Other PDF Issues

How to Enable Dark Mode in Adobe Acrobat on Mac

Algirdas JasaitisAlgirdas Jasaitis Oct 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to locate and activate the application-wide dark theme setting in Adobe Acrobat specifically for a macOS environment.

How to Enable the Dark Theme in Adobe Acrobat on a Mac
Product
Adobe Acrobat
Device & OS
macOS
Scenario
A user who is accustomed to setting up dark mode on a Windows PC is trying to configure the same dark application theme on their Mac but cannot find the equivalent menu setting.
Observed behavior
The user is unable to locate the color theme or appearance settings within the macOS version of Adobe Acrobat.
Before you start

Ensure your Adobe Acrobat is updated to the latest version, as older legacy versions may not support application-wide dark themes on macOS.

Solution 1Recommended

Change the Application Theme via Acrobat Preferences

This is the primary method to manually switch the Adobe Acrobat interface to dark mode on a Mac.

Adobe Acrobat natively supports a dark theme on macOS in its recent versions. You can toggle this setting directly from the application's Preferences menu.

1
Open Preferences

Launch Adobe Acrobat on your Mac. Click on 'Acrobat' or 'Adobe Acrobat Reader' in the top Apple menu bar, then select 'Preferences' (or press Cmd + Comma).

2
Navigate to General or Accessibility

In the left-hand sidebar of the Preferences window, click on the 'View', 'General', or 'Accessibility' category, depending on your specific version of Acrobat.

3
Select Dark Theme

Locate the 'Application Theme' or 'Display Theme' dropdown menu. Change the selection from 'Light' or 'System Theme' to 'Dark', then click 'OK' at the bottom to apply the changes.

Change the Application Theme via Acrobat Preferences
Version Compatibility: If you do not see an Application Theme option, your current version of Acrobat may not support this feature on macOS. Consider updating the software.
Read PDFs in Dark Mode with WPS Office

Easily Read and Edit PDFs in Dark Mode with WPS PDF

WPS Office offers a built-in PDF reader with a dedicated dark reading mode and eye-protection features, available seamlessly on Mac. It provides a lightweight, unified experience for viewing, annotating, and managing your PDF documents without navigating complex settings.

  1. 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free macOS version of WPS Office.
  2. 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF document directly within the application workspace.
  3. 3. Access Reading Modes: Navigate to the 'Home' or 'View' tab on the top ribbon menu, or locate the quick-access background settings at the bottom right corner of the window.
  4. 4. Enable Dark Mode: Click on 'Dark Mode' or 'Eye Protection Mode' to instantly invert the document background and interface for comfortable nighttime reading.
One-click Dark Mode and Eye-Protection mode to reduce screen glare and eye strain.Fully compatible with all standard PDF files and Microsoft Office document formats.Lightweight application that runs fast and smoothly on macOS and Windows.Comprehensive PDF tools including reading, annotating, text editing, and converting.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find the Application Theme option in my Acrobat Preferences on Mac?

The Application Theme option was introduced in more recent versions of Adobe Acrobat, such as Acrobat Pro DC. If you are using a legacy version, like Acrobat 2017 or earlier, the dark theme feature is not natively available on macOS.

Does changing the theme to dark mode affect the actual PDF document?

No, enabling the dark theme in Adobe Acrobat only changes the application's interface, such as menus, toolbars, and side panels. The actual content and background color of the PDF pages remain completely unaffected.

How do I make the actual PDF page background dark in Acrobat?

To change the document's page background color, go to Preferences > Accessibility. Check the box for 'Replace Document Colors', select 'Use High-Contrast colors', and choose a combination like 'White text on black'. This alters how the pages are displayed without modifying the actual file.

Can I use WPS Office to view PDFs in dark mode on my Mac?

Yes, WPS Office for Mac includes a powerful PDF tool that features dedicated reading modes. You can easily switch to Dark Mode or Eye Protection Mode to change both the UI and the document background for comfortable viewing.