How to access Facebook's secret 'Dark Mode': Firm launches sneak peek at new Messenger feature ahead of official roll-out
- Facebook launched Dark Mode in Messenger for both iOS and Android users
- It's not in Settings yet - instead, you have to send a crescent moon emoji in chat
- Will unlock 'hidden' setting, allowing you to turn it on ahead of official launch
Facebook has launched a new Messenger feature to make chats easier on your eyes.
The firm debuted Dark Mode today weeks ahead of schedule, allowing users to access the feature through a ‘hidden, limited-time only experience.’
By sending the crescent moon emoji in Messenger, iOS and Android users can now switch their chats to a black background.
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Facebook has launched a new Messenger feature to make chats easier on your eyes. The firm debuted Dark Mode today weeks ahead of schedule, allowing users to access the feature through a ‘hidden, limited-time only experience’
Sending the crescent moon will first send the symbols raining down the chat screen, before a message pops up: 'You Found Dark Mode!'
Users are then prompted to turn the feature on in Settings.
The feature will officially roll out with a Messenger update in the coming weeks, when it will be available for everyone in Settings, Facebook says.
It could be a helpful tool for users whose eyes feel strained after staring at a bright screen for prolonged periods of time.
‘Messenger’s dark mode provides lower brightness while maintaining contrast and vibrancy,’ Facebook says.
‘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.’
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Dark mode is just the latest in a slew of highly-demanded updates Facebook has rolled out in recent months.
In February, Facebook finally launched an ‘unsend’ button to give users up to 10 minutes to retract a message after it’s been sent, even in a group chat.
The firm first rolled out the feature on a smaller scale last fall, testing it out among users in Poland, Bolivia, Colombia and Lithuania.
The initial move came seven months after it was reported that Facebook was deleting messages already sent by CEO Mark Zuckerberg to other users.
Now, finally, the feature is rolling out to all iOS and Android Messenger users.
By setting the unsend cutoff at 10 minutes, it means you can't delete messages that were sent long ago in a conversation.
But it does let you erase any messages that may have typos, were sent to the wrong person or that you may regret after-the-fact.
When a message is deleted, it'll show a marker in the chat telling other users that it's been removed.
It also isn't limited to texts - users can also remove photos, videos, links and other kinds of content.
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