Microsoft Edge Picks Up a Dark Theme on Mobile
- Paul Thurrott
- Nov 29, 2017
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16
Unlocked from an OS update schedule, Microsoft Edge on mobile is being updated at a rapid clip. And this week, the web browser picked up another nice update that adds a dark theme.
I know, it’s not earth-shattering. But when you combine this update with the features Microsoft has added since the initial release—especially password sync, which I assume was the number one request—you can see how good Edge can get if Microsoft simply allows itself to update the browser as needed.
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Which is very much not the case on Windows 10: There, Microsoft Edge is integrated into the OS, and it follows the same twice-a-year feature update schedule. That schedule is untenable for end users, I think, especially businesses. But for a web browser, it’s glacial. And while Edge has absolutely improved in leaps and bounds in the two years its been available, it’s just happening too slowly. The usage figures bear it out: Very few people use Edge on the PC.
But the availability of Edge on mobile can help. And that’s especially true if that browser can be made to be as useful and usable as established rivals like Safari and Chrome. And that is absolutely happening.
Anyway, you can change the theme in Microsoft Edge on Android or iOS by navigating to More > Settings > Appearance > Theme. There are three options, confusingly: Default, Light, and Dark.
I’m just guessing since there’s no documentation, but I assume “Default” means “use the system theme,” which on most Android devices is not even configurable. But presumably this will switch themes if that option is available. Perhaps it will even automatically switch for nighttime reading in the future, though that feature is not available currently.
Anyway. It’s looking good.