Why Are Some App Icons Not Turning Dark in iOS 18?

It’s been a long wait, hasn’t it? Apple’s iOS 18 is packed with exciting features, but there's a strange little problem that some users are facing. Why are some app icons not turning dark in the system’s Dark Mode? You’d think this feature would just work seamlessly, right? Well, if you’ve been scratching your head over this issue, you’re not alone.

Don't worry, you're about to discover everything you need to know about this glitch (or maybe a feature?), and how you can get your app icons to finally embrace the dark side. This article is going to give you a full breakdown, step by step, of why some app icons are refusing to adopt the iOS 18 Dark Mode and how you can fix it.

By the end of this, you'll understand all the factors at play here—from system settings to developer choices—and how you can ensure your app icons match the sleek, dark look of the iOS 18 interface.

Introduction to iOS 18 Dark Mode
Understanding the Dark Mode Icon Issue
Why Some App Icons Don't Turn Dark in iOS 18
Possible Solutions and Fixes
How to Properly Activate Dark Mode on iOS 18
Developer’s Role in Icon Dark Mode
Conclusion
FAQ
Related Topics
Important Links

iOS 18 Dark Mode: An Overview of the Icon Issue

iOS 18 brought several nifty features, and Dark Mode is one of the most exciting ones for those who want to give their eyes a break. The idea was simple: a sleek, darker interface that reduces blue light and is easier on the eyes, especially at night. It sounds so good, right? But then comes the shocker—some app icons aren't turning dark! How bizarre, you think?

Apple’s Dark Mode for apps works by inverting colors in the system UI, but app icons are a different beast altogether. If you’ve noticed that some icons don’t follow the dark theme, don’t blame your iPhone immediately—it could be the app’s design or settings that are causing the problem.

What You’ll Learn

In this article, we’re going to dive deep into the possible reasons behind this issue. We’ll talk about:

How iOS 18 Dark Mode works in general.
Why some app icons don’t support Dark Mode.
Steps you can take to get the icons working as expected.
Whether this issue is Apple’s fault or app developers' responsibility.
What you can do in case these steps don’t work.

By the time you finish reading this, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to make your iPhone’s Dark Mode truly dark—across the board. Let's get into it!

Understanding the Dark Mode Icon Issue

Dark Mode on iOS 18 was designed to bring a more consistent user experience across the system. However, some users have reported that app icons do not follow the dark theme when activated. In this section, we'll explore the core reasons behind this.

1. App Developer's Design Choices

In many cases, app icons do not turn dark because app developers have chosen not to support the feature. Dark Mode on iOS 18 relies on the system's settings, but developers have the freedom to design their app icons in a way that might not be fully compatible with this feature.

Some app developers, especially those with custom-designed icons, haven’t updated their assets to follow Apple's icon guidelines. When users activate Dark Mode, some icons may look out of place with the dark theme, while others may look like they’re still in their light mode state.

2. Third-Party App Limitations

Another reason why some icons remain stubbornly light is the limitations within third-party apps. While system apps like Mail or Safari have built-in support for Dark Mode, apps from the App Store might not automatically adjust their icons, especially if they haven’t been updated for iOS 18 compatibility. Developers often release updates to address such issues, but not all apps are quick to follow suit.

Why Some Icons Don’t Turn Dark – A Breakdown

Reason for Issue	Explanation
Developer Settings	Developers might not have included Dark Mode support in their icon designs.
Custom Icons	Some apps use static, custom icons that are not dynamic enough for system-wide Dark Mode.
App Updates Needed	Outdated apps or apps not updated for iOS 18 may fail to switch to dark icons.
System Bugs	Occasionally, iOS 18 itself may have glitches affecting how icons are rendered.

Possible Solutions and Fixes

So, how do we fix this? Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get your icons to sync with Dark Mode.

Check for Updates: This is the first step. Make sure your apps are up to date. Go to the App Store, tap on your profile picture, and see if there are any updates available.
Reboot Your iPhone: Sometimes, a simple restart can help apply all changes that were pending in the background.
Contact the Developer: If the app is updated but still doesn’t support Dark Mode, consider reaching out to the developer to inquire about any planned updates or fixes.

How to Properly Activate Dark Mode on iOS 18

Now, let’s make sure your Dark Mode is set up properly. Here’s how you can get started:

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Scroll down and select Display & Brightness.
Under the Appearance section, select Dark to turn on Dark Mode.

This will change the system-wide appearance to Dark Mode, but again, remember that the app icons' behavior depends on the developer.

Developer's Role in Icon Dark Mode

As mentioned, the role of app developers is crucial here. iOS 18 allows developers to design icons that can adapt to the system’s Dark Mode, but many apps still need to catch up. Some developers design their icons with specific styles that don’t adjust to the system’s appearance, leading to discrepancies between the system interface and the app icon.

Fixes for Developers:

Use Template Icons: Apple provides developers with guidelines for designing app icons that are compatible with Dark Mode. Adhering to these templates ensures that icons will dynamically adjust to dark and light appearances.
Update App Assets: Developers should keep their app assets updated to be fully compatible with the latest iOS features. Regular updates ensure better consistency with system-wide settings.

Conclusion

It’s clear that the issue of some app icons not turning dark in iOS 18 is primarily due to a lack of developer support and app updates. While Apple has made Dark Mode a standard feature, it’s still up to individual app developers to make their icons compatible.

By checking for updates, ensuring your settings are configured correctly, and even reaching out to developers, you can eventually get the app icons to fit seamlessly into the Dark Mode experience.

FAQ

Why aren’t my app icons changing with Dark Mode in iOS 18?
Some app icons are designed by developers in ways that don’t support the dynamic Dark Mode feature. Check for updates or contact the developer for more information.
How can I force an app icon to turn dark?
Unfortunately, you can’t manually force an app icon to change. The app needs to support Dark Mode for this to happen automatically.
Are all iOS 18 apps compatible with Dark Mode?
No, not all apps have been updated to fully support Dark Mode. Some may still show light-mode icons even if Dark Mode is activated.
Can I revert back to Light Mode if I don’t like Dark Mode?
Yes, you can go back to Light Mode by following the same steps in the settings and selecting the "Light" option.
Will Apple fix this issue in future updates?
Apple is constantly improving system features, and it's likely that some of these issues will be addressed in future updates.

Important Links

Thank you so much for reading! We hope this article helped you understand the quirks of iOS 18 Dark Mode and app icons. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments section below.

Why Are Some App Icons Not Turning Dark in iOS 18?

Table of Contents