Users have started seeing Google's new dark mode. The previous dark mode was a gray that was quite soothing on the eyes, but Google has changed that to a true black, which should actually show up on OLED and AMOLED.
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Google announced the wider availability of dark mode earlier this month, but so far, its rollout has been slow. Few people seem to have it, and 9to5Google reports that some users received the new theme and then lost it again shortly after. Google said it was testing a new dark mode in February of last year, and later announced that the new dark theme was available on desktop and mobile in a tweet earlier this month.
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The new theme may appear earlier on PC, but it will still be a dark gray in the Google app and Google Search in Safari on iPhone or Android. The contrast between the gray font and the black background makes the change look more pronounced, but it's up to each person's preference whether they prefer the older or the new version.
Here's how to change your settings if you're still in light mode and want to switch, assuming it's now available to you:
- Select the gear icon in the upper right corner to open quick settings.
- Select dark mode.
See also: How to enable Dark Mode in Microsoft Outlook?
The new display could be a win for those who thought dark gray wasn't dark enough. But it could also be a win for those looking to save a little more battery life on devices with OLED displays, though it's unclear how much battery life you'd save or whether the stark visual difference is ultimately worth the switch.
