> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hyperwhisper.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Appearance Settings

> How to change HyperWhisper's color theme between light, dark, and system default on Windows and iOS.

HyperWhisper lets you choose your preferred color scheme — light, dark, or system default — on **Windows** and **iOS**. The macOS app follows your system appearance automatically and does not have a dedicated appearance setting.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows">
    ## Opening Appearance Settings

    Go to **Settings → Appearance**.

    You'll see a **Theme** card with three options:

    | Option             | What it does                                                                 |
    | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **System default** | Automatically switches between light and dark based on your Windows settings |
    | **Light**          | Always uses the light theme with bright backgrounds                          |
    | **Dark**           | Always uses the dark theme for reduced eye strain                            |

    ## Changing the theme

    Select the radio button next to your preferred option. A dialog titled **Restart Required** appears:

    > The application needs to restart for the theme change to take effect.
    > Do you want to restart now?

    * Choose **Yes** to save the selection and restart immediately.
    * Choose **No** to cancel — your previous theme is restored and nothing is saved.

    <Note>
      A restart is required by design. HyperWhisper prompts you to restart when you change the theme rather than applying it on the fly — if you choose **No**, your previous theme is kept and nothing is saved.
    </Note>

    ## Where the setting is saved

    Your theme choice is stored in `%LOCALAPPDATA%\HyperWhisper\settings.json` and persists across updates and restarts.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="iOS">
    ## Opening Appearance Settings

    Go to **Settings** (gear icon) and tap **Appearance** near the top of the settings list. An inline menu appears with three options:

    | Option     | What it does                                   |
    | ---------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
    | **System** | Follows iOS system appearance (default)        |
    | **Light**  | Forces light mode regardless of system setting |
    | **Dark**   | Forces dark mode regardless of system setting  |

    ## Changing the theme

    Tap your preferred option in the picker. The change applies immediately — no restart required. The entire app updates to the selected color scheme right away.

    ## Where the setting is saved

    Your selection is stored in `UserDefaults` under the key `appearanceMode` and persists across launches.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS">
    ## macOS

    The macOS app does not have an Appearance setting. It follows your macOS system appearance automatically — if your Mac is set to Dark Mode, HyperWhisper uses dark colors; if it's set to Light Mode, it uses light colors.

    To change the appearance on macOS, update your system setting in **System Settings → Appearance**.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>