We like Gmail, lately we are dedicating various publications to it, and we already have how to send encrypted emails with a password, how to send emails that cannot be forwarded. And now he joins the loved ones dark modes, one of the most in-demand visual features in modern applications.
And that's because, after the dark mode for Keep or Google Calendar And even the Google app itself is now available for Gmail… sort of. Over time, the gmail dark mode It has gone from being a simple hint in the app's code to a complete option that you can activate both on mobile and in the web version.
That's right, Gmail, Google's email manager, is starting to have a dark modeBut these are only the first brushstrokes, since It's not fully implementedWe'll tell you all about it in detail and take this opportunity to explain All the ways to activate dark mode In Gmail, how to customize themes, backgrounds, and how to take advantage of it on Android, iOS, and your computer's browser.
Dark mode for Gmail
This dark mode is a statement of intent from Google, since for the moment It cannot be activated from a "switch" as in other applications and we'll only be able to see it in the menus.
So, if we can't activate it... how do we know? Because it's in its code. Gmail v2019.06.09.
As we've said, we can only find them in the menus. Therefore, We won't find it on the traysnor in the side menus.
Over time, that initial preliminary implementation has transformed into a much more complete dark modeCurrently, Gmail allows you to switch between light and dark themes, or to follow the theme configured by your operating system, on both Android and iOS. Furthermore, in the versión web It integrates with the section of ThemesFrom there you can choose a black theme, custom backgrounds, and even adjust the contrast and background blur levels.
This means that, although Gmail's dark mode originated from a few hidden lines of code, today it's a feature accessible to any user who wants it. take care of your eyesight, save some battery on OLED screens or simply give your inbox a more modern look.
Advantages of dark mode in Gmail
Although it may seem like just an aesthetic change, Gmail's dark mode offers several advantages. practical advantages which you should know before activating or discarding it:
- Greater visual comfortDark backgrounds with light text reduce the feeling of glare, especially in dimly lit environments or when using your mobile phone at night.
- Less eye fatigueBy reducing the amount of intense light emitted by the screen, many people experience less fatigue after long periods of reading or writing emails.
- Battery saving on OLED screensOn devices with OLED or AMOLED screens, black pixels are turned off, which can result in lower energy consumption when using dark interfaces.
- Better integration with the rest of the systemIf you already use dark mode on Android, iOS, or your browser, keeping Gmail in the same visual style contributes to a more consistent experience.
- Fewer visual distractionsDark backgrounds and more subdued colors can help focus attention on the content of emails, rather than on interface elements.
However, not everyone perceives these advantages in the same way: some users prefer light backgrounds For longer texts, they find them more familiar or easier to read. That's why it's important that Gmail offers several options and that you can easily switch between light, dark, or automatic themes depending on your needs.
How to enable Gmail's dark mode on Android
In the Gmail app on Android, you need to tap the menu button in the top right corner with the three-line icon. After doing so, click on the option Settings which will appear almost at the bottom with a cogwheel icon.
In the menu of SettingsFirst, you'll have to choose between entering the general settings or those related to your email account. On this screen, click on the option General settings to access the application settings.
Once you are inside the menu of General settingsNow you have to click on the option Topic onIt will be the first one you see at the very top, and by default it is configured to use the same one as the operating system.
A window will open where all you have left to do is... select option Dark To activate dark mode, you can also manually activate it. Clearor put it back in System default so that it alternates between dark and light mode depending on which one the operating system is using at any given time.
Choosing System default This is the most interesting option if you regularly use the system's scheduling settings (for example, having dark mode automatically activate at nightfall). This way, Gmail will change its theme automatically every day without you having to do it manually.
How to enable Gmail's dark mode on iOS
In the Gmail app for iOS, the process is exactly the same. First, you have to tap the menu button in the top right corner with the three-line icon. After doing so, click on the option Settings which will appear almost at the bottom with a cogwheel icon.
On iOS, you'll go directly to a screen where you can see some general settings and your email account, should you wish to access its settings. Here, all you have to do is... click on the option Topic on, which by default is configured to use the same one as the operating system.
A window will open where all you have left to do is... select option Dark To activate dark mode, you can also manually activate it. Clearor put it back in System default so that it alternates between dark and light mode depending on which one the operating system is using at any given time.
On Apple devices, dark mode is usually controlled from the screen and brightness settings of the system itself, so if you leave Gmail in mode System defaultThe app will automatically adapt when you change the overall theme of your iPhone or iPad.
How to enable Gmail's dark mode on the web
Dark mode is also available when you use Gmail in your computer's browser. It's not called that in the main settings panel, but rather integrated within the [specific section/mentioning/etc.]. Themeswhich is where Gmail allows you to customize the appearance of the interface.
To activate Gmail's dark mode on its official website, in any browser and desktop operating system, first press the button Settings GmailYou'll find it at the top right, with a gear icon.
When you press the button SettingsA small menu with several options will open. Here, inertia might lead you to enter ConfigurationBut that's not the option we're looking for. What you need to do is click on the option Themes, since that's where you can change the appearance of the Gmail website.
You will enter through the window Choose your themeThe first thing you'll see is a series of images and photos to use as your wallpaper. These won't work for you, and what you need to do is... Scroll down until you find a separate section containing a black box called Dark, and click on it. You'll find it next to the default white Gmail image.
When you select the option Dark, Gmail will activate its dark mode And you'll be able to see behind the screen how everything has gone black. Now, all you have to do is press the button Save to apply the changes.
And that's it, you'll return to the main screen where you can see that dark mode has been activated in Gmail. In this dark mode, The background will be completely black.with some dark gray details and white buttons. If you're not happy with it, you can go back to the themes option and revert the process or change it to a different one.
Change the background theme in Gmail
Beyond dark mode, Gmail on the web lets you change the background theme of the interface to further customize the experience. This includes light backgrounds, dark backgrounds, solid colors, and photographs.
To change your Gmail background, you can choose a theme. For example, you can change the theme from light to dark. When you use Gmail on a computer, you have more theme options, such as Google Photos to choose your personal images.
ImportantIn some themes, you can change the text background, darken the corners, or blur the background. If these options are unavailable, you won't be able to make changes to the selected theme. This means that some preset images function as fixed themes, while others allow for certain adjustments.
If you choose Gmail's classic dark theme, you'll see that The background turns black or very dark gray.and the work areas adapt to dark tones. In other photo themes you can add effects such as:
- Background of the text: to adjust the readability of messages and the mailing list.
- Bullet point: slightly darken the corners of the background to focus attention on the main content.
- Blur: blur the background theme so that it doesn't distract you while you read or write emails.
Set a photo as your background in Gmail
Another way to personalize your Gmail, in addition to dark mode, is to use a personal photo as backgroundThis option is available in the web version and integrates with Google Photos.
ImportantTo use a personal photo as your background, add it to a new album or one you already have in Google Photos. Only then will it appear in the gallery of images available for Gmail.
The general procedure for using your own images as a background is as follows:
- On your computer, open Gmail.
- At the top right, click on Configuration.
- In the "Quick Settings" menu, go to the section "Topic".
- Next to "Theme", click on View all.
- In the lower left corner of the theme window, click on My Photos.
- In the background image window, select Technological Solutions o Photos.
- Select a photo.
- If the photo is blurry, choose an image of higher resolution so that it looks clear in full screen.
- At the bottom right, click on Insert.
- Optional: At the bottom of the theme window, you can change various theme parameters:
- To change the text background, click on Background of the text.
- To darken the corners, click on Bullet point.
- To blur the background subject, click on Blur.
- Click on Save to apply all changes.
Combining a custom photo with dark mode can be a good idea if you choose images with dark tonesSince they contribute to maintaining a clean aesthetic and facilitate reading. If you select very light photos or photos with very bright colors, it's best to adjust the text background to avoid losing legibility.
Dark mode, themes, and email reading
A common question among Gmail users is whether dark mode only affects the interface or also the content of the emails that you receive and send. By default, Gmail primarily darkens the interface (bars, inbox, menus) and applies a dark background to the reading area, but the final result also depends on the design of the original email.
Many emails, especially promotional ones or newsletters, use backgrounds and colors defined in the message itselfIn these cases, Gmail's dark mode may not completely transform the email's appearance, as it preserves some of the sender's original design. This explains why some emails still appear with light blocks even when using the dark theme.
If you want to further enforce dark mode on the content, in the web version you can use browser extensions These extensions apply color inversion filters or global dark themes to all pages. Some even allow you to choose between various shades of gray or black to find the most comfortable option for your eyes.
One trick some users employ involves installing a dark mode extension in their browser (for example, a generic "Dark Mode" extension) and adjusting the theme accordingly. light or soft dark gray This ensures that emails, the compose screen, and the rest of the interface have a consistent look. This complements Gmail's dark mode with the browser's dark mode.
Relationship between Gmail's dark mode and the operating system
Gmail's dark mode doesn't work in isolation: it's designed to integrate with the operating system theme preferencesThis applies to both mobile devices and computers. This makes the experience more consistent and eliminates the need to manually change the theme for each application.
On Android and iOS, when you choose the option System default in the section Topic on Gmail's built-in feature detects whether your device is in light or dark mode and adapts accordingly. If the system automatically changes the theme based on the time of day, Gmail will follow the same pattern without you having to do anything.
On desktop, although Gmail doesn't always sync directly with your system theme, you can achieve a similar experience using the dark browser themes (for example, in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) and combining them with Gmail's dark theme. This will give you matching browser menus and inbox.
This integration is especially useful for those who spend many hours in front of the screen, as it allows them to design a consistent work environment in which the abrupt contrast between light and dark applications is minimized.
When will we see it?
In other words, for the time being It cannot be considered that it has been implemented globallyBut we already know we'll see it, possibly soon.
It was pretty obvious that Gmail would eventually get a dark mode, since Google is implementing it in all its applications, such as ContactsPreparing in this way for the operating system's dark mode that will bring Android Q as announced at Google I/O.
Normally, when we see these kinds of new features in a Google app, if things go well, we don't have to wait long to see these same features implemented in the beta and even in the stable app.
For this reason, we believe we won't have to wait long to see it, since we will possibly see it before the launch of Android Q, so we will probably see it in just a month or two with luck (maybe a little more if Google doesn't jump on the bandwagon).
For now, as we can see, it's in a very preliminary versionSo we just have to wait for it to finish being developed, but it probably won't take long.
What do you think? Will it arrive soon, or will it take a while? What do you think of what we've seen so far? We're really looking forward to seeing it!
Today, that wait is no longer a problem: Gmail's dark mode is part of the standard feature set The service integrates with themes, custom backgrounds, and operating system behavior. The important thing now is to explore all the available customization options and adjust them to your workflow so that reading and writing emails is more comfortable, less tiring on the eyes, and more visually appealing on any device.
