Facebook's mobile dark mode is getting closer

The social network is testing the moodier color scheme on Android.

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Sean Keane

Aug. 13, 2019 3:20 a.m. PT

You might be able to go dark in Facebook's main Android app in the near future.

Angela Lang/CNET

Facebook Messenger added its dark mode earlier this year, and we're getting the first signs that the social network's main app will follow suit. Reliable researcher Jane Manchun Wong found that Facebook is testing a darker color scheme on the Android version of its app.

Facebook is working on Dark Mode for mobile
I wrote a blog about this: https://t.co/X5tAZuIlPz
Tip @Techmeme pic.twitter.com/w3vYpRgxUY
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) August 12, 2019

However, she noted that this feature seems to be in an "early stage of development" -- it's only appearing on the app's Groups tab with some dark text displaying against a dark background, making it tough to read. So it might be a while before Facebook's mobile dark mode gets a wide rollout.

The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week, Facebook's Messenger Kids, a version of the messaging app designed for 6- to 12-year-olds, came under scrutiny from US lawmakers after a flaw let children chat with people who hadn't been approved by their parents.

First published at 3:01 a.m. PT.
Updated at 3:20 a.m. PT: Adds more detail.