How can I emulate prefers-color-scheme media query in Chrome?

CssGoogle ChromeMedia QueriesMacos Darkmode

Css Problem Overview


Chrome 76 has added support for prefers-color-scheme media query (a.k.a. "dark mode").

But how can I test my webpage in both color schemes easily, without toggling the system dark mode on and off?

Here is the same question for Firefox, but I can't find similar settings in Chrome & Chrome DevTools.

Css Solutions


Solution 1 - Css

Since Chrome version 79 you can toggle between prefers-color-scheme: dark and prefers-color-scheme: light from the Rendering panel

  1. Open Developer tools (otherwise the key combination below opens the print dialog)
  2. Open the Command Control: Ctrl+Shift+P or Command+Shift+P (Mac)
  3. Type "Show rendering"
  4. Set the Emulate CSS media feature prefers-color-scheme to the value you want to debug

drop down to select the mode

Solution 2 - Css

How to emulate/activate prefers-color-scheme on Chrome (Desktop):

  1. Press F12 key (or Command+Shift+C on Mac)
  2. Click on the tree dots simbol (customize and control DevTools)
  3. Point your mouse on the more tools option, and then click in rendering option.
  4. the option Emulate CSS media feature prefers-color-scheme near the end it's your destination ! dumb visual guide to open color scheme

How to emulate/activate prefers-color-scheme on Chrome (Mobile):

  1. Click on the tree dots simbol.
  2. Click on Settings.
  3. Click on theme.
  4. Select you desired option !

Yay !!!

Solution 3 - Css

This is a Chrome DevTools feature request that is tracked in crbug.com/977243 (star the bug or CC: yourself to be notified of progress). Meanwhile, it's already available in Safari's Web Inspector, see the heading Debugging Dark Mode in Apple's blog post.

As an alternative, if you want to automate the whole process, I have written a Puppeteer script that takes screenshots in dark and light mode, which can also be integrated in your CI testing.

Solution 4 - Css

On Chrome for Android, a flag was added in version 73 that adds a settings panel for dark theme, plus a checkbox for it in the browser menu. chrome://flags/#darken-websites-checkbox-in-themes-setting

Screenshot of flag

Screenshot of dark theme settings panel

Screenshot of dark theme checkbox in browser menu

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Content TypeOriginal AuthorOriginal Content on Stackoverflow
QuestionxmcpView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - CssAV PaulView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - CssMarlon da VeigaView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - CssDenverCoder9View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - CssScott MartinView Answer on Stackoverflow