Here’s how you can activate hidden ‘dark mode’ on YouTube

A Dark Mode feature for YouTube has surfaced in the latest version of Google’s Chrome 57 desktop browser.

The built-in mode was discovered last week and shared in a Reddit post, and while the setting doesn’t appear by default, a quick command in the developer console is all that’s required to enable it.

The secret mode appears to be available solely on the latest reiteration of Chrome (version 57 and above) — and once enabled, it seems to automatically apply to the remainder of the website, including the homepage and the dedicated channel pages.

Here’s how you can activate it:

1. Open the Chrome developer tools tab.

   1. Windows users can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + I.
   2. Mac users can do this by pressing Option + Cmd + I.

2. Select the Console tab.

   1. Once in Console, paste the following text: document.cookie=”VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=fPQ4jCL6EiE”
   2. Hit enter.

3. Close the developer tools tab and refresh the page. Just a little heads-up: YouTube might look slightly different – though still in white.

4. Click the main settings menu in the top right and find the ‘Dark Mode’ section.

5. Toggle ‘Dark Mode’ on, and you’re settled.

Now head to YouTube and kill all the lights.