Does Google Sheets Have Dark Mode on Mac? (2025 Guide)

So, you’re sitting in front of your Mac, eyes squinting against the glare of your bright Google Sheets tabs. You think: “Wait a sec… doesn’t everything have dark mode now?” Great question! Let’s explore whether Google Sheets has a built-in dark mode on Mac in 2025—and how you can turn your screen from solar flare to chill night mode.

TL;DR

Google Sheets still doesn’t have a built-in dark mode for the web version on Mac as of 2025. But don’t worry—there are simple tricks and tools to give your spreadsheet a darker vibe. You can use macOS settings, browser extensions, or switch themes manually inside Google Sheets. It’s not perfect, but it works!

Does Google Sheets Have a Native Dark Mode on Mac?

Let’s get straight to the point. No, Google Sheets (the web app) does not have a built-in dark mode—at least not yet in 2025. Google keeps teasing us, though! Gmail and Google Drive have dark modes, so we can only assume Sheets will follow soon.

However, if you’re using Google Sheets on your iPhone or Android, there’s good news. Those mobile apps do have dark mode support. But since we’re talking about Mac today, let’s focus on desktop solutions.

Okay, Then… How Can I Make Google Sheets Go Dark on Mac?

You’ve got options! Plenty, actually. While there’s no magic switch in Google Sheets itself, Mac and browsers give you workarounds.

1. Use macOS System-Wide Dark Mode

This is the easiest method—no downloads needed.

Click on the Apple Menu in the top-left corner.
Select System Settings or System Preferences.
Click Appearance.
Choose Dark.

This changes your Mac’s appearance, including the way your browser renders sites. However, this alone won’t turn Google Sheets dark—it needs help from the browser.

2. Turn On Dark Mode in Your Browser

If you use Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox, they usually follow macOS’s system theme. But to go the extra mile, you can use browser-level flags or extensions.

For Chrome Users

Go to Chrome’s flags page:

Type chrome://flags in the address bar.
Search for “dark mode”.
Enable Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents.
Relaunch Chrome.

Note: This forces dark mode on all sites, and it might make some content look… weird.

For Safari Users

Safari relies more on the operating system’s dark mode. But you can use Reader View or a Safari extension for better control.

For Firefox Lovers

Use this path:

Click the menu button (☰).
Choose Settings.
Scroll down to Language and Appearance.
Choose Dark under Website Appearance.

This works great for most websites, including Google Sheets (to some degree).

3. Try a Browser Extension for Dark Mode

If the system or browser options aren’t enough, browser extensions swoop in to save the day. These tools are like sunglasses for your spreadsheets:

Dark Reader (Highly recommended!) – Available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Night Eye – Clean and smooth for many productivity sites.
Midnight Lizard – Great customization options.

These extensions convert white backgrounds to dark while keeping your data readable. You can turn them on/off per site, and most of them let you tweak brightness and contrast.

4. Manually Darken Google Sheets

If you’re not a fan of extensions, go old-school. This trick involves adjusting the theme from inside Sheets—but it’s limited.

Open any Google Sheet.
Click Format in the menu bar.
Select Theme.
Pick a darker-looking theme like “Midnight” or “Blue Gray.”

This changes the color of cells and headers, making it easier on the eyes. But remember: it’s only a visual update and doesn’t affect menus or sidebars.

What About Google Sheets on the iPhone or iPad?

As of 2025, the Google Sheets mobile app does support native dark mode. It follows your iOS system settings. So, if your iPhone or iPad is set to dark mode, Sheets adjusts automatically—no extra steps needed.

On mobile, it looks clean and professionally styled. Very modern. If only the desktop version could do the same…

Tips to Make It Look Nicer

Dark themes can be moody and beautiful—but they can also look messy if not customized properly. Here are some tips to keep things looking sleek:

Choose contrast colors for text and backgrounds.
Highlight headers with bold or accent colors.
Test readability—don’t sacrifice clarity for aesthetics.
Use cell borders to separate data visually.

Why Isn’t There a Built-in Dark Mode Yet?

To be honest… we’re wondering too!

Google is slowly adding dark mode to its workspace apps. Gmail? Check. Google Docs? Almost there. Google Slides? Kind of. Google Sheets? Still waiting as of 2025.

Maybe it’s tough to make spreadsheets work well with darker color palettes. Or maybe it’s just at the bottom of Google’s to-do list.

The Bottom Line

No, Google Sheets doesn’t have a built-in dark mode on Mac yet. But you’ve got several solid workarounds to make it easier on your eyes.

Let’s recap your options:

Turn on macOS dark mode.
Adjust dark settings in your browser.
Use browser extensions like Dark Reader.
Manually switch to a darker theme in Sheets.

Pick the one that fits your style. Go ahead, give your eyes a break. And hopefully, by the time you read next year’s guide, Google will finally catch up with the cool kids.