The Google Maps app gets a real dark mode, at least on Android. The company announced today that it is finally launching the dark theme option it has been testing in the app since September 2020.
The dark mode, which takes things much further than the color option previously available in night mode, is accessible in the app’s settings menu under ‘theme’.
Google has announced the launch of the dark mode as part of a series of new features coming to Android, including some updates for Android Auto. In addition to personal backgrounds, Android Auto will now also include games. Trivia Crack, Danger!, Song Quiz, and Google’s own Are you happy? will be available. The games can be accessed by the assistant by saying “Hey Google, play a game.”
Android Auto also gets a split-screen feature that will put Maps side by side with media controls, just like Apple started doing in CarPlay in iOS 13 in 2019. (Although this feature will only be available in cars with larger screens.) Google also adds shortcuts to the Android Auto Home screen, allowing for quick access to the weather or setting of your home state.
The Android Auto features will be available ‘in the coming days’ on phones with Android 6.0 and higher in compatible cars. The dark mode of Google Maps will start soon.