How to Turn On Dark Mode in Google Docs

To turn on dark mode in Google Docs, open the Google Docs app on your Android phone or iPhone, tap the menu (three lines), tap Settings, choose Theme (Choose theme on Android), and select Dark. Google Docs on the web doesn’t have a dark mode setting, so on a computer you need your browser’s tools instead.

The app steps come from Google’s Use Dark theme in Google Docs, Sheets & Slides help page. The computer section uses Google’s Chrome Dark mode help page to explain what Chrome’s own dark mode does and doesn’t change.

How to Turn On Dark Mode in the Google Docs App

1. Open the Google Docs app on your phone or tablet.
2. At the top left, tap Menu (three lines).
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Theme on iPhone or iPad, or Choose theme on Android.
5. Choose Dark, Light, or System default.

Result: The app switches to a dark background. System default makes Google Docs follow your phone’s light or dark setting automatically.

Google says the same steps work in the Google Sheets and Google Slides apps, and that collaborators can’t see the theme you choose.

Make Google Docs follow your phone’s dark mode

If you choose System default, Google Docs switches between light and dark along with your phone. To turn on dark mode for the whole device:

• iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and tap Dark. Turn on Automatic if you want it to switch at sunset.
• Android: Go to Settings > Display and turn on Dark theme. Menu names can vary slightly by phone maker.

This also darkens other apps that follow the system setting, not just Google Docs.

How to Preview a Document in Light Theme

Google notes that dark theme automatically adjusts documents to fit the theme. To check how a document will look to collaborators who use the light theme:

1. Open the document in the Google Docs app.
2. At the top right, tap More (three dots).
3. Tap View in light theme.

Result: The document appears in its normal light colors so you can check text, highlights, and images. This option is also available in the Google Sheets app.

Dark Mode for Google Docs on a Computer

The Google Docs website has no dark theme setting. Here’s what your options do:

• Chrome’s Dark mode: Google’s Chrome help says Dark mode makes Chrome’s homepage, toolbar, settings, and some other pages dark. You can set it from a New Tab page by selecting Customize Chrome and choosing Dark under Appearance, or by following your computer’s theme. It doesn’t change the document page itself.
• Chrome’s experimental flag: Type chrome://flags in the address bar, search for Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents, set it to Enabled, and select Relaunch. It darkens every website, not just Google Docs, and because it’s experimental, Google can change or remove it.
• Browser extensions: Some third-party extensions add a dark look to Docs. They’re not made by Google, so review the permissions they ask for before installing.

All of these change how pages look on your screen only, not the document other people see. The same goes for zoom, so you can also change the zoom level in Google Docs without affecting anyone else.

Make the page itself dark (changes the document)

If you want the document to have a dark background for everyone, select File > Page setup and choose a dark Page color. Change the text color too so it stays readable. Remember to switch it back before printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will dark mode change the document for other people?

No. Google says collaborators can’t see the theme you choose. It only changes how the app looks for you.

Why doesn’t Google Docs have dark mode on my computer?

Google’s dark theme help page only covers the Android and iPhone/iPad apps. On a computer, use one of the browser options above.

Does dark mode work in Google Sheets and Slides too?

Yes. Google’s steps for changing the theme apply to the Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps.

Looking for another way to give your eyes a break? See how to make Google Docs read to you. Moving files over from Microsoft Office? Here’s how to convert a Word document to a Google Doc.