# How to use dark mode in Outlook on Mac: settings for new and legacy Outlook

> Learn how to use dark mode in Outlook on Mac. Set Outlook's own Appearance option, follow macOS, or switch off legacy Outlook if it ignores the setting.

URL: https://www.lazur.app/how-to/use-dark-mode-in-outlook
Updated: 2026-11-07

To use dark mode in Outlook on Mac, open Outlook > Preferences > General and choose Dark under Appearance. If that setting does nothing, you are likely on legacy Outlook, which follows the Mac's own Light or Dark setting in System Settings > Appearance.

## Quick answer

- Open Outlook > Preferences > General, then choose Dark under Appearance.
- Choose System to follow your Mac, or change the Mac itself under System Settings > Appearance.
- The pages checked list no keyboard shortcut for Outlook dark mode, so use the menus.
- Legacy Outlook for Mac may ignore the in-app setting. Microsoft says it stops working with Exchange Online mailboxes starting October 2026.

Applies to: Outlook for Mac, new and legacy versions, on macOS. Time: 5 min. Difficulty: Easy.

## What you need

- Outlook for Mac installed on your Mac, either legacy or new
- Access to System Settings on your Mac for the Light, Dark or Auto appearance
- Your Outlook build number, found under Help > Check for Updates

## How to Turn on dark mode in Outlook on Mac in Outlook on a Mac

1. **Check whether you have legacy Outlook.** (Help > Check for Updates) Open Outlook and look at the main window. If you see a Legacy Outlook toggle, you are in the older app. If you do not see one, check for updates from the Help menu, then look again. Tip: Microsoft's end-of-support page says to use Help > Check for Updates if your version has no toggle.
2. **Switch off the Legacy Outlook toggle.** (Legacy Outlook toggle) Find the Legacy Outlook toggle in legacy Outlook for Mac and switch it off. Microsoft's end-of-support page gives this step. It says this moves you to the new Outlook for Mac, which a Microsoft Q&A answer says can set dark mode and custom colors. Tip: Microsoft's page does not say where the toggle sits or what happens to stored data, so check the app window first.
3. **Open Outlook Preferences.** (Outlook > Preferences) Shortcut: ⌘,. Click Outlook in the menu bar, then choose Preferences. You can also press ⌘, to open the same window. Microsoft's Mac help uses this path for dark mode.
4. **Open the General tab.** (Preferences > General) In the Preferences window, click General. The Appearance setting and the Personalize options both live on this tab. Leave the other tabs alone for now.
5. **Choose Dark under Appearance.** (Appearance > Dark) Under Appearance, click the Dark option. The three choices are Light, Dark and System. Close the Preferences window when you are done. Tip: If Dark is missing or has no effect, you may be on legacy Outlook. See the troubleshooting list.
6. **Pick System to follow the Mac.** (Appearance > System) If you want Outlook to match your Mac, choose System instead. Outlook then changes when macOS changes between Light and Dark. The Mac setting still controls the look, so check the next step too.
7. **Set the Mac to Dark in System Settings.** (Apple menu > System Settings > Appearance) Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings. Click Appearance in the sidebar, scrolling if needed. Select Dark. Select Auto if you want the Mac to switch on its own. Tip: Auto follows the Night Shift schedule and waits for one minute of idle time before it switches.
8. **Use the Control Center toggle for a quick change.** (Control Center > Display > Dark Mode) Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar. Click the disclosure button next to Display. Then click Dark Mode. Repeat the same clicks to switch back.
9. **Look for an accent color option.** (Preferences > General) Microsoft's release notes say version 16.113, dated September 16, 2026, lets you pick an accent color. They do not say where the control sits. Start by looking under Preferences > General. Tip: Your build may not show the accent color option yet, so skip this step if you cannot find it.
10. **Restart Outlook and check the result.** (Outlook > Quit Outlook) Shortcut: ⌘Q. Quit Outlook with ⌘Q, then open it again. Check the main window, the message list and the reading pane. If the colors did not change, use the troubleshooting list below.

Outlook for Mac has its own dark mode setting. It can also follow your Mac's appearance, and that second option is where most confusion starts. This page covers both options, plus the version issues that can stop the setting from working. Set aside about five minutes.

## Before you start: find out which Outlook you run

Outlook for Mac comes in two forms. Microsoft calls the older one legacy Outlook. The newer one is the new Outlook for Mac. The two handle appearance differently, so the first job is to see which one is open. Look at the main window and the menu bar. If the app shows a Legacy Outlook toggle, you are in the older version.

Version numbers help too. The latest build in Microsoft's release notes is 16.114.3, build 26102720, released October 27, 2026. Version 16.112 came out August 11, 2026, and version 16.113 came out September 16, 2026. Microsoft's notes do not say which build you run, so check yours before you follow the steps.

- Legacy Outlook: shows a Legacy Outlook toggle. A Microsoft Q&A answer says it ignores the in-app dark mode setting and follows macOS.
- New Outlook for Mac: has no legacy toggle. A Microsoft Q&A answer says it lets you set dark mode and customize colors.
- Not sure: choose Help > Check for Updates. Microsoft says that if your version has no toggle, you should install the newer app from the Apple App Store.

> **Heads up:** Most steps below come from Microsoft's Mac help and Apple's Mac guide. The new Outlook for Mac appearance steps rest on a Microsoft Q&A community answer, not an official Mac article. Test them on your build first.

## Turn on dark mode in Outlook on Mac, step by step

Start with Outlook's own setting. It changes Outlook only, and it leaves the rest of your Mac alone. The path is Outlook > Preferences > General, then Appearance. Microsoft's Mac help describes this path for Microsoft 365 apps. The steps below follow it, and a later section covers the Mac-wide option.

![A person typing at a laptop on a desk, the kind of screen where you would switch Outlook to dark mode on a Mac](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/use-dark-mode-in-outlook/how-to-use-dark-mode-in-outlook-1-316f4a.jpg)

## Light, Dark or System: which Outlook option to pick

Under Appearance you get three choices. Light keeps Outlook bright. Dark keeps it dark. System copies whatever your Mac uses at the moment. Microsoft's help page lists these three options for Microsoft 365 apps on Mac. The table shows how each one behaves next to the Mac-wide options.

| Setting | Where to find it | What Outlook does |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dark | Outlook > Preferences > General > Appearance | Outlook stays dark, even when the Mac is set to Light |
| Light | Outlook > Preferences > General > Appearance | Outlook stays light, even when the Mac is set to Dark |
| System | Outlook > Preferences > General > Appearance | Outlook follows the Mac's Light or Dark appearance |
| Mac Dark | Apple menu > System Settings > Appearance | The Mac switches to Dark, and apps that follow it change too |
| Mac Auto | Apple menu > System Settings > Appearance | The Mac switches on the Night Shift schedule, after one minute idle |

_Outlook's own options next to the Mac-wide options, based on Microsoft and Apple help pages._

A common mistake is choosing Light, then wondering why the Mac's dark mode has no effect. Light overrides the Mac for Outlook. If you want both to match, choose System. You can also choose Dark and leave the Mac alone.

Personalize sits in the same General area. Microsoft lists two themes there, Aluminum, which is the default, and Colorful. Version 16.112 also made reading-pane links and @mentions match the app's accent color, according to the release notes. Version 16.113 added a custom accent color option.

## Use the Mac's dark mode for Outlook too

If you want Outlook to follow the Mac, set the Mac first. Open System Settings > Appearance, then choose Light, Dark or Auto. Apple's guide says Auto follows the Night Shift schedule. It waits until the Mac has been idle for at least one minute before it switches.

The Control Center toggle is quicker for a one-off change. Click the Control Center icon, click the disclosure button next to Display, then click Dark Mode. Apple's guide lists no keyboard shortcut for this toggle, so the menu path is the fastest route.

## Turn on dark mode in Outlook on the web

Outlook on the web does not read the Mac app's setting. Open Outlook in your browser. At the top of the page, select Settings, then General > Appearance. Under Dark mode, select Dark. Microsoft's help page for Outlook on the web describes this path.

Microsoft's two web help pages do not agree on the choices. One lists only Dark under Dark mode. The other lists Dark, Light and Use system settings. Check the options on your own screen, and use whichever set you see.

## Why legacy Outlook for Mac may ignore dark mode

A Microsoft Q&A thread about version 16.85.2 says legacy Outlook ignores the in-app dark mode setting and follows macOS. The answer recommends the new Outlook for Mac. That answer is a community reply, not Microsoft's Mac help page, so treat it as a strong hint rather than a guarantee.

The bigger issue is the retirement date. Microsoft's end-of-support page says legacy Outlook for Mac stops working with Exchange Online mailboxes starting October 2026. The cause is the retirement of Exchange Web Services on October 1, 2026. Legacy Outlook keeps working with Exchange On-Premises until October 9, 2029, then gets only security updates.

- **79.7%** of university students in one arXiv survey preferred dark mode on their phones, not on Macs ([source](https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.10895))
- **Oct 1, 2026** Exchange Web Services retirement date that breaks legacy Outlook for Mac with Exchange Online ([source](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/end-of-support-for-legacy-outlook-for-mac))

If your work account sits on Exchange Online, that date has already passed. Plan the move to the new app now, not later. Microsoft's page does not say what happens to accounts or stored data when you switch, so back up anything you cannot lose before you start.

## Mistakes people make with dark mode in Outlook on Mac

- Setting only the Mac to Dark and expecting Outlook to change, when Outlook is set to Light.
- Changing Outlook's setting while still on legacy Outlook, which may ignore it.
- Looking for a keyboard shortcut. The pages checked list none for Outlook dark mode.
- Turning off Dark Mode in one Microsoft 365 app and assuming the others match it.
- Forgetting that Auto waits one minute of idle time before the Mac switches.

![A MacBook on an office desk, the hardware where Outlook for Mac runs with dark mode turned on](https://images.lazur.app/content-images/howto/use-dark-mode-in-outlook/how-to-use-dark-mode-in-outlook-3-13c27b.jpg)

## Reading pane, single apps and other edge cases

Microsoft's dark mode help page says the reading pane stays dark in dark mode. To brighten it, select Turn on the lights at the top of the reading pane. That page covers Windows and the web, not Mac. Check the View menu on your Mac. If you find no light option, your build may not offer one.

Microsoft's page also says a single Microsoft 365 app can be set to Turn off Dark Mode from its General tab. Use that when one app looks wrong while the rest look right. Open that app's Preferences, choose General, and check the setting there.

## What to do next

Once dark mode works, review your other Outlook settings. Signatures and fonts are the usual next stops. Read [how to create an email signature in Outlook on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/create-an-email-signature-in-outlook) or [how to change the default font in Outlook on Mac](https://www.lazur.app/how-to/change-the-default-font-in-outlook).

If the setting still does not stick, write down your Outlook build number and your macOS version. Then check Microsoft's current end-of-support page. Microsoft updates these pages often, so the dates on this page may move.

## If it does not work

- **Outlook ignores the Dark setting** You may be on legacy Outlook for Mac, which a Microsoft Q&A answer says follows macOS. Set the Mac to Dark in System Settings > Appearance, or switch to the new Outlook for Mac using the toggle steps above.
- **The Dark option is missing from Preferences** Open Help > Check for Updates to get the newest build. If your version still has no toggle, Microsoft says to install the newer app from the Apple App Store.
- **The reading pane stays bright or dark** Microsoft's dark mode page describes a Turn on the lights button in the reading pane, but that page covers Windows and the web. Check the View menu on your Mac. If nothing matches, your build may not offer that option.
- **One Microsoft 365 app stays in light mode** Microsoft's page says you can set a single app to Turn off Dark Mode from its General tab. Open that app's Preferences, choose General, and check the setting.
- **Auto mode does not switch when I expect** Apple's guide says Auto follows the Night Shift schedule and waits until the Mac has been idle for at least one minute. Leave the Mac idle for a minute, or choose Dark or Light by hand.

## With Lazur

Lazur is a voice assistant for the Mac that lives in the notch. Hold ⌥ ⌘ and ask; it sees your screen, answers out loud, points at buttons and walks you through apps. Hold fn to dictate. Free for 3 days, then $18/month: https://www.lazur.app/download

- “Where's the Appearance setting in Outlook?”: Lazur circles the Appearance setting in Outlook's General preferences, so you can see where to click. You still make the change yourself. (Points at it)

## FAQ

### Is there a keyboard shortcut for dark mode in Outlook on Mac?

Not in the Microsoft and Apple help pages checked for this page. Apple's Control Center toggle has no shortcut either. Use the menus in the steps above, and check Microsoft's help again if a shortcut appears in a later release.

### Why is Outlook light when my Mac is set to Dark?

Outlook's own Appearance setting is probably set to Light. Open Outlook > Preferences > General, then set Appearance to System or Dark. If the change does nothing, you may be on legacy Outlook, so check the version.

### Does dark mode work in new Outlook for Mac?

A Microsoft Q&A community answer says the new Outlook for Mac lets you set dark mode and custom colors. Microsoft's dark mode help page covers Windows and the web, not Mac, so confirm the option in your own Preferences window.

### Do I need to switch to new Outlook to use dark mode?

A Microsoft Q&A answer says legacy Outlook ignores the in-app setting. Microsoft's end-of-support page tells you to switch off the Legacy Outlook toggle. Switch soon, because legacy Outlook stops working with Exchange Online mailboxes starting October 2026.

### Does dark mode in Outlook on the web follow my Mac setting?

Outlook on the web has its own setting. Select Settings, then General > Appearance, and under Dark mode select Dark. Microsoft's help pages do not agree on the full list of choices, so use what your screen shows.

### Is dark mode easier on the eyes?

One arXiv survey found that 79.7% of university students preferred dark mode on their phones. The abstract reports preference, not a measured eye-strain result, and it does not cover Mac or Outlook users.

### What if I cannot find the Appearance setting?

Open Help > Check for Updates to get the newest build. Microsoft's end-of-support page says to install the newer app from the Apple App Store if your version has no toggle. Then open Preferences > General again.

## Sources

1. [Change the look and feel of Microsoft 365](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/foundations-experiences/change-the-look-and-feel-of-microsoft-365), Microsoft Support, checked 2026-11-07
2. [Microsoft Outlook version 16.85.2 for Mac will not allow me to alter its appearance like previous versions](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4702326/microsoft-outlook-version-16-85-2-for-mac-will-not), Microsoft Q&A, checked 2026-11-07
3. [End of support for legacy Outlook for Mac](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/end-of-support-for-legacy-outlook-for-mac), Microsoft Support, checked 2026-11-07
4. [Use a light or dark appearance on your Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-a-light-or-dark-appearance-mchl52e1c2d2/mac), Apple Support, checked 2026-11-07
5. [Dark mode in Outlook.com and Outlook on the web](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/dark-mode-in-outlook-com-and-outlook-on-the-web), Microsoft Support, checked 2026-11-07
6. [Dark mode in Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/mail/dark-mode-in-outlook), Microsoft Support, checked 2026-11-07
7. [Release notes for Office for Mac](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/release-notes-office-for-mac), Microsoft Learn, checked 2026-11-07
8. [An Exploration of Effects of Dark Mode on University Students](https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.10895), arXiv, checked 2026-11-07