Getting your iTunes to actually look dark and not just be bright white can be a bit of a pain, especially because iTunes doesn’t natively support a true dark mode. Still, if your goal is reducing eye strain or just making everything look slicker at night, the best way is to tweak your Windows theme to dark. Kind of weird, but that’ll make compatible apps like iTunes adopt the dark look — whether it’s perfect, I’m not so sure, but it’s a decent workaround.
How to Get Dark Mode on iTunes Windows 10
This process involves changing your Windows settings so that the system-wide theme switches to dark. When that’s set, iTunes (which inherits system theme settings) should look a lot less glaring. Just keep in mind, not all versions might get the memo correctly, and some tweaks might be needed if things act weird afterward.
Open Windows Settings
- Click on the Start menu, then hit the gear icon, or just press Windows key + I — fast and sneaky.
- This opens up the main settings window, which is the hub for all your customization preferences.
Select Personalization and tweak colors
- In Settings, find and click on Personalization.
- From there, head to Colors on the sidebar.
- Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than it needs to, but here’s what to do:
Switch to Dark Mode
- Under Choose your color, click the dropdown and select Dark.
- This instantly shifts system UI elements to dark, including some apps like iTunes if they pick it up.
- I’ve seen on some setups that the dark mode kind of flickers or takes a second to apply, so don’t panic if it’s not perfect immediately.
Open iTunes and check it out
- Once your system theme is set, close Settings and launch iTunes.
- The idea is that, if supported, iTunes should now sport a darker interface, making things easier on your eyes at night.
- Sometimes, if iTunes still refuses to darken, a quick restart of the app or even the PC can give it the nudge it needs.
One thing to keep in mind: you might need to update iTunes to the latest version, because older ones could be even more resistive to these system-wide changes. Also, because Windows sometimes doesn’t make things seamless, you might see partial dark mode or something that looks a little off. Still, it’s usually worth a shot.
Tips for Making Dark Mode Work Better with iTunes
- Check for app-specific settings or themes — some apps have their own toggle for dark mode, but iTunes generally doesn’t.
- If things look super inconsistent, switching back to a light theme and reapplying dark can sometimes do the trick.
- Keep Windows and iTunes updated so you’re running the latest version that might support better dark mode integration.
- For more contrast or a better dark experience, consider third-party apps or tweaks — but beware, they can be hit or miss and might cause stability issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if iTunes doesn’t change to dark mode?
Yeah, this is pretty common. Some older iTunes versions or certain Windows versions just don’t play nice. Make sure you’re on the latest iTunes (grab it from the official Apple site or the Microsoft Store) because newer versions tend to be more compatible with Windows’ dark theme.
Does dark mode actually save battery?
For OLED screens, probably — dark pixels do consume less power. On traditional LED screens, it’s less noticeable. Still, it’s nice to have a less blinding interface, especially late at night.
Can iTunes get its own dedicated dark mode?
Not yet, as of now. The app basically follows the Windows theme rather than having its own toggle. So it’s kind of a system mirror situation.
Are third-party tools worth trying?
Some are out there, like themes or custom skins, but they can be inconsistent. If you’re just after dark mode, sticking with the Windows setting is the simplest route. If you really want to tinker, at least backup first, because messing with app themes can break things.
Summary
- Change Windows to dark mode through Settings > Personalization > Colors.
- Set Choose your color to Dark.
- Restart iTunes and see if it inherits the darker look.
Wrap-up
In the end, it’s kind of a semi-hack, but if you’re tired of the glaring white background in iTunes, switching the system theme to dark is the easiest route. Sometimes it’s a little patchwork, and on some setups, it might not look perfect, but it’s better than nothing. Keep everything updated, and don’t be surprised if a future iTunes update finally bakes in a proper dark mode — until then, this is a decent workaround. Fingers crossed this helps someone save their eyes for a late-night playlist session.