How to enable dark mode for Google Chrome on Windows 11, 10

You can use your Chrome browser in dark mode, and here's how to enable the feature on your computer.

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@Pureinfotech
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Chrome in dark mode
Chrome in dark mode / Image: Mauro Huculak
  • To enable dark mode on Chrome, open the browser, open the “Side panel,” choose the “Customize Chrome” option, and select the “Dark” option.

On Windows 11, 10, or any other platform, you can enable the dark mode for Google Chrome, and in this guide, I’ll show you how. If you use Chrome as your default browser, the dark mode not only provides a visually appealing dark theme that reduces eye strain in low-light conditions but also helps conserve battery power on mobile devices.

Regardless of the reason, Chrome allows you to change the color mode in at least three ways from the Side Panel, Appearance settings, or following the Windows color mode.

In this guide, I’ll teach you the steps to change the color mode of Chrome for Windows 11 and 10, but the instructions will also apply to macOS and other platforms, including Android devices.

Enable dark mode from Chrome Side Panel

To enable the dark mode for Chrome on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

  1. Open Chrome on Windows 11.

  2. Click the Customize Chrome button at the bottom-right corner of a “New tab” page.

    Quick tip: You can also open the “Side panel” and choose the Customize Chrome option.

  3. Click the Dark option.

    Chrome enable Dark mode

  4. (Optional) Choose one of the color options to set a scheme color using darker tones.

  5. (Optional) Turn on the “Follow device colors” toggle switch to use the same system color as the base color for the browser but in darker tones.

Once you complete the steps, the browser will use the dark mode on your computer every time you launch Google Chrome.

Enable dark mode from Chrome settings

To turn on the dark mode from the Chrome settings, use these steps:

  1. Open Chrome.

  2. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome button at the bottom-right corner.

  3. Choose the Settings option.

  4. Click on Appearance.

  5. Click the Dark option from the “Mode” setting.

    Chrome appearance settings dark mode

Once you complete the steps, the browser will use the dark mode on your computer every time you launch Google Chrome.

On Android, the mobile version of Chrome includes the option Settings > Theme.

Enable dark mode from Windows 11 Settings

To turn on the Chrome dark mode while changing the system color mode on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

  1. Open Chrome.

  2. Click the Customize Chrome button at the bottom-right corner of a “New tab” page. (Or open the Side panel and choose the Customize Chrome option.)

  3. Click the Device mode option.

    Chrome Device color mode

  4. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  5. Click on Personalization.

  6. Click on Colors.

  7. Choose the Dark option in the “Choose your mode” setting.

    Windows 11 enable Dark mode

    Quick note: On Windows 10, the setting uses the “Choose your color” name.

Once you complete the steps, the browser will automatically switch to color modes when you change the system color mode to dark.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].