Buzz
Enabling Chrome's dark mode alters your display, easing eye strain and slightly improving battery life. Google makes this feature available.Dark mode is now a common feature on various platforms, from operating systems like Mac OS and Windows to e-readers (which provide 'dark reader' modes) and websites like Pinterest and Reddit. The trend of 'going dark' is everywhere.
Browsers like Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome support dark mode too. If you weren't aware of this feature in Chrome or weren't sure how to activate it, here's how to toggle it on.
Dark Mode: A Journey to the Dark Side
Dark mode works by flipping the visual theme of your interface or browser window from a bright, light design to a sleek, dark one.
Sometimes called dark theme (or, confusingly, 'dark mode theme'), once activated, the text and icons shift to dark shades like black and gray, instead of the usual light tones.
Dark theme is essentially the inverse of the traditional computer or mobile interface. Instead of black text on a white background, you get light-colored text on a dark backdrop when dark mode is enabled, whether on your browser or operating system.
Google Chrome's dark mode feature lets you switch to this dark theme within the browser, though the exact experience can vary based on your device, operating system, and the websites you visit.
Why Turn On Dark Mode?
People have plenty of reasons for swapping a bright white screen for a darker one. Generally, dark mode is considered gentler on the eyes, enhances text readability, boosts battery life on OLED screens, and even helps with sleep after late-night browsing. Plus, let’s face it — it makes you feel like you’re in a secret agent film.
While hard evidence supporting dark mode’s benefits, whether on Google Chrome or elsewhere, can be tricky to pin down, the feeling of reduced eye strain might just be the placebo effect working its magic. But hey, if it works for you, that’s what matters.
At the very least, the look and feel of dark mode has a lot of fans. If you’re turning on dark mode purely for its aesthetic — or because it gives you that cool, high-tech vibe while coding or writing at your favorite café — go ahead, embrace the dark side and never look back.
How to Turn On Dark Mode
Before diving into Chrome settings, it's helpful to know that your browser’s dark or light theme will match the system theme of your operating system. This applies to Mac and PC desktops, laptops, Android devices, and iPhones.
Although you can manually switch on dark mode in Google Chrome's settings, if your device already has dark mode enabled, there's no need for additional steps. This is because most modern operating systems feature a system-wide dark mode that also affects your browser's theme.
Now, let's go over how to enable dark mode through your system settings.
Activating Dark Mode on a Mac
- If your Mac is running macOS Mojave or later, you can enable dark mode by clicking the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen.
- Select "System Preferences" and then choose "General" from the options.
- Pick "Light" or "Dark" to instantly switch the appearance of your screen. Choose "Auto" to let your system alternate between light and dark modes based on the time of day.
Enabling Dark Mode on a PC
- If your PC is using Windows 10 or newer, click the Windows icon at the bottom left or press the Windows key on your keyboard. In the "Start" menu, click the gear icon to open your settings.
- From the options, select "Personalization".
- Click on "Colors," then scroll down to find the toggle labeled "Choose your default app mode."
- Choose "Dark" and your screen will switch to dark mode immediately.
Activating Dark Mode on an iPhone
- To turn on dark mode in the Google Chrome app for iPhone, open "Settings" and scroll to "Display and Brightness."
- Under "Appearance," choose "Dark" and the change will take effect immediately.
- If you'd like to schedule dark mode to activate at a specific time (like at sunset), tap "Options" and set it up as desired.
How to Turn On Dark Mode on an Android Device
- Launch the Google Chrome app on your smartphone.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to open the "More" menu. Scroll down and select "Settings," then choose "Themes."
- Here, you can pick between dark and light modes. You also have the option to activate dark mode only when you need to conserve battery life.
How to Toggle Dark Mode in Chrome Browser
- Open Google Chrome. In the bottom-right corner of a new tab, click the "Customize Chrome" icon.
- From the appearance options, select from Light Theme, Dark Theme, or Device Theme. The Device Theme mirrors the theme you have set on your device.
- Alternatively, go to the Settings option under the Chrome menu and select "Appearance."
- There, you'll find the option to choose dark mode again.
Dark Mode Limitations
After enabling dark mode in your system settings or Chrome browser, you might notice that not all web content adapts to the dark theme. This is because the dark mode changes the browser interface, but does not affect the actual content and text on the websites you visit.
Fortunately, there's a workaround in Google Chrome that allows you to enable dark mode manually, but it involves a few additional steps.
- Launch Chrome and type the following in the browser’s address bar: chrome://flags/#enable-force-dark
- On the page that opens, choose "Force Dark Mode for Web Contents."
- Set it to "Enabled."
- Close and reopen Chrome. The dark mode should now be applied to web content.
Back in 1948, the first programmable computer, known as the "Manchester Baby" by its creators, used cathode ray tubes (similar to radar technology from WWII) to display text on a black screen with light lettering.
