How to Use Dark Mode in Google Docs

Do you often strain your eyes trying to read text on a glaring white background? Or does the bright screen give you headaches after long hours of writing? If yes, it’s time to switch to dark mode!

Dark mode displays light text on a dark background which reduces eye strain. This makes it ideal for working long hours and for those who are sensitive to bright screens.

The good news is that Google Docs now has a dark mode option. So you can easily write and edit documents without hurting your eyes or head. In this article, I’ll guide you through how to enable dark mode on desktop and mobile.

Benefits of Using Dark Mode on Google Docs

Here are some key reasons why you should use dark mode for Google Docs:

Reduces eyestrain – Staring at bright screens for long can cause digital eye strain leading to dry eyes, blurry vision, and headaches. Dark mode prevents this by lowering brightness and glare.
Lessens power usage – Dark backgrounds utilize less power on OLED screens leading to longer battery life. So your laptop battery will last longer.

Increases readability – For many people, light text on dark backgrounds is easier to read than dark text on white backgrounds. The high contrast allows you to read comfortably for longer durations.
Minimizes sleep issues – Bright blue light from screens can affect melatonin production leading to sleep troubles. Dark mode gives off less blue light helping you sleep better.

Clearly, enabling dark mode makes working on Google Docs a much more pleasant experience. Now let’s see how you can activate it.

How to Turn On Dark Mode on Google Docs Desktop

Switching to dark mode on the desktop version of Google Docs takes just a few seconds! Follow these simple steps:

Open Google Docs on your browser and log into your Google account if needed
Click on the Settings icon on the top right (shaped like a gear)

Under the Theme section in the settings sidebar, click on Dark

That’s it! Your document background will now change to dark gray helping to prevent eye fatigue. By default, your text will switch to light gray or white depending on the original theme you had.

Dark mode on Google Docs desktop

Once enabled, dark mode will stay on for all new and existing Docs until you manually turn it off.

An important point to note is that dark mode is only available on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Apple Safari. So make sure you are using one of these browsers.

Some users may not find the default dark background dark enough for their preference. In that case, you can install the Dark Reader browser extension. It will allow you to set a custom black background behind web pages including Docs.

How to Enable Dark Theme on the Google Docs Mobile App

What if you want to write on the go using your mobile? Not to worry, the Google Docs app for Android and iOS also includes a dark theme option.

Here is how you can enable it:

On Android

Open the Google Docs app on your Android phone
Tap on the hamburger menu icon on the top left
Go to Settings > General

Under the Theme option, select Dark
The app will now switch to dark mode

On iPhone/iPad

Launch the iOS Google Docs app
Tap the hamburger menu at the top left
Scroll down and choose Settings

Under the Appearance section, tap on Dark next to Theme
You will now see dark mode activated on the app

The steps are quite straightforward as you can see. After setting dark theme, it will be applied throughout the app without needing to change any individual document settings.

Dark mode on Google Docs mobile app

By using dark mode, you can now write and edit Docs on your mobile device for longer without feeling eye fatigue. It’s perfect for working on-the-go when you don’t have access to your desktop.

Customizing Colors in Dark Mode for Added Comfort

You may have noticed in the demo images above that dark mode changes the text color as well to a lighter shade. This ensures optimal contrast for good readability.

However, you can customize the text and background colors as per your preference:

On desktop, click back on the Settings icon > Theme > Custom to change colors
On mobile, go to Settings > General > Custom colors

Some good color combinations to try are:

Off-white or light grey text on a black background
White text on a dark blue background

Green text on a black background

Play around to find out what feels most soothing to your eyes. Just make sure to maintain enough contrast between text and background colors.

Summing Up

I hope this article has shown you how incredibly easy it is to use dark mode for Google Docs, whether you’re working on a desktop or mobile. There’s simply no reason to put up with glaring bright screens and eye strain anymore!

By following the simple steps outlined above, you can: