How to Change Theme in Outlook: Easily Guide for 365, App, and Web Users

Light Theme vs. Dark Mode in Outlook

The appearance of your Outlook interface can significantly impact your user experience, productivity, and eye strain. Two primary theme options dominate the scene:

• Light Theme: This classic, bright interface, often the default, offers a white background and black text. It's familiar to many users, providing a traditional look and feel.
• Dark Mode: This sleek, low-light experience presents a dark background with light text. It can be particularly beneficial for nighttime use or in low-light environments, as it minimizes glare and reduces eye fatigue.

Benefits of Changing Your Outlook Theme

Choosing the right theme can enhance your productivity and overall user experience. Here are some key benefits of customizing your Outlook theme:

• Reduced Eye Strain: Dark Mode, in particular, can significantly reduce eye strain by minimizing the contrast between the screen and the surrounding environment.
• Improved Focus: A consistent and visually appealing theme can help you stay focused on your tasks and reduce distractions.
• Enhanced Aesthetics: Both Light and Dark Mode offer distinct aesthetic appeal. You can choose the theme that aligns with your personal preferences and style.
• Better Nighttime Viewing: Dark Mode is especially useful for nighttime use, as it minimizes the impact of bright light on your eyes.

How to Change Theme in Outlook 365

Now, it is time to check how to change theme in different Outlook versions and different operating systems.

Part 1. Change Themes on the Desktop Version of Outlook 365 [Windows]

To customize your Outlook 365 desktop theme:

1. Access the File Tab: Click on the "File" tab in the top left corner of the Outlook window.

2. Navigate to Office Account Settings: Select "Office Account" in the bottom left corner.

3. Choose Office Theme: In the "Office Theme" section, you can select "Colorful", "Dark Gray", or  "White" from the drop-down menu.

Part 2. Adjust Theme Settings in Outlook 365 Web Version [Windows]

To modify the theme in Outlook 365's web version:

Step 1. Open Settings: Click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.

Step 2. Select General Apperance Settings: Choose "General"- > "Appearance" from the dropdown menu.

Step 3. Customize Theme: In the "Mode" section, you can select between Light and Dark modes. Or you can also select "Use system setting."

Step 4. (Optional) Choose Them Color: Scroll down to the Themes section and you can choose the theme color for the Outlook.

Step 5. Save Changes: Click "Save" to apply your chosen theme.

Part 3. Modify Themes on Outlook for Mac

To adjust the theme on your Mac:

Step 1. Open Outlook for Mac: Launch the Outlook app on your Mac.

Step 2. Access Preferences setting: Go to "Outlook" in the menu bar and select "Preferences."

Step 3. Choose General: Select the "General" tab.

Step 4. Customize Appearance: Under the "Appearance" section, choose between "Light" and "Dark" themes.

• Light: Sets Outlook to light mode, regardless of what macOS is set to.

• Dark:  Sets Outlook to dark mode, regardless of what macOS is set to.

• System:  Matches your macOS mode setting, either light or dark.

Part 4. Change Theme in Outlook App on Mobile Devices

To change the theme on iOS device:

For iOS 12 or below, go to app Settings. Under preferences you'll see a Dark Appearance toggle.

For iOS 13 or above, by default Outlook for iOS on version 4.5.0 or higher will respond to the iOS system Dark Mode setting. If you want to change this, go to app Settings > Appearance, and then select either the Light or Dark option. 

To adjust the theme on Android device:

Go to app Settings, and then, under Preferences, you'll see a Dark Theme toggle. Tapping into it, you have two options:

• Dark Theme — Turn on Dark theme and it will stay on until you turn it off.

• Set by Battery Saver — Dark theme will turn on automatically when the device is in Battery Saver mode.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Dark Mode in Outlook

If you encounter any issues with Dark Mode in Outlook, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Update Outlook: Ensure you have the latest version of Outlook installed.
• Restart Outlook: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor glitches.
• Check System Settings: Verify that your operating system's Dark Mode is enabled correctly.
• Disable Add-ins: Temporarily disable any third-party add-ins that might interfere with the theme.
• Clear Cache and Cookies: Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can help resolve visual issues.

Bonus Tip: How to Manage and Back up Outlook Emails

This article addresses the question “how to change theme in Outlook?”. If you’re considering backing up your Outlook, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, you can save your Outlook emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drives, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, in bulk. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud or Email accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.