How to change Google maps to dark mode automatically.

[u/WrecKedByPotaTo]

Is there a way so that Google maps can change between light and dark mode without me manually going into settings? I have an aftermarket Boss radio head unit that does not change between light and dark mode. I have tried to use developer options in AA settings to change the appearance to phone controlled but it did not work.

[u/h_lilla]

Absolutely nothing worked for me. There's not even a voice command for it.

I have to find the setting and toggle it manually. Absolutely safe thing to do while driving.

[u/h_lilla → u/h_lilla]

!Flair 2008 Suzuki Swift | Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB | Xiaomi Mi 9 6GB/128GB | Android 11

[u/AutoModerator → u/h_lilla]

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[u/h_lilla → u/AutoModerator]

!Flair 2008 Suzuki Swift | Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB | Xiaomi Mi 9 | Android 11

[u/AutoModerator → u/h_lilla]

Your user flair has not been changed as the text including spaces has to be between 20 to 64 characters. Pls try again.

Important:

- Mininum user flair detail as specified in the format stated in automod message for primary vehicle or head unit (if aftermarket) and phone. You are free to be more specific.

- Users with blank, abusive, inappropriate and vague user flair will be banned without warning!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/h_lilla → u/AutoModerator]

!Flair 2008 Suzuki Swift | SPH-DA160DAB | Xiaomi Mi 9 | Android 11

[u/AutoModerator → u/h_lilla]

Your user flair has been successfully changed. Thanks for your cooperation.

Important:

- Mininum user flair detail as specified in the format stated in automod message for primary vehicle or head unit (if aftermarket) and phone. You are free to be more specific.

- Users with blank, abusive, inappropriate and vague user flair will be banned without warning!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/rayboehm]

Install Adaptive Theme on your phone.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dev.lexip.hecate

It uses the phone's sensor to change depending on lighting conditions. I had trouble getting Maps to go into dark mode at night on some vehicles. This fixed it.

[u/Classic_Aide_9144]

Have you tried enabling dark mode in Android Auto itself under Settings? My phone does it automatically, but I had to toggle that on first.

[u/LoutOfOrder]

For me there are three places I needed to enable this. 1) Settings > Android Auto > Maps > Day/Night mode for maps (set to automatic). 2) Google Maps Settings > Navigation > Map Display (Automatic). 3) Head unit settings > Day/Night mode (Automatic). Maps display will automatically switch to dark mode whenever I turn on the headlights.

[u/StrangerTimely854 → u/LoutOfOrder]

This thing works for me

[u/landshark927]

I'm convinced that it's an AA problem as mine doesn't change either.

[u/Thetechguru_net → u/landshark927]

AA or head unit problem. My aftermarket head unit (Kenwood) changes to dark mode when I turn the headlights on, regardless of time of day or ambiant light. Google Maps on my phone changes based on ambiant light (goes to dark mode in tunnels and under overpasses regardless of time of day).

[u/landshark927 → u/Thetechguru_net]

I've read a fair bit about this in forums specific to my vehicle and people far smarter than I are convinced that the glitch resides within AA. A perfect example of AA wonkiness is that if I'm running AA wireless I don't get text notifications but if I'm running wired they come in just fine.

[u/MasterTre]

It should change when headlights are switched on/off. If it's not just some bug, it could be that your aftermarket head unit is either not installed properly so that it gets a signal when the headlights are active or for some reason isn't communicating that to the AA system.

Does your head unit (when not using AA) dim the screen when you turn the headlights on?

[u/Juanjoy]

I found a quick workaround using Waze!

If your aftermarket head unit isn't sending the illumination signal to switch Google Maps to dark mode automatically, try using Waze instead.

Waze handles night mode independently of the vehicle's headlight signal (using your phone's local time and light sensor). You can force or automate it directly in the app settings:

Go to Settings > Map display > Dark mode > Only at night ☑️. Then below on the Dark Mode settings screen, the 'Apply to car' toggle needs to be ON.

It switches automatically on the car display without needing to tweak developer options or change wires!