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Gmail finally gets its first glimpse of dark mode

Dark mode is available in the latest Gmail APK, but you might want to wait.
By
June 20, 2019
Gmail app icon on the Pixel 2 XL's homescreen.

With several Google apps getting the dark mode treatment in recent weeks, it’s finally Gmail’s turn to get the eye-friendly mode. However, Android Police today found the dark mode somewhat sporadic in the app’s latest APK.

Here’s the good news: dark mode in Gmail v2019.06.09.253132566 works. It’s not the true black that properly takes advantage of OLED displays, but that might be for the better. Going with a dark gray background means your eyes will adjust better to the UI elements than your eyes would adjust with a true black background.

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Gmail on devices.

Now the bad news: dark mode only works in the app’s settings. There’s also no dark mode toggle, so the mode turns on and off when it feels like it. We’re assuming this is due to the app still being a work in progress, but it’s exciting nonetheless to finally see dark mode in Gmail.

Even though you can now download the APK, we’d advise against it for the time being. Let Google iron out the issues before you download it, or just wait for the Gmail update through the Play Store. In the meantime, let us know in the comments which Google apps you’re using dark mode in.