Qt dark mode on linux desktops
2025-03-26
Blinded by the white...
Let's go dark mode
Environment
YMMV (your mileage may vary.)
- OS: Debian 12
- DE: GNOME
- WM: mutter (wayland)
1. Install the Adwaita Qt theme.
sudo apt install adwaita-qt
2. Test it out by using the QT_STYLE_OVERRIDE environment variable when executing the program
QT_STYLE_OVERRIDE=Adwaita-Dark designer
3. To apply dark mode by default, add the environment variable to ~/.profile, or your favorite startup file like ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_aliases.
echo "export QT_STYLE_OVERRIDE=Adwaita-Dark" >> ~/.profile
4. Restart your shell, or log out and back in.
5. Open a Qt application, and you should get dark mode by default!
:)
Debian 13 Trixie
2025-08-26 update
Just install Qt (5/6) Configuration Tool
sudo apt install qt5ct
You may also need this added to your startup file
echo "export QT_QPA_PLATFORM=qt5ct" >> ~/.profile
# or
echo "export QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb" >> ~/.profile
:)