Latest Google Chrome beta for Android includes experimental ‘dark mode’

Chrome dark mode
Credit: Google

Further proving that 2019 is the year of the dark mode, Google's latest Chrome 73 beta for Android has revealed an early look at the mobile browser's upcoming night-friendly viewing option. 

Having already revealed its plans to bring dark mode to its macOS and Windows 10 browsers, the Android test is still in its early stages, only appearing in pop-up menus when Android 9 Pie’s 'Night Mode' is set to 'Always On' in 'Developer Options', as reported by 9to5Google.

As you can see from the images below, the experimental dark mode turns pop-up menus dark gray, as opposed to their usual all-white design. 

Credit: 9to5Google

Credit: 9to5Google

Based on these images, it's clear that Chrome for Android's dark mode still has a long way to go, with URL text still displaying in black, making it quite hard to read against a dark gray background.

Aside from appearing in pop-up menus, Chrome's dark mode is also reportedly absent from the rest of the app – if a proper dark mode for Google's Android browser does go ahead, it's expected that its regular menus, address bar and navigation section will also receive the night mode treatment.

To test out the experimental dark mode for yourself, you can download the latest version of the Chrome Beta app from the Google Play Store now, though you will need a handset running Android 9 Pie for it to work.

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Stephen Lambrechts
Senior Journalist, Phones and Entertainment

Stephen primarily covers phones and entertainment for TechRadar's Australian team, and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming in both print and online for over a decade. He's obsessed with smartphones, televisions, consoles and gaming PCs, and has a deep-seated desire to consume all forms of media at the highest quality possible. 

He's also likely to talk a person’s ear off at the mere mention of Android, cats, retro sneaker releases, travelling and physical media, such as vinyl and boutique Blu-ray releases. Right now, he's most excited about QD-OLED technology, The Batman and Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga.