How to Enable Dark Mode on a WordPress Website

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Nowadays, more users consider WordPress dark mode a necessity. Besides, a lighter interface tends to be more comfortable for the eyes. This time, Mamang will discuss how to enable dark mode on a WordPress website.

The process of enabling dark mode is quite simple. The free WP Dark Mode plugin allows you to add a dedicated dark mode for both frontend users and the backend admin panel.

Below, we will explain how to enable dark mode on your website’s frontend. Additionally, it also applies to the backend. At the end of the article, Mamang will also showcase an example of a dark-themed (dark mode) admin dashboard.

Let’s start by changing the frontend appearance. Follow the steps below to provide a dark mode option for your WordPress website.

Step 1: Install the Dark Mode Plugin

WordPress does not provide a built-in feature to enable dark mode on your site. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Thanks to the WP Dark Mode plugin, you can easily overcome this issue

WP Dark Mode is an easy-to-use plugin with many options, allowing you to customize elements such as color palettes, button designs, animations, and more. This plugin is also compatible with most of the best WordPress themes.

However, there are many other options available, so feel free to explore if you’re looking for something that suits you better. Once you’ve chosen a plugin, install and activate it before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Activate the Dark Mode Plugin

After installing the plugin, enable its main features. If you’re using WP Dark Mode, first go to WP Dark Mode → Settings. You will see various options, but for now, let’s focus on the basic general settings.

Next, make sure the Enable Frontend Dark Mode toggle is set to Active. As a result, the plugin will display a dimmed interface by default. Another option to consider is enabling OS-aware dark mode

Enabling this option will automatically display your website in dark mode for users whose device settings are set to dark mode, enhancing their user experience.

If you’re satisfied with these settings, click Save Settings and proceed to the next step to use some advanced features.

Step 3: Enable the Floating Button

This step will give users more control over their WordPress dark mode options. Not all users prefer browsing in dark mode, and some may want to change settings based on time or browsing conditions.

Fortunately, this plugin provides a button that allows them to do so. There are two main steps: activating the feature and customizing it. Go to WP Dark Mode → Settings → Toggle Settings

Make sure the Show Floating Switch toggle is set to Active, then save your changes. It’s that simple! Users now have the option to switch between light and dark modes on the screen.

You can also customize the styling elements here. For example, consider changing the button design to a floating switch style.

Other customization options include adding animations and placing the switch in specific areas of the screen. The premium version of this plugin offers even more options. Save your changes and move on to the final step.

Step 4: Customize Dark Mode

Customization doesn’t end with the toggle switch. There are several other ways to adjust WordPress dark mode. First, let’s look at changing the color scheme.

Go to WP Dark Mode → Settings → Color Settings

If you don’t want to design the color scheme yourself, you can also check the “Use preset colors?” option. Here are some standard color options :

Most of these options require the premium version. This allows you to customize everything from overall brightness to contrast. So if the color scheme is very important to you, you should consider upgrading to the paid version.

Also Read : 6 Plugins That Help Developers on WordPress

Front-end users are not the only ones who benefit from the WP Dark Mode plugin. You can also enable dark mode for the dashboard by following these steps :

Step 1 : Enable Backend Dark Mode

This method uses the same WP Dark Mode plugin. Go to WP Dark Mode → Settings → General Settings. However, this time, make sure the Enable Backend Dark Mode option is checked.

The dashboard will automatically switch to dark mode, and so will the users. The top toolbar also includes a button to toggle between the two modes.

As expected, this only affects backend users. If dark mode is not enabled on the front end, visitors will still see the site in normal mode.

If you only need dark mode without additional settings, you can stop at this step. However, if you want more ways to customize the WordPress admin interface, proceed to the next step.

Step 2 : Change Admin Color Scheme

Once you enable dark mode, it’s a good idea to explore the back end of your website. For example, if the default dark colors in WordPress don’t suit your needs, you may want to adjust them.

The good news is that you can easily change the admin color scheme to match your new dark mode settings. This step does not require an additional plugin, as the functionality is built into WordPress.

First, go to Users → Profile :

From here, you can choose the color combination you prefer. Click to see the changes immediately. Feel free to switch between options and find the one that suits you best. Once you’re done, don’t forget to click Update Profile at the bottom of the page.

Additionally, you can apply these changes to other users’ backend profiles. First, go to Users → All Users. Then, find the user you want to modify and click Edit under their account.

Then, you will be directed to the editing screen, just like before. You can then change the color scheme for other users to match the new dark mode settings.

Step 3 : Switching Between Normal and Dark Mode

If you’re like most people, you might not always want to use either Normal or Dark mode permanently. Fortunately, switching between them is simple and intuitive.

For example, if you want to start in standard light mode, go to the top of the admin toolbar. Here, you will see a small button with two options: Light and Dark

Now, simply click on the mode you want to switch to. The screen will then appear like this :

Please note that the dark mode settings on the admin screen do not affect users. Therefore, you can always change the color scheme as needed. If you follow the first method, visitors can do the same.

That’s the explanation of How to Enable Dark Mode on a WordPress Website that Mangcoding can share. Hopefully, this article is useful and provides new insights for you. If you have constructive feedback or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment or contact us via email and Mangcoding’s social media.

Source : themeisle.com