Google removes Dark Mode from Android Messages, no reason given

by Milen Yanachkov / Aug 18, 2018, 5:12 AM

Google removes Dark Mode from Android Messages, no reason given

It was mere days ago that Google finally added a Dark Mode to Android Messages – a much-requested, long-awaited feature the turns the eye-burning white background of the app a dark shade of gray. Although we welcomed the addition, our first thought was, "why don't just make it black? Would've been perfect for OLED displays." None of this matters anymore, however, as Google has mysteriously and without explanation removed Dark Mode via a server-side switch.

First spotted by a Reddit user, the change has been confirmed by many whose app reverted to the default, white background and locked them out of the setting to switch to Dark Mode. We can also confirm that the same happened to us on multiple devices, upon checking after seeing the post.

We have no information currently on why this is happening, as Google did not immediately respond to our request for comment. Dark Mode on Android Messages can still be enabled on rooted devices, but Google has obviously pulled the theme for a reason. The reversal may be temporary, however, and made with the intention to solve bugs. We wouldn't be surprised if Google flips the switch and enables Dark Mode again in the coming weeks.

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23 Comments

1. AbhiD

Posts: 720; Member since: Apr 06, 2012

Google, a company that is worth $837 Billion at the moment can't hire good enough developers to provide Dark Mode to their blindingly white UI across Android and it's own apps. While on the other hand, a small company like OnePlus that has approximately 1/100th work force and 1/100th revenue of it's own is long providing a proper pitch black theme across it's OxygenOS. It's pathetic how google can't even do such a simple thing as that, or they have gone totally deaf towards what consumers want.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 5:23 AM 10

3. TMHKR

Posts: 202; Member since: Dec 08, 2012

They had the black UI as long as their main device was Galaxy Nexus (probably because AMOLED screen). Once they got rid of that, they've been forcing blinding white UI ever since.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 6:05 AM 4

8. rouyal

Posts: 1573; Member since: Jan 05, 2018

To be fair, Google has a lot more on their plate than OnePlus, and dark mode is probably low priority. Only thing OnePlus does is resell Oppo phones with a custom rom.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 8:14 AM 4

9. lyndon420

Posts: 6723; Member since: Jul 11, 2012

Something else they do quite regularly that just erks me...an update will be available with no description as to what the update entails. So because of this I rarely update my apps (they all work fine anyway without issue so the necessity to update isn't there to begin with).

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 8:32 AM 0

15. therealestmc

Posts: 679; Member since: Jul 23, 2012

The dark mode in oxygen OS is not throughout the OS.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 11:41 AM 4

18. phonearenaviewer

Posts: 53; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

Because these companies are hiring using politicaly correct methods instead of hiring best qualified. Reason technology innovation has slowed.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 11:58 AM 3

2. notfair

Posts: 718; Member since: Jan 30, 2017

Someone at google is very bad at decision making but is high up in the hierarchy and pisses on the android users without any consequences.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 5:25 AM 3

4. kevv2288

Posts: 290; Member since: Jul 30, 2015

They didn't just remove dark mode, they reverted the whole material design back to the default as well.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 6:47 AM 7

5. Be_Mine

Posts: 241; Member since: Dec 29, 2013

Another thing I don't understand is why YouTube Dark Mode is still unavailable for Android users as it was already made available for iOS users a long time back. Really disappointed.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 7:22 AM 9

12. NateDiaz

Posts: 1084; Member since: Mar 03, 2018

If such things make you disappointed, I am sorry to say you're depressed.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 10:12 AM 0

13. Be_Mine

You see Nate... If Youtube was owned by Apple or a Third-party. I can totally understand iOS getting the new features first. But we all know it's not. It's almost like Apple Music on Android getting the new features first way before its iOS counterparts.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 10:26 AM 6

6. capturedbyken

Posts: 1; Member since: Aug 18, 2018

What is wrong with Google? On Android O, I could have a system wide dark mode via substratum themes ...hell, some themes if could use any color I wanted. So not only did Google shut down Substratum on Android P, but they did so without even giving us an alternative smh. Google and Apple are one in the same

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 7:52 AM 5

7. sissy246

Posts: 7065; Member since: Mar 04, 2015

They should have left it alone. I hate dark mode my self but understand others like it.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 8:10 AM 5

10. kick413

Posts: 162; Member since: Sep 16, 2012

I'm getting tired of the ADHD from Google.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 8:53 AM 4

11. Pigaro

Posts: 84; Member since: May 15, 2016

Google please bring back dark mode, not only for messages app but all of your apps

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 9:31 AM 9

14. KickRocks

Posts: 270; Member since: Mar 22, 2011

Ugh.........I was just getting used to the dark theme

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 11:25 AM 1

16. therealestmc

I don't see what the big deal is about dark mode.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 11:42 AM 1

17. AfterShock

Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

Using a led screen I don't need it. I just want it, and give me YouTube dark as well.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 11:51 AM 1

20. speedingcheetah

Posts: 81; Member since: Jul 22, 2017

i noticed that this morning....thought something was odd. I installed the apk manually and the new UI and dark mode wont show up. Back to Textra.

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 2:52 PM 0

21. gamehead unregistered

Removing features is the apple thing to do

posted on Aug 18, 2018, 3:56 PM 0

22. Krjal

Posts: 425; Member since: Dec 19, 2013

Why is Google afraid of the dark??? On a more serious note this kind of thing is why I'm starting to lose confidence in their handling of Android. I'm glad I have so many options for customisation but I shouldn't have to use them to fix flaws in Google services they themselves could've had fixed *years* ago.