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Enable Dark Mode in Ubuntu Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide

Richard
Written by
Richard
Sep 28, 2022 Updated Sep 15, 2026 2 min read
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Dark mode in Ubuntu Linux turns bright desktop windows, menus, and backgrounds into dark gray and black color schemes to reduce eye strain in low-light rooms. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and newer versions include this dark theme built right into system settings without requiring extra downloads.

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Turn on dark mode with a few clicks in the settings menu, and pick a matching accent color to style the desktop.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open System Settings and select Appearance. Under Style, choose the Dark option to enable dark mode. You can also select an accent color to customize the look.

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Turn on or off Dark Mode in Ubuntu Linux

Dark Mode Ubuntu Linux settings let you switch your desktop theme to dark shades to reduce eye strain in low light. Open the Settings app, click on Appearance, and choose the Dark option under the window colors section to apply the change immediately across your system menus and compatible apps.

The following steps walk through managing this visual layout.

Ubuntu Linux centralizes system controls in one utility. The System Settings panel manages everything from user accounts to software updates.

Ubuntu Linux activities overview interface
ubuntu linux activities overview

Alternatively, click the System menu at the top-right corner of the top bar on your desktop.

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On the System menu, select Settings, as highlighted below.

Ubuntu Linux system menu showing settings option
ubuntu linux system menu top bar settings

Click the Appearance tile to open the panel in the Settings app.

Appearance tile in Ubuntu Linux system settings
ubuntu linux appearance tile system settings

In the System Settings - Appearance panel, under Style, select the Dark style template for dark mode.

Ubuntu Linux dark mode activation screen
ubuntu linux turn on dark mode

The interface updates immediately to the dark layout.

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Accent colors remain customizable, or the OS can pick a matching shade automatically. The chosen tint complements the wallpaper and window borders.

Ubuntu Linux dark mode enabled interface
ubuntu linux dark mode enabled

That completes the process.

Enabling dark mode reduces eye strain and improves battery life for laptops and tablets.:

  • Enabling dark mode in Ubuntu Linux reduces eye strain and improves battery life for laptops and tablets.
  • The dark mode is designed with colors that work well in low-lit environments, providing a comfortable viewing experience.
  • Following the steps outlined in this article, users can easily toggle between light and dark mode in Ubuntu Linux, as per their preference.

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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.

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