How to Turn On Dark Mode in Google Chat (Desktop & Mobile)

Google Chat’s dark mode reduces screen brightness, enhancing readability and minimizing eye strain during extended use. This feature is available on desktop and mobile platforms, offering a more comfortable chatting experience, especially in low-light conditions. This guide provides detailed instructions for enabling dark mode on various devices and explores alternative methods for situations where native dark mode options are unavailable.

Enabling Dark Mode in Google Chat on Desktop (Web Browser)

Steps:

1- Access Google Chat: Open chat.google.com in your web browser. Ensure you’re signed in to your Google account.

2- Open Settings: Click the settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right corner.

3- Select Dark Mode: Find the “Appearance” or “Theme settings” section and select “Dark” mode.

4- Save Changes: Click “Done” or close the settings menu.

Note: Sidebar applications (Calendar, Keep, Tasks) may not adopt dark mode.

Enabling Dark Mode in Google Chat on Android

Steps:

1- Open Google Chat App: Open the Google Chat app on your Android device (Android 10 or later required).

2- Access App Menu: Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines or your profile picture) in the top left corner.

3- Open Settings: Select “Settings.”

4- Choose Dark Theme: Tap “Theme” and select “Dark.” Alternatively, select “System default” to match your device’s theme.

Enabling Dark Mode in Google Chat on iPhone and iPad

Google Chat on iOS uses the system-wide dark mode setting.

Steps:

1. Access iOS Settings: Open the “Settings” app.
2. Choose Dark Mode: Go to “Display & Brightness” and select “Dark” under “Appearance.”

Alternative Methods for Forcing Dark Mode (When Native Options Are Unavailable)

These methods are workarounds and may not always be reliable:

• Chrome Desktop (Developer Tools): Open Developer Tools (F12) > “More tools” > “Rendering” > check “Enable automatic dark mode.”
• Chrome Flags: Type chrome://flags/#enable-force-dark in the Chrome address bar, enable “Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents,” and restart Chrome.
• Browser Extensions (Dark Reader, etc.): Install a dark mode extension for Chrome or Firefox. Note that extensions might affect website rendering or interaction with other extensions.

Conclusion:

Enabling dark mode in Google Chat enhances readability and reduces eye strain. The methods for activating dark mode vary depending on the platform, but the process is generally straightforward. If native dark mode support is unavailable, alternative methods like browser extensions offer solutions, although these may not be as reliable or consistent. Choosing the optimal method will depend on your device and browser, but the benefits of reducing eye strain and improving comfort during extended chat sessions make this a worthwhile adjustment.