How to use expanded dark theme on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Display and touch › Dark theme › Use Dark theme › Standard or Expanded

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Dark theme

   Go to Settings, Display and touch, Dark theme. Use Dark theme was on.

   Done

2. 

   Choose Standard or Expanded

   Standard darkens the phone and apps that support dark theme. Expanded applies it to most apps. Ours was on Standard.

   Done

3. 

   Turn it off for one app

   Tap the gear next to Expanded. Each app has a switch. On ours every app was on except Maps. Turn off an app that doesn't look right.

   Done

4. 

   Set a schedule

   Back on Dark theme, Schedule was None. Tap it to turn dark theme on at set times.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• No Expanded option? It was on our Android 17 Pixel. Phones on older Android versions only have the standard dark theme. Source: Change dark theme and colour settings on Android
• Dark theme turns on by itself? The page says Modes can also turn on Dark theme, such as Bedtime.

If this does not work

• An app looks wrong in dark? The page says to use the standard option, or switch that app off in Expanded.
• Dark theme changes at night? Check Schedule on the Dark theme page. Source: Change dark theme and colour settings on Android

About this guide

Android 17 adds an Expanded option that forces dark colours on apps that don't have their own dark theme.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.260905.009), in Dark mode. Ours used Standard. We changed nothing.

Good to know

Night-time settings: Do Not Disturb and Modes.

In short: Settings, Display and touch, Dark theme, Use Dark theme, Standard or Expanded.