YouTube "Dark Mode": How to turn on the secret feature

YouTube has a secret: There's a dark mode that users can activate for a dimmer backdrop. Instead of the all-white screen, users can experience the platform on an all-black backdrop.

First spotted by a redditor named _paul-, dark mode is only available on the most recent version of Google Chrome, the Next Web reports. Once a user activates the hidden dark mode, which seems better for night-time viewing, it applies to the rest of the website regardless of whether you're browsing the homepage or visiting a specific channel.

"Dark mode turns the light surfaces of the page dark, creating an experience ideal for night," writes YouTube on the Dark Mode page. "Try it out! Your Dark Mode setting will apply to this browser only."

1. Verify you have the most updated version of Google Chrome. Or, at least version 57 or higher.

2. Go to the YouTube.com.

3. Open up the developer window on the Chrome browser. Windows users can do this by hitting "Ctrl + Shift + I on Windows" and Mac users can achieve this by pressing "Option + Command + I."

4. Select the "Console" tab.

5. Once selected, paste the following text: document.cookie="VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=fPQ4jCL6EiE"

6. Hit enter and then close out of the developer tools tab.

7. Refresh the page. At this point, YouTube will still be white but there may be other changes to how the page looks.

8. For users not signed into their YouTube account, there will be a dark mode toggle on the top right corner in the main settings menu (three dot icon). Those signed in can click their profile icon and scroll down to "Dark Mode."

Switching to "dark mode" will turn off YouTube's light switch.