Dark mode at sunset, but when? (iOS 18 and others)

[miamialley]

For many iOS iterations now, currently iOS 18, I always have my iPhone set to go into dark mode at sunset automatically. What I’ve noticed for years, is that it is significantly delayed. Even 30 to 45 minutes after sunset I will manually just put it into dark mode. So, at what time should the phone go into dark mode. Is there a sunset offset by x number of minutes plus or minus? If there is, I haven’t been able to make sense of it.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I noticed this as well, and I've gone as far as setting up automations in shortcuts to turn on dark mode half an hour before sunset and turn it off half hour after sunrise.

 

[Khavik]

day/night mode switching should ce correlated with light sensor, so it could for example switch to night mode when you go in the middle of the day into a dark place, like underground

 

[miamialley]

I noticed this as well, and I've gone as far as setting up automations in shortcuts to turn on dark mode half an hour before sunset and turn it off half hour after sunrise.

I’ve done the same, but I don’t like that option because the time of sunset changes throughout the year so I have to keep tinkering with it, so it‘s annoying.

I wish we could keep on automatic dimming at sunset, but select an offset. Like I would probably have it go dark 45 minutes before sunset.

 

[miamialley]

day/night mode switching should ce correlated with light sensor, so it could for example switch to night mode when you go in the middle of the day into a dark place, like underground

Not a bad idea. Sounds like something I would try. It would be nice if you could customize the threshold.

 

[elementalwingma]

I had this same issue once, and toggling it on and off while it still being a bit delayed seems to have fixed it for me.

 

[miamialley]

I had this same issue once, and toggling it on and off while it still being a bit delayed seems to have fixed it for me.

I’ve been toggling for years to no avail.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

I’ve done the same, but I don’t like that option because the time of sunset changes throughout the year so I have to keep tinkering with it, so it‘s annoying.

I wish we could keep on automatic dimming at sunset, but select an offset. Like I would probably have it go dark 45 minutes before sunset.

That's weird - when I'm in the automation, I select "When" and can choose a time of day including sunrise/sunset, with an optional offset.

 

[Ratlerbite]

For many iOS iterations now, currently iOS 18, I always have my iPhone set to go into dark mode at sunset automatically. What I’ve noticed for years, is that it is significantly delayed. Even 30 to 45 minutes after sunset I will manually just put it into dark mode. So, at what time should the phone go into dark mode. Is there a sunset offset by x number of minutes plus or minus? If there is, I haven’t been able to make sense of it.

If your just put it into dark/light manually then why every worry if it’s delayed 30-45 min?

 

[arw]

Is there a sunset offset by x number of minutes plus or minus? If there is, I haven’t been able to make sense of it.

As suggested by @ProbablyDylan, you can create an Automation in Shortcuts.app:
Automation > Time of Day > Sunset [+/- 15 minutes increments] > New blank Automation > Add action > Turn appearance Dark
And respectively for Sunrise.

This is for iOS 17 but I assume it's the same for iOS 18.

 

[miamialley]

If your just put it into dark/light manually then why every worry if it’s delayed 30-45 min?

Because I don’t want to do it manually?

 

[miamialley]

As suggested by @ProbablyDylan, you can create an Automation in Shortcuts.app:
Automation > Time of Day > Sunset [+/- 15 minutes increments] > New blank Automation > Add action > Turn appearance Dark
And respectively for Sunrise.

This is for iOS 17 but I assume it's the same for iOS 18.

Ah, thanks for reminding me of this. I will see if this works.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Most times for iOS and iPadOS, if I’m using the device during the transition times it will only take effect after I lock the device then unlock it. macOS does it regardless while I’m in the middle of working so who knows.

 

[miamialley]

Most times for iOS and iPadOS, if I’m using the device during the transition times it will only take effect after I lock the device then unlock it. macOS does it regardless while I’m in the middle of working so who knows.

I see it change all the time in the mornings when I’m using it.