How To Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Chrome [11 Methods]

Dark mode is a common feature that is included in most apps and operating systems. Some reports suggest that dark mode improves battery life. However, if you activated dark mode, didn’t like it, and want to turn it off or if your apps changed their appearance to the dark theme without asking and you want to disable it, read this guide.

We have several methods to help you on how to turn off dark mode on google on different operating systems and even Google Apps.

How to turn off dark mode on Google web and Google App

Quick Solution: Turn Off Dark Theme from System Settings

A fast and easy method of turning off dark mode on all of your device’s apps is to disable dark mode from the system settings of your device. It will turn off dark mode for all the supported apps and it also includes Google apps. 

  1. Disable Dark Mode from Settings on Android
  2. Disable Dark Mode from Settings on iOS
  3. Disable Dark Mode from Settings on Windows
  4. Disable Dark Mode from Settings on macOS

Disable Dark Mode from Settings on Android

Turning dark mode of your Android device from system settings will disable dark mode for all Google apps.

  1. Swipe down from the top and tap the settings icon at the top right.
  2. Go to ‘Display’ from the settings menu.
  3. Select ‘Light’.

Disable Dark Mode from Settings on iOS

  1. Go to ‘Settings’ on your iPad or iPhone.
  2. Tap ‘Display & Brightness’ from the list.
  3. Select ‘Light’.

This will make the dark theme go away on all of your Google apps and iOS system apps. If it doesn’t work, turn off dark theme one by one on each Google app. This will take a few minutes.

Disable Dark Mode from Settings on Windows

Disable or enable the dark mode option on Microsoft Windows 10 and 11 with these steps: (Images here are from Windows 10)

  1. On your desktop, click ‘Start’ and select the settings icon above the Power button.
  2. Click ‘Personalization’.
Windows 10 system settings
  1. From the sidebar, select ‘Colors’.
Personalization settings on Windows
  1. Click the drop-down menu ‘Choose your color’.
Choosing Between light or dark them on Windows 10
  1. Choose ‘Custom’ from the menu. It will open two options below it.
Windows Colors settings options
  1. Go to the option ‘Choose your default app mode’ and select ‘Light’.
Windows options to disable dark mode

Disable Dark Mode from Settings on macOS

Turning off dark mode on your Mac computer will only affect the system apps like Mail, Safari, Maps, Notes, etc., and won’t affect third-party apps you have installed. Dark mode is available for macOS Mojave and higher.

  1. On your desktop, go to the Apple menu and select ‘System Preferences’.
  2. Click ‘General’.
  3. You will see three appearance options: Light, Dark, and Auto. Select ‘Light’.

In case you want the system to switch to light mode during the day and to dark mode at night, select ‘Auto’.

How to Turn off Dark Mode on Google for Android and iOS

If the above method didn’t work for you or if you want to disable the dark mode feature on your mobile for only one or a few apps, you can do it manually.

  1. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Chrome Browser
  2. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Search
  3. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Maps App
  4. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Play Store
  5. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Keep Notes App
  6. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google News App
  7. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Drive App
  8. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on YouTube App
  9. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Assistant App
  10. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Docs App
  11. How To Turn Off Dark Mode on Gmail App

You can disable dark theme on Google Search’s web version by duplicating these steps.

  1. Open Chrome or any browser you use on your mobile.
  2. Go to Google.
  3. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top left corner.
Google Search web on mobile
  1. Select ‘Settings’.
Google Search settings on mobile
  1. In the ‘Appearance’ section select ‘Light theme’.
Google Search settings appearance options
  1. Tap ‘Save’.
Google Search settings
  1. A dialogue box will appear. Click OK.

2. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Chrome Browser

For many, Chrome looks best in a light theme. Here’s how to disable Chrome dark mode on your mobile:

  1. Open Chrome on your Android or iOS device.
  2. Tap the three dots at the top right.
Google Search opened on Google Chrome using mobile.
  1. Select ‘Settings’ from the menu.
Google Chrome menu
  1. Go to ‘Themes’.
Google Chrome settings
  1. Select ‘Light’.
Google Chrome themes

3. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Maps App

Many people like to see Maps in the light theme. If you’re one of them, follow these steps to disable the dark mode option on Google Maps.

  1. Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture at the top right of the main window.
  2. Select ‘Settings’
  3. Find ‘Dark Mode’ in the menu and tap it.
  4. Select the ‘Off’ option.

4. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Play Store

If light mode appears natural to you, follow these steps to disable dark mode on Google Play Store:

  1. Open Google Play Store and tap your display picture.
Google Play Store main window
  1. Tap ‘Settings’.
Account menu on Google Play Store
  1. Select ‘General Settings’ and then tap ‘Theme’.
Google Play settings
  1. Select ‘Light’.

5. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Keep Notes App

Google Keep also has a dark theme. If you want to disable it, follow below:

  1. Open the Google Keep app and tap the three horizontal lines at the top left side.
Google Keep Notes main window
  1. Select ‘Settings’ from the menu.
Google Keep menu
  1. Now tap ‘Theme’.
Google Keep Notes settings menu
  1. Select ‘Light’.

6. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google News App

Some prefer light theme for Google News. Here’s how to bring it back:

  1. Open your settings menu by tapping your profile picture.
Google News main window
  1. Select ‘News Settings’.
Google account menu on Google News
  1. Tap ‘Dark theme’.
Google News settings
  1. Select the option ‘Never’.
Google News dark theme menu

7. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Drive App

  1. Tap the three horizontal lines you see at the top right corner of Google Drive app.
Google Drive app main window
  1. Tap ‘Settings’.
Google Drive app menu
  1. Select ‘Choose theme’ and then tap ‘Light’.
Google Drive app settings

8. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on YouTube App

Watch videos with white background by turning off the dark theme on YouTube. Follow these steps:

  1. Tap your profile picture on YouTube.
YouTube app main window
  1. Select ‘Settings’.
YouTube account options on YouTube app
  1. Tap ‘General’ and then toggle off ‘Dark Mode’.
YouTube app settings

9. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Assistant App

Google Assistant answers many of your questions and helps in many things. But if you need to change the theme from dark to light, you need to do it yourself.

  1. Open ‘Google Assistant’.
  2. At the bottom corner, locate ‘More’ with three dots above it.
  3. Now select ‘Settings’.
  4. Tap ‘General’.
  5. You’ll see a list. Find ‘Theme’ and tap on it.
  6. Select ‘Light’.

10. How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google Docs App

Google Docs is popular among Android users for creating, editing, and storing documents. Follow below to disable the dark mode feature on Google Docs app:

  1. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top left on Docs.
  2. Tap ‘Settings’.
  3. Now tap ‘Choose theme’ and select ‘Light’.

11. How To Turn Off Dark Mode on Gmail App

If your Gmail needs a retouch, switch to light mode.

  1. Tap the three horizontal lines on Gmail.
  2. Select ‘Settings’
  3. Select ‘General Settings’. For Android only. iOS users move to the next step without it.
  4. Tap ‘Theme’ and select ‘Light’.

How to Turn Off Dark Mode on Google for Windows, macOS, and Linux

If you want to disable dark mode for the web versions of different Google services on your computer, read this section. It works for all desktop users.

  1. Disable Dark Mode on Google Search
  2. Disable Dark Mode on Google Chrome
  3. Disable Dark Mode on Keep Notes
  4. Disable Dark Mode on Google News
  5. Disable Dark Mode on YouTube
  6. Disable Dark Mode on Gmail

In case you want to turn off dark mode on Google Search web to align it with other non-dark mode sites, do this:

  1. Open Google on your browser and click ‘Settings’ at the bottom right corner.
Google Search web main page
  1. A list would appear. Find ‘Dark Mode’ on the list and click it. Google Search will be changed to light theme.
Google Search web settings menu

2. Disable Dark Mode on Google Chrome

This method is only for changing the appearance color of your Google browser. It only affects the toolbar of Chrome:

  1. Open Chrome and click the three dots at the top right corner.
  2. Click ‘Settings’.
  3. Now click ‘Customize your Chrome profile’.
  4. Select any color you want.

If you want to completely change the dark theme of Chrome to light, you can only change it from the system settings of your Windows or Mac computer.

Changing Chrome Dark Mode for Windows: Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors > Choose your Color > Custom > Choose your default app > Light.

Changing Chrome Dark Mode for macOS: Go to System Preferences > General > Light.

3. Disable Dark Mode on Keep Notes

Keep Notes is a simple tool to note down things you don’t want to forget. It works with your Gmail so you can easily retrieve your notes on any device you’re signed in to. Turn off dark mode on Keep Notes with these steps:

  1. Open Google Keep Notes on your browser.
  2. Click the Settings icon at the top right side of the screen.
Google Keep web main page
  1. Select ‘Disable dark theme’.
Google Keep web settings menu

4. Disable Dark Mode on Google News

If the dark theme option on Google News is not good for you, change it to light mode.

  1. Open Google News and scroll down the sidebar to click ‘Settings’.
Google News web sidebar
  1. Under ‘General’, change ‘Dark theme’ to ‘Never’.
Google News web settings page

5. Disable Dark Mode on YouTube

Some love the dark theme on YouTube while others want to keep the light mode option. If you’re one of the latter, take these steps to turn off dark mode on YouTube:

  1. Go to YouTube and click your display picture.
  2. Click ‘Appearance’ and change it to ‘Light’.
YouTube account menu on web

6. Disable Dark Mode on Gmail

So you want to switch back to light mode for reading and responding to emails on your Gmail web? Perform these steps:

  1. Open Gmail in your browser (Chrome)
  2. At the upper right corner, click the settings icon.
  3. Find ‘Themes’ and click ‘View all’ written in blue.
  4. Scroll down, select the default or light theme and click ‘Save’.

Light Mode vs Dark Mode

Light ModeDark Mode
Better for daytime mobile
use
Better for low-light settings
and nighttime
Emits blue light that keeps
you awake at night
Doesn’t emit blue light and
is safer to use before sleeping
Uses a bit more battery
than dark mode
Uses less battery
than light mode
More light on the screen
makes it easy to read
Long texts are hard to read
Potentially causes eye strainPotentially reduces eye strain
Good for reading textGood for videos and pictures
Most apps are in light mode
by default
Not all apps have dark mode

Conclusion

Changing modes from dark to light is pretty easy. You can turn off dark mode from the system settings of your operating system or perform it for a few apps manually.

Meet the Author

Abdul Rahim has been working in Information Technology for over two decades. Learn how Abdul got his start as a Tech Blogger , and why he decided to start this Software blog. If you want to send Abdul a quick message, then visit his contact page here.