Give your sticky note separate light and dark appearances

How to do it

1. Open customization

   Choose the note you want to style and open its appearance controls.

2. Enable different dark-mode colors

   Use the Different colors in dark mode option where it is available. Set the light appearance and then the dark appearance.

3. Choose readable pairs

   For each appearance, choose background and text colors that make the note easy to read. Review any gradient or pattern in both modes.

4. Test both system appearances

   View the actual widget in light and dark mode. Keep the note’s text and size the same while you compare the two styles.

Design the two appearances for the same job

The dark appearance does not need to be a completely different visual identity. Keep the meaning of the note’s colors recognizable while reducing a background that feels distracting in a dim room.

If your work note uses a blue family in light mode, try a darker blue family with readable text in dark mode. Judge the actual words, rather than a color swatch alone.

Check every layer that carries contrast

The background, text, gradient, and pattern all affect legibility. A pattern that is subtle against a light color can become much more noticeable against a dark one.

For a longer checklist, start with a plain background. If you add decorative styling, read each row at normal widget size. Avoid relying only on hue to distinguish important content.

System presentation still matters

Widget surfaces can be affected by the system’s current appearance and presentation choices. The Home Screen and compact Lock Screen widgets do not necessarily render a note in identical ways.

If a result looks different from the customization preview, compare the actual surface and system appearance before changing the note repeatedly. Contact support with both screenshots if the difference seems wrong.

Common questions