• A new "Expanded" dark mode has been released on Android, expanding the range of compatible apps.
• The "Expanded" mode is not just a color inversion, but a more sophisticated feature that increases visibility.
• The source pointed out that there is a potential appearance problem, and if there is a problem, it is recommended that you return to "standard" mode.

For users who prefer dark mode, this tends to be very strong. This is because it puts less strain on your eyes and makes it comfortable to use, especially when scrolling through the screen at night. However, this can often be stressful as not all apps support dark mode. Android is beginning to tackle that challenge.

Earlier this month, Google launched its Canary channel for Android, already having its second release. Deep inside that setting, there is a new feature that will be good news for dark mode enthusiasts. The traditional "Dark Theme" setting was simply to specify the automatic dark mode switching time. However, there are now two new modes: "standard" and "expandable."

The "standard" mode remains the same as before, with the theme only applied to the entire device and dark mode compatible apps. Meanwhile, what's worth noting is the new "expanding" mode. This will allow you to force the application of dark themes even for stubborn apps that do not support dark mode.

The thing to note here is that this feature is not just a color inversion. Color inversion is a long-standing option, but it has the drawbacks of making images look abnormal and text difficult to read. Meanwhile, Android's new "Extended" dark mode is much smarter than that. Mishaal Rahman said this is similar to the "forced dark mode override" feature that has been around for a while in the developer options, but it's even more effective.

It appears that Google has made this "Extended" dark mode amenable to accessibility. The aim is to make the user's experience more comfortable, but not all apps can work perfectly together. Because the application is forced against the app's design, there is a high possibility that visual malfunctions and display disruptions will occur. The description of the settings also recommends that you return to "standard" mode if a problem occurs.

This wasn't the first time Google tried this kind of feature. For some time, Chrome has a flag that forces all websites to switch to dark themes. This one doesn't work perfectly either, but these "hacks" come with some compromise. If you want to use dark mode for all your content, you have to accept some bugs.

Currently, "Extended" dark mode is only available on Canary builds of Android. There has not been any announcement about the release date for the Beta channel or Stable version. Google could officially introduce Android 16 in its second quarter update scheduled for the end of 2025, and it could remain hidden forever, like the Chrome flag. However, challenged users can try out Canary builds now.

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