Are you someone who uses Google Maps a lot but finds the default light mode too bright, especially at night? Furthermore, if so, you’ll be happy to know that Google Maps now has a dark mode setting.
Here is a quick step-by-step guide to enable dark mode in Google Maps:
- Firstly, open the Google Maps app.
- Next, tap your profile or initial photo in the top right corner.
- Subsequently, go to Settings and then tap Theme.
- Then, choose Always Dark Theme to activate dark mode for Google Maps.
- Alternatively, you can also choose Same as device theme to follow your system settings.
- Finally, press the ‘Save’ button to confirm your adjustments.
Next, in this blog post, we will show you how to enable Google Map dark mode on your Android or desktop device. Subsequently, we will explain the benefits and limitations of this feature.
How to activate Google maps dark mode in Android ?
Are you an Android mobile device user who wants to take advantage of Google Maps’ new dark mode feature? Importantly, activating it on your device is a simple process that only requires a few taps.”
Next, in this section, we will look at the simple steps to enable dark mode in night directly in the Google Map app on your Android device. First watch the video for your convenience and then follow the steps:
To begin with, follow below mentioned steps to activate Google map dark mode in Android phones:
For the entire Google Maps app
- Firstly, open the Google Maps app.
- Next, press the picture or letter of your profile in the upper right side.
- Subsequently, select Settings.
- Then, select ‘Theme’ and then pick one of these alternatives:
- Always in dark theme: This will enable dark mode regardless of your system settings.
- Same as device theme: This will make Google Map follow your device setting for the system-wide dark mode settings on your Android device.
- Always Light Theme: This will disable the theme option for dark mode regardless of your system settings.
- Finally, press the ‘Save’ button to confirm your adjustments.
For navigation only
- Firstly, open the Google Maps app.
- Next, press the picture or letter of your profile in the upper right side.
- Subsequently, select Settings.
- Then, tap Navigation Settings. Following this, scroll down to Map View.
- Under the section of Color scheme, you will find the following options:
- Day: This will disable dark mode for browsing regardless of your system settings.
- Night: This will enable dark mode for browsing regardless of your system settings.
- Automatic: This will cause Google Maps to follow your system-wide dark mode settings for navigation.
Also Check: How to calibrate Google maps ?
How to activate Google maps dark mode in iPhone ?
Similarly, there are two ways to activate Google Maps dark mode on your iPhone, but the options are slightly different from Android to iPhone.
Furthermore, follow below mentioned steps to activate Google mas dark mode in iPhone:
For the entire app
If you want to use Google Maps in dark mode for all your activities, such as searching, exploring, and saving places, you can follow these steps:
- Firstly, open the Google Maps app on your iPhone.
- Subsequently, tap your profile photo or initial in the top right corner.
- Next, go to Settings and then tap Theme.
- Following this, choose Always Dark Theme to activate dark mode compatibility for Google Map. Alternatively, you can also choose Same as device theme to follow your system settings.
- Finally, tap Save to apply the changes.
To navigate
If you only want to use Google Maps in dark mode when you are navigating, you can follow these steps:
- Firstly, open the Google Maps app on your iPhone.
- Next, tap your profile photo or initial in the top right corner.
- Subsequently, go to Navigation Settings and then tap Color Scheme.
- Following this, choose Night to activate dark mode for navigation. Alternatively, you can also choose Automatic to switch between day and night mode depending on the time of day.
- Lastly, tap Save to apply the changes.
Also Check: How to delete Google maps search history ?
How to turn on Google maps dark mode in desktop ?
Unfortunately, Google Maps on desktop does not yet have a built-in dark mode option. However, there are a couple of ways to achieve a similar look:
Using browser extensions
Unfortunately, there is no native option to turn on dark mode in the Google Map web app .
However, you’ll have to use a Chrome extension to get this functionality. Furthermore, there are many extensions available for this purpose, and I’ll recommend Super Dark Mode as it does the best job of completely changing colors to black.
In addition, Night Eye is a popular extension allows you to customize the color scheme of websites, including Google Maps. Similarly, you can choose from several preset dark themes or adjust the settings to your liking. Likewise, it is available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari.
Moreover, Dark Reader is another popular option that also allows you to customize website themes. Consequently, it offers more granular control over colors and brightness, making it suitable for those who want precise adjustments. Similarly, it is available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera.
Adjust system settings
Windows: While it doesn’t directly affect Google Map, turning on Windows dark mode will provide a darker overall environment. Furthermore, go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and choose “Dark” under “Choose your theme.”
Mac: Likewise, Mac dark mode can darken the entire interface. Similarly, navigate to System Preferences > General and select “Dark” under “Appearance.”
Also Check: How to see Compass on Google Maps ?
Google Chrome Flags (experimental)
While not recommended for daily use, there is a flag in Chrome that partially enables dark mode for Google Maps.
Furthermore, this is an experimental feature and may be buggy or unstable. Similarly, type chrome://flags in your address bar and search for “enable-maps-dark-mode”.
Likewise, click “Activate” and restart Chrome. However, this may not achieve a full dark theme and may only affect certain elements.
Moreover, using Chrome flags can sometimes disrupt functionality or stability, so proceed with caution and consider other options first.
What are the benefits of dark mode on Google Maps ?
There are several benefits to using dark mode in Google Maps, ranging from visual comfort and focus to battery life and aesthetics. Here are some of the key benefits:
Reduced eye strain: Dark mode minimizes the emission of bright light, which can cause eye strain and discomfort, especially if you use Google Map in low-light environments. Furthermore, this is especially useful for driving at night or navigating when it’s getting dark.
Improved focus: The high contrast between map elements and the dark background in dark mode makes essential details, such as road names, icons, and landmarks, stand out more clearly. Furthermore, this can help you better focus on the information you need while browsing, reducing distractions and errors.
Saving battery life: On OLED displays, dark mode can significantly improve battery life. Furthermore, this is because OLED pixels only light up when displaying colored areas, meaning less power is consumed compared to displaying a bright background in traditional mode.
Improved aesthetics: Many users simply prefer the sleek and modern look of dark mode. Furthermore, it can create a more immersive and visually engaging experience, especially on devices with bright, high-resolution displays.
Additional benefits
Reduced glare: Dark mode can be useful in situations with bright sunlight or glare, making the map easier to read.
Night-friendly: Easier on the eyes when using Google Maps at night or in low-light environments.
Customization: Some versions of Google Maps offer different dark mode options, allowing you to customize the color scheme and brightness to your preferences.
How can I troubleshoot Google Maps not displaying dark mode ?
There are a few possible reasons why Google Maps may not display a dark theme on your device.
Follow below mentioned steps to troubleshoot Google maps not displaying dark mode:
- First, make sure you have the latest version of the Google Maps app installed on your device. Furthermore, you can check for updates on the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Similarly, check if your device supports dark themes. Likewise, some older devices may not have this feature available. You can tell if your device supports dark theme by going to Settings > Display > Dark theme.
- Next, check if you have enabled the dark theme in Google Maps. You can do this by tapping your profile icon in the Maps search bar, scrolling down to Settings, tapping Theme, and selecting “Always Dark Theme.”
- Consequently, if none of the above steps work, you may need to clear the cache and data of the Google Maps app. Furthermore, this will remove any temporary files that may be causing the problem. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > Google Maps > Storage > Clear cache and Clear data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Google Maps dark mode is a useful feature that can improve your mapping experience in low-light environments.
Furthermore, it can also help you reduce eye strain and improve your sleep quality by minimizing blue light exposure.
Similarly, whether you use Google Map on your Android or iPhone device, you can easily turn on dark mode by following the simple steps we outline in this blog post.
Likewise, you can also customize dark mode settings to suit your preferences and needs.
Reference:
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/10189433?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/10189433?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
To enable dark mode in Google Map on Android, open the app, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, select “Theme,” and choose “Always Dark Theme.” For desktop, you will need a Chrome extension as there is no built-in option.
If Google Map is not showing in dark mode, it could be due to a recent update that broke the feature. Make sure your app is updated and check your “Theme” settings or try enabling system-wide dark mode on your phone.
Some parts of Google Maps are dark because they represent land areas, while other features such as water, roads, and buildings are displayed in different colors. However, some areas may also be locked for security or privacy reasons.
