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Google working on dark mode for YouTube

Google runs a dark mode experiment right now on the YouTube video streaming platform that allows users to switch the light theme to a dark theme called dark mode.

As is the case with all experiments that Google runs, anyone may join it provided that they are either invited, or add the cookie that distinguishes participants from non-participants to their devices.

While the majority of Internet sites use white themes, a growing number has added support for darker themes to their sites as well. Additionally, users may style websites individually using userstyles, or directly depending on the browser's capabilities. You may download dozens of styles for YouTube that turn the site's color scheme into a darker one.

Note: YouTube's Dark Mode is an experiment right now. This means that there is a possibility that Google will pull the feature before release.

YouTube Dark Mode

youtube dark

 

The main benefit of using the built-in Dark Mode of YouTube is that it works on the whole site, and that it will continue to work even if Google changes part of the site's layout.

To enable dark mode on YouTube right now, do the following:

Open your web browser of choice. I will explain to you how you can set Dark Mode using Firefox and Chrome.

YouTube Dark Mode in Chrome

youtube chrome dark mode

  1. Open the YouTube website in Google Chrome.
  2. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-Shift-I to open the Console of the Developer Tools.
  3. Paste the following code document.cookie="VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=fPQ4jCL6EiE" and run it with a tap on the Enter-key.
  4. Reload the page you are on, for instance with a tap on Ctrl-F5.

YouTube Dark Mode in Firefox

youtube set cookie

  1. Open the YouTube website in the Firefox web browser.
  2. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-Shift-I to open the Console of the Firefox Developer Tools.
  3. Paste the following code document.cookie="VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=fPQ4jCL6EiE" and run it with a tap on the Enter-key.
  4. Reload the page you are on, for instance with a tap on Ctrl-F5.

Once done, click on the profile icon in the upper right corner on YouTube. You find the new Dark Mode option listed there.

youtube dark mode enable

Click on the Dark Mode:off option of the context menu. This opens an overlay that explains what Dark Mode is on YouTube. You do get an option to turn it on there, or turn it off again as well.

youtube enable dark mode

Once enabled, Dark Mode is active on all pages on YouTube that you open. Google notes that Dark Mode has been designed for an ideal experience for night, but no one is keeping you from running Dark Mode 24/7 if you prefer it that way.

Dark Mode may go better with darker operating system or browser themes.

Now You: What do you prefer, light or dark themes?

 

This article was first seen on ComTek's "TekBits" Technology News

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