Google is overhauling the design of YouTube and adds a new dark mode theme. YouTube has been through a number of changes throughout the years, and this time around Google is updating the look and feel of the popular video site with a more minimalist design, which also introduces a new dark theme that should make it easy on eyes when watching videos.
The new YouTube design is still being developed, and it’s only available as a preview for a small number of users, but it’s possible to try it out, and the best part is that you can also enable the dark mode.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to switch to the new YouTube design, and the steps to enable YouTube’s dark mode using Chrome on Windows 10, Mac, or Linux.
How to enable YouTube’s dark mode
To switch to the new YouTube design to enable the new dark theme, do the following:
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Visit the Chrome Web Store and install the EditThisCookie extension.
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Head over to this YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/?gl=US.
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Sign in to your YouTube account, but note that this should also work if you’re signed out.
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Click EditThisCooking button next to the address bar.
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Click the VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE entry to open the cookie.
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Replace its content with the following value:
fPQ4jCL6EiE
YouTube new UI cookie -
Click the green check mark button to save the changes.
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Refresh the page and voila! You’re now on the new YouTube design.
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On the top-right corner, click your account icon to open the menu. (If you’re not signed in, click the three-dotted button on the top-right corner.)
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Click on Theme and select Dark.
While these instructions are specific to Google Chrome, you can follow the steps to try out the new YouTube on Firefox, as EditThisChookie is also available as an Add-on for Mozilla’s web browser.
The new YouTube overhaul improves significantly the previous design with a cleaner look, fewer lines a move focus on the content, and the new dark mode is a welcome addition that perhaps will eliminate the need to use plugins, such as Turn off the light to remove distractions when watching videos.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].