OS X Yosemite introduces the first major interface changes to OS X in more than a decade. Yosemite offers flatter iconography, a cleaner design and better typography more suited to the increasing number of Macs with Retina displays. One change Apple's implemented is an optional "Dark Mode" that inverts the color of your menu bar and makes the dock darker too. Here's how to get the most of it.
Many Mac apps, including some of Apple's own like iMovie, GarageBand and Final Cut Pro, emphasize darker interface themes. So do some well-known Mac apps like Adobe Photoshop. The reason why they use darker interfaces is easy to understand: The content you're working on is emphasized, rather than tools and user interface elements. It can be less distracting, which can improve productivity.
The menu bar and dock in Yosemite are translucent, but use white as their base color. Activating the dark menu option changes that base color to black. Translucency is still maintained, so Yosemite still retains its 3D, layered appearance. What's more, menu type is changed from black to white, and individual menus will retain the dark look too.
To make your menu bar and Dock dark on OS X Yosemite
- Click on the menu.
- Select System Preferences...
- Click on General.
- Under Appearance, check the box in front of Use dark menu bar and Dock.
That's all there is to it. Both the menu bar and the Dock should now be translucent black instead of their more familiar translucent white.
If you've installed third-party menu bar applications, they may need to be updated for Yosemite before they look right in dark mode, so don't be surprised if you still see white menus until you've updated, or until the developers get on board with the changes Yosemite introduces.
Have any questions about Yosemite's new dark mode? Let me know in the comments.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
You can now subscribe to Apple Arcade for $49.99 per year and save $10
If you're an Apple Arcade fan you can now save $9.98 a year by paying for 12 months at a time. At $49.99 per year you're effectively getting two months of Apple Arcade free.
TIME names 3 Apple products in its list of 10 best gadgets of the decade
TIME has shared a list of its best 10 gadgets of the last decade, with Apple filling three of the spots.
Apple starts pushing iPhone monthly payment ads via the Wallet app
We knew that Apple was planning on starting a new iPhone monthly payment option, but now the company is making sure everyone knows. A new ad is popping up via the Wallet app.
Don't let the OLED screen on your iPhone X break — get a screen protector
If you want to protect your iPhone X, a screen protector is the way to go: Here are the best options you can buy right now.
