Dark Mode in Google Maps dims the screen to make navigation easier on the eyes in low-light conditions.
You can set Maps to always use a dark theme or match your phone’s system theme, with automatic device theme matching supported on Android 10 and newer. You can also customize navigation map colours separately for driving directions.
Enabling the feature takes just a few taps within the app settings.
How to Turn On Dark Mode in Google Maps?
To make Google Maps use dark mode on your Android phone while browsing the map, follow these steps:
- Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Tap Settings.
- Now, go to the App and display section.
- Tap Theme.
- Select Always in dark theme and tap Save.
Google Maps will now use the dark theme when you browse the app.
How to Turn On Dark Mode During Navigation?
Standard dark mode doesn’t always apply to driving directions automatically. To keep turn-by-turn maps dark while driving, update your navigation preferences as shown:
- Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, and go to Settings.
- Tap Navigation.
- Scroll down to Map display.
- Under Colour scheme, select Night.
The Night option keeps the navigation map in dark mode regardless of your phone’s system theme.
You can also select Automatic if you want Google Maps to follow your Android device’s theme.
How to Make Google Maps Follow Android Dark Mode?
If you already use dark mode across your Android phone, you can set Google Maps to follow your device’s theme. This means Maps will switch between light and dark mode when you change your phone’s display theme.
- Open Google Maps on your Android phone.
- Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner.
- Now, tap Settings.
- Tap App and display.
- Go to Theme.
- Select Same as device theme.
- Tap Save.
You can then control dark mode from your Android phone’s settings. On supported devices, open Settings, tap Display, and turn on Dark theme.
Google Maps will follow the theme selected on your phone.
Why do People Prefer Dark Mode on Google Maps?
People prefer Google Maps Dark Mode primarily to eliminate screen glare and reduce eye strain during night driving. This makes the map details, labels, and turn-by-turn routes easier to read in dim lighting.
Other than that, the higher contrast helps high-traffic roads and navigation cues stand out far more clearly than on a standard light display.
Does Dark Mode Save Battery on Android?
Dark mode saves battery primarily on smartphones with OLED and AMOLED screens, as these displays turn off individual pixels when displaying black or very dark areas, which reduces power consumption.
The battery savings are usually smaller on LCD displays because the backlight stays on even when the screen displays dark colors.
Although enabling dark mode helps, actual power savings depend on your screen brightness and usage.
If your goal is saving battery and dark mode plus reduced usage still aren’t enough, restricting the background app activity can help.
Customizing your map display takes just a few taps. It instantly makes evening navigation much more comfortable.
Whether you set a permanent dark theme, match your phone’s system settings, or stick to the Night driving profile, you get a clean view. It is far easier on your eyes and gentler on your battery, too.
