How to Enable Dark Mode in the Google Maps App on iPhone

While Apple introduced system-wide Dark Mode in iOS 13, many third-party applications, including Google Maps, initially required users to toggle the setting manually within the app itself. Today, Google Maps can sync seamlessly with your iPhone’s system settings, or it can be forced into Dark Mode permanently, which is highly beneficial for reducing eye strain during night driving and conserving OLED battery life.

Method 1: Syncing with iOS System Settings (Recommended)

The most convenient way to manage Dark Mode in Google Maps is to tie it to your iPhone’s overarching Display settings. This ensures that when your iPhone switches to Dark Mode at sunset, Google Maps will automatically follow suit.

1. Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your profile picture (or initial) located in the top-right corner of the search bar.
3. From the pop-up menu, scroll down and select Settings.
4. In the Settings menu, locate and tap on Dark Mode (usually situated under the ‘Using Maps’ section).
5. Select the Same as device setting option.

With this enabled, Google Maps will instantly turn dark whenever you activate Dark Mode via the iOS Control Centre or your automated schedule in Settings > Display & Brightness.

Method 2: Forcing Dark Mode Permanently

If you prefer the aesthetic of Dark Mode or want to maximize battery savings regardless of the time of day, you can force Google Maps to remain dark even when the rest of your iPhone is in Light Mode.

1. Navigate back to the Google Maps Settings menu as described above.
2. Tap on Dark Mode.
3. Select the On option.

The app interface, including the map tiles, search menus, and navigation UI, will immediately switch to a dark grey and black colour palette and will remain that way until you manually change it back.

Managing Navigation-Specific Dark Mode

It is important to note that the general ‘Dark Mode’ setting applies to the browsing interface of Google Maps. When you are actively navigating to a destination (turn-by-turn directions), the map has a separate colour scheme setting that you can customize independently.

To ensure your active navigation map is also dark:

1. Go to Google Maps Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Navigation.
3. Scroll down to the ‘Map display’ section.
4. Under ‘Colour scheme’, select Night (to force it dark permanently) or Automatic (to sync with sunset/sunrise or your system settings).