How to Toggle Dark Mode on Mac with a Keyboard Shortcut

Method 1: Siri Shortcuts + keyboard shortcut

This is the free, built-in approach. You create a shortcut that toggles your appearance, then assign a keyboard shortcut to it through System Settings.

How to set it up

1. Open the Shortcuts app.
2. Click the + button to create a new shortcut.
3. Search for and add the "Set Appearance" action. Set it to Toggle.
4. Name the shortcut "Toggle Dark Mode".
5. Open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → App Shortcuts.
6. Click +, select Shortcuts as the application, type "Toggle Dark Mode" as the menu title (must match exactly), and set your preferred key combination.

Pros and cons

• Free, no extra apps. Everything you need is built into macOS.
• Slightly laggy. The Shortcuts app activates briefly each time you press the shortcut. You may see its icon flash in the Dock.
• Can fail silently. If the Shortcuts app is in a bad state after a macOS update, the shortcut may stop working without any error message.
• No status indicator. You cannot tell which mode you are in without checking System Settings or looking at your screen.

Method 2: Automator Quick Action

The classic approach. You create an Automator service that runs an AppleScript command, then assign a keyboard shortcut to it.

How to set it up

1. Open Automator and create a new Quick Action.
2. Set "Workflow receives" to no input in any application.
3. Add a "Run AppleScript" action with this code:
   tell application "System Events" to tell appearance preferences to set dark mode to not dark mode
4. Save the Quick Action as "Toggle Dark Mode".
5. Open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Services.
6. Find "Toggle Dark Mode" under General and assign your preferred key combination.

Pros and cons

• Free, no extra apps. Uses built-in macOS tools.
• Automator is being deprecated. Apple has been phasing out Automator in favour of Shortcuts. It still works, but future macOS versions may remove it entirely.
• Requires accessibility permissions. AppleScript needs to control System Events, which triggers a permission prompt.
• Can break after macOS updates. AppleScript automation is fragile and occasionally stops working when Apple changes the underlying frameworks.

Method 3: Nightfall

Nightfall is a free, open-source macOS app built specifically for toggling dark mode. It sits in your menu bar and includes a built-in keyboard shortcut.

How to set it up

1. Download Nightfall from the GitHub releases page or the Mac App Store.
2. Open the app. It appears in your menu bar.
3. Open Nightfall preferences and set your preferred keyboard shortcut.
4. Press the shortcut to toggle between light and dark mode instantly.

Pros and cons

• Simple and purpose-built. Does one thing well.
• Open source. You can inspect the code and build it yourself.
• Limited features. No colour temperature control, no wallpaper switching, no weather-aware scheduling.
• Basic scheduling only. Supports sunset/sunrise switching but not custom times or offsets.

Method 4: Solace

Solace is for users who want the keyboard shortcut plus full automation. It sits in your menu bar and combines a global hotkey with solar scheduling, weather-aware switching, wallpaper sync, and evening warmth.

How to set it up

1. Download and open Solace. It appears in your menu bar.
2. Open Solace preferences and set a global keyboard shortcut — any key combination you choose.
3. Press the shortcut to toggle between light and dark mode instantly.
4. Optionally, set up automatic switching — solar, custom schedule, or weather-aware — and the keyboard shortcut will temporarily override the schedule when you need it.

What makes it different

• Global keyboard shortcut. Works in any app, any fullscreen mode, any context. One keystroke to toggle.
• Temporary override. When you press the shortcut, Solace overrides the current schedule. Useful for presentations, screen sharing, or any time you need to switch quickly without disrupting your automatic setup.
• Solar and custom scheduling. Schedule dark mode using precise sunrise/sunset times, fixed times, or time offsets. Adjusts daily as seasons change.
• Weather-aware switching. If the sky is heavily overcast, Solace can switch to dark mode early. Uses Apple WeatherKit, so your location data stays on-device.
• Wallpaper sync. Assign separate wallpapers for light and dark mode. They change automatically.
• Evening warmth. Gradually reduces colour temperature in the evening, independent of Night Shift.
• Zero data collection. No accounts, no analytics, no telemetry.

Comparison: all methods side by side

Tips for choosing your shortcut key combination

There is no universal standard for a dark mode shortcut, so you can pick whatever feels natural. A few practical tips:

• Common choices: Ctrl+Opt+D, Cmd+Shift+A, or Fn+F5. These are rarely used by other apps.
• Test before you commit. Press the combination first. If nothing happens, it is safe to use. If an app responds, pick a different combo.
• Avoid system-reserved shortcuts. Combinations like Cmd+Space (Spotlight), Cmd+Tab (app switcher), and Cmd+Q (quit) are already taken by macOS.
• One-handed is better. You will use this shortcut often. Pick something you can reach without looking, ideally with one hand on the left side of the keyboard.
• Use a modifier key. Always include at least one modifier (Ctrl, Opt, Cmd, or Shift) to avoid triggering the shortcut accidentally while typing.

Frequently asked questions