diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/dslul/openboard/inputmethod/latin/settings/Settings.java b/app/src/main/java/org/dslul/openboard/inputmethod/latin/settings/Settings.java
index 4fe422571..20ea4b05b 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/dslul/openboard/inputmethod/latin/settings/Settings.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/dslul/openboard/inputmethod/latin/settings/Settings.java
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ public final class Settings implements SharedPreferences.OnSharedPreferenceChang
     public static Colors getColorsForCurrentTheme(final Context context, final SharedPreferences prefs) {
         // todo: night mode can be unspecified -> maybe need to adjust for correct behavior on some devices?
         final boolean isNight = (context.getResources().getConfiguration().uiMode & Configuration.UI_MODE_NIGHT_MASK) == Configuration.UI_MODE_NIGHT_YES;
-        final String themeColors = (isNight && prefs.getBoolean(Settings.PREF_THEME_DAY_NIGHT, false))
+        final String themeColors = (isNight && prefs.getBoolean(Settings.PREF_THEME_DAY_NIGHT, context.getResources().getBoolean(R.bool.day_night_default)))
                 ? prefs.getString(Settings.PREF_THEME_VARIANT_NIGHT, KeyboardTheme.THEME_DARKER)
                 : prefs.getString(Settings.PREF_THEME_VARIANT, KeyboardTheme.THEME_LIGHT);
         final String themeStyle = prefs.getString(Settings.PREF_THEME_STYLE, KeyboardTheme.THEME_STYLE_MATERIAL);
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values-v29/donottranslate.xml b/app/src/main/res/values-v29/donottranslate.xml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1c6a32668
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values-v29/donottranslate.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<resources xmlns:xliff="urn:oasis:names:tc:xliff:document:1.2">
+    <!-- default value for auto-day/night setting -->
+    <bool name="day_night_default">true</bool>
+</resources>
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values/donottranslate.xml b/app/src/main/res/values/donottranslate.xml
index b1cd0f89c..da57eb5cd 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values/donottranslate.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values/donottranslate.xml
@@ -144,4 +144,6 @@
     <string name="hide_soft_input_permission">org.dslul.openboard.inputmethod.latin.HIDE_SOFT_INPUT</string>
     <!-- App slogan-->
     <string name="app_slogan" translatable="false">100% FOSS keyboard, based on AOSP.</string>
+    <!-- default value for auto-day/night setting -->
+    <bool name="day_night_default">false</bool>
 </resources>
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/xml/prefs_screen_appearance.xml b/app/src/main/res/xml/prefs_screen_appearance.xml
index 57d503e10..ee771ca21 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/xml/prefs_screen_appearance.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/xml/prefs_screen_appearance.xml
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
         <SwitchPreferenceCompat
             android:key="theme_auto_day_night"
             android:title="@string/day_night_mode"
+            android:defaultValue="@bool/day_night_default"
             android:summary="@string/day_night_mode_summary"/>
 
         <ListPreference