MigraineMe is always in dark mode. The background is a deep purple gradient, the text is white or pale grey, and the cards are quiet shades of charcoal. There is no light mode, and this is on purpose. We hope this article explains why, so you can use the app with confidence.
You have not missed a setting. There is no hidden switch for light mode.
Why MigraineMe is dark on purpose
Migraine and bright screens do not get on well. Many people who get migraines have photophobia, which means light is uncomfortable, sometimes painful, before and during an attack. A bright white phone screen can be one of the worst things to look at when you feel one coming on.
A dark screen:
- Puts out less total light into your eyes.
- Is less likely to trigger a sensitive head.
- Is easier to look at in a dimly lit room, or in bed at night.
- Tends to use a tiny bit less battery on modern phones with OLED screens.
For these reasons, the whole MigraineMe app stays dark all the time. Other apps on your phone can still be bright, that is fine. Only MigraineMe is forced to stay calm.
If the app looks too dark
- Use your phone's brightness slider to nudge the screen brighter.
- Use your phone's True Tone (iPhone) or Adaptive brightness (Android) so the screen adjusts to the room you are in.
- If your eyes are tired in the evening, turn on Night Shift (iPhone) or Night light (Android) so the screen takes on a warmer, less blue tone.
If the app looks too bright
- Use your phone's brightness slider to bring the screen down.
- If you are sensitive, you can also turn on the system-wide Reduce White Point (iPhone, under Accessibility) or Extra dim (Android, under Accessibility). MigraineMe will follow that setting and look even softer.
On iPhone, reducing brightness for migraine relief
- Swipe down from the top-right of your screen to open Control Centre.
- Press and hold the brightness slider.
- Tap Dark Mode if it is not on already.
- Tap True Tone if you would like the colour to warm up.
- For the lowest possible brightness, open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Display & Text Size, and turn on Reduce White Point. Move the slider to a level that feels comfortable.
On Android, reducing brightness for migraine relief
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings.
- Look for Dark theme and make sure it is on (some phones call it Dark mode).
- Pull the brightness slider all the way down.
- For an even darker screen, open Settings, tap Accessibility, and turn on Extra dim. Use its slider to set how soft you want it to be.
If you really, really want light mode
We do not offer one in the app. We are sorry if this is a let-down. The reasoning above is the whole story, and we have heard from many people with migraine that the dark theme is one of the small kindnesses that makes MigraineMe easier to live with.
If your eyes do not bother you in bright settings, just keep your phone at full brightness. The app will still look perfectly readable.
