Many users prefer to use applications in dark color mode, especially in the evening. This not only reduces eye strain, but also significantly saves battery power on smartphones with OLED displays. The social network VKontakte has long introduced this function, but the location of the switch may not be obvious to beginners or may change after major interface updates.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the activation methods night mode. We will look at both the built-in settings of the application itself and the Android system capabilities. You will also learn how the standard dark theme differs from the mode AMOLED and how to set up automatic switching depending on the time of day.
The setup process is as simple as possible and does not require the presence root access or installation of third-party software. You will only need the current version of the official client VK from Google Play or RuStore. If you have an older version installed, it is recommended that you update first to gain access to all the modern design features.
Activating the dark theme through the app settings
The most direct and reliable way to change the color scheme is to use the built-in application menu. The developers have moved this option to the main settings section, making it available in a couple of clicks. This solution works regardless of the version of your operating system, the main thing is that the application itself supports this function.
First, open the client and go to the main menu by clicking on your profile icon or the three bars in the corner of the screen. Next, select item Settings. In the list that opens, find the section General, where the appearance parameters are usually located. This is where the switch responsible for the color scheme of the interface is located.
Inside the section you will see an option Theme. By default, the value may be “System” or “Light”. You need to select item Dark. Once clicked, the interface will instantly redraw, applying new colors to the news feed, messages and profile. Changes are applied immediately, no need to restart the app.
☑️ Checking theme settings
It is worth noting that in some versions of the application the item may be called Night Mode or have a crescent icon. If you do not find this switch in the specified location, use the settings search by entering the word "theme". This is a quick way to localize the desired setting in a long list of options.
Using Android system settings
Modern versions of the Android operating system allow you to manage application themes centrally. If you enable dark mode in the settings of the smartphone itself, apps that support it, including VKontakte, will automatically adapt to this request. This is very convenient for those who want style in all utilities.
Go to Settings your phone and find the section Screen or Display. Depending on the device model (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel), the name may differ, but the essence remains the same. Find the switch Dark theme and activate it. After that, return to VK and make sure that the “System” value is selected in the application settings.
⚠️ Attention: If, after turning on the system theme, VK remains light, check the settings of a specific application in the "Applications" section of the system. Sometimes there is a forced restriction on the use of light mode.
The advantage of this method is automation. You can set up a schedule for turning on the dark theme in the system, and then VK will switch itself in the evening and become light in the morning. This eliminates the need to go to the social network menu every time to manually change the settings.
It is also worth considering that the system theme may affect the display of some elements that VK developers have not adapted to global Android styles. In rare cases, this can lead to incorrect display of text contrast, so the best option is to always check readability after changing settings.
Features of AMOLED themes and energy saving
Owners of smartphones with OLED and AMOLED matrices know that black color on such screens means the pixels are completely turned off. This provides real energy savings. VKontakte offers a special mode that makes the background completely black, and not just dark gray, as in the usual dark theme.
To activate this mode, go to the application settings and find the item Theme. In addition to the standard options, there may be an option AMOLED or "Deep dark". Selecting this mode ensures that all background elements become color #000000. This is especially noticeable when viewing the tape in complete darkness.
| Theme type | Background color | Impact on the battery | Eye comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | White / Gray | High consumption | Excellent during the day, blinding at night |
| Standard dark | Dark gray | Average consumption | Good at any time |
| AMOLED | Absolutely black | Minimum consumption | Ideal in the dark |
Use AMOLED themes can extend battery life by 10-15% with active use of the social network. However, keep in mind that on IPS screens the difference between a regular dark theme and an AMOLED theme will be minimal and noticeable only in grayscale, but not in power consumption.
For maximum battery savings, also reduce the screen brightness manually or turn on auto-brightness when using a dark theme indoors.
Setting up automatic switching according to a schedule
Manually switching themes can be annoying, especially if you use your phone at different times of the day. Fortunately, VKontakte allows you to configure automatic switching to night mode. This is implemented either through the internal settings of the application or through Android functions.
In the latest versions of the client, an item appeared in the Settings -> General -> Theme section Scheduled. By activating it, you can set a time interval, for example, from 22:00 to 07:00. During this time, the application will force use dark colors, regardless of the lighting outside the window.
- 🌙 Select "Scheduled" item in the theme menu.
- ⏰ Specify the start and end time of the dark mode.
- ✅ Save the changes and check the timer.
If the application itself does not have such a function (in older versions), use the Android system scheduler. In your phone's display settings, look for the "Responsive Theme" or "Schedule" option. Set the desired time there, and the VK will respond to the system signal about the change of time of day.
What to do if the schedule goes wrong?
Sometimes after rebooting the phone, the settings are reset. Check to see if you have a power saving mode on your system, which limits the background operation of applications and may prevent the theme timers from working correctly.
Display problems and possible errors
Sometimes users encounter a situation where the theme is enabled, but some elements remain white or look incorrect. This may be due to the application cache or bugs in a specific software version. Most often the problem concerns pop-ups, attachment menus or stories.
The first thing to do is clear the cache. Go to your phone settings, select Applications, find VKontakte and press Storage. Select option Clear cache. Do not confuse this with clearing data, as in the second case you will lose saved logins and settings.
⚠️ Attention: If the problem does not disappear after clearing the cache, try completely delete the application and download it again from the official store. This will help get rid of damaged configuration files.
It is also worth checking for updates. Developers regularly release patches that fix visual bugs. Go to Google Play or RuStore and press the button Updateif it is active for the VK application.
Most visual glitches can be solved by simply clearing the cache or reinstalling the application, so do not rush to write to technical support at the first sign errors.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why doesn’t the theme change to black after all the settings?
Make sure you have the latest version of the application installed. In very old versions of VK, the dark theme might be missing or work unstable. Also check if the system has the "Invert Colors" mode enabled in accessibility, this may conflict with the application theme.
Does the dark theme affect the quality of display of photos?
No, the dark theme only changes the color of the interface (background, panels, text). Photos, videos and avatars themselves are displayed in original quality and color rendition, regardless of the selected design theme.
Is it possible to make the theme completely black on a regular LCD screen?
Yes, you can select an AMOLED theme even on an LCD screen. Visually, the difference will be less than on OLED, since black pixels will still be illuminated by the matrix, but the interface will still become dark. Functionally, this limitation does not work.
How to return the light theme back?
The process is completely reversible. Go to Settings -> General -> Theme and select "Light" or "System" (if you have a light theme on your phone). The interface will instantly return to the standard view.