Quick answer: Click the clock in the shelf to open the system tray and toggle Dark theme directly, or set it to switch automatically at sunset. For a warmer screen tone at night, go to Settings > Device > Displays > Night Light and set a schedule.
Dark Theme vs. Night Light: What’s the Difference
These are two separate ChromeOS features that people often confuse:
- Dark theme changes the visual color scheme of ChromeOS system menus and supported apps to a darker palette — similar to dark mode on a phone.
- Night Light shifts your screen’s color temperature toward warmer tones (less blue light), independent of whether Dark theme is on or off.
You can use either one on its own, or combine both for a darker interface with warmer colors in the evening.
How to Turn On Dark Theme
1. Open the system tray
Click the clock in the bottom-right corner of the shelf.
2. Toggle Dark theme
Find the Dark theme toggle and switch it on. The Settings app, Files app, and many system menus switch to a dark palette immediately.
3. Set it to switch automatically (optional)
Click the Auto icon next to the Dark theme toggle to have ChromeOS switch to dark mode at sunset and back to light mode at sunrise, based on your device’s location.
How to Set Up Night Light
1. Open Display settings
Go to Settings > Device > Displays.
2. Turn on Night Light
Under the Night Light section, toggle it on.
3. Adjust the color temperature
Use the slider to set how warm the screen tint should be — further right is warmer (more orange), further left is closer to your normal display colors.
4. Set a schedule
Under Schedule, choose Sunset to sunrise to have it follow your location automatically, or set a custom start and end time that fits your routine.
Why Use Them
Dark theme can reduce eye strain in low-light environments and slightly improve battery life on Chromebooks with OLED-style panels, since dark pixels use less power. Night Light reduces blue light exposure in the evening, which some people find helps with sleep quality when using a Chromebook late at night.
FAQ
Does Dark theme apply to every app?
It applies to ChromeOS system UI and apps that support it, but not every website or Android app will switch — some sites have their own separate dark mode setting.
Does Night Light affect Chrome tab colors or just the whole screen?
It’s a whole-screen color filter applied at the display level, so it affects everything on screen, including Chrome tabs, apps, and the desktop.
Can I turn on Dark theme without setting a schedule?
Yes — toggling it manually in the system tray keeps it on until you switch it off yourself, with no automatic schedule involved.
