Google Chrome Will Support Dark Mode in macOS Mojave by Early 2019

Google released Chrome 71 earlier this week, but the latest version of the web browser still lacks support for Dark Mode on macOS Mojave. Fortunately, it appears that will change by early next year.

google chrome macos mojave 2

Dark Mode in Canary, a developer build of Chrome

As mentioned on Reddit, a Google developer recently submitted a code change that implements system-level Dark Mode in Chromium, the open source web browser that serves as the foundation of Chrome. The code change passed the review process and will make its way into a future release of Chrome.

For those unaware, there are several different builds of Chrome that Google uses to slowly test and roll out new features. All code changes begin in Chromium and then work their way from Canary to Chrome Dev to Chrome Beta to Chrome, the stable version released to all users roughly every six weeks.

google chrome dark mode macos mojave 1

Dark Mode in Canary, a developer build of Chrome

Dark Mode in Chromium remains hidden behind feature flags, which are essentially code-level toggle switches, but we were able to run a Terminal command to force the darker appearance into action and took screenshots.

The system-level Dark Mode applies a dark appearance to much of the Chrome interface, including the omnibox, tabs, menus, bookmark bar, status bar, and dialog boxes. The startup page with Google search and shortcuts will also have a black background when the Dark appearance is enabled in System Preferences.

Most of the current Dark Mode colors in Chromium are placeholders, according to one developer working on the project, so there may be slight changes to come. One challenge the developers face is ensuring that the Dark Mode is distinguishable from Chrome's private-browsing Incognito Mode, which is also dark.

canary incognito

Incognito Mode in Canary, a developer build of Chrome

We're not entirely sure if Dark Mode will make the cut for Chrome 72, which has already been branched and will likely be released in mid-to-late January. Chrome 73 will likely follow in March, so it looks like early 2019 either way.

In the meantime, a variety of third-party dark themes are available for Chrome, but the omnibox always remains white since it is not allowed to be themed. Third-party dark themes are also available for websites such as Facebook, Google, YouTube, Gmail, Reddit, and Twitter to complete the experience.

Tags: Chrome, Google
Related Forum: macOS Mojave

Top Rated Comments

Tsuius Avatar
69 months ago
The question is why would anyone install google's browser (regular or dark) on their computer to allow even more tracking?
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
puma1552 Avatar
69 months ago
Cool...so where the hell is dark mode for MR????
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigMcGuire Avatar
69 months ago
Think you got your tinfoil hat on too tight. Besides, I use it cause it “just works”. Can’t say the same about Safari.
A true tinfoil hat wearer would line the inside with something that doesn't hurt. When you mold tinfoil it gets sharp edges and can really hurt. Now the wifi waves can't penetrate my brain! Government will never know what I'm thinking. Ehehe :)

Chrome works but it is resource heavy. That and it's run by a company that makes $ off of what you do. I'm personally tired of companies that sell my personal data for $ so I've quit social media, Google, etc... Now, I do use Bing and Microsoft with Adguard - but not Cortana.

Do I think Google and Facebook are pure evil? Ok ok, not 100%. But close. :P
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
69 months ago
In my opinion, Google should be treated as malware, even though it will / is enticing to many luring them to the dark side.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2ms Avatar
69 months ago
Why would anyone want to use Chrome on Mac? Genuinely curious. It's non-native so it's slower. But it used the same engine (WebKit). So what would be the advantage? I could understand on Windows it's an alternative to Explorer, but on Mac we have Safari and of course there's always Firefox as well. Really don't get it.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shareef777 Avatar
69 months ago
The question is why would anyone install google's browser (regular or dark) on their computer to allow even more tracking?
Think you got your tinfoil hat on too tight. Besides, I use it cause it “just works”. Can’t say the same about Safari.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...