Visual elements within the iOS operating system adapt to a system-wide dark theme, altering their appearance for improved legibility and reduced eye strain in low-light environments. These graphical representations, typically small and symbolic, reverse their color scheme from light to dark or adopt a darkened variant to maintain visual clarity and consistency. For example, a settings glyph that is normally black on white becomes white or light gray on a dark background.
The implementation of adaptable visuals is crucial for user experience. By ensuring consistent visibility across the entire operating system, user fatigue is minimized. Furthermore, this contributes significantly to power conservation on devices with OLED screens, where darker pixels consume less energy. Historically, this feature represents a move towards greater accessibility and personalization of mobile devices.