Facebook Messenger starts testing Dark Mode in ‘certain countries’

Image: Screenshot from Twitter/@wongmjane

Facebook has recently started gradually rolling out a new and improved Messenger app. Apparently, it was not the only surprise the tech company has for users, as Facebook has also started testing its dark mode option in select countries.

Jane Manchun Wong, a tech blogger who became famous for her use of reverse-engineering strategies to uncover upcoming tech features, announced the good news last Monday, Dec. 31 via Twitter.

“Facebook Messenger, seemingly due to prolonged external nagging, has started public testing Dark Mode in certain countries,” she stated. “They have put up a fair warning that Dark Mode isn’t everywhere yet so don’t complain when some UI (user interface) burns your eyes off.”

Facebook Messenger, seemingly due to prolonged external nagging, has started public testing Dark Mode in certain countries

They have put up a fair warning that Dark Mode isn't everywhere yet so don't complain when some UI burns your eyes off

previously: https://t.co/9fCvbYXS5Z pic.twitter.com/wF3w5hsHfh

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) December 31, 2018

She shared a screengrab of the warning that popped up when she tried the new feature. “Work in Progress/ While we put the finishing touches on dark mode, it won’t appear everywhere in Messenger,” the warning read.

Some netizens immediately tried to see whether they already have the dark mode option. However, they were disappointed to learn that they could not yet test the said feature.

“Do you know which countries the testing is taking place in?” a netizen, @RyneHager, asked Wong, whose Twitter location says “Hong Kong.” She cheekily replied, “No idea. Might have to travel [to] every [country] to know the answer.”

No idea. Might have to travel every countries to know the answer

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) December 31, 2018

Wong’s announcement came after Messenger said via its official Twitter account on Dec. 20 that the dark mode will be introduced after the release of the new Messenger.

Image: Screengrab from Twitter/@messenger

“We’re rolling out the new Messenger gradually in the coming weeks — starting with an updated and simplified look,” Facebook said. “We plan to introduce new features like Dark Mode to people soon.”

Wong initially discovered that Facebook was testing dark mode in the new UI in October last year.

Facebook Messenger is testing Dark Mode in the new UI

previously: https://t.co/vT6WoKikPm pic.twitter.com/A6ETE45BPN

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 5, 2018

She shared a collage of the screengrabs of the new feature — the white background has been replaced with black, the black text with white, and the search bar and other UI buttons were shifted to a darker gray color. JB

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