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How To Put Apple Music in Dark Mode on PC: A Complete Guide

Alright, let’s cut right to the chase. You want Apple Music in dark mode on your PC. The simplest answer is this: Apple Music on PC natively follows your system’s theme. Therefore, to enable dark mode in Apple Music, you need to switch your entire Windows system to dark mode. Here’s how:

Right-click on your desktop.
Select “Personalize”.
Navigate to “Colors”.
Under “Choose your mode”, select “Dark”.

Boom! Apple Music should now reflect your system’s dark theme. If it doesn’t change immediately, try restarting the Apple Music app. Now, let’s dive deeper into the nuances and answer some common questions.

Understanding Dark Mode on Apple Music for PC

It’s crucial to understand that Apple Music on Windows doesn’t have an independent dark mode setting. This contrasts with the mobile app on iOS and Android, which offer a separate toggle. Apple’s design philosophy on PC prioritizes system integration, meaning the app adapts to your operating system’s theme. Think of it as chameleon-like, blending seamlessly with your Windows environment.

This approach, while seemingly restrictive, actually promotes consistency. You won’t have a jarring experience switching between apps – everything adheres to the same visual style. However, it also means you’re all-in: dark mode for Apple Music implies dark mode for everything else.

Troubleshooting Dark Mode Issues

Sometimes, the transition isn’t as smooth as we’d like. If you’ve switched your system to dark mode and Apple Music is still stubbornly clinging to the light side, here’s a troubleshooting checklist:

Restart the Apple Music App: This is the first and often the only step needed. Closing the app completely and relaunching it forces it to re-evaluate your system theme.
Restart Your Computer: A full system reboot can resolve more persistent themeing issues, especially after a recent Windows update.
Check for Apple Music Updates: An outdated version of Apple Music might not be fully compatible with the latest Windows themeing features. Open the Microsoft Store, search for “Apple Music,” and click “Update” if available.
Ensure Windows is Updated: Similarly, an outdated Windows operating system can cause inconsistencies. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
Verify Accessibility Settings: In rare cases, accessibility settings can interfere with themeing. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Color filters and ensure that the filters are turned off.
Reinstall Apple Music: As a last resort, uninstalling and reinstalling the app can fix underlying issues. Uninstall the app from Settings > Apps > Apps & features, then download the latest version from the Microsoft Store.

Customization Beyond Dark Mode

While you can’t independently control Apple Music’s dark mode, Windows offers other customization options that can indirectly influence the app’s appearance.

Accent Colors: Experiment with accent colors in Settings > Personalization > Colors. These colors can subtly affect the highlight colors used within the Apple Music interface.
Custom Themes (Advanced): While not officially supported, advanced users can explore third-party theming tools to customize the appearance of Windows applications, including Apple Music. This approach is generally not recommended unless you’re comfortable with potential system instability.

FAQs: Your Apple Music Dark Mode Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process and address related concerns.

1. Can I have dark mode on Apple Music PC without dark mode on Windows?

No. As previously mentioned, Apple Music on Windows is tied to your system’s theme. There’s no separate, independent setting within the app itself.

2. How do I revert back to light mode on Apple Music PC?

Simply switch your Windows system back to light mode following the same steps as enabling dark mode, but choosing “Light” instead of “Dark” under “Choose your mode”.

3. Does dark mode save battery life on a PC?

The battery savings from dark mode on a PC are less significant compared to mobile devices with OLED screens. However, it can still offer a slight benefit, especially on laptops with LED displays, by reducing overall screen brightness.

4. My Apple Music is still in light mode even after switching to dark mode in Windows. What should I do?

Refer to the Troubleshooting Dark Mode Issues section above. Restarting the app, restarting your computer, and checking for updates are the most common solutions.

5. Will dark mode affect other apps on my PC?

Yes. Switching to dark mode in Windows will affect all applications that are designed to follow the system theme, not just Apple Music.

6. Is there a way to schedule dark mode on Apple Music?

Since Apple Music relies on the system theme, you’ll need to schedule the dark mode setting for your entire Windows system. Windows doesn’t have a built-in scheduling feature, but you can use third-party apps or Task Scheduler scripts to automate the process.

7. I’m using an older version of Windows. Will dark mode work on Apple Music?

Dark mode support on Apple Music is best on the latest versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. While older versions of Windows might have basic themeing capabilities, they may not be fully compatible with Apple Music’s implementation, leading to unexpected visual inconsistencies.

8. Does Apple Music on PC support high contrast mode?

Yes, Apple Music generally respects the high contrast settings configured in Windows. You can adjust these settings in Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes. This can further enhance readability and accessibility for users with visual impairments.

9. I have multiple monitors. Will dark mode affect all of them?

Yes. The system-wide dark mode setting applies to all connected monitors.

10. Can I change the specific color of dark mode in Apple Music?

No. The specific colors used in dark mode are determined by the Windows system theme and cannot be customized independently within Apple Music.

11. I’m a developer. Can I control Apple Music’s theme programmatically?

No, Apple Music does not expose a public API for directly controlling its theme. The app relies entirely on the system theme settings.

12. Is there a difference between dark mode and night mode in Apple Music?

The terms are often used interchangeably. In the context of Apple Music on PC, “dark mode” is the official and more accurate term to describe the low-light theme. “Night mode” is commonly used when referring to reduced blue light emission for eye strain reduction, but that’s a separate feature controlled within Windows settings or dedicated software.

In conclusion, enabling dark mode for Apple Music on your PC is straightforward and directly tied to your system-wide theme settings. By understanding this connection and troubleshooting any potential issues, you can enjoy a visually comfortable and consistent music listening experience, night or day. Enjoy!