The dark mode has been a blessing for many people as it makes text easier to read, less straining on the eyes and your device’s battery. However, not everyone prefers it, and that’s why design decisions like these are best left to individual users.
In this article, we’re looking at how to disable dark mode on Google on Windows, Android and Apple devices.
Also read: Chrome vs Edge vs Firefox: Which browser should you pick?
Disabling Google Dark mode on PC
There are several ways you can do this if you’re on a PC.
Use Google Settings
The simplest way to remove dark mode is to go to Google’s website and change the preferences from there.
Step 1: Head over to Google.com and click on Settings in the bottom right.
Step 2: You can enable or disable dark mode from the toggle here.
Using browser appearance settings
Many websites will derive their dark or light mode preferences from your browser’s settings. If they’re set to light mode, chances are your sites will also open in light mode.
Head over to chrome://settings/appearance and click on Theme. That’ll open the Chrome App Store from where you can get a light theme. Alternatively, you can click Reset to default, and the browser will default to your system’s theme.
Alternatively, you can head over to chrome://settings/manageProfile and change your respective profile’s theme colours from there to a lighter shade. This should reflect in the sites you visit.
Checking Chrome’s target path
Sometimes, the browser’s dark mode can be forced by using a parameter on the target path. Try removing it to see if that disables the dark mode.
Step 1: Right-click the Chrome shortcut and click Properties.
Step 2: Remove the -force-dark-mode parameter from the end in the Target box.
Now restart Chrome and try again.
Disable the dark mode for web content flag in Chrome
Just like forcing dark mode from the target path, Chrome has several flags that can also force dark mode. Just head over to chrome://flags/ and search for the dark mode flag. Make sure that it’s disabled, restart Chrome and try again.
Restore Chrome to default settings
If no Chrome settings are working for you, try resetting the browser.
Step 1: Head over to chrome://settings/reset. Click on Restore settings to their original defaults.
Step 2: Chrome will show you a warning prompt. Click on Reset Settings, and your browser will reset to default settings.
Restart Chrome and try again.
Using Windows Theme settings
Just like sites derive their preferences from your browser, your browser itself derives the theme preference from Windows. You can change this to have a knockoff effect on your browser and, eventually, the sites you visit.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + I to open Windows Settings. Click on Personalisation.
Step 2: Click Colours
Step 3: Under Choose your mode, select Light.
Now restart your browser, and the dark mode should’ve gone.
Using macOS theme settings
If you’re on a Mac, using the light theme across your OS will cause the browser to default to a light theme as well.
Step 1: Click the System Preferences option on your dock.
Step 2: Head over to General.
Step 3: Click the Light option to set the light theme.
Also read: 15 useful Chrome extensions to get the most out of your browser
Disabling Dark mode on Phones
If you’re using Android or iOS, try the following methods to disable dark mode on Google.
Using Google settings
Just like we did on the PC, use Google’s site settings to revert to the light theme.
- Open Google.com in your browser and tap the hamburger menu icon in the top left.
- Toggle the light mode from there.
Use device defaults (Android)
Setting your device’s default theme to light will also enforce the changes in the browser.
- Head over to your phone’s settings. Tap Display.
- Head over to Dark theme
- Disable the Use Dark theme slider.
Use device defaults (iOS)
Setting your iPhone to the light theme will reflect the changes in your browser as well.
- Head over to Settings and go to Display & Brightness.
- Enable the Light mode by tapping the corresponding option.
Also read: Google Tasks vs Google Keep
