Google Chrome Themes: How to Change Them

Personalize your Chrome browser with a new theme

By
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Writer
Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified.
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Updated on February 18, 2021

What to Know

  • Add a theme: Select the three-dot icon, then choose Settings > Themes. Preview a theme, then select Add to Chrome to confirm.
  • Remove a theme: Select the three-dot icon, then choose Settings > Reset to Default. The classic theme will be restored.
  • Note: The mobile version of Chrome is limited when it comes to themes. Still, you can switch between light and dark themes.

Google Chrome themes modify the look and feel of your browser, altering the appearance of everything from the scrollbar to the background color of the tabs. Here's how to change the Chrome theme using the desktop version of Google Chrome on all operating systems, as well as on the Chrome mobile app for Android and iOS.

How to Change Themes in Chrome

You can browse for themes and install them directly from the online Chrome Web Store:

  1. Select the three dots button in the top-right corner of Chrome and choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

    A screenshot of Chrome with the Settings command highlighted

  2. Select Themes under Appearance to open the Chrome Web Store.

    Themes in Chrome settings

  3. Preview a theme by selecting the thumbnail, then select Add to Chrome when you find one you like. Chrome will install the theme automatically, and your prior theme will be removed.

    Screenshot of Add to Chrome button on theme in Chrome Store

Chrome does not store your themes, so when you change Chrome themes, the old one is no longer accessible and must be reloaded from the Chrome Web Store.

How to Remove Themes in Chrome

You can uninstall a theme from Chrome if you no longer wish to use it and want to go back to the default:

  1. Select the three dots button in the top-right corner of Chrome and choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

    A screenshot of Chrome with the Settings command highlighted

  2. Select Reset to Default under Appearance. The classic Google Chrome theme will be restored.

    The "Reset to default" button

You can even make your own Google Themes and share them with others through the Chrome Web Store.

Changing Chrome's Color Scheme

The themes control Chrome's appearance. You cannot independently modify colors apart from a theme package. The only way to change Google Chrome's background colors is to change the theme.

Some operating systems override Chrome's behavior, setting specific colors for various user-interface elements. For example, Windows supports an accent color, and different Linux desktop managers customize every element of a typical window.

How to Change Themes in the Chrome Mobile App

The mobile version of Chrome doesn't have as many options as the desktop version, but you can switch between light and dark themes. Chrome will automatically switch to the dark theme when you turn on Android Dark mode or dark mode for iPhones and iPads.

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