It's long overdue, but Android devices finally have dark mode for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. This feature should serve well to users who find the default theme a little too bright.
Google in a blog post announced it is rolling out the dark theme for all three programs. While dark mode certainly brings out an edgy looking backdrop, enabling it significantly reduces battery usage as well.
If your Android phone doesn't have dark mode yet, don't panic. Google is doing a gradual rollout, and it could take time before the update reaches your device. The search engine giant did not set a specific rollout date for all, but it could take a few weeks, as how most software updates go. In the meantime, do check if your device is up to date.
Once the feature arrives, you'll have to manually turn it on. Here's how:
First, open which program you'd want dark mode enabled, either Sheets, Docs, or Slides. Note that you turn the new feature on for each program.
On the top-left corner, tap the icon with three lines, choose Settings, then select Choose Theme. You'll be presented with an option to choose Dark, Light, or System default.
After the feature is added to your device, it should already be set to System default, which means dark mode in the app follows the dark mode setting of your smartphone or tablet. However, your apps can be set to dark or light regardless of your Android default. Simply adjust the theme setting in each program.
Now, in case you need to view a document in light mode, Google has added a toggle to make switching a breeze.
If you're viewing a file on Sheets or Docs, tap on the More button with three dots then choose View in light theme -- it's as simple as that. The app will allow previews in light mode so you can view its entirety without having to switch the app's settings.
As for Apple users, Google hasn't mentioned if dark mode on Docs, Sheets, and Slides will be added in iOS. On Android, a lot of apps already have dark mode. Fans for years have been asking for this feature and finally, Google gave in.
Google in 2019 promised to deliver dark mode to all of its first-party apps. Dark mode is not on the Google app, Gmail, and Google Calendar, though some apps such as Google Maps do not have dark mode on iOS.
