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Dark Mode Poltergeist
Diabolical 2 of 5Nuisance

Dark Mode Poltergeist

Every app open flips light and dark mode.

Download shortcut⏱ 40s setup

Open in Safari on your iPhone. Download the file, open it from Safari Downloads or Files, then follow the prompts to add it in Shortcuts.

What happens

Each time they open one of the chosen apps, the whole phone flips between light and dark mode. Open, flip. Open, flip.

Setup

  1. Open this page in Safari on the iPhone, download the file (or AirDrop it), open it from Safari Downloads or Files, and tap Add Shortcut.
  2. Long-press it in Shortcuts β†’ All Shortcuts β†’ Rename and call it Display Sync, so it doesn’t give itself away.
  3. Run it while unlocked and choose Always Allow where offered; allow any other requested access. Confirm its effect before creating the automation.
  4. Shortcuts β†’ Automation β†’ + β†’ App, pick 3–4 apps they use and choose Is Opened, select Run Immediately, tap Next and choose the shortcut.

Undo

Open Shortcuts β†’ Automation, swipe left on the automation and tap Delete. Then delete the shortcut. Set Settings β†’ Display & Brightness back to their usual appearance.

Test the trigger

Installing the file does not create its automation. After the manual test, trigger the event once and check the result. If the shortcut picker is unavailable, create a blank automation, add Run Shortcut, and select this shortcut. Menus, previews and app-opening actions may still need interaction or an unlocked phone even with Run Immediately selected. If it stops, run from the shortcut’s … editor to identify the failing action.