Facebook is now publicly testing dark mode on its mobile app

Facebook logo on a Pixel 4 XL (Image credit: Joe Maring / Android Central)

What you need to know

Facebook is expanding testing on dark mode for its mobile apps.
The rollout was announced with Facebook's tech comms manager.
Availability may vary as the feature is still rolling out.

Facebook has long teased its plans for a dark mode on the social network's mobile application. The app seemed to lag behind many others that have added the feature long ago, even after Android and iOS both implemented system-side dark mode to their respective OSes. It seems that we're much closer to dark mode becoming a reality, as Facebook has finally begun publicly testing the setting on its mobile applications.

The feature was announced through a video tweeted by app researcher Jane Manchun Wong. The video shows a Messenger conversation between herself and tech comms manager, Alexandru Voica, the latter whom states that "maybe its time for the barrage to end?" before announcing that the feature is now rolling out.

Facebook is publicly testing Dark Mode! 🌙

You asked it, I chatted with Facebook's @alexvoica about it and here's a video made in collaboration with Facebook! pic.twitter.com/TGjdTXDxoPFacebook is publicly testing Dark Mode! 🌙

You asked it, I chatted with Facebook's @alexvoica about it and here's a video made in collaboration with Facebook! pic.twitter.com/TGjdTXDxoP— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 30, 2020 October 30, 2020

The feature has been long awaited for users looking for something a little easier on the eyes. This is following the release of a dedicated dark mode of Facebook's various other applications, such as Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which were updated many months ago. Facebook's desktop application has had dark mode for several months now, so it was only a matter of time before the feature trickled down to the mobile client.

It was reported a few months ago that Facebook was testing dark mode for a small group of users globally. Now that testing has expanded, users can check to see if they're part of the testing group by visiting the Settings & Privacy section of the Facebook application. If available, users will be able to select On, Off, or System. Availability may vary as it's still being rolled out, and it's not clear how wide of a rollout this will be.

Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.