Facebook Messenger Gets a Dark Mode

Facebook is introducing a native dark mode for the Messenger app on Android and iOS. The company previously teased the new dark mode when it first introduced the new, cleaner Messenger design last year.

Facebook’s new dark mode for the Messenger app is the first ever dark mode on any of its app. Instagram, WhatsApp, or even the core Facebook apps do not have a dark mode as of yet.

The new dark mode makes Messenger much easier on the eyes and should use a lot less battery too. And with Messenger’s chat color gradients, things look really cool.

The feature isn’t available to everyone by default — in fact, it needs to be enabled with an emoji. You simply need to send a crescent moon emoji on a chat to enable the new dark mode and actually turn it on from there, which is kind of cool and unnecessary at the same time.

“Messenger’s dark mode provides lower brightness while maintaining contrast and vibrancy. Dark mode cuts down the glare from your phone for use in low light situations, so you can use the Messenger features you love no matter when or where you are,” the company said.

Facebook Messenger’s new dark mode is now rolling to all users on iOS and Android. It will be automatically available to everyone without the need to send the crescent moon emoji “in the coming weeks.”