Fixing text color issues in HTML emails on Android Gmail's dark mode

Other Questions Gmail
1

Hey everyone,

I’m having trouble with the Gmail app on my Android phone. When I use dark mode, the text colors in HTML emails get all messed up. It’s really frustrating!

I tried using the linear gradient and background-clip trick that works great on iPhones, but no luck on Android. Does anyone know a way to keep the original text colors in HTML emails when using dark mode on Android Gmail?

I’ve been searching online for hours and can’t find a good solution. If you’ve dealt with this before or have any ideas, please share! It would be a huge help.

Thanks in advance for any tips or suggestions!

2

As someone who’s been knee-deep in email development for years, I feel your pain. Android Gmail’s dark mode is a real headache. Here’s what worked for me:

I relied on combining inline styles with !important declarations to enforce color rules, which isn’t always perfect but can help. I also made a point of sticking to web-safe fonts because custom fonts tend to misbehave in dark mode. Testing across multiple Android devices turned out to be crucial to catch unpredictable quirks. In some cases, I opted to use background colors in table cells rather than relying solely on text color. When nothing else worked, I prepared separate versions for light and dark modes, switching between them with media queries.

Email clients evolve continuously, so staying updated and adapting your approach is key.

3

I’ve encountered this issue too, and it’s quite frustrating. Unfortunately, there’s no perfect solution for Android Gmail’s dark mode color inversion problem. One workaround I’ve found somewhat effective is using a combination of media queries and !important declarations. Try something like:

@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
.your-text-class {
color: #ffffff !important;
}
}

This doesn’t always work, but it can help in some cases. Another approach is to use image-based text for critical elements, though that’s not ideal for accessibility. Ultimately, the best we can do is test extensively on various Android devices and adjust our designs accordingly. It’s an ongoing challenge in email development.

4

yeah, this issue is a real pain! i’ve been struggling with it too. one thing that sorta helps is using rgba() for text colors instead of hex. like rgba(0,0,0,1) for black. it doesn’t fix everything, but it can make some difference. also, avoid using opacity on text elements cuz that can cause weird effects in dark mode. good luck!