Dark Mode: useColorScheme() always returns light on Android

Understanding the Issue

What is useColorScheme()?

The useColorScheme() function in React Native is designed to help developers build applications that adapt to the user’s preferred color scheme, whether it’s light or dark. It returns a string indicating the current color scheme.

The Problem on Android

On Android devices, useColorScheme() consistently returns “light” even when the system theme is set to dark mode. This discrepancy causes issues when trying to implement dark mode functionality based on the useColorScheme() output.

Analyzing the Root Cause

React Native’s Implementation

React Native relies on Android’s AppCompatDelegate for theme management. This delegate handles switching between light and dark modes based on system settings.

The Discrepancy

The problem arises because AppCompatDelegate doesn’t always update its internal state immediately when the system theme changes. This delay leads to useColorScheme() returning an outdated value.

Potential Solutions

1. Use `AppearanceProvider`

React Native provides an AppearanceProvider component that automatically updates based on system theme changes. Using this component ensures consistent color scheme detection.

import { AppearanceProvider, useColorScheme } from 'react-native';

const MyComponent = () => {
  const colorScheme = useColorScheme();

  return (
    
      {/* ... rest of the component */}
    
  );
};

2. Implement a Custom Theme Solution

If you need more control over theme management, consider building a custom solution using a theme provider and managing the theme state independently.

import { createContext, useState } from 'react';
import { useColorScheme } from 'react-native';

const ThemeContext = createContext({
  colorScheme: 'light',
  toggleTheme: () => {},
});

const MyComponent = () => {
  const [colorScheme, setColorScheme] = useState('light');
  const useColorScheme = useColorScheme();

  const toggleTheme = () => {
    setColorScheme(colorScheme === 'light' ? 'dark' : 'light');
  };

  return (
    
      {/* ... rest of the component */}
    
  );
};

3. Implement an Android-Specific Workaround

Consider implementing an Android-specific workaround that forces an update of AppCompatDelegate‘s state after the system theme changes. This approach is less ideal as it relies on platform-specific code.

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