The ability to alter the system’s appearance on older Apple mobile devices, specifically those running iOS 12, to display darker color schemes, often requires modifications beyond the operating system’s native capabilities. These alterations aim to provide a user interface with predominantly dark backgrounds and lighter text, reducing screen glare and potentially conserving battery life on devices with OLED displays.
This modification is valuable to users who experience eye strain from prolonged screen use, particularly in low-light environments. Prior to the widespread adoption of system-wide dark mode in later iOS versions, individuals sought ways to achieve a similar effect on their existing devices. Implementing a dark mode involved installing third-party applications or utilizing jailbreaking techniques, granting users root access to modify system files. These methods allowed for customization of the user interface elements to achieve a darker aesthetic.