We’ve been waiting for quite a while and now Google has finally joined the dark mode train with a new Gmail update. Google started officially rolling out dark mode for Gmail today on Android and iOS devices.
More and more apps are getting dark modes added. A few of Google’s popular apps have gotten dark mode support recently. Google Fit added the feature last month for Android and iOS users, while the feature in Google Calendar and Google Keep is currently limited to Android users. Nevertheless, Google’s main app still doesn’t have it for either operating system, nor does Google Maps.
Two weeks ago, a few Android 10 users received the new option to activate dark mode. However, Google has now made the rollout official and added support for iOS 11, 12 and 13.
If you’re using Android 10, dark mode for Gmail will activate automatically when you select “Dark theme” in your phone’s general settings. Alternatively, you can go into the Gmail app’s settings and change your preferences there.
On the other hand, if you have a Google Pixel phone, Gmail will switch to dark mode automatically whenever you switch on power-saving mode.
Dah dah dah dum da da dum da da: Dark theme is coming to Gmail on mobile → https://t.co/hiMaeuDBJD pic.twitter.com/0ElUHzrx8R
— Gmail (@gmail) September 24, 2019
If you already use Android 10 or iOS 13 and have dark mode switched on at the system level, Google says that Gmail will automatically adjust to dark mode. Additionally, dark mode will activate if you use a Pixel phone set to battery saver mode. If you’re using an earlier Android or iOS version, you’ll have to toggle a few settings.
To check if dark mode has been made available to you, open Gmail, click Settings, and you’ll see a new option called “Theme”. Within that, dark mode can be switched on.
If you’re not seeing this option, don’t worry. In the press release Google put out, it says that Google says in its press release that dark mode is releasing over an “extended rollout” period. This means that it could take 15 days or even longer on Android and iOS. So if you don’t already have the feature, it’s on the way; you might just have to wait a bit.
When you do, you’ll be able to benefit from improved battery life. Google’s own research found that black pixels draw significantly less power than white or coloured ones. It also makes reading after dark more comfortable. But remember, checking your messages that late at night is not a recipe for a good night’s sleep.