OS X Yosemite's 'Dark Mode' Now Available via Terminal Command

[MacRumors]

OS X Yosemite's dark mode, which was demoed on stage at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, has yet to make it into the beta as an available setting. It is, however, possible to get a glimpse of dark mode with a Terminal command, as discovered by iOS developer Hamza Sood.

To enable the somewhat functional dark mode: sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences AppleInterfaceTheme Dark - Hamza Sood (@hamzasood) June 17, 2014

The command enables an early version of dark mode, which is clearly not yet complete, likely explaining why it is not yet officially available in the beta. Users should, of course, use caution when deciding whether or not to try this feature for themselves. Dark mode can be undone with a second Terminal command.

The second beta of OS X Yosemite was released to developers earlier today, bringing several new changes like the return of Photo Booth and a new look for Time Machine. The public release of the software will likely come in the fall, after several more beta iterations.

Article Link: OS X Yosemite's 'Dark Mode' Now Available via Terminal Command

 

[ashwin4]

This looks good enough to leave on the entire time

 

[iLoveiTunes]

welcome to the dark side...

 

[Lapidus]

Just wondering, how does this guy discover this command?

 

[chirpie]

Finally, professionals can call themselves 'pros' again.

 

[mrxak]

I anticipate Dark Mode vs. Light Mode to become the new Bottom Dock vs. Side Dock argument in certain circles.

 

[gmcalpin]

As stupid and minor as dark mode is, I'm actually pretty excited about it. I spend too many late nights alone with my computer in a dark room. (Not just masturbating.)

 

[diddl14]

“Impressive. Most impressive."

 

[saxon48]

I anticipate Dark Mode vs. Light Mode to become the new Bottom Dock vs. Side Dock argument in certain circles.

With side dock being, of course, superior.

 

[perealb]

Now we need a dark mode for iOS 8.

 

[bbfc]

Nice find, but doesn't work very well.

 

[Thares]

I wonder what the Finder looks like while using the dark mode. Can anyone enlighten me?

 

[Snow.]

Hm....

Sounds really great! it would be nice if it would work properly.

 

[l0renz]

So how can I go back in light mode? Because for me it worked only partially. Thanks.

 

[arn]

So how can I go back in light mode? Because for me it worked only partially. Thanks.

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences AppleInterfaceTheme Light

according to the original tweeter.

 

[mdridwan47]

Can't wait for iOS 9!

 

[Parasprite]

Just wondering, how does this guy discover this command?

I'd imagine it's placeholder was left in the plist, if so it isn't hard to figure it out from there. Even if it wasn't, there are other ways to figure out possible keys, it just requires a bit more digging.

 

[vdgroodt]

Help needed

mine says no such file or directory

 

[Tough Guy]

Ugh. Yosemite is such an eye sore. Ugly, ugly, ugly.

 

[GeneralChang]

Just wondering, how does this guy discover this command?

I know, right? Can you find these terminal commands hiding the OS configuration somewhere, or do you just sit there and guess likely combinations until something happens? Or do you just have a buddy who works at Apple tip you off?

 

[milo]

If anyone is curious or wants to get really crazy with their system...

defaults read /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences

This doesn't make any changes, just shows everything in that pref file. I assume there's probably a way to use an editing app instead of the terminal but I haven't figured it out. There's an app called Property List Editor that edits pref files but I'm not sure how to make it open an invisible file like that.

 

[altaic]

I know, right? Can you find these terminal commands hiding the OS configuration somewhere, or do you just sit there and guess likely combinations until something happens? Or do you just have a buddy who works at Apple tip you off?

It's easy. Disassemble various system executables/libraries and look for stuff that gets/sets preferences. Looking for "Appearance" is a good guess, since the APIs use that term-- preferences that are set near those API calls are likely related to the dark theme.

 

[milo]

I anticipate Dark Mode vs. Light Mode to become the new Bottom Dock vs. Side Dock argument in certain circles.

It already has.

mine says no such file or directory

Are you running yosemite DP2?

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

If anyone is curious or wants to get really crazy with their system...



This doesn't make any changes, just shows everything in that pref file. I assume there's probably a way to use an editing app instead of the terminal but I haven't figured it out. There's an app called Property List Editor that edits pref files but I'm not sure how to make it open an invisible file like that.

There's a setting in there to reveal hidden files. Also, TinkerTool is a free app with a GUI that will let you edit some of the hidden preferences, including the hidden files one.

Also, there's a terminal command for opening documents in specific applications which you could use for it.

Not sure what that terminal command is.

 

[Parasprite]

This doesn't make any changes, just shows everything in that pref file. I assume there's probably a way to use an editing app instead of the terminal but I haven't figured it out. There's an app called Property List Editor that edits pref files but I'm not sure how to make it open an invisible file like that.

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -boolean true&&killall Finder

I remember there being a keyboard shortcut like "CMD+Shift+." or something to temporarily show hidden files when in a Open/Save file dialog, but I don't remember if they pulled the feature, I installed something to make it do that in the first place, or a combination of the two (it's been a while).

Edit: Yup that was it.