darkness.

Indeed, developers of operating systems, apps, and websites have seemingly ignored the possibility that regular people might be using their products in a dark setting, and that the bright white theme in a dark setting is actually horribly uncomfortable, whether a user realizes it or not. 

Some have recently acknowledged that dark versions of their otherwise-bright-white products are actually preferable. Apple gave an overarching dark mode to its macOS Mojave operating system. Microsoft has implemented a similar dark mode of sorts for Windows 10, but it's nowhere near as comprehensive as macOS. And certain app and web developers — most notably YouTube and Reddit — have also given users the option to go dark.

You can also get dark mode themes for web browsers, but they only make the navigation and tabs bar dark, not the websites themselves, which defeats the point when bright white is the default color theme for most websites.

The last remaining frontier for dark mode is now websites, and I've been using a handy web browser extension to exist at the bleeding edge of this frontier.

Check out the Dark Reader web browser extension that works for Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox:

Head over to darkreader.org to install Dark Reader on Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

Go to darkreader.org and click on the web browser you use. If you're using Chrome or Firefox, you'll be taken to your browser's extensions store where you can download and install Dark Reader for free. If you use Safari, Dark Reader will cost you $5 to install. 

Once you install it, the vast majority of websites you visit will have a dark gray or black color where they used to be white.

Changing a site's predominantly white or bright color theme to something darker is much easier on the eyes, especially when you're in a dark room., and if you want to take an extra step further towards darkness bliss, you can give your web browser itself the dark mode treatment..

Chrome and Firefox have theme stores where you can download and install darker themes for the browser itself, like the navigation and tabs bar at the top where Dark Reader doesn't work.

Above, I'm using the "Material Simple Dark Gray" theme for Chrome.

You can switch back to regular non-dark mode easily: just click the Dark Reader icon in your browser's extension bar and turn it off.

Dark Reader also lets you change the font on any site, which is a nice little customization tool.

But Dark Reader isn't totally perfect.

Using Dark Reader might make certain sites load a little more slowly than usual, as the extension is processing and changing a site's original colors into dark mode.

Gmail, in particular, lags quite a bit whenever I go back to my Gmail tabs. Luckily, you can set Dark Reader to disable itself for certain sites that you visit often where you don't want any lag.

Also, you may occasionally get a bright white flash while visiting a new site or opening a tab. That's because, according to Dark Reader's FAQ, your web browser initially loads a site in the default color theme, which is usually bright. You can fix the bright flash by using a dark theme for your browser. 

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

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Universal   Best Safari Dark Mode extension?

• Thread starter Branaghan
• Start date Oct 17, 2021
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• iOS Apps and Apple Arcade

macrumors regular

• Oct 17, 2021

iOS 15 Safari Extensions Worth Checking Out

‎Nitefall: Dark mode for Safari

‎Dark Reader for Safari

‎Adobe Acrobat Reader: Edit PDF

macrumors 68020

• Oct 18, 2021

I know there are currently (at least) 16 iOS15 Safari extensions that offer a dark mode option. I've bundled them in this list which includes both paid and free Safari extensions. Dark Reader is also available on iOS. Best (paid) options I've read about are: - Dark Reader (4.99 dollar, pay once) - Noir (2.99 dollar, pay once) I'm still a bit hesitant to use these third party extensions though as far as privacy is concerned. I hope Apple will make it available in a future iOS version (probably iOS16).  

macrumors 603

pacorob said: I know there are currently (at least) 16 iOS15 Safari extensions that offer a dark mode option. I've bundled them in this list which includes both paid and free Safari extensions. Dark Reader is also available on iOS. Best (paid) options I've read about are: - Dark Reader (4.99 dollar, pay once) - Noir (2.99 dollar, pay once) I'm still a bit hesitant to use these third party extensions though as far as privacy is concerned. I hope Apple will make it available in a future iOS version (probably iOS16). Click to expand...

• Jul 12, 2023

I‘ve been using the Nitefall extension but the developer seems to have removed it from the App Store. So now I’m showing that the app has an available update but I can’t update it and it just stays in the list of apps with updates available. Does anyone know why the dev removed the app? I’m in the US, if that matters.  

AnActualMacbookPro

Macrumors newbie.

• Jul 22, 2023

‎Dark Mode for Safari: NightEye

• Jul 24, 2023

Whyy said: I‘ve been using the Nitefall extension but the developer seems to have removed it from the App Store. So now I’m showing that the app has an available update but I can’t update it and it just stays in the list of apps with updates available. Does anyone know why the dev removed the app? I’m in the US, if that matters. Click to expand...

Dark Reader for Safari 4+

Dark mode for every website, dark reader ltd.

• #81 in Productivity
• 4.5 • 38 Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Dark mode for every website. Take care of your eyes, use Dark Reader for night and daily web surfing. This eye-care extension enables night mode creating dark themes for websites on the fly. Dark Reader inverts bright colors making them high contrast and easy to read at night. It perfectly suits to system dark mode. Configure brightness and contrast to fit your display, choose between Dynamic and Filter mode, toggle individual websites, auto-toggle by system dark mode preferences. Before you install disable similar extensions. Activate Dark Reader in Safari preferences. Enjoy watching!

Version 2.0.3

Dynamic mode bug fixes.

Ratings and Reviews

Love this for my pc, but this burns my eyes..

Love it, my only gripe is something I am not sure if the dev is able to fix, but due to the screen being closer to my eyes, the screen brightness makes the white text get ‘burnt’ into my eyes - like looking into a light bulb. I had to turn it off the darkest setting to combat this, although I would prefer to have it fully black (for oled benefit).

Finally updated!

I am one of the biggest users of Dark Reader for all of my browsers. It had been a while since the Safari app was updated, which was hampering its use last few months. However, the new update fixes everything! Thanks mate for an excellent app!

Works perfectly

Bought this app as soon as iOS15 came out and it works perfectly :-) I only wish sometimes pages don’t flash white before loading, but otherwise I love this app.

App Privacy

The developer, Dark Reader Ltd , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Family Sharing

Up to six family members can use this app with family sharing enabled., featured in, you might also like.

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Force websites to comply with macOS Catalina’s Safari Dark Mode

By Charlie Sorrel • 11:00 am, November 13, 2019

• Top stories

I stopped reading white text on a black background the moment I left school, and I’ve never liked it since. Especially on a screen, where the black expanse becomes a dark mirror that reflects everything in its sight. But even I prefer Dark Mode late at night, when I want to read without disturbing other people.

The trouble is, many websites don’t support Dark Mode. Everything else in Safari is rendered in tasteful black, but the page itself is still rendered in glaring white. Happily, on the Mac at least, there’s a way to fix it. Here’s how to force any website to support Safari Dark Mode on Mac.

Dark Mode for Safari is an Apple-recommended Safari extension that forces Dark Mode on sites that don’t support it. Instead of pages flashing bright white when they load, they will open in restful white-on-black.

Just like Dark Mode on the rest of your Mac, the extension’s operation can be scheduled. You can activate it manually, run it on a schedule of your choosing, or set it to activate whenever Mojave/Catalina’s native Dark Mode is active .

How to use the Dark Mode for Safari extension

Enabling the Dark Mode Safari extension couldn’t be easier. Just download the extension from the Mac App Store, and activate it in Safari’s Preferences . The preference page is found in Safari, under the Safari menu bar item. Open it, click on the Extensions tab, and click the check box for the Dark Mode extension.

You can choose between three dark themes — Dark, Soft Dark and Mono — and you also can whitelist sites so they are not automatically darkened.

Dark Mode for Safari, from developer Denk Alexandru, seems essential for anyone using Mojave or Catalina’s Dark Mode. Nothing says “half-assed implementation” like a bright webpage popping out of your tastefully dim desktop. Apple chose not to build this in, but you can add it for just $2.

Price: $1.99

Download: Dark Mode for Safari from the App Store (macOS)

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How To Enable Dark Mode on Safari

Evan Gower With over a decade of experience in digital publishing. Evan leads our team with a keen eye for emerging tech trends. Read more September 15, 2022

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If you spend a lot of time on your iPhone or Mac computer reading articles on the web, chances are that your eyes will hurt after sitting in front of the screen for several hours. Bright light and small font lead to eye strain, headaches, and decreased focus.

Windows users have had the Dark Mode for a long time, and now it’s finally available for Safari users on iOS devices. You can get an extension for your Safari browser and read articles all night. Read on and learn how to activate Dark Mode on your iOS device.

Safari’s Native Dark Mode Function

Safari (even older versions) already has a built-in dark mode feature. This function won’t work for every website because it’s meant to help ease the strain on your eyes while reading.

Users who are running a newer version of macOS can follow these steps:

If you don’t have the option to use Dark Mode, you can use ‘Reader View’ within Safari. Here’s how you can use the Reader View to darken your screen:

If you don’t see the Reader tab, you can find it by clicking View and selecting Show Reader .

Of course, this won’t work for every web page. It will work for any blogs or articles you’re trying to read, so we have a few more options listed below.

Night Eye for Safari

This extension is another download available in the App Store for Safari’s lack of dark mode options.

Although this app is free to download, it will cost you $39.99 per year to use it. The free option, ‘NightEye Lite,’ will limit you to five websites. This is perfect for someone looking to activate only a handful of pages. The extension offers full image support and the ability to use the features on multiple platforms.

Download Night Eye for Safari

Visit your Mac’s App Store and download the extension.

Activate the Extension

Tap on the Night Eye extension and choose the dark mode option. If there’s a website, you’d like to view without dark mode, simply tap the extension again and choose “Normal.”

With great reviews and the 24/7 support team, this is definitely an add-on worth looking into.

Nightlight for Safari

Another great option available for Safari is the Nightlight browser extension . The extension is free and available for those using macOS 10.13 or later. This is an Excellent, lightweight addition to your browser.

With the optional timer settings, you can enjoy dark mode on Safari without ever having to toggle it on and off. The nightlight will automatically shift the color patterns when at night, then back again during the day.

Using Dark Mode in Safari on iPad and iPhone

On the iPad and iPhone, Safari comes with a built-in reader mode designed to ease the pressure on your eyes during night reading. Here is how to activate it.

Repeat the process for every website you want to read in dark mode.

Dark Mode on macOS Mojave & Catalina

Most Mac users had to wait for the macOS Mojave update to be able to activate the dark mode on their computers. Previous versions had to use shortcuts, and you had to make exceptions for every site you wanted to view in dark mode. So, if you have Mojave installed on your Mac, follow these steps to set the dark mode up.

• Select “Dark” in the “Appearance” options, and all websites on your Safari will switch to a black background.

Dark Mode and Other Apps

You can use the Dark Mode for other apps, not just your Safari browser. If dark mode is enabled, some apps will automatically have it activated. Here is a short how-to on toggling it on and off for the most popular apps on iOS.

Maps – If you want to use a dark background for maps with the Dark Mode activated, open the app and select “View,” and then select “Use Dark Map.”

Mail – If you want to use light mode when reading your emails, open your Mail and select “Mail,” then “Preferences.” Click on the “Viewing” tab and uncheck “Use dark backgrounds for messages.”

Notes – Your Notes will open with a black background if the Dark Mode is activated. You can disable it by selecting “Preferences” and then deselecting “Use dark backgrounds for note content.”

TextEdit – You can switch to the Dark Mode when working in TextEdit by selecting “View,” then “Use Dark Background for Windows.”

Safari – With the Dark Mode turned on; all websites will show as dark when you load them. If some website doesn’t support Dark Mode, you can use Safari Reader.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to more of your questions about Apple Dark Mode.

Can I use Dark Mode with Chrome on a Mac?

Yes, but unfortunately, it isn’t an option provided natively. This means you’ll need to use a Chrome browser extension like the ones we’ve mentioned above. If you follow the steps above to activate Dark Mode on your Mac, it will have no effect on third-party apps and browsers such as Firefox or Chrome.

Can I enable Dark Mode with Mozilla Firefox on my Mac?

Fortunately, yes! Firefox makes many things simpler than other web browsers, and Dark Mode is one of them. Enabling Dark Mode on Firefox is the same on a Mac or a PC. All you need to do is click on the three horizontal lines in the upper right-hand corner of the browser. Then, click ‘Add Ons.’ From here, you’ll see a Themes option on the left; click it, then click on one of the options in the list that gives you Dark Mode.

There are several different color variations, so choose one that you like. Now, the Firefox system will show in Dark Mode, but not all of your websites will, so you may need to enable Night Eye for Mozilla or another add-on.

Ease the Strain on Your Eyes

Reading texts all night long can cause migraines, sore eyes, and unpleasant muscle strain; switching to Dark Mode is a great option. Your eyes will be grateful, and you will be able to focus for longer periods. Who doesn’t want to increase productivity while keeping themselves healthy?

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Free Dark Reader for Safari

Does anyone know of a Free Dark Reader for Safari? I have one for Firefox but cannot find one for Safari?

Anyone know of one cause I am having issue with my eyes and need a dr reader for Safari.

Thank youall for your help

Posted on Nov 10, 2021 6:18 AM

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Nov 11, 2021 7:56 AM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

Hello frank_the_snake_master_01,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. We see that you'd like to use a dark reader for Safari. We're happy to help.

Have you tried using Dark Mode on your Mac? This feature will can help your eyes by using a dark color scheme system wide. Take a look at the following resource for more information: How to use Dark Mode on your Mac

Have a nice day!

Nov 11, 2021 10:29 AM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

frank_the_snake_master_01,

Thanks for following up. Not all websites are compatible with Dark Mode. Safari will automatically show websites in Dark Mode if they've been designed to support it. Does Safari ever show websites in Dark Mode on your Mac? Have you tried using Safari Reader? Hide ads when reading articles in Safari on Mac

We look forward to hearing from you.

Nov 11, 2021 10:36 AM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

frank_the_snake_master_01 wrote:

Yes Frank. It's in the App Store.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dark-reader-for-safari/id1438243180

Nov 11, 2021 1:39 PM in response to JovonaP.

Thanks for getting back to me it still does not work in Safari. No way to use dark mode on Safari using Catalina. I am stumped?

Thank youall for your input guess I guess I cannot use my Safari in dark mode in Catalina . I will have to use my Firefox which does work for me but I did like Safari. I wish Apple would make ir in dark mode.

Have a good day.

Nov 12, 2021 6:56 AM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

Thanks got your email now. When i get a email then i know someone has a answer for me otherwise I do not always go on the community. I still cannot find a good one in the app store they all have issue's from the reviews.

Have a good day its poring here in CT

Thank you again.

Nov 12, 2021 7:22 AM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dark-mode-for-safari/id1397180934?mt=12

Nov 14, 2021 6:37 AM in response to dialabrain

I found this one and works fine just to let anyone else know if your looking for one.

Thank you all

Nov 11, 2021 7:59 AM in response to JovonaP.

Yes i am in dark mode. Bit Safari is not in dark mode?

Nov 11, 2021 10:59 AM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

FWIW, I forgot Dark Reader for Safari is not free. It's $4.99.

Nov 11, 2021 1:46 PM in response to dialabrain

Thanks for this but its not free. Short on money tight now, When I get some spare cash then will get it but none for free?

Thank you anyway.

Nov 11, 2021 1:58 PM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

Yes, I mentioned it wasn't free in my second post.

There is Dark Mode in the App Store as well and it is free.

Nov 11, 2021 2:01 PM in response to dialabrain

Which one is the free one?

Nov 11, 2021 2:06 PM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

The one called "Dark Mode".

Nov 12, 2021 6:46 AM in response to dialabrain

That is what i meant it was a paid version lookinfg for a good free one. I never got your email from you yo answer you back

Nov 12, 2021 6:52 AM in response to DODGE01CHALLENGERSRT01_01

You're welcome.

Your Guide to Private Browsing in Safari

Private browsing is often misunderstood, but it can be a helpful feature if you know what’s what.

Quick Links

What private browsing does in safari, how to use safari private browsing on iphone and ipad, how to use safari private browsing on a mac, how to disable safari private browsing on iphone and ipad, how to disable safari private browsing on a mac, key takeaways.

• Private Browsing in Safari hides browsing history, autofill details, downloads, and locks tabs after inactivity.
• Safari on Mac groups private and non-private tabs, while on iPhone it shows all tabs regardless of mode.
• To use Private Browsing in Safari, identify it by a dark address bar, "Private" indicator, or "Private" next to the site URL.

Most browsers offer a private browsing mode that aims to keep the websites you view off the record. But what exactly does it do in Safari and how do you get the best out of it?

First and foremost, Private Browsing keeps the website pages you visit out of your History . The aim is to prevent someone else from seeing which pages you have visited if they have access to your phone or computer.

In Safari, Private Browsing does a lot more than just hide URLs. It also:

• Prevents recent searches from showing up in your history.
• Stops remembering details you enter in forms for autofill.
• Keeps downloaded items from appearing in your Downloads list.
• Locks private tabs after a period of inactivity.
• Adds tracking and fingerprinting protection.

However, it’s important to note that Private Browsing does not stop you from being tracked altogether. Websites you visit will still be able to use various methods to track you, and will still have access to all data that you send them.

On macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, Safari groups private tabs together, and separates them from non-private tabs. On Mac, each Safari window is either private or non-private, and can have as many tabs as you want.

On iPhone, you can switch between private and non-private modes, each of which shows all tabs belonging to that mode.

You can spot when you’re viewing a private tab with these signs:

• The address bar has a dark background. This may be less noticeable if you’re using Dark Mode .
• On Mac, you’ll see a prominent Private indicator in the title bar.
• On iPhone, you’ll see Private alongside the site URL at the bottom of your screen.

The steps to enter Private Browsing mode are nearly identical on an iPhone and iPad. The only difference is that the tab icon is at the bottom of the screen on iOS and the top on iPadOS.

• Long-press the tab icon (two overlapping pages) on the bottom-right (iPhone) or top-right (iPad) of your screen.
• Tap the New Private Tab menu item.
• If locked, enter your passcode to unlock Private Browsing.

You can enter Private Browsing mode on macOS using either a menu item or a keyboard shortcut:

• Open the File menu and choose New Private Window .
• Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Cmd + n .
• Use the browser as you normally would. Any tabs you open from this window will open in the same window, in private mode.

You may want to prevent users of an iPhone or iPad from using Private Browsing mode at all. To do so:

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap on Screen Time .
• Under RESTRICTIONS , click on Content & Privacy Restrictions .
• If not already enabled, press the toggle next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to enable.
• Tap Content Restrictions .
• Change the Web Content setting to Limit Adult Websites .

The option to enter private mode will now be gone.

On macOS, the wording of certain options differs slightly, but the overall process is near-identical to iOS:

• Open System Settings via the Apple menu.
• Click on Screen Time in the left panel.
• Under the Restrictions section, click on Content & Privacy .
• Click Content Restrictions .
• Change the Access to Web Content setting to Limit Adult Websites .

Private Browsing will now be unavailable in Safari, although any existing private windows will stay open.

Of course, anyone can re-enable Private Browsing using the same process, in reverse. However, you can use Screen Time’s Lock Screen Time Settings option to set a passcode and enforce the setting permanently.