How to turn on Dark Mode in Google Maps on iPhone

Ankur Thakur ∙ Updated August 9, 2024

Learn how to enable Dark Mode in Google Maps on iPhone and what to do if you don’t see the Dark Mode option to begin with.

Google Maps in Dark Mode on iPhone

You may want to enable Dark Mode in Google Maps when you are navigating at night to keep things easy on the eyes.

Switching to Dark Mode can also help extend the battery life on iPhones with an OLED screen (iPhone X, XS, 11 Pro, 12 series, and newer), giving you a few extra minutes of navigation.

Enable Dark Mode in Google Maps on iPhone

When you open the Google Maps app, it may show you a popup with three options:

  • Always in light mode
  • Always in dark mode
  • Same as device setting

Tap Always in dark mode or Same as device setting and hit Save.

Same as device setting means Google Maps will have a dark theme if your iPhone is in Dark Mode. And when your iPhone is in normal mode, Google Maps will mimic that.

Google Maps showing the Dark Mode popup on iPhone

If you don’t see the popup to choose the desired appearance settings, you can turn it on manually from app settings.

  1. Open Google Maps and tap your profile picture from the top.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Select Dark Mode.
  4. Now, choose On or Same as device setting.
  5. Go back and enjoy navigating in dark mode.
Steps to enable dark mode in Google Maps on iPhone

If you choose “Same as device setting,” don’t forget to open iPhone Control Center, touch and hold the brightness slider, and activate Dark Mode.

Also see: How to use Google Maps on Apple Watch

Fix Google Maps not showing the Dark Mode option

If you do not see the option for Dark Mode in Google Maps on your iPhone, go through these four solutions to fix it.

  1. Update the Google Maps app: Long-press the App Store icon and choose Updates. Now, pull down the App Store’s Updates screen to refresh it. After that, tap UPDATE next to Google Maps.
  2. Force close the app and reopen it: If you already have the latest version of Google Maps and still do not see the dark mode option, force quit the app and relaunch it. After that, follow the above steps, and you may see a popup asking you to pick your desired appearance setting.
  3. Restart your iPhone: Turn off your iPhone and turn it back on after a minute.
  4. Lastly, if nothing helps, delete the app and reinstall it.

More on Google Maps:

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