diff --git a/lib/model/binding.dart b/lib/model/binding.dart
index 50477ec01a..d8e860dca0 100644
--- a/lib/model/binding.dart
+++ b/lib/model/binding.dart
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ abstract class ZulipBinding {
   }
 
   /// Get the app's singleton [GlobalStore],
-  /// calling [loadGlobalStore] if not already loaded.
+  /// loading it asynchronously if not already loaded.
   ///
   /// Where possible, use [GlobalStoreWidget.of] to get access to a [GlobalStore].
   /// Use this method only in contexts like notifications where
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ class PackageInfo {
 
 /// A concrete binding for use in the live application.
 ///
-/// The global store returned by [loadGlobalStore], and consequently by
+/// The global store returned by [getGlobalStore], and consequently by
 /// [GlobalStoreWidget.of] in application code, will be a [LiveGlobalStore].
 /// It therefore uses a live server and live, persistent local database.
 ///
diff --git a/lib/model/database.dart b/lib/model/database.dart
index 687011026f..236a966d14 100644
--- a/lib/model/database.dart
+++ b/lib/model/database.dart
@@ -1,10 +1,5 @@
-import 'dart:io';
-
 import 'package:drift/drift.dart';
-import 'package:drift/native.dart';
 import 'package:drift/remote.dart';
-import 'package:path/path.dart' as path;
-import 'package:path_provider/path_provider.dart';
 import 'package:sqlite3/common.dart';
 
 part 'database.g.dart';
@@ -39,8 +34,6 @@ class Accounts extends Table {
 
   Column<String> get ackedPushToken => text().nullable()();
 
-  // If adding a column, be sure to add it to copyWithCompanion too.
-
   @override
   List<Set<Column<Object>>> get uniqueKeys => [
     {realmUrl, userId},
@@ -48,20 +41,48 @@ class Accounts extends Table {
   ];
 }
 
-extension AccountExtension on Account {
-  Account copyWithCompanion(AccountsCompanion data) { // TODO(drift): generate this
-    return Account(
-      id: data.id.present ? data.id.value : id,
-      realmUrl: data.realmUrl.present ? data.realmUrl.value : realmUrl,
-      userId: data.userId.present ? data.userId.value : userId,
-      email: data.email.present ? data.email.value : email,
-      apiKey: data.apiKey.present ? data.apiKey.value : apiKey,
-      zulipVersion: data.zulipVersion.present ? data.zulipVersion.value : zulipVersion,
-      zulipMergeBase: data.zulipMergeBase.present ? data.zulipMergeBase.value : zulipMergeBase,
-      zulipFeatureLevel: data.zulipFeatureLevel.present ? data.zulipFeatureLevel.value : zulipFeatureLevel,
-      ackedPushToken: data.ackedPushToken.present ? data.ackedPushToken.value : ackedPushToken,
-    );
-  }
+/// The visual theme of the app.
+///
+/// See [zulipThemeData] for how themes are determined.
+enum ThemeSetting {
+  /// Corresponds to the default platform setting.
+  none,
+
+  /// Corresponds to [Brightness.light].
+  light,
+
+  /// Corresponds to [Brightness.dark].
+  dark,
+}
+
+/// What browser the user has set to use for opening links in messages.
+///
+/// See https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/stream/48-mobile/topic/in-app.20browser
+/// for the reasoning behind these options.
+enum BrowserPreference {
+  /// Use [UrlLaunchMode.externalApplication] on iOS,
+  /// [UrlLaunchMode.platformDefault] on Android.
+  none,
+
+  /// Use the in-app browser.
+  embedded,
+
+  /// Use the user's default browser app.
+  external,
+}
+
+/// The table of the user's chosen settings independent of account, on this
+/// client.
+///
+/// These apply across all the user's accounts on this client (i.e. on this
+/// install of the app on this device).
+@DataClassName('GlobalSettingsData')
+class GlobalSettings extends Table {
+  // TODO(db): Maybe make this optional and/or use clientDefault?
+  Column<String> get themeSetting => textEnum<ThemeSetting>()();
+
+  // TODO(db): Maybe make this optional and/or use clientDefault?
+  Column<String> get browserPreference => textEnum<BrowserPreference>()();
 }
 
 class UriConverter extends TypeConverter<Uri, String> {
@@ -70,21 +91,10 @@ class UriConverter extends TypeConverter<Uri, String> {
   @override Uri fromSql(String fromDb) => Uri.parse(fromDb);
 }
 
-LazyDatabase _openConnection() {
-  return LazyDatabase(() async {
-    // TODO decide if this path is the right one to use
-    final dbFolder = await getApplicationDocumentsDirectory();
-    final file = File(path.join(dbFolder.path, 'db.sqlite'));
-    return NativeDatabase.createInBackground(file);
-  });
-}
-
-@DriftDatabase(tables: [Accounts])
+@DriftDatabase(tables: [Accounts, GlobalSettings])
 class AppDatabase extends _$AppDatabase {
   AppDatabase(super.e);
 
-  AppDatabase.live() : this(_openConnection());
-
   // When updating the schema:
   //  * Make the change in the table classes, and bump schemaVersion.
   //  * Export the new schema and generate test migrations:
@@ -92,7 +102,7 @@ class AppDatabase extends _$AppDatabase {
   //  * Write a migration in `onUpgrade` below.
   //  * Write tests.
   @override
-  int get schemaVersion => 2; // See note.
+  int get schemaVersion => 3; // See note.
 
   @override
   MigrationStrategy get migration {
@@ -118,6 +128,10 @@ class AppDatabase extends _$AppDatabase {
         if (from < 2 && 2 <= to) {
           await m.addColumn(accounts, accounts.ackedPushToken);
         }
+
+        if (from < 3 && 3 <= to) {
+          await m.createTable(globalSettings);
+        }
         // New migrations go here.
       }
     );
@@ -138,6 +152,20 @@ class AppDatabase extends _$AppDatabase {
       rethrow;
     }
   }
+
+  Future<GlobalSettingsData> ensureGlobalSettings() async {
+    final settings = await select(globalSettings).getSingleOrNull();
+    // TODO(db): Enforce the singleton constraint more robustly.
+    if (settings != null) {
+      return settings;
+    }
+
+    await into(globalSettings).insert(GlobalSettingsCompanion.insert(
+      themeSetting: ThemeSetting.none,
+      browserPreference: BrowserPreference.none,
+    ));
+    return select(globalSettings).getSingle();
+  }
 }
 
 class AccountAlreadyExistsException implements Exception {}
diff --git a/lib/model/database.g.dart b/lib/model/database.g.dart
index 9285a8abae..c3149be01b 100644
--- a/lib/model/database.g.dart
+++ b/lib/model/database.g.dart
@@ -501,15 +501,240 @@ class AccountsCompanion extends UpdateCompanion<Account> {
   }
 }
 
+class $GlobalSettingsTable extends GlobalSettings
+    with TableInfo<$GlobalSettingsTable, GlobalSettingsData> {
+  @override
+  final GeneratedDatabase attachedDatabase;
+  final String? _alias;
+  $GlobalSettingsTable(this.attachedDatabase, [this._alias]);
+  static const VerificationMeta _themeSettingMeta =
+      const VerificationMeta('themeSetting');
+  @override
+  late final GeneratedColumnWithTypeConverter<ThemeSetting, String>
+      themeSetting = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+              'theme_setting', aliasedName, false,
+              type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true)
+          .withConverter<ThemeSetting>(
+              $GlobalSettingsTable.$converterthemeSetting);
+  static const VerificationMeta _browserPreferenceMeta =
+      const VerificationMeta('browserPreference');
+  @override
+  late final GeneratedColumnWithTypeConverter<BrowserPreference, String>
+      browserPreference = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+              'browser_preference', aliasedName, false,
+              type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true)
+          .withConverter<BrowserPreference>(
+              $GlobalSettingsTable.$converterbrowserPreference);
+  @override
+  List<GeneratedColumn> get $columns => [themeSetting, browserPreference];
+  @override
+  String get aliasedName => _alias ?? actualTableName;
+  @override
+  String get actualTableName => $name;
+  static const String $name = 'global_settings';
+  @override
+  VerificationContext validateIntegrity(Insertable<GlobalSettingsData> instance,
+      {bool isInserting = false}) {
+    final context = VerificationContext();
+    final data = instance.toColumns(true);
+    context.handle(_themeSettingMeta, const VerificationResult.success());
+    context.handle(_browserPreferenceMeta, const VerificationResult.success());
+    return context;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Set<GeneratedColumn> get $primaryKey => const {};
+  @override
+  GlobalSettingsData map(Map<String, dynamic> data, {String? tablePrefix}) {
+    final effectivePrefix = tablePrefix != null ? '$tablePrefix.' : '';
+    return GlobalSettingsData(
+      themeSetting: $GlobalSettingsTable.$converterthemeSetting.fromSql(
+          attachedDatabase.typeMapping.read(
+              DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}theme_setting'])!),
+      browserPreference: $GlobalSettingsTable.$converterbrowserPreference
+          .fromSql(attachedDatabase.typeMapping.read(DriftSqlType.string,
+              data['${effectivePrefix}browser_preference'])!),
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  $GlobalSettingsTable createAlias(String alias) {
+    return $GlobalSettingsTable(attachedDatabase, alias);
+  }
+
+  static JsonTypeConverter2<ThemeSetting, String, String>
+      $converterthemeSetting =
+      const EnumNameConverter<ThemeSetting>(ThemeSetting.values);
+  static JsonTypeConverter2<BrowserPreference, String, String>
+      $converterbrowserPreference =
+      const EnumNameConverter<BrowserPreference>(BrowserPreference.values);
+}
+
+class GlobalSettingsData extends DataClass
+    implements Insertable<GlobalSettingsData> {
+  final ThemeSetting themeSetting;
+  final BrowserPreference browserPreference;
+  const GlobalSettingsData(
+      {required this.themeSetting, required this.browserPreference});
+  @override
+  Map<String, Expression> toColumns(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    final map = <String, Expression>{};
+    {
+      map['theme_setting'] = Variable<String>(
+          $GlobalSettingsTable.$converterthemeSetting.toSql(themeSetting));
+    }
+    {
+      map['browser_preference'] = Variable<String>($GlobalSettingsTable
+          .$converterbrowserPreference
+          .toSql(browserPreference));
+    }
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  GlobalSettingsCompanion toCompanion(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    return GlobalSettingsCompanion(
+      themeSetting: Value(themeSetting),
+      browserPreference: Value(browserPreference),
+    );
+  }
+
+  factory GlobalSettingsData.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json,
+      {ValueSerializer? serializer}) {
+    serializer ??= driftRuntimeOptions.defaultSerializer;
+    return GlobalSettingsData(
+      themeSetting: $GlobalSettingsTable.$converterthemeSetting
+          .fromJson(serializer.fromJson<String>(json['themeSetting'])),
+      browserPreference: $GlobalSettingsTable.$converterbrowserPreference
+          .fromJson(serializer.fromJson<String>(json['browserPreference'])),
+    );
+  }
+  @override
+  Map<String, dynamic> toJson({ValueSerializer? serializer}) {
+    serializer ??= driftRuntimeOptions.defaultSerializer;
+    return <String, dynamic>{
+      'themeSetting': serializer.toJson<String>(
+          $GlobalSettingsTable.$converterthemeSetting.toJson(themeSetting)),
+      'browserPreference': serializer.toJson<String>($GlobalSettingsTable
+          .$converterbrowserPreference
+          .toJson(browserPreference)),
+    };
+  }
+
+  GlobalSettingsData copyWith(
+          {ThemeSetting? themeSetting, BrowserPreference? browserPreference}) =>
+      GlobalSettingsData(
+        themeSetting: themeSetting ?? this.themeSetting,
+        browserPreference: browserPreference ?? this.browserPreference,
+      );
+  GlobalSettingsData copyWithCompanion(GlobalSettingsCompanion data) {
+    return GlobalSettingsData(
+      themeSetting: data.themeSetting.present
+          ? data.themeSetting.value
+          : this.themeSetting,
+      browserPreference: data.browserPreference.present
+          ? data.browserPreference.value
+          : this.browserPreference,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String toString() {
+    return (StringBuffer('GlobalSettingsData(')
+          ..write('themeSetting: $themeSetting, ')
+          ..write('browserPreference: $browserPreference')
+          ..write(')'))
+        .toString();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  int get hashCode => Object.hash(themeSetting, browserPreference);
+  @override
+  bool operator ==(Object other) =>
+      identical(this, other) ||
+      (other is GlobalSettingsData &&
+          other.themeSetting == this.themeSetting &&
+          other.browserPreference == this.browserPreference);
+}
+
+class GlobalSettingsCompanion extends UpdateCompanion<GlobalSettingsData> {
+  final Value<ThemeSetting> themeSetting;
+  final Value<BrowserPreference> browserPreference;
+  final Value<int> rowid;
+  const GlobalSettingsCompanion({
+    this.themeSetting = const Value.absent(),
+    this.browserPreference = const Value.absent(),
+    this.rowid = const Value.absent(),
+  });
+  GlobalSettingsCompanion.insert({
+    required ThemeSetting themeSetting,
+    required BrowserPreference browserPreference,
+    this.rowid = const Value.absent(),
+  })  : themeSetting = Value(themeSetting),
+        browserPreference = Value(browserPreference);
+  static Insertable<GlobalSettingsData> custom({
+    Expression<String>? themeSetting,
+    Expression<String>? browserPreference,
+    Expression<int>? rowid,
+  }) {
+    return RawValuesInsertable({
+      if (themeSetting != null) 'theme_setting': themeSetting,
+      if (browserPreference != null) 'browser_preference': browserPreference,
+      if (rowid != null) 'rowid': rowid,
+    });
+  }
+
+  GlobalSettingsCompanion copyWith(
+      {Value<ThemeSetting>? themeSetting,
+      Value<BrowserPreference>? browserPreference,
+      Value<int>? rowid}) {
+    return GlobalSettingsCompanion(
+      themeSetting: themeSetting ?? this.themeSetting,
+      browserPreference: browserPreference ?? this.browserPreference,
+      rowid: rowid ?? this.rowid,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Map<String, Expression> toColumns(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    final map = <String, Expression>{};
+    if (themeSetting.present) {
+      map['theme_setting'] = Variable<String>($GlobalSettingsTable
+          .$converterthemeSetting
+          .toSql(themeSetting.value));
+    }
+    if (browserPreference.present) {
+      map['browser_preference'] = Variable<String>($GlobalSettingsTable
+          .$converterbrowserPreference
+          .toSql(browserPreference.value));
+    }
+    if (rowid.present) {
+      map['rowid'] = Variable<int>(rowid.value);
+    }
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String toString() {
+    return (StringBuffer('GlobalSettingsCompanion(')
+          ..write('themeSetting: $themeSetting, ')
+          ..write('browserPreference: $browserPreference, ')
+          ..write('rowid: $rowid')
+          ..write(')'))
+        .toString();
+  }
+}
+
 abstract class _$AppDatabase extends GeneratedDatabase {
   _$AppDatabase(QueryExecutor e) : super(e);
   $AppDatabaseManager get managers => $AppDatabaseManager(this);
   late final $AccountsTable accounts = $AccountsTable(this);
+  late final $GlobalSettingsTable globalSettings = $GlobalSettingsTable(this);
   @override
   Iterable<TableInfo<Table, Object?>> get allTables =>
       allSchemaEntities.whereType<TableInfo<Table, Object?>>();
   @override
-  List<DatabaseSchemaEntity> get allSchemaEntities => [accounts];
+  List<DatabaseSchemaEntity> get allSchemaEntities =>
+      [accounts, globalSettings];
 }
 
 typedef $$AccountsTableCreateCompanionBuilder = AccountsCompanion Function({
@@ -698,9 +923,96 @@ class $$AccountsTableOrderingComposer
           ColumnOrderings(column, joinBuilders: joinBuilders));
 }
 
+typedef $$GlobalSettingsTableCreateCompanionBuilder = GlobalSettingsCompanion
+    Function({
+  required ThemeSetting themeSetting,
+  required BrowserPreference browserPreference,
+  Value<int> rowid,
+});
+typedef $$GlobalSettingsTableUpdateCompanionBuilder = GlobalSettingsCompanion
+    Function({
+  Value<ThemeSetting> themeSetting,
+  Value<BrowserPreference> browserPreference,
+  Value<int> rowid,
+});
+
+class $$GlobalSettingsTableTableManager extends RootTableManager<
+    _$AppDatabase,
+    $GlobalSettingsTable,
+    GlobalSettingsData,
+    $$GlobalSettingsTableFilterComposer,
+    $$GlobalSettingsTableOrderingComposer,
+    $$GlobalSettingsTableCreateCompanionBuilder,
+    $$GlobalSettingsTableUpdateCompanionBuilder> {
+  $$GlobalSettingsTableTableManager(
+      _$AppDatabase db, $GlobalSettingsTable table)
+      : super(TableManagerState(
+          db: db,
+          table: table,
+          filteringComposer:
+              $$GlobalSettingsTableFilterComposer(ComposerState(db, table)),
+          orderingComposer:
+              $$GlobalSettingsTableOrderingComposer(ComposerState(db, table)),
+          updateCompanionCallback: ({
+            Value<ThemeSetting> themeSetting = const Value.absent(),
+            Value<BrowserPreference> browserPreference = const Value.absent(),
+            Value<int> rowid = const Value.absent(),
+          }) =>
+              GlobalSettingsCompanion(
+            themeSetting: themeSetting,
+            browserPreference: browserPreference,
+            rowid: rowid,
+          ),
+          createCompanionCallback: ({
+            required ThemeSetting themeSetting,
+            required BrowserPreference browserPreference,
+            Value<int> rowid = const Value.absent(),
+          }) =>
+              GlobalSettingsCompanion.insert(
+            themeSetting: themeSetting,
+            browserPreference: browserPreference,
+            rowid: rowid,
+          ),
+        ));
+}
+
+class $$GlobalSettingsTableFilterComposer
+    extends FilterComposer<_$AppDatabase, $GlobalSettingsTable> {
+  $$GlobalSettingsTableFilterComposer(super.$state);
+  ColumnWithTypeConverterFilters<ThemeSetting, ThemeSetting, String>
+      get themeSetting => $state.composableBuilder(
+          column: $state.table.themeSetting,
+          builder: (column, joinBuilders) => ColumnWithTypeConverterFilters(
+              column,
+              joinBuilders: joinBuilders));
+
+  ColumnWithTypeConverterFilters<BrowserPreference, BrowserPreference, String>
+      get browserPreference => $state.composableBuilder(
+          column: $state.table.browserPreference,
+          builder: (column, joinBuilders) => ColumnWithTypeConverterFilters(
+              column,
+              joinBuilders: joinBuilders));
+}
+
+class $$GlobalSettingsTableOrderingComposer
+    extends OrderingComposer<_$AppDatabase, $GlobalSettingsTable> {
+  $$GlobalSettingsTableOrderingComposer(super.$state);
+  ColumnOrderings<String> get themeSetting => $state.composableBuilder(
+      column: $state.table.themeSetting,
+      builder: (column, joinBuilders) =>
+          ColumnOrderings(column, joinBuilders: joinBuilders));
+
+  ColumnOrderings<String> get browserPreference => $state.composableBuilder(
+      column: $state.table.browserPreference,
+      builder: (column, joinBuilders) =>
+          ColumnOrderings(column, joinBuilders: joinBuilders));
+}
+
 class $AppDatabaseManager {
   final _$AppDatabase _db;
   $AppDatabaseManager(this._db);
   $$AccountsTableTableManager get accounts =>
       $$AccountsTableTableManager(_db, _db.accounts);
+  $$GlobalSettingsTableTableManager get globalSettings =>
+      $$GlobalSettingsTableTableManager(_db, _db.globalSettings);
 }
diff --git a/lib/model/store.dart b/lib/model/store.dart
index 3a3b59bea0..ef73317e20 100644
--- a/lib/model/store.dart
+++ b/lib/model/store.dart
@@ -51,12 +51,19 @@ export 'database.dart' show Account, AccountsCompanion, AccountAlreadyExistsExce
 ///  * [LiveGlobalStore], the implementation of this class that
 ///    we use outside of tests.
 abstract class GlobalStore extends ChangeNotifier {
-  GlobalStore({required Iterable<Account> accounts})
-    : _accounts = Map.fromEntries(accounts.map((a) => MapEntry(a.id, a)));
+  GlobalStore({
+    required Iterable<Account> accounts,
+    required GlobalSettingsData globalSettings,
+  })
+    : _accounts = Map.fromEntries(accounts.map((a) => MapEntry(a.id, a))),
+      _globalSettings = globalSettings;
 
   /// A cache of the [Accounts] table in the underlying data store.
   final Map<int, Account> _accounts;
 
+  /// A cache of the [GlobalSettingsData] singleton in the underlying data store.
+  GlobalSettingsData _globalSettings;
+
   // TODO settings (those that are per-device rather than per-account)
   // TODO push token, and other data corresponding to GlobalSessionState
 
@@ -223,6 +230,23 @@ abstract class GlobalStore extends ChangeNotifier {
   /// Remove an account from the underlying data store.
   Future<void> doRemoveAccount(int accountId);
 
+  GlobalSettingsData get globalSettings => _globalSettings;
+
+  /// Update the global settings in the store, return the new version.
+  ///
+  /// The global settings must already exist in the store.
+  Future<GlobalSettingsData> updateGlobalSettings(GlobalSettingsCompanion data) async {
+    await doUpdateGlobalSettings(data);
+    _globalSettings = _globalSettings.copyWithCompanion(data);
+    notifyListeners();
+    return _globalSettings;
+  }
+
+  /// Update the global settings in the underlying data store.
+  ///
+  /// This should only be called from [updateGlobalSettings].
+  Future<void> doUpdateGlobalSettings(GlobalSettingsCompanion data);
+
   @override
   String toString() => '${objectRuntimeType(this, 'GlobalStore')}#${shortHash(this)}';
 }
@@ -757,6 +781,7 @@ class LiveGlobalStore extends GlobalStore {
   LiveGlobalStore._({
     required AppDatabase db,
     required super.accounts,
+    required super.globalSettings,
   }) : _db = db;
 
   @override
@@ -773,24 +798,30 @@ class LiveGlobalStore extends GlobalStore {
   static Future<GlobalStore> load() async {
     final db = AppDatabase(NativeDatabase.createInBackground(await _dbFile()));
     final accounts = await db.select(db.accounts).get();
-    return LiveGlobalStore._(db: db, accounts: accounts);
+    final globalSettings = await db.ensureGlobalSettings();
+    return LiveGlobalStore._(db: db,
+      accounts: accounts,
+      globalSettings: globalSettings);
   }
 
   /// The file path to use for the app database.
   static Future<File> _dbFile() async {
-    // What directory should we use?
-    //   path_provider's getApplicationSupportDirectory:
-    //     on Android, -> Flutter's PathUtils.getFilesDir -> https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Context#getFilesDir()
-    //       -> empirically /data/data/com.zulip.flutter/files/
-    //     on iOS, -> "Library/Application Support" via https://developer.apple.com/documentation/foundation/nssearchpathdirectory/nsapplicationsupportdirectory
-    //     on Linux, -> "${XDG_DATA_HOME:-~/.local/share}/com.zulip.flutter/"
-    //     All seem reasonable.
-    //   path_provider's getApplicationDocumentsDirectory:
-    //     on Android, -> Flutter's PathUtils.getDataDirectory -> https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Context#getDir(java.lang.String,%20int)
-    //       with https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Context#MODE_PRIVATE
-    //     on iOS, "Document directory" via https://developer.apple.com/documentation/foundation/nssearchpathdirectory/nsdocumentdirectory
-    //     on Linux, -> `xdg-user-dir DOCUMENTS` -> e.g. ~/Documents
-    //     That Linux answer is definitely not a fit.  Harder to tell about the rest.
+    // path_provider's getApplicationSupportDirectory:
+    //   on Android, -> Flutter's PathUtils.getFilesDir -> https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Context#getFilesDir()
+    //     -> empirically /data/data/com.zulip.flutter/files/
+    //   on iOS, -> "Library/Application Support" via https://developer.apple.com/documentation/foundation/nssearchpathdirectory/nsapplicationsupportdirectory
+    //   on Linux, -> "${XDG_DATA_HOME:-~/.local/share}/com.zulip.flutter/"
+    //
+    // This is reasonable for iOS per Apple's recommendation:
+    // > Use ["Library/Application Support"] to store all app data files except
+    // > those associated with the user’s documents. For example, you might use
+    // > this directory to store app-created data files, configuration files,
+    // > templates, or other fixed or modifiable resources that are managed by
+    // > the app.
+    // See: https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/FileManagement/Conceptual/FileSystemProgrammingGuide/FileSystemOverview/FileSystemOverview.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40010672-CH2-SW2
+    //
+    // The paths are reasonable for both Android and Linux, compared to the
+    // ones from using path_provider's getApplicationDocumentsDirectory.
     final dir = await getApplicationSupportDirectory();
     return File(p.join(dir.path, 'zulip.db'));
   }
@@ -832,6 +863,12 @@ class LiveGlobalStore extends GlobalStore {
     assert(rowsAffected == 1);
   }
 
+  @override
+  Future<void> doUpdateGlobalSettings(GlobalSettingsCompanion data) async {
+    final rowsAffected = await _db.update(_db.globalSettings).write(data);
+    assert(rowsAffected == 1);
+  }
+
   @override
   String toString() => '${objectRuntimeType(this, 'LiveGlobalStore')}#${shortHash(this)}';
 }
diff --git a/lib/widgets/content.dart b/lib/widgets/content.dart
index f3b369e876..64bbfff76c 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/content.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/content.dart
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import '../generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart';
 import '../model/avatar_url.dart';
 import '../model/binding.dart';
 import '../model/content.dart';
+import '../model/database.dart';
 import '../model/internal_link.dart';
 import 'code_block.dart';
 import 'dialog.dart';
@@ -1342,17 +1343,20 @@ void _launchUrl(BuildContext context, String urlString) async {
     return;
   }
 
+  final globalSettings = GlobalStoreWidget.of(context).globalSettings;
   bool launched = false;
   String? errorMessage;
   try {
     launched = await ZulipBinding.instance.launchUrl(url,
-      mode: switch (defaultTargetPlatform) {
+      mode: switch ((globalSettings.browserPreference, defaultTargetPlatform)) {
+        (BrowserPreference.embedded, _) => UrlLaunchMode.inAppBrowserView,
+        (BrowserPreference.external, _) => UrlLaunchMode.externalApplication,
         // On iOS we prefer LaunchMode.externalApplication because (for
         // HTTP URLs) LaunchMode.platformDefault uses SFSafariViewController,
         // which gives an awkward UX as described here:
         //  https://chat.zulip.org/#narrow/stream/48-mobile/topic/in-app.20browser/near/1169118
-        TargetPlatform.iOS => UrlLaunchMode.externalApplication,
-        _ => UrlLaunchMode.platformDefault,
+        (BrowserPreference.none, TargetPlatform.iOS) => UrlLaunchMode.externalApplication,
+        (BrowserPreference.none, _) => UrlLaunchMode.platformDefault,
       });
   } on PlatformException catch (e) {
     errorMessage = e.message;
diff --git a/lib/widgets/theme.dart b/lib/widgets/theme.dart
index ec6cd81ce0..e86317bbdf 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/theme.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/theme.dart
@@ -1,16 +1,27 @@
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 
 import '../api/model/model.dart';
+import '../model/database.dart';
 import 'content.dart';
 import 'emoji_reaction.dart';
 import 'message_list.dart';
 import 'channel_colors.dart';
+import 'store.dart';
 import 'text.dart';
 
 ThemeData zulipThemeData(BuildContext context) {
   final DesignVariables designVariables;
   final List<ThemeExtension> themeExtensions;
-  Brightness brightness = MediaQuery.platformBrightnessOf(context);
+  final globalSettings = GlobalStoreWidget.of(context).globalSettings;
+  Brightness brightness;
+  switch (globalSettings.themeSetting) {
+    case ThemeSetting.none:
+      brightness = MediaQuery.platformBrightnessOf(context);
+    case ThemeSetting.light:
+      brightness = Brightness.light;
+    case ThemeSetting.dark:
+      brightness = Brightness.dark;
+  }
 
   // This applies Material 3's color system to produce a palette of
   // appropriately matching and contrasting colors for use in a UI.
diff --git a/test/example_data.dart b/test/example_data.dart
index d071307ec4..8c983a00fb 100644
--- a/test/example_data.dart
+++ b/test/example_data.dart
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import 'package:zulip/api/model/submessage.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/api/route/messages.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/api/route/realm.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/api/route/channels.dart';
+import 'package:zulip/model/database.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/model/narrow.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/model/store.dart';
 
@@ -805,8 +806,12 @@ ChannelUpdateEvent channelUpdateEvent(
 // The entire per-account or global state.
 //
 
-TestGlobalStore globalStore({List<Account> accounts = const []}) {
-  return TestGlobalStore(accounts: accounts);
+TestGlobalStore globalStore({
+  List<Account> accounts = const [],
+  GlobalSettingsData globalSettings = const GlobalSettingsData(
+    themeSetting: ThemeSetting.none, browserPreference: BrowserPreference.none)
+}) {
+  return TestGlobalStore(accounts: accounts, globalSettings: globalSettings);
 }
 
 InitialSnapshot initialSnapshot({
diff --git a/test/model/binding.dart b/test/model/binding.dart
index badbbcf7e0..600c328f06 100644
--- a/test/model/binding.dart
+++ b/test/model/binding.dart
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import 'package:test/fake.dart';
 import 'package:url_launcher/url_launcher.dart' as url_launcher;
 import 'package:zulip/host/android_notifications.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/model/binding.dart';
+import 'package:zulip/model/database.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/model/store.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/app.dart';
 
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ TestZulipBinding get testBinding => TestZulipBinding.instance;
 /// and [TestGlobalStore.add] to set up test data there.  Such test functions
 /// must also call [reset] to clean up the global store.
 ///
-/// The global store returned by [loadGlobalStore], and consequently by
+/// The global store returned by [getGlobalStore], and consequently by
 /// [GlobalStoreWidget.of] in application code, will be a [TestGlobalStore].
 class TestZulipBinding extends ZulipBinding {
   /// Initialize the binding if necessary, and ensure it is a [TestZulipBinding].
@@ -85,7 +86,11 @@ class TestZulipBinding extends ZulipBinding {
   ///
   /// Tests that access this getter, or that mount a [GlobalStoreWidget],
   /// should clean up by calling [reset].
-  TestGlobalStore get globalStore => _globalStore ??= TestGlobalStore(accounts: []);
+  TestGlobalStore get globalStore => _globalStore ??= TestGlobalStore(
+    accounts: [],
+    globalSettings: const GlobalSettingsData(
+      themeSetting: ThemeSetting.none,
+      browserPreference: BrowserPreference.none));
   TestGlobalStore? _globalStore;
 
   bool _debugAlreadyLoadedStore = false;
diff --git a/test/model/database_test.dart b/test/model/database_test.dart
index 5194e45f8c..4484439cff 100644
--- a/test/model/database_test.dart
+++ b/test/model/database_test.dart
@@ -89,6 +89,26 @@ void main() {
       await check(database.createAccount(accountDataWithSameEmail))
         .throws<AccountAlreadyExistsException>();
     });
+
+    test('initialize GlobalSettings with defaults', () async {
+      check(await database.ensureGlobalSettings())
+        ..themeSetting.equals(ThemeSetting.none)
+        ..browserPreference.equals(BrowserPreference.none);
+    });
+
+    test('ensure single GlobalSettings row', () async {
+      check(await database.select(database.globalSettings).getSingleOrNull())
+        .isNull();
+
+      final globalSettings = await database.ensureGlobalSettings();
+      check(await database.select(database.globalSettings).getSingle())
+        .equals(globalSettings);
+
+      // Subsequent calls to `ensureGlobalSettings` do not insert new rows.
+      check(await database.ensureGlobalSettings()).equals(globalSettings);
+      check(await database.select(database.globalSettings).getSingle())
+        .equals(globalSettings);
+    });
   });
 
   group('migrations', () {
@@ -131,6 +151,13 @@ void main() {
         'ackedPushToken': null,
       });
     });
+
+    test('upgrade to v3', () async {
+      final connection = await verifier.startAt(2);
+      final db = AppDatabase(connection);
+      await verifier.migrateAndValidate(db, 3);
+      await db.close();
+    });
   });
 }
 
@@ -150,3 +177,8 @@ extension UpdateCompanionExtension<T> on UpdateCompanion<T> {
     };
   }
 }
+
+extension GlobalSettingsDataChecks on Subject<GlobalSettingsData> {
+  Subject<ThemeSetting> get themeSetting => has((x) => x.themeSetting, 'themeSetting');
+  Subject<BrowserPreference> get browserPreference => has((x) => x.browserPreference, 'browserPreference');
+}
diff --git a/test/model/schemas/drift_schema_v3.json b/test/model/schemas/drift_schema_v3.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5fda06554a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/model/schemas/drift_schema_v3.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"_meta":{"description":"This file contains a serialized version of schema entities for drift.","version":"1.1.0"},"options":{"store_date_time_values_as_text":false},"entities":[{"id":0,"references":[],"type":"table","data":{"name":"accounts","was_declared_in_moor":false,"columns":[{"name":"id","getter_name":"id","moor_type":"int","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"defaultConstraints":"PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT","default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":["auto-increment"]},{"name":"realm_url","getter_name":"realmUrl","moor_type":"string","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[],"type_converter":{"dart_expr":"const UriConverter()","dart_type_name":"Uri"}},{"name":"user_id","getter_name":"userId","moor_type":"int","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[]},{"name":"email","getter_name":"email","moor_type":"string","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[]},{"name":"api_key","getter_name":"apiKey","moor_type":"string","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[]},{"name":"zulip_version","getter_name":"zulipVersion","moor_type":"string","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[]},{"name":"zulip_merge_base","getter_name":"zulipMergeBase","moor_type":"string","nullable":true,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[]},{"name":"zulip_feature_level","getter_name":"zulipFeatureLevel","moor_type":"int","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[]},{"name":"acked_push_token","getter_name":"ackedPushToken","moor_type":"string","nullable":true,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[]}],"is_virtual":false,"without_rowid":false,"constraints":[],"unique_keys":[["realm_url","user_id"],["realm_url","email"]]}},{"id":1,"references":[],"type":"table","data":{"name":"global_settings","was_declared_in_moor":false,"columns":[{"name":"theme_setting","getter_name":"themeSetting","moor_type":"string","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[],"type_converter":{"dart_expr":"const EnumNameConverter<ThemeSetting>(ThemeSetting.values)","dart_type_name":"ThemeSetting"}},{"name":"browser_preference","getter_name":"browserPreference","moor_type":"string","nullable":false,"customConstraints":null,"default_dart":null,"default_client_dart":null,"dsl_features":[],"type_converter":{"dart_expr":"const EnumNameConverter<BrowserPreference>(BrowserPreference.values)","dart_type_name":"BrowserPreference"}}],"is_virtual":false,"without_rowid":false,"constraints":[]}}]}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/model/schemas/schema.dart b/test/model/schemas/schema.dart
index c8c6ff5926..1c9347e900 100644
--- a/test/model/schemas/schema.dart
+++ b/test/model/schemas/schema.dart
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import 'package:drift/drift.dart';
 import 'package:drift/internal/migrations.dart';
 import 'schema_v1.dart' as v1;
 import 'schema_v2.dart' as v2;
+import 'schema_v3.dart' as v3;
 
 class GeneratedHelper implements SchemaInstantiationHelper {
   @override
@@ -14,8 +15,10 @@ class GeneratedHelper implements SchemaInstantiationHelper {
         return v1.DatabaseAtV1(db);
       case 2:
         return v2.DatabaseAtV2(db);
+      case 3:
+        return v3.DatabaseAtV3(db);
       default:
-        throw MissingSchemaException(version, const {1, 2});
+        throw MissingSchemaException(version, const {1, 2, 3});
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/test/model/schemas/schema_v3.dart b/test/model/schemas/schema_v3.dart
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8cba7d4e93
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/model/schemas/schema_v3.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,586 @@
+// GENERATED CODE, DO NOT EDIT BY HAND.
+// ignore_for_file: type=lint
+//@dart=2.12
+import 'package:drift/drift.dart';
+
+class Accounts extends Table with TableInfo<Accounts, AccountsData> {
+  @override
+  final GeneratedDatabase attachedDatabase;
+  final String? _alias;
+  Accounts(this.attachedDatabase, [this._alias]);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<int> id = GeneratedColumn<int>(
+      'id', aliasedName, false,
+      hasAutoIncrement: true,
+      type: DriftSqlType.int,
+      requiredDuringInsert: false,
+      defaultConstraints:
+          GeneratedColumn.constraintIsAlways('PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT'));
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> realmUrl = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'realm_url', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<int> userId = GeneratedColumn<int>(
+      'user_id', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.int, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> email = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'email', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> apiKey = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'api_key', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> zulipVersion = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'zulip_version', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> zulipMergeBase = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'zulip_merge_base', aliasedName, true,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: false);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<int> zulipFeatureLevel = GeneratedColumn<int>(
+      'zulip_feature_level', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.int, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> ackedPushToken = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'acked_push_token', aliasedName, true,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: false);
+  @override
+  List<GeneratedColumn> get $columns => [
+        id,
+        realmUrl,
+        userId,
+        email,
+        apiKey,
+        zulipVersion,
+        zulipMergeBase,
+        zulipFeatureLevel,
+        ackedPushToken
+      ];
+  @override
+  String get aliasedName => _alias ?? actualTableName;
+  @override
+  String get actualTableName => $name;
+  static const String $name = 'accounts';
+  @override
+  Set<GeneratedColumn> get $primaryKey => {id};
+  @override
+  List<Set<GeneratedColumn>> get uniqueKeys => [
+        {realmUrl, userId},
+        {realmUrl, email},
+      ];
+  @override
+  AccountsData map(Map<String, dynamic> data, {String? tablePrefix}) {
+    final effectivePrefix = tablePrefix != null ? '$tablePrefix.' : '';
+    return AccountsData(
+      id: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.int, data['${effectivePrefix}id'])!,
+      realmUrl: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}realm_url'])!,
+      userId: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.int, data['${effectivePrefix}user_id'])!,
+      email: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}email'])!,
+      apiKey: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}api_key'])!,
+      zulipVersion: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}zulip_version'])!,
+      zulipMergeBase: attachedDatabase.typeMapping.read(
+          DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}zulip_merge_base']),
+      zulipFeatureLevel: attachedDatabase.typeMapping.read(
+          DriftSqlType.int, data['${effectivePrefix}zulip_feature_level'])!,
+      ackedPushToken: attachedDatabase.typeMapping.read(
+          DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}acked_push_token']),
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Accounts createAlias(String alias) {
+    return Accounts(attachedDatabase, alias);
+  }
+}
+
+class AccountsData extends DataClass implements Insertable<AccountsData> {
+  final int id;
+  final String realmUrl;
+  final int userId;
+  final String email;
+  final String apiKey;
+  final String zulipVersion;
+  final String? zulipMergeBase;
+  final int zulipFeatureLevel;
+  final String? ackedPushToken;
+  const AccountsData(
+      {required this.id,
+      required this.realmUrl,
+      required this.userId,
+      required this.email,
+      required this.apiKey,
+      required this.zulipVersion,
+      this.zulipMergeBase,
+      required this.zulipFeatureLevel,
+      this.ackedPushToken});
+  @override
+  Map<String, Expression> toColumns(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    final map = <String, Expression>{};
+    map['id'] = Variable<int>(id);
+    map['realm_url'] = Variable<String>(realmUrl);
+    map['user_id'] = Variable<int>(userId);
+    map['email'] = Variable<String>(email);
+    map['api_key'] = Variable<String>(apiKey);
+    map['zulip_version'] = Variable<String>(zulipVersion);
+    if (!nullToAbsent || zulipMergeBase != null) {
+      map['zulip_merge_base'] = Variable<String>(zulipMergeBase);
+    }
+    map['zulip_feature_level'] = Variable<int>(zulipFeatureLevel);
+    if (!nullToAbsent || ackedPushToken != null) {
+      map['acked_push_token'] = Variable<String>(ackedPushToken);
+    }
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  AccountsCompanion toCompanion(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    return AccountsCompanion(
+      id: Value(id),
+      realmUrl: Value(realmUrl),
+      userId: Value(userId),
+      email: Value(email),
+      apiKey: Value(apiKey),
+      zulipVersion: Value(zulipVersion),
+      zulipMergeBase: zulipMergeBase == null && nullToAbsent
+          ? const Value.absent()
+          : Value(zulipMergeBase),
+      zulipFeatureLevel: Value(zulipFeatureLevel),
+      ackedPushToken: ackedPushToken == null && nullToAbsent
+          ? const Value.absent()
+          : Value(ackedPushToken),
+    );
+  }
+
+  factory AccountsData.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json,
+      {ValueSerializer? serializer}) {
+    serializer ??= driftRuntimeOptions.defaultSerializer;
+    return AccountsData(
+      id: serializer.fromJson<int>(json['id']),
+      realmUrl: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['realmUrl']),
+      userId: serializer.fromJson<int>(json['userId']),
+      email: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['email']),
+      apiKey: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['apiKey']),
+      zulipVersion: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['zulipVersion']),
+      zulipMergeBase: serializer.fromJson<String?>(json['zulipMergeBase']),
+      zulipFeatureLevel: serializer.fromJson<int>(json['zulipFeatureLevel']),
+      ackedPushToken: serializer.fromJson<String?>(json['ackedPushToken']),
+    );
+  }
+  @override
+  Map<String, dynamic> toJson({ValueSerializer? serializer}) {
+    serializer ??= driftRuntimeOptions.defaultSerializer;
+    return <String, dynamic>{
+      'id': serializer.toJson<int>(id),
+      'realmUrl': serializer.toJson<String>(realmUrl),
+      'userId': serializer.toJson<int>(userId),
+      'email': serializer.toJson<String>(email),
+      'apiKey': serializer.toJson<String>(apiKey),
+      'zulipVersion': serializer.toJson<String>(zulipVersion),
+      'zulipMergeBase': serializer.toJson<String?>(zulipMergeBase),
+      'zulipFeatureLevel': serializer.toJson<int>(zulipFeatureLevel),
+      'ackedPushToken': serializer.toJson<String?>(ackedPushToken),
+    };
+  }
+
+  AccountsData copyWith(
+          {int? id,
+          String? realmUrl,
+          int? userId,
+          String? email,
+          String? apiKey,
+          String? zulipVersion,
+          Value<String?> zulipMergeBase = const Value.absent(),
+          int? zulipFeatureLevel,
+          Value<String?> ackedPushToken = const Value.absent()}) =>
+      AccountsData(
+        id: id ?? this.id,
+        realmUrl: realmUrl ?? this.realmUrl,
+        userId: userId ?? this.userId,
+        email: email ?? this.email,
+        apiKey: apiKey ?? this.apiKey,
+        zulipVersion: zulipVersion ?? this.zulipVersion,
+        zulipMergeBase:
+            zulipMergeBase.present ? zulipMergeBase.value : this.zulipMergeBase,
+        zulipFeatureLevel: zulipFeatureLevel ?? this.zulipFeatureLevel,
+        ackedPushToken:
+            ackedPushToken.present ? ackedPushToken.value : this.ackedPushToken,
+      );
+  AccountsData copyWithCompanion(AccountsCompanion data) {
+    return AccountsData(
+      id: data.id.present ? data.id.value : this.id,
+      realmUrl: data.realmUrl.present ? data.realmUrl.value : this.realmUrl,
+      userId: data.userId.present ? data.userId.value : this.userId,
+      email: data.email.present ? data.email.value : this.email,
+      apiKey: data.apiKey.present ? data.apiKey.value : this.apiKey,
+      zulipVersion: data.zulipVersion.present
+          ? data.zulipVersion.value
+          : this.zulipVersion,
+      zulipMergeBase: data.zulipMergeBase.present
+          ? data.zulipMergeBase.value
+          : this.zulipMergeBase,
+      zulipFeatureLevel: data.zulipFeatureLevel.present
+          ? data.zulipFeatureLevel.value
+          : this.zulipFeatureLevel,
+      ackedPushToken: data.ackedPushToken.present
+          ? data.ackedPushToken.value
+          : this.ackedPushToken,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String toString() {
+    return (StringBuffer('AccountsData(')
+          ..write('id: $id, ')
+          ..write('realmUrl: $realmUrl, ')
+          ..write('userId: $userId, ')
+          ..write('email: $email, ')
+          ..write('apiKey: $apiKey, ')
+          ..write('zulipVersion: $zulipVersion, ')
+          ..write('zulipMergeBase: $zulipMergeBase, ')
+          ..write('zulipFeatureLevel: $zulipFeatureLevel, ')
+          ..write('ackedPushToken: $ackedPushToken')
+          ..write(')'))
+        .toString();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  int get hashCode => Object.hash(id, realmUrl, userId, email, apiKey,
+      zulipVersion, zulipMergeBase, zulipFeatureLevel, ackedPushToken);
+  @override
+  bool operator ==(Object other) =>
+      identical(this, other) ||
+      (other is AccountsData &&
+          other.id == this.id &&
+          other.realmUrl == this.realmUrl &&
+          other.userId == this.userId &&
+          other.email == this.email &&
+          other.apiKey == this.apiKey &&
+          other.zulipVersion == this.zulipVersion &&
+          other.zulipMergeBase == this.zulipMergeBase &&
+          other.zulipFeatureLevel == this.zulipFeatureLevel &&
+          other.ackedPushToken == this.ackedPushToken);
+}
+
+class AccountsCompanion extends UpdateCompanion<AccountsData> {
+  final Value<int> id;
+  final Value<String> realmUrl;
+  final Value<int> userId;
+  final Value<String> email;
+  final Value<String> apiKey;
+  final Value<String> zulipVersion;
+  final Value<String?> zulipMergeBase;
+  final Value<int> zulipFeatureLevel;
+  final Value<String?> ackedPushToken;
+  const AccountsCompanion({
+    this.id = const Value.absent(),
+    this.realmUrl = const Value.absent(),
+    this.userId = const Value.absent(),
+    this.email = const Value.absent(),
+    this.apiKey = const Value.absent(),
+    this.zulipVersion = const Value.absent(),
+    this.zulipMergeBase = const Value.absent(),
+    this.zulipFeatureLevel = const Value.absent(),
+    this.ackedPushToken = const Value.absent(),
+  });
+  AccountsCompanion.insert({
+    this.id = const Value.absent(),
+    required String realmUrl,
+    required int userId,
+    required String email,
+    required String apiKey,
+    required String zulipVersion,
+    this.zulipMergeBase = const Value.absent(),
+    required int zulipFeatureLevel,
+    this.ackedPushToken = const Value.absent(),
+  })  : realmUrl = Value(realmUrl),
+        userId = Value(userId),
+        email = Value(email),
+        apiKey = Value(apiKey),
+        zulipVersion = Value(zulipVersion),
+        zulipFeatureLevel = Value(zulipFeatureLevel);
+  static Insertable<AccountsData> custom({
+    Expression<int>? id,
+    Expression<String>? realmUrl,
+    Expression<int>? userId,
+    Expression<String>? email,
+    Expression<String>? apiKey,
+    Expression<String>? zulipVersion,
+    Expression<String>? zulipMergeBase,
+    Expression<int>? zulipFeatureLevel,
+    Expression<String>? ackedPushToken,
+  }) {
+    return RawValuesInsertable({
+      if (id != null) 'id': id,
+      if (realmUrl != null) 'realm_url': realmUrl,
+      if (userId != null) 'user_id': userId,
+      if (email != null) 'email': email,
+      if (apiKey != null) 'api_key': apiKey,
+      if (zulipVersion != null) 'zulip_version': zulipVersion,
+      if (zulipMergeBase != null) 'zulip_merge_base': zulipMergeBase,
+      if (zulipFeatureLevel != null) 'zulip_feature_level': zulipFeatureLevel,
+      if (ackedPushToken != null) 'acked_push_token': ackedPushToken,
+    });
+  }
+
+  AccountsCompanion copyWith(
+      {Value<int>? id,
+      Value<String>? realmUrl,
+      Value<int>? userId,
+      Value<String>? email,
+      Value<String>? apiKey,
+      Value<String>? zulipVersion,
+      Value<String?>? zulipMergeBase,
+      Value<int>? zulipFeatureLevel,
+      Value<String?>? ackedPushToken}) {
+    return AccountsCompanion(
+      id: id ?? this.id,
+      realmUrl: realmUrl ?? this.realmUrl,
+      userId: userId ?? this.userId,
+      email: email ?? this.email,
+      apiKey: apiKey ?? this.apiKey,
+      zulipVersion: zulipVersion ?? this.zulipVersion,
+      zulipMergeBase: zulipMergeBase ?? this.zulipMergeBase,
+      zulipFeatureLevel: zulipFeatureLevel ?? this.zulipFeatureLevel,
+      ackedPushToken: ackedPushToken ?? this.ackedPushToken,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Map<String, Expression> toColumns(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    final map = <String, Expression>{};
+    if (id.present) {
+      map['id'] = Variable<int>(id.value);
+    }
+    if (realmUrl.present) {
+      map['realm_url'] = Variable<String>(realmUrl.value);
+    }
+    if (userId.present) {
+      map['user_id'] = Variable<int>(userId.value);
+    }
+    if (email.present) {
+      map['email'] = Variable<String>(email.value);
+    }
+    if (apiKey.present) {
+      map['api_key'] = Variable<String>(apiKey.value);
+    }
+    if (zulipVersion.present) {
+      map['zulip_version'] = Variable<String>(zulipVersion.value);
+    }
+    if (zulipMergeBase.present) {
+      map['zulip_merge_base'] = Variable<String>(zulipMergeBase.value);
+    }
+    if (zulipFeatureLevel.present) {
+      map['zulip_feature_level'] = Variable<int>(zulipFeatureLevel.value);
+    }
+    if (ackedPushToken.present) {
+      map['acked_push_token'] = Variable<String>(ackedPushToken.value);
+    }
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String toString() {
+    return (StringBuffer('AccountsCompanion(')
+          ..write('id: $id, ')
+          ..write('realmUrl: $realmUrl, ')
+          ..write('userId: $userId, ')
+          ..write('email: $email, ')
+          ..write('apiKey: $apiKey, ')
+          ..write('zulipVersion: $zulipVersion, ')
+          ..write('zulipMergeBase: $zulipMergeBase, ')
+          ..write('zulipFeatureLevel: $zulipFeatureLevel, ')
+          ..write('ackedPushToken: $ackedPushToken')
+          ..write(')'))
+        .toString();
+  }
+}
+
+class GlobalSettings extends Table
+    with TableInfo<GlobalSettings, GlobalSettingsData> {
+  @override
+  final GeneratedDatabase attachedDatabase;
+  final String? _alias;
+  GlobalSettings(this.attachedDatabase, [this._alias]);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> themeSetting = GeneratedColumn<String>(
+      'theme_setting', aliasedName, false,
+      type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  late final GeneratedColumn<String> browserPreference =
+      GeneratedColumn<String>('browser_preference', aliasedName, false,
+          type: DriftSqlType.string, requiredDuringInsert: true);
+  @override
+  List<GeneratedColumn> get $columns => [themeSetting, browserPreference];
+  @override
+  String get aliasedName => _alias ?? actualTableName;
+  @override
+  String get actualTableName => $name;
+  static const String $name = 'global_settings';
+  @override
+  Set<GeneratedColumn> get $primaryKey => const {};
+  @override
+  GlobalSettingsData map(Map<String, dynamic> data, {String? tablePrefix}) {
+    final effectivePrefix = tablePrefix != null ? '$tablePrefix.' : '';
+    return GlobalSettingsData(
+      themeSetting: attachedDatabase.typeMapping
+          .read(DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}theme_setting'])!,
+      browserPreference: attachedDatabase.typeMapping.read(
+          DriftSqlType.string, data['${effectivePrefix}browser_preference'])!,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  GlobalSettings createAlias(String alias) {
+    return GlobalSettings(attachedDatabase, alias);
+  }
+}
+
+class GlobalSettingsData extends DataClass
+    implements Insertable<GlobalSettingsData> {
+  final String themeSetting;
+  final String browserPreference;
+  const GlobalSettingsData(
+      {required this.themeSetting, required this.browserPreference});
+  @override
+  Map<String, Expression> toColumns(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    final map = <String, Expression>{};
+    map['theme_setting'] = Variable<String>(themeSetting);
+    map['browser_preference'] = Variable<String>(browserPreference);
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  GlobalSettingsCompanion toCompanion(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    return GlobalSettingsCompanion(
+      themeSetting: Value(themeSetting),
+      browserPreference: Value(browserPreference),
+    );
+  }
+
+  factory GlobalSettingsData.fromJson(Map<String, dynamic> json,
+      {ValueSerializer? serializer}) {
+    serializer ??= driftRuntimeOptions.defaultSerializer;
+    return GlobalSettingsData(
+      themeSetting: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['themeSetting']),
+      browserPreference: serializer.fromJson<String>(json['browserPreference']),
+    );
+  }
+  @override
+  Map<String, dynamic> toJson({ValueSerializer? serializer}) {
+    serializer ??= driftRuntimeOptions.defaultSerializer;
+    return <String, dynamic>{
+      'themeSetting': serializer.toJson<String>(themeSetting),
+      'browserPreference': serializer.toJson<String>(browserPreference),
+    };
+  }
+
+  GlobalSettingsData copyWith(
+          {String? themeSetting, String? browserPreference}) =>
+      GlobalSettingsData(
+        themeSetting: themeSetting ?? this.themeSetting,
+        browserPreference: browserPreference ?? this.browserPreference,
+      );
+  GlobalSettingsData copyWithCompanion(GlobalSettingsCompanion data) {
+    return GlobalSettingsData(
+      themeSetting: data.themeSetting.present
+          ? data.themeSetting.value
+          : this.themeSetting,
+      browserPreference: data.browserPreference.present
+          ? data.browserPreference.value
+          : this.browserPreference,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String toString() {
+    return (StringBuffer('GlobalSettingsData(')
+          ..write('themeSetting: $themeSetting, ')
+          ..write('browserPreference: $browserPreference')
+          ..write(')'))
+        .toString();
+  }
+
+  @override
+  int get hashCode => Object.hash(themeSetting, browserPreference);
+  @override
+  bool operator ==(Object other) =>
+      identical(this, other) ||
+      (other is GlobalSettingsData &&
+          other.themeSetting == this.themeSetting &&
+          other.browserPreference == this.browserPreference);
+}
+
+class GlobalSettingsCompanion extends UpdateCompanion<GlobalSettingsData> {
+  final Value<String> themeSetting;
+  final Value<String> browserPreference;
+  final Value<int> rowid;
+  const GlobalSettingsCompanion({
+    this.themeSetting = const Value.absent(),
+    this.browserPreference = const Value.absent(),
+    this.rowid = const Value.absent(),
+  });
+  GlobalSettingsCompanion.insert({
+    required String themeSetting,
+    required String browserPreference,
+    this.rowid = const Value.absent(),
+  })  : themeSetting = Value(themeSetting),
+        browserPreference = Value(browserPreference);
+  static Insertable<GlobalSettingsData> custom({
+    Expression<String>? themeSetting,
+    Expression<String>? browserPreference,
+    Expression<int>? rowid,
+  }) {
+    return RawValuesInsertable({
+      if (themeSetting != null) 'theme_setting': themeSetting,
+      if (browserPreference != null) 'browser_preference': browserPreference,
+      if (rowid != null) 'rowid': rowid,
+    });
+  }
+
+  GlobalSettingsCompanion copyWith(
+      {Value<String>? themeSetting,
+      Value<String>? browserPreference,
+      Value<int>? rowid}) {
+    return GlobalSettingsCompanion(
+      themeSetting: themeSetting ?? this.themeSetting,
+      browserPreference: browserPreference ?? this.browserPreference,
+      rowid: rowid ?? this.rowid,
+    );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  Map<String, Expression> toColumns(bool nullToAbsent) {
+    final map = <String, Expression>{};
+    if (themeSetting.present) {
+      map['theme_setting'] = Variable<String>(themeSetting.value);
+    }
+    if (browserPreference.present) {
+      map['browser_preference'] = Variable<String>(browserPreference.value);
+    }
+    if (rowid.present) {
+      map['rowid'] = Variable<int>(rowid.value);
+    }
+    return map;
+  }
+
+  @override
+  String toString() {
+    return (StringBuffer('GlobalSettingsCompanion(')
+          ..write('themeSetting: $themeSetting, ')
+          ..write('browserPreference: $browserPreference, ')
+          ..write('rowid: $rowid')
+          ..write(')'))
+        .toString();
+  }
+}
+
+class DatabaseAtV3 extends GeneratedDatabase {
+  DatabaseAtV3(QueryExecutor e) : super(e);
+  late final Accounts accounts = Accounts(this);
+  late final GlobalSettings globalSettings = GlobalSettings(this);
+  @override
+  Iterable<TableInfo<Table, Object?>> get allTables =>
+      allSchemaEntities.whereType<TableInfo<Table, Object?>>();
+  @override
+  List<DatabaseSchemaEntity> get allSchemaEntities =>
+      [accounts, globalSettings];
+  @override
+  int get schemaVersion => 3;
+}
diff --git a/test/model/store_test.dart b/test/model/store_test.dart
index 10e8698360..9af81a3da5 100644
--- a/test/model/store_test.dart
+++ b/test/model/store_test.dart
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import 'package:zulip/api/model/model.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/api/route/events.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/api/route/messages.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/api/route/realm.dart';
+import 'package:zulip/model/database.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/model/message_list.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/model/narrow.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/log.dart';
@@ -406,7 +407,7 @@ void main() {
     late FakeApiConnection connection;
 
     Future<void> prepareStore({Account? account}) async {
-      globalStore = TestGlobalStore(accounts: []);
+      globalStore = eg.globalStore();
       account ??= eg.selfAccount;
       await globalStore.insertAccount(account.toCompanion(false));
       connection = (globalStore.apiConnectionFromAccount(account)
@@ -581,7 +582,7 @@ void main() {
     }
 
     Future<void> preparePoll({int? lastEventId}) async {
-      globalStore = TestGlobalStore(accounts: []);
+      globalStore = eg.globalStore();
       await globalStore.add(eg.selfAccount, eg.initialSnapshot(
         lastEventId: lastEventId));
       await globalStore.perAccount(eg.selfAccount.id);
@@ -1086,7 +1087,12 @@ void main() {
 }
 
 class LoadingTestGlobalStore extends TestGlobalStore {
-  LoadingTestGlobalStore({required super.accounts});
+  LoadingTestGlobalStore({
+    super.accounts = const [],
+    super.globalSettings = const GlobalSettingsData(
+      themeSetting: ThemeSetting.none,
+      browserPreference: BrowserPreference.none),
+  });
 
   Map<int, List<Completer<PerAccountStore>>> completers = {};
 
diff --git a/test/model/test_store.dart b/test/model/test_store.dart
index 2322e78d7a..898beccdde 100644
--- a/test/model/test_store.dart
+++ b/test/model/test_store.dart
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import 'package:zulip/api/model/events.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/api/model/initial_snapshot.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/api/model/model.dart';
+import 'package:zulip/model/database.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/model/store.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/store.dart';
 
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ import '../example_data.dart' as eg;
 ///
 /// See also [TestZulipBinding.globalStore], which provides one of these.
 class TestGlobalStore extends GlobalStore {
-  TestGlobalStore({required super.accounts});
+  TestGlobalStore({required super.accounts, required super.globalSettings});
 
   final Map<
     ({Uri realmUrl, int? zulipFeatureLevel, String? email, String? apiKey}),
@@ -157,6 +158,13 @@ class TestGlobalStore extends GlobalStore {
       store: store, initialSnapshot: initialSnapshot);
     return Future.value(store);
   }
+
+  GlobalSettingsData? _globalSettings;
+
+  @override
+  Future<void> doUpdateGlobalSettings(GlobalSettingsCompanion data) async {
+    _globalSettings = _globalSettings!.copyWithCompanion(data);
+  }
 }
 
 extension PerAccountStoreTestExtension on PerAccountStore {