How to enable dark mode for gmail

Gmail has two built-in dark themes, but you’ll need an extension to paint Chrome black.

You might have seen the news that Outlook.com has a new dark mode and thought, “That’s all well and good, but I use Gmail like everyone else. Where’s my webmail dark mode?” I have good news and bad news for you.

The good news? Gmail has not one but two dark mode options.

The bad news? Gmail’s dark modes are only skin deep; bright white backgrounds lie just below the surface.

Dark mode for Gmail

To enable dark mode for Gmail, click the gear icon in the top right and choose Themes. Scroll down to the section below the photo themes and select either the Dark or Terminal theme.

Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET

Either theme provides a black background with white text, but the Terminal theme uses a slightly darker shade of black. Neither theme, however, maintains its black background when you open an email or click Compose to start a new message. In both cases, you are greeted by the standard formatting with a bright, white background, which can be jarring when merrily perusing your inbox in dark mode.

Dark mode for Chrome as a whole

Unlike Gmail, Google’s Chrome browser does not feature a built-in dark mode. There is, however, an extension that lets you enable dark mode for any web page, including Gmail. It’s also great for Google Drive, which lacks a built-in dark mode option.

Install the Dark Mode extension for Chrome and you’ll see a little toggle switch gets added in the top right of the browser. Click it to enter (and then exit) dark mode for any web page.

The Dark Mode extension works well with Gmail and lets you compose and read email messages in dark mode. Also, in the extension’s options, you can select from a variety of dark themes.

Using gadgets like your mobile and computer in the dark mode is becoming significant nowadays. Not just devices, even apps, and websites started adopting the dark themes in one way or the other. Almost every other apps by Google got dark theme support, and Gmail is not an exception. There is a high chance for almost anyone to access Gmail every day. So, using it during the low-light environment will be better with the dark mode. It not only benefits your eye health but also saves your device battery. Gmail is accessible on mobile and desktop. So, you can enable Gmail dark mode on both mobile and desktop versions. Follow along to know about Gmail dark mode.

Enable Dark Mode on Gmail

As said earlier, we can enable dark theme on the Gmail app on Android and iOS devices. Likewise, the Gmail website version can also be used in night mode by enabling the dark theme. Skip to the respective section to enable the Gmail dark theme on your preferred platforms.

Gmail Dark Mode on Browser

As said, you can enable Gmail dark theme on any of your web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge. From Gmail theme settings, you can enable and use Dark mode.

Step 1: Open any of the desired web browsers on your computer or smartphone. For this instance, we used the Google Chrome browser.

Step 2: Go to the Gmail website. And log in with your Google Username and Password.

Step 3: Hover to click on the Gear like icon (Settings) on the top-right corner.

Step 4: Choose Themes to click View All.

Step 5: Scroll down and choose the Black screen theme, which is the Dark theme. You can see the preview.

Step 6: Now, click Save to save the changes.

Your entire Gmail user interface turns dark, and this implies you have successfully enabled the dark theme on the Gmail site.

Dark Mode on Gmail App

If you use the Gmail app on Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad) devices, they have got a dark theme on their settings. For details, follow the steps given below.

On Android

Step 1: Navigate on the Android or iOS apps section to launch the Gmail App. Log in to your account.

Step 2: Tap the three-lined menu on the top-left corner. And tap the Settings option.

Step 3: Then choose General Settings.

Step 4: Now choose the Theme option.

Step 5: Then, select the Dark theme.

On iOS

[1] Launch Gmail app on your iOS device.

[2] Tap on Hamburger icon from the top right corner and choose Settings.

[3] Click on Theme from the menu.

[4] Choose Dark to enable Dark mode.

If you are iPhone is set to dark mode by default in settings, then you can choose System Default and it will automatically adapt to your device theme.

Alternative Ways

Sometimes enabling system-wide dark mode on your smartphones or computer may also be adopted by the Gmail app. While enabling dark mode on Android or iPhone, the Gmail app will also work according to the default settings. You can enable the dark mode on your Mac or Windows PC and use Gmail in the system-wide dark theme.

1) Turn on Dark Mode on Android: Settings >> Display Settings >> Dark. Or pull down the notification bar click on the Dark Mode icon. It will enable Gmail dark mode on Android 9 and 10.

2) Enable Dark Mode on iPhone: Settings >> Display and Brightness >> Dark. It will enable Gmail dark mode on iOS.

3) Use Dark Mode on Mac: Click on Apple Icon >> System Preferences >> General >> Choose Dark near Appearances.

4) Enable Dark Mode on Windows: Settings (Windows + I) >> Personalization >> Color on left pane >> Choose your color >> Dark.

Few Dark Theme Extension Recommendations

The following extensions are for the Google Chrome browser. Enabling the dark background on Chrome browsers with extensions, in turn, enable the dark theme on the Gmail site too.

Download and add any of the above-mentioned extensions to Chrome. And make sure to turn it on to use the Google Gmail on Dark theme.

Related: How to enable Dark Mode on Google Chrome browser

That was all the possible ways in which you can use Gmail in dark theme. We hope this section has been useful for you. Drop us your queries and suggestions in the comment section. Let us resolve it for you.

Microsoft just added a dark mode to Outlook.com, but Google is way ahead of Microsoft. Gmail has had a dark theme for years. Here’s how to enable it—and get a better, more complete dark mode for Gmail, too.

How to Enable Gmail’s Official Dark Mode

To change your Gmail theme, click the gear menu button at the top right corner of the Gmail website and select the “Themes” option.

This option is in the same place whether you’re using the new Gmail or the classic Gmail.

To use a basic dark theme with some dark grays, scroll down and click the black “Dark” tile to the right of the standard Gmail Light Theme.

To use an even darker theme with more pure blacks than grays, scroll down even further and click the “Terminal” theme.

You can also use any custom background image as the background for your dark theme. To select a photo, either click one of the suggested photos at the top of the themes pane or click the “My Photos” link.

From here, you can either click the “Featured” tab to select from a number of Google-chosen backgrounds or click the “My Photos” tab and select any photo from your Google Photos account.

To make any custom image available here, head to the Google Photos website and upload it to your Google Photos storage.

After selecting an image, click the A-shaped “Text Background” button at the bottom of the Pick Your Theme pane, and then select the “Dark” option. Click “Save” to save your changes.

Gmail will use a dark theme with your selected image shown in the background.

If you’d like to use the default Gmail theme again, just go back into the Themes dialog and select the standard Light Theme.

How to Get an Improved Dark Mode for Gmail

Unfortunately, Gmail’s built-in dark themes have some problems. They look great when you’re just staring at your inbox, but you’ll still see a white background when you’re viewing an email thread, composing an email, or using the Google Calendar, Google Keep, or Tasks sidebar.

If you want a more complete dark theme for Gmail, you can get it with a few useful user styles. User styles are custom style sheets that your browser can apply to websites you visit, giving them a different look. These are similar to user scripts, which are snippets of code you can run on websites you visit.

To get these user styles, you’ll need to install a browser extension that allows you to use them. Unfortunately, the popular Stylish browser extension has begun spying on its users. Instead, we recommend Stylus. Install Stylus for Google Chrome or Stylus for Mozilla Firefox.

After installing the extension, you can quickly install user styles. We recommend installing Dark Gmail 2018 by DM. This style turns your emails and compose button dark, too, giving Gmail a more complete dark theme.

Just head to the website and click the “Install Style” button, and then click “OK” to install it in your browser.

The developer also recommends you choose the standard “Light” theme in Gmail’s theme settings while using this dark theme. Some interface elements may look strange when combining this user style with the standard Gmail dark theme.

Warning: These styles are hosted on the userstyles.org website, which is operated by the company that owns Stylish and is still the main source online for user styles. They will install perfectly fine if you’re using the Stylus browser extension instead. However, if you visit the website without Stylus installed, the website will encourage you to install Stylish. We recommend staying far away from Stylish.

If you’d like to turn the sidebar that contains Google Calendar, Keep, and Tasks dark as well, we recommend you install the New Gmail Dark Theme Tweaks – Gmail 2018 style as well.

To uninstall these scripts, click the Stylus button on your browser’s toolbar, select the “Manage” option, and then delete any styles you no longer want to use. You can also just uninstall the Stylus browser extension completely if you aren’t using it.

If you prefer dark colors on the web, you may want to try an extension like Dark Reader that promises a dark mode for all websites. You may want to use Windows 10’s Dark Mode or the dark theme on the Apple’s upcoming macOS Mojave, too.

Up until this point, there’s no official so called “Dark Mode” or “Night Mode” feature on Gmail for both desktop and app.

Fortunately, we can take advantage of one feature on the service which we can use to mimic a similar visualization like a dark mode.

Here, how to enable dark mode on Gmail desktop.

1. Launch Gmail.

2. Head to the Settings > Themes.

3. Select Dark (you may also choose other color that dark enough for you).

4. Save the new theme.

5. Now the Gmail appearance will look darker.

Some areas such as the Compose and mail section may still look bright. I highly suggest you use a Chrome extension named Dark Reader.

This extension will truly enable dark mode on any website you visit, including Gmail. It can also be combined with the Dark theme you choose before. For even better visual experience, check out How to Enable “True” Dark Mode on Chrome PC.

Gmail provides a lot of features for its user’s better experience and fast services. The Dark Mode is one of the best features among the other for the visual setting that makes darkens your Gmail entirely interface. The benefits of enabling dark mode to make it easier for users to view messages when they are working late at night. Let’s show why the feature is best for your health and how to turn on or enable dark mode.

Difference Between Light and Dark Mode?

The Gmail is using by default favors a light/white background. The use of the light mode is best in the middle of the day and the brightness is best what you need, but mostly it is useful to go dark.

Users can use the dark theme to reduce eye strain at night time using their computer or Smartphone. The basic thing is that it takes less effort for your eyes to all the things surrounding are shining.

In the Dark Mode, the things are more catching to your eyes. Therefore, the images can clearer depending on the type of image it is. It will mind focus and help your eyes for the better on the subject at hand. Similarly, the way of thinking why you can also change your theme of Gmail to other specific option, and as well as your personal photo the background if you want

How to Turn on Dark Mode in Gmail on a Web browser

Let’s show you how to switch on your Gmail dark mode with your web browser in a few short steps:

1. Login to your Gmail on using a browser
2. Click on the Gear icon at the right-hand corner
3. Then click the Themes below the settings option
4. Scroll down to choose the Dark theme option
5. Finally, click the Save option

Changing Gmail Themes, to click on the gear icon to expand the menu using Gmail on the web. After that, click on Themes option to select from the Gmail Themes.

Dark mode themes are available to choose and set UI color to dark mode.

Showing Gmail user interface in a dark theme or dark mode.

Can the Dark Mode Use on Gmail App?

For the time being it is not possible to enable dark mode within the Gmail app. But there is a way to enable dark mode from the Android’s accessibility Settings and iOS accessibility features. Therefore, the users of both the android and iOS can invert the colors on the screen from the settings. So they can get a form of dark mode during the reading of their email. However, the user can enable the dark mode in Gmail on their Android and iOS devices below.

How to Switch Dark mode in Gmail App on Android

You can switch the dark mode from the theme settings in your Gmail App. To make it easier to read messages on your android 10 device. Therefore, the dark theme setting will save your battery time and make changes to the theme in the following steps:

Steps to Change your theme settings

If you want to change the theme on your Android. The theme available in the Q or later version of android devices. Then you need to choose between the default theme and dark or light theme on your device. In the following below steps:

1. Login to your Gmail App on Android phone or Tablet
2. Select the Horizontal Three line bar menu
3. Tap on the Settings option
4. Select the General Settings
5. Next, tap on Theme option
6. Then choose the Dark, Light or System default them
7. Finally, tap on the Dark theme option to enable it

How to Switch the Dark mode in Gmail on iPhone & iPad

If you want to change the Gmail theme from the light to dark mode. Then you can change from the theme settings. In the dark theme, you can view the messages easier and will save your mobile battery life.

Step to Change your theme setting on your iOS devices

Here you can change the theme on the iOS 13, 12 or 11 and in your Gmail app. To choose the light, Dark or system default them.

Steps for iOS 13 Device:

1. Open your Gmail App on iPhone or iPad device
2. Tap on the Main Menu or Three line bars
3. Choose the Settings from the menu
4. Then tap on the Theme option
5. Here choose your theme Dark, Light or System default
6. Finally, choose the Dark one to enable on the Gmail App

Step For iOS 11 and 12:

1. Login to your Gmail on your iPhone or iPad devices
2. Tap on the Three-line bar or Main menu
3. Select the Settings from the menu
4. Finally, tap on the Toggle to switch on or off the Dark Theme

Alternative ways How to Switch Gmail to Dark Mode

Let’s show you some of the alternative ways to switch dark mode to your Gmail in the following steps:

Is there a dark mode for Gmail?

The Gmail added originally some the basic support for the dark mode, too. For instance, the Gmail widget works in dark mode when system-wide dark mode enabled on the Android version 10 device. Once you open the Gmail app in dark mode then you will see a dark splash screen. After that, the complete theme will allow you for the Dark theme.

How do I switch to dark mode?

If you want to switch the dark mode on your computer running macOS Catalina then follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple logo you will redirect to the System Preferences
2. Then click on the General option
3. Here you will see at the top of the menu window the Switch option of the interface to Dark mode in the Appearance section

How do I set Gmail to night mode?

Here are the steps to turn on the dark mode or night mode in Gmail app settings on the Android 10 device:

1. Tap on the Gmail app on your Phone
2. Select the Hamburger menu option on the left side
3. After that, Scroll down the list, it the bottom and select the Settings option
4. Here tap on the General Settings option
5. Next, tap on the Theme at the top of the list
6. Finally, choose your Dark theme or Night mode

Using gadgets like your mobile and computer in the dark mode is becoming significant nowadays. Not just devices, even apps, and websites started adopting the dark themes in one way or the other. Almost every other apps by Google got dark theme support, and Gmail is not an exception. There is a high chance for almost anyone to access Gmail every day. So, using it during the low-light environment will be better with the dark mode. It not only benefits your eye health but also saves your device battery. Gmail is accessible on mobile and desktop. So, you can enable Gmail dark mode on both mobile and desktop versions. Follow along to know about Gmail dark mode.

Enable Dark Mode on Gmail

As said earlier, we can enable dark theme on the Gmail app on Android and iOS devices. Likewise, the Gmail website version can also be used in night mode by enabling the dark theme. Skip to the respective section to enable the Gmail dark theme on your preferred platforms.

Gmail Dark Mode on Browser

As said, you can enable Gmail dark theme on any of your web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge. From Gmail theme settings, you can enable and use Dark mode.

Step 1: Open any of the desired web browsers on your computer or smartphone. For this instance, we used the Google Chrome browser.

Step 2: Go to the Gmail website. And log in with your Google Username and Password.

Step 3: Hover to click on the Gear like icon (Settings) on the top-right corner.

Step 4: Choose Themes to click View All.

Step 5: Scroll down and choose the Black screen theme, which is the Dark theme. You can see the preview.

Step 6: Now, click Save to save the changes.

Your entire Gmail user interface turns dark, and this implies you have successfully enabled the dark theme on the Gmail site.

Dark Mode on Gmail App

If you use the Gmail app on Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad) devices, they have got a dark theme on their settings. For details, follow the steps given below.

On Android

Step 1: Navigate on the Android or iOS apps section to launch the Gmail App. Log in to your account.

Step 2: Tap the three-lined menu on the top-left corner. And tap the Settings option.

Step 3: Then choose General Settings.

Step 4: Now choose the Theme option.

Step 5: Then, select the Dark theme.

On iOS

[1] Launch Gmail app on your iOS device.

[2] Tap on Hamburger icon from the top right corner and choose Settings.

[3] Click on Theme from the menu.

[4] Choose Dark to enable Dark mode.

If you are iPhone is set to dark mode by default in settings, then you can choose System Default and it will automatically adapt to your device theme.

Alternative Ways

Sometimes enabling system-wide dark mode on your smartphones or computer may also be adopted by the Gmail app. While enabling dark mode on Android or iPhone, the Gmail app will also work according to the default settings. You can enable the dark mode on your Mac or Windows PC and use Gmail in the system-wide dark theme.

1) Turn on Dark Mode on Android: Settings >> Display Settings >> Dark. Or pull down the notification bar click on the Dark Mode icon. It will enable Gmail dark mode on Android 9 and 10.

2) Enable Dark Mode on iPhone: Settings >> Display and Brightness >> Dark. It will enable Gmail dark mode on iOS.

3) Use Dark Mode on Mac: Click on Apple Icon >> System Preferences >> General >> Choose Dark near Appearances.

4) Enable Dark Mode on Windows: Settings (Windows + I) >> Personalization >> Color on left pane >> Choose your color >> Dark.

Few Dark Theme Extension Recommendations

The following extensions are for the Google Chrome browser. Enabling the dark background on Chrome browsers with extensions, in turn, enable the dark theme on the Gmail site too.

Download and add any of the above-mentioned extensions to Chrome. And make sure to turn it on to use the Google Gmail on Dark theme.

Related: How to enable Dark Mode on Google Chrome browser

That was all the possible ways in which you can use Gmail in dark theme. We hope this section has been useful for you. Drop us your queries and suggestions in the comment section. Let us resolve it for you.

– Dark mode has become very popular. Now it has come to Gmail

(Pocket-lint) – Google has been rolling out a dark mode for its Gmail app on Android and iOS devices.

Dark modes have become very popular in recent years, thanks to their ability to blacken interfaces, thereby reducing the strain on your eyes and simultaneously saving your device’s battery life. As a result, companies like Google and Apple have begun to release system-wide dark modes across their operating systems, and even app developers are updating their apps with their own dark mode takes.

Here’s how to get Gmail’s new dark mode, also known as “dark theme”.

How to enable dark mode on Gmail’s mobile app

If you already use Android 10 or iOS 13 and have dark mode turned on at the system level, the Gmail app will auto-adjust to dark mode. However, you can also turn it on separately in the Gmail mobile app. Here’s how.

Android users

1. In the Gmail app on your phone, tap the hamburger menu in the top corner.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Settings.
3. Tap General settings.
4. At the top, tap Theme.
5. Tap Dark (or, if you’ve already set the dark theme as your system default, tap System default).

Note: If your mobile device is running Android 10, you can set dark theme as the system default on your device, and then all supported apps that adopt the default system will automatically go dark. Just go to Settings > scroll down and tap on the Display option > and tap on the Dark theme toggle. Gmail will, by default, automatically respond to this system default setting.

iPhone users

1. In the Gmail app, tap the hamburger menu in the top corner.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Settings.
3. Tap Theme.
4. Tap Dark.

Note: If your device is already running iOS 13, you can set dark theme as the system default on your device, and then all apps that adopt the default system will automatically go dark. Just open Settings > go to Display and Brightness > and Tap Dark to switch to Dark mode. If you’re running an older version of iOS, go to Settings in the Gmail app > then Theme > and select “Dark”.

Gmail will, by default, automatically respond to the system default setting.

With almost every app embracing the Dark Mode, Gmail has also joined the party. Google has recently released dark mode for it’s Gmail app. So, now, you can enable dark mode in Gmail app on your Android or iOS device and bright light won’t hurt your eyes anymore.

Google has decided to roll-out dark mode for Gmail in phased manner. So, you may not get Dark Mode option on your device yet but eventually you will. Just keep your Gmail app updated.

We have already got Dark Mode in Gmail on our devices. So, in this tutorial we are going to show you how to enable Dark Mode in Gmail on Android and iPhone. Please note that the steps for Android and iPhone are quite identical. We have used screenshots from Android device but it’s almost same in iOS also.

Enable Dark Mode in Gmail on Android and iOS

Let’s check quick steps for enabling Dark Mode in Gmail app on Android an iOS devices. Just make sure to update your Gmail app to latest version on your Android or iOS device.

Step 1: Open Gmail App and Go to Settings

First of all, open Gmail app on your Android or iOS device. After that tap on Menu button or swipe from left to open menu on Gmail app. Here, scroll down and tap on Settings. In Settings, select General Settings.

Open Gmail App go to Menu > Settings > General Settings

NOTE: In iOS or iPadOS, you will find the Theme option right in Settings and you won’t have to go to General settings.

Step 2: Enable Dark Mode in Gmail

In General settings, tap on Theme. Here, you will have option to choose Light or Dark theme for your Gmail app. Select Dark to enable Dark Mode in Gmail app on your device.

You can also select System default if you wish to change Gmail apps theme from Light to Dark and vice versa when you change theme on your device.

Tap on Theme and Select Dark

NOTE: On the iOS devices that don’t have system wide dark theme (iOS 11 and 12), you won’t see System default option in Theme menu.

Enjoy Dark Mode in Gmail App on your Android and iPhone

Now, you have successfully enabled Dark Mode in Gmail, you can browse your emails on your device without putting much strain on your eyes. Besides, helping your eyes, Dark Mode also helps your battery last a bit longer. If you wish to disable Dark Mode in Gmail app, you can follow the same path and select Light or System default.

Hope you liked this tutorial. Feel free to share your suggestions and queries in the comment section down below. You may also consider subscribing to our newsletter and get our latest tutorials directly into your inbox.

Make your Gmail account moody without during on dark mode for your entire phone.

Yes, you can apply a systemwide dark theme across Google’s and Apple’s mobile OSes with Android 10 , and iOS 13 . But if you just want dark mode a la carte, Gmail can easily comply — we’re about to show you how.

Thanks to products such as Facebook Messenger and the Reddit and Slack apps, the popularity of dark modes for apps was already growing before Google and Apple finally embraced them. Now, dark mode is nearly ubiquitous.

Get more out of your tech

With dark mode, you can conserve a bit of battery life and your phone’s screen will be easier on your eyes at night. Google first added dark mode to an Android Pie update in 2019, but the theme didn’t show up everywhere. In Android 10, dark mode is much more widespread, and apps that use the default system theme will automatically adopt the new dark mode when you turn it on, inverting dark and light colors. The new version of Apple’s mobile operating system also applies the theme broadly, from wallpaper, widgets and notifications to Calendar and Messages.

Here’s how to start using dark mode in Gmail on Android and iPhone.

More Gmail tips

• 5 clever Gmail tricks to minimize regret, frustration and spam
• Don’t be a jackass. Schedule Gmail messages to send later
• Google tracks your purchases. Here’s how to see what Gmail knows
• Gmail’s Smart Compose wants to ghostwrite your witty subject lines

Turn on the Gmail dark mode setting in Android 10

In Android 10, you can now apply a dark theme to Gmail.

Google. Screenshot Clifford Colby / CNET

While many of Google’s Android apps will adopt a dark theme when you turn it on in overall settings, you can flip it on independently in Gmail.

1. In the Gmail app on your phone, tap the hamburger icon in the top left.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the list, and tap Settings.

3. Tap General settings.

4. At the top of the list, tap Theme.

5. Tap Dark, or if you’ve already set the dark theme as your system default, tap System default.

Set dark theme as the system default in Android 10

For those apps that automatically adopt the default system, here’s how to turn on the dark theme.

1. In Settings, tap Display.

2. Near the bottom of the list of settings, toggle on Dark theme.

Next, here’s how to turn dark mode on in Gmail in iOS 13.

Turn on the Gmail dark mode setting for iPhone

If you’ve set your iPhone to use the new systemwide dark mode (by going to Settings, then Display & Brightness and then tapping Dark) Gmail will apply the theme by default once you receive the update from Google. If you’re using iOS 13’s Light appearance, however, here’s how to turn it on in Gmail.

1. In the Gmail app, tap the hamburger icon in the top left.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the list, and tap Settings.

3. Tap Theme.

4. Tap Dark.

You can also enable the dark theme in iOS 11 and 12 by going to Gmail’s Settings and selecting Dark Theme.