Google Drive has a built-in dark mode on desktop, Android, iPhone, and iPad. The steps depend on your device.
On a computer, open Google Drive, select Settings, find Appearance, and choose Dark. On Android, select a theme in the Drive app. On iPhone and iPad, Drive follows the device’s iOS appearance.
Important: Google Drive dark mode changes the Drive interface. It may not make the contents of every document, spreadsheet, presentation, image, or PDF dark.
Google Drive Dark Mode: Quick Answer
| Platform or situation | How to enable Google Drive dark mode |
|---|---|
| Desktop web | Settings → Appearance → Dark |
| Follow the desktop device theme | Settings → Appearance → Device default |
| Android | Menu → Settings → Choose theme → Dark |
| Follow the Android system theme | Choose theme → System default |
| iPhone or iPad | Enable Dark Mode in iOS, then open Drive |
| Return to light mode | Choose Light or change the device appearance |
| An opened file remains white | Check that file type or editor’s own appearance options |
Google Drive offers Light, Dark, and Device default on desktop. Android offers Dark, Light, and System default.
Table of contents
- Google Drive Dark Mode: Quick Answer
- Does Google Drive Have Dark Mode?
- How to Turn On Google Drive Dark Mode on Desktop
- How to Turn On Google Drive Dark Mode on Android
- How to Use Google Drive Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad
- What Google Drive Dark Mode Changes
- Google Drive Native Dark Mode vs. Night Eye
- When a Darker Drive Interface May Be Useful
- Why Google Drive Dark Mode Is Not Working
- How to Turn Off Google Drive Dark Mode
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Customize Google Drive Dark Mode with Night Eye
- More Google Dark Mode Guides
Does Google Drive Have Dark Mode?
Yes. Google Drive provides a built-in dark mode on its desktop website and mobile apps. Google added the web setting in April 2024 for Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google accounts. See the Google Workspace announcement.
How to Turn On Google Drive Dark Mode on Desktop
On a PC, Mac, or Chromebook:
- Open Google Drive.
- Select the Settings gear in the upper-right corner.
- Find Appearance.
- Select Dark.
Select Device default instead if you want Drive to follow your computer’s current light or dark appearance. Google lists all three desktop choices in its Google Drive Help instructions.
How to Turn On Google Drive Dark Mode on Android
- Open the Google Drive app.
- Open the main Menu in the upper-left corner.
- Select Settings.
- Select Choose theme.
- Choose Dark.
Select System default if you want Drive to follow your Android device theme. You can confirm the current options in Google Drive Help for Android.
How to Use Google Drive Dark Mode on iPhone and iPad
Google Drive follows the appearance selected in iOS. There is no separate theme menu to change inside the Drive app.
- Open the iPhone or iPad Settings app.
- Select Display & Brightness.
- Choose Dark.
- Open Google Drive.
Google states that Drive dark mode requires iOS 13 or later. See Google Drive Help for iPhone and iPad.
What Google Drive Dark Mode Changes
Google Drive’s Appearance setting changes the Drive interface, including its navigation, file lists, and surrounding controls. It does not guarantee that every opened file will use a dark background.
Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, PDFs, images, and third-party files may use their own colors or appearance settings. A white document page does not necessarily mean that Drive dark mode is broken.
If the Drive interface is dark but a document page remains white, check the editor itself. For example, use our Google Docs dark mode guide for document-specific options.
Google Drive Native Dark Mode vs. Night Eye
Google Drive’s native setting is the simplest option if you only want its file interface to be dark.
Night Eye is useful when you want more browser-based appearance controls or a consistent dark experience across supported websites. It does not change the native Google Drive app on Android, iPhone, or iPad.
| Capability | Google Drive dark mode | Night Eye |
|---|---|---|
| Built into the Drive website | Yes | No |
| Changes the Drive file interface | Yes | Yes, when enabled in a supported browser |
| Works in the native Android app | Yes | No |
| Works in the native iOS app | Yes | No |
| Can follow the device color scheme | Yes | Yes, when OS Color Scheme integration is enabled |
| Adjustable brightness, contrast, saturation, dim, and blue-light controls | No equivalent Drive controls | Yes |
| Applies to other supported websites | No | Yes |
| Required for standard Drive web dark mode | No | No |
Night Eye applies its visual changes locally and does not collect your browsing history. Results can vary by file type and editor, so check document-specific appearance options when an opened file stays light.
When a Darker Drive Interface May Be Useful
A darker interface may feel more comfortable in a dim room or when the rest of your device uses a dark appearance. It can also reduce the visual contrast between Google Drive and other dark browser tabs.
Readability depends on the person, display, and surroundings. Dark mode is a display preference, not a treatment for eye strain, headaches, sleep problems, or other health conditions.
Why Google Drive Dark Mode Is Not Working
Try these checks in order:
- Confirm that you are changing Appearance inside Google Drive, not a browser-level Google theme.
- On desktop, select Dark directly instead of Device default to test the setting.
- Refresh Google Drive after changing the appearance.
- Confirm that you are using the current Drive web interface.
- On Android, check whether System default is following a light device theme.
- On iPhone or iPad, enable dark appearance in iOS because Drive follows the device setting.
- Update the Google Drive mobile app.
- If only an opened document or PDF remains white, check that editor or file type separately.
- Temporarily disable other theme extensions to identify a conflict.
- If a work or school account behaves differently, test a personal account before assuming an administrator has disabled the feature.
How to Turn Off Google Drive Dark Mode
Desktop
Open Settings → Appearance and select Light. Select Device default if you want Drive to follow your computer’s theme instead.
Android
Open Menu → Settings → Choose theme and select Light or System default.
iPhone and iPad
Open the iOS Settings app, select Display & Brightness, and choose Light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Google Drive have dark mode?
Yes. Google Drive has a built-in dark mode on its desktop website and in its Android, iPhone, and iPad apps.
How do I make Google Drive dark on a computer?
Open Google Drive, select the Settings gear, find Appearance, and choose Dark. Choose Device default if you want Drive to follow your computer’s theme.
How do I turn on Google Drive dark mode on Android?
Open the Drive app, go to Menu → Settings → Choose theme, and select Dark. You can also choose System default.
How do I make Google Drive dark on an iPhone or iPad?
Enable Dark Mode in the device’s iOS settings, then open Google Drive. The Drive app follows the iPhone or iPad appearance.
Why is my Google document still white?
Google Drive dark mode changes the Drive interface, but an opened document, spreadsheet, presentation, image, or PDF may retain its own colors.
Does Google Drive dark mode work on PC and Mac?
Yes. The Google Drive website provides an Appearance setting in supported desktop browsers on Windows and macOS.
Do I need an extension for Google Drive dark mode?
No. Google Drive has native dark mode on the web and in its mobile apps. A browser extension is optional if you want additional appearance controls or dark mode on other supported websites.
Can Night Eye change the Google Drive mobile app?
No. Night Eye is a browser extension and does not control the native Google Drive app on Android, iPhone, or iPad.
How do I turn off Google Drive dark mode?
On desktop, return to Settings → Appearance and select Light. On Android, choose the Light theme. On iPhone or iPad, change the device appearance to Light.
Customize Google Drive Dark Mode with Night Eye
Night Eye can apply dark mode to Google Drive in a supported browser and lets you adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, dim, and blue-light settings. Use Google Drive’s built-in setting for the native Android, iPhone, and iPad apps.
The previews below show Night Eye applied to Google Drive in a browser. An opened document or file may still use its own colors.
More Google Dark Mode Guides
Need dark mode in another Google product? Use the guide for that site or editor:
