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How to Make Microsoft 365 App Icons Dark on iPad
Question details
The user wants to change the appearance of the Microsoft 365 app icon to a dark theme on their iPad.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Customizing the iPad Home Screen appearance to use dark-themed app icons.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 does not offer an in-app setting to darken only its icon; the appearance is strictly controlled by global iPadOS system settings.
Ensure your iPad is updated to the latest iPadOS version (iPadOS 18 or later is recommended), as app icon customization is controlled by the Apple operating system rather than the Microsoft 365 app itself.
Use iPadOS Home Screen Customization
Use the home screen customization features in newer iPadOS versions to force app icons into a dark theme.
Starting with newer versions of iPadOS, Apple allows users to apply specific color tints and dark themes directly to app icons on the Home Screen. This will apply to all supported icons, including Microsoft 365.
Long-press on any empty area of your iPad Home Screen until the app icons start jiggling.
Tap the 'Edit' button located in the top-left corner of the screen.
Select 'Customize' from the dropdown menu that appears.
Choose 'Dark' from the bottom customization panel to apply the dark appearance to your app icons.
Enable System-Wide Dark Mode
If you are on a slightly older iPadOS version, enabling the system-wide Dark Mode may adjust supported app backgrounds.
Try WPS Office for a Highly Customizable Experience
Since app icon customization and dark mode support depend heavily on Apple's iPadOS updates, you might prefer a more flexible, lightweight office suite. WPS Office offers full compatibility with Microsoft file formats on iPad, complete with an excellent built-in dark reading mode.
- 1. Download from the App Store: Search for 'WPS Office' in the iPad App Store and download the free app.
- 2. Open a Document: Launch WPS Office and open any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file.
- 3. Enable Dark Mode: Tap the 'Tools' menu, navigate to 'View', and switch on 'Dark Mode' for an eye-friendly workspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change just the Microsoft 365 icon to dark without changing the rest of the iPad UI?
No, iPadOS controls app icon appearances globally. You cannot isolate the dark theme to only the Microsoft 365 app icon using native Apple settings.
Why didn't my Microsoft 365 app icon turn dark after updating iPadOS?
The app developer must update their application to support Apple's dark icon feature. Make sure your Microsoft 365 app is updated to the latest version available in the App Store.
What iPadOS version is required to customize dark app icons?
Apple introduced specific dark mode app icon customization (allowing icons to be tinted dark) starting with iPadOS 18. Older versions only apply dark mode to the system UI and menus.
