Google Opinion Rewards dark theme arrives for some users in a server-side update

One might think a simple feature like a dark theme would be a straightforward rollout. But when it comes to Google’s Opinion Rewards app, the journey to the dark side has been anything but smooth following years of waiting.

Back in September, the sleuths at Android Authority got a sneak peek into Google’s plans through an APK teardown. The discovery? A dark theme was brewing for the Opinion Rewards app. Fast forward to December, and the long-anticipated version 2024120205 finally hit Android devices, promising users a fresh UI experience — but only for some. A week later, iOS users got their update, version 1.24.120901, though the changelog was a bit of a tease, merely mentioning “bug fixes and UI improvements.”

Now, here’s where things get interesting. While Android Authority confidently reported the dark theme was now widely available, reality told a different story. My colleague, running the supposedly magical version 2024120205 on multiple Google Pixel devices, noticed something odd — their app was as bright as ever. Meanwhile, Reddit is buzzing with tales of users who have just unlocked the dark theme, despite being on the same version.

What’s going on here? It appears Google is playing favorites with a gradual server-side rollout. Why? Who knows! Maybe they enjoy the suspense or perhaps it’s just a quirky approach to app updates that YouTube users are quite familiar with. After all, what could possibly go wrong with flipping the dark theme switch for everyone at once? Not much, right? But hey, we’re not the ones making the rules.

So, if you’re still waiting to embrace the dark side, know you’re not alone. And keep an eye on the app — you never know when your moment might come. Until then, let’s all sit back and enjoy the peculiar rollercoaster that is Google’s feature rollout strategy. Who knew a long-overdue dark theme could cause so much drama?