How To Enable/Disable Dark Mode In Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides

Google recently launched a dark mode option for its Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps, and how to turn them on and off is easier than you’d think.

Dark mode for all its wonders, is of course not to everyone’s tastes. And that’s ok. Personally though, I prefer it as it’s less harsh on my eyes. I’m already staring at a bright PC monitor all day. So I don’t need the blinding light from a totally white phone screen too.

If you’re like me and tons of other users and prefer dark mode in your apps, here’s how to get dark mode set up in these ones from Google’s G Suite offerings.

How to enable/disable dark mode in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

In many cases you may not need to enable dark mode if you’re using a device with Android 10 or above. This is because in these newer versions of Android you can enable dark mode as a system default.

Which changes the theme of plenty of apps even before the dark mode option is baked into the app itself. If you don’t have your system default theme set to dark mode though, then you have to set each app to dark on an a separate basis.

And now Docs, Sheets, and Slides offer that capability

First things first, make sure you’re on the latest version of the apps

You’ll need the latest version of the app for the dark mode theme to be accessible. Most users should have the update available, but if you’re not sure whether or not you’re already on it you can check.

Go to your settings, tap on the apps section, then look for and tap on Docs. From there tap on the advanced dropdown which should be at the bottom, and then the version number is at the bottom of this extended segment.

It should say version 1.20.282.03.40. If you’re on that version of the app then you should be able to enable dark mode separately from the system.

Open Docs, Sheets, or Slides

Once you know you’re on the latest versions of these apps, open whichever one you want to switch to the dark mode theme.

Tap the hamburger menu in the left side of the search bar at the top of the app UI. Then scroll and tap on settings. Theme will be the very top option you can select, and your dark mode option will be in there.

When you tap on themes you should see system default, light, and dark. Tap dark to enable dark mode and you’re done. Alternatively, tap light to change it back to light mode.

There’s also an option to view documents or spreadsheets in the light theme if your app or system default is set to dark mode. This will let you view that specific document in light mode but keep the app set to dark.

If this is the case, simply tap on any document or spreadsheet and then tap the overflow menu (the three dots in the top right corner). The option will be right at the top.

Keep in mind you will need to set the themes for each of these apps separately. The good thing is the option to enable dark mode is in the same spot in each app. So open hamburger menu, tap, settings, then tap theme. Dark mode will be there with the other two options.