A new beta version of the Facebook app for iOS contains hidden resources that suggest a dark mode is on its way to iPhone and iPad.
The feature is expected to work in tandem with the system-wide dark mode settings on iOS for automatic activation and deactivation, but users should be able to toggle it manually, too.
Facebook is the only major social network yet to offer a dark mode on iPhone and iPad. Other Facebook-owned services have one, including Instagram and WhatsApp. Even Facebook Messenger has one.
Facebook can go dark on desktops, and it looks like option will finally extend to iOS … soon. It may not be the dark mode many Facebook fans will have hoped for, however.
Facebook planning dark mode for iOS
The possible arrival of a dark mode inside Facebook was first spotted by WABetaInfo, which typically uncovers new features in WhatsApp beta release, and has a terrific track record.
They’ve discovered a whole bunch of resources that all but confirm a dark mode is in development. It cannot be activated by the user yet, but it seems that it won’t be long before that’s possible.
Unlike most other dark modes, however, Facebook’s isn’t completely black. It’s greyscale instead — just like the dark mode Facebook is also developing for users on Android.
In other words, it will be easier on the eyes when you’re using Facebook in dark environments, but it won’t take advantage of the power-saving benefits that dark modes usually bring to OLED displays.
In beta for now
Facebook’s new dark mode for iOS isn’t quite finished yet. “Some elements still have the wrong colors,” WABetaInfo notes, which explains why it cannot be activated for now.
Once those issues are ironed out, it should make its way into a public Facebook update. We should bear in mind, however, that new features are sometimes scrapped during testing, so this is not a guarantee.
