Table of Contents
Do you want to know how to change your iPhone screen from black and white? With iOS 14, Apple has introduced a new Accessibility feature that converts the display to black and white. iPhone users can now switch to the grayscale mode with ease. The grayscale mode can be an ideal option for people who have visual difficulties, are colorblind, or want to reduce screen time.
In this blog post, we will guide you on how to change your iPhone from black and white. We will provide you with different methods to make this happen, along with their pros and cons. We will also discuss why you might be unable to change your iPhone to black and white and provide solutions to fix the problem. Lastly, we will cover some FAQs and give our final recommendations.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To change your iPhone to black and white, you will need:
- An iPhone with iOS 14 or later
- Your iPhone’s Passcode
What Requires Your Focus?
To change the iPhone to grayscale mode, you need to focus on the following parts of the process:
- Understanding the Accessibility feature on iOS 14
- Knowing the ways to enable/disable grayscale modes
- Familiarizing with different ways to change the screen to grayscale mode
- Knowing the reasons why you may not be able to change the screen to grayscale mode
- Gaining insights about some implications and recommendations of the grayscale mode
Different Methods to Switch iPhone to Grayscale Mode
Method 1: Via the Control Center
Control Center is an easy way to toggle grayscale mode on your iPhone screen. Here are the steps to enable it:
- On your iPhone, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.
- Tap on the Accessibility icon. (in the shape of two circular figures, next to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons).
- Find the “Grayscale” button and tap it to turn on Grayscale mode.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Convenient to access, thanks to the Control Center feature
Cons:
- Limited options for customization, such as enabling or disabling the grayscale mode.
Method 2: Via Accessibility Shortcut
iOS provides accessibility shortcuts that can be enabled to perform tasks with just a few taps. This method can be used as a quick way to enable grayscale mode. Follow these steps:
- Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to "Accessibility."
- Tap on “Accessibility Shortcut.”
- Select the “Color Filters” option.
- From there, turn on the grayscale option, i.e., “Grayscale Filters”.
- Now, go back to your iPhone home screen and triple-click the home button. This will toggle grayscale mode on and off.
Pros:
- Easy to use once you set up the Accessibility Shortcut
- Quickly enable or disable the grayscale mode
Cons:
- Requires initial setup to use
Method 3: Via Settings
You can also switch your iPhone screen to grayscale mode by using the Settings app. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to “General”.
- Tap on “Accessibility”.
- Tap on “Display & Text Size” to access the options.
- Toggle the “Grayscale” option to enable it.
Pros:
- Straightforward to enable
- Access to finer customizations, such as text size and bold text
Cons:
- Take more time to enable/disable, compared to other methods
Method 4: Using Siri
If you want a more hands-free method to switch to grayscale, you can use Siri to enable or disable the mode.
- Activate Siri by either holding down the Home or Side button, depending on the iPhone model.
- Say, “Turn on grayscale mode.
- Siri will enable the grayscale mode for you.
- To turn off the grayscale mode, say, “Turn off grayscale mode.”
Pros:
- Hands-free and voice-activated commands
- Quick and easy to use
Cons:
- Requires Siri
Method 5: Using Shortcuts
You can also turn your iPhone to grayscale mode using shortcuts. To use this method, you need to have the Shortcuts app on your iPhone and install the “Set Grayscale” shortcut. Here are the steps:
- Download “Set Grayscale” shortcut from the App Store.
- Once you’ve installed it, the shortcut will be added to your home screen.
- Tap on the “Set Grayscale” icon to enable grayscale mode.
- To turn off the grayscale mode, tap the icon again.
Pros:
- Allows users to customize and automate actions using Shortcuts
- One-tap activation or deactivation of grayscale mode
Cons:
- Requires downloading the Shortcuts app and installing the “Set Grayscale” shortcut
Why Can’t I Change My iPhone to Grayscale Mode?
There could be several reasons why your iPhone’s display is unable to switch to grayscale mode:
- Your Accessibility Shortcut is not enabled.
- Your iPhone is not using iOS 14 or later.
- You have “Reduce Motion” turned on.
- You have a grayscale filter on your camera settings.
Here are some fixes to these issues:
- Enable Accessibility Shortcut by going to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut > Color Filters.
- Upgrade your iPhone to iOS 14 or later.
- Disable “Reduce Motion” by going to Settings > Accessibility > Motion. Toggle the switch off.
- Disable grayscale filter from your camera settings by going to Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings > Color Filter. Toggle the switch off.
Implications and Recommendations
The grayscale mode can be a useful feature for iPhone users for various reasons. Here are some implications and recommendations:
- Grayscale mode can help reduce visual distractions, thereby reducing screen-time and eye strain.
- Grayscale mode can also help people with color vision deficiency or visual impairment by showing high-contrast details.
- Grayscale mode can be useful for parents and caregivers who want to set limited screen time for children and monitor their device usage.
- It’s important to remember that grayscale mode is not a solution for all visual impairment and disabilities. iPhone users with severe visual difficulties, such as colorblindness, should use iPhone’s Accessibility features and seek professional medical advice.
5 FAQs about Changing My iPhone to Grayscale Mode
Q1: Will changing the iPhone to grayscale mode affect battery usage?
A: Yes. The grayscale mode may reduce battery usage as it decreases the screen’s brightness. Less brightness means less battery drain.
Q2: Does grayscale mode affect picture and video quality on the iPhone?
A: No. Grayscale mode only affects the iPhone’s display. Your pictures and videos will still appear in full-color mode.
Q3: How do I know that the iPhone is in grayscale mode?
A: The grayscale mode can be identified by the black and white display. The colors and hues will disappear from the screen. Also, the “Grayscale Filters” option will be turned on in the Settings app.
Q4: Can I customize the grayscale mode based on specific color settings?
A: Yes. iOS 14 provides a user interface to adjust grayscale options and other color filters. You can experiment with the filters to find the perfect setting for your preferences.
Q5: Does the grayscale feature work on all iPhones?
A: No. The grayscale feature is compatible with iPhones running iOS 14 or higher. If your iPhone runs on earlier versions, grayscale mode will not be available.
Final Words
Changing your iPhone screen to grayscale mode can be a helpful feature in reducing eye strain, visual distraction, and screen time. It is an excellent accessibility feature that can assist people with visual difficulties and colorblindness. By following the different methods mentioned in this blog post, you can switch your iPhone to grayscale mode effortlessly. We hope that the implications and FAQs we’ve shared in this blog post have shed some light on grayscale mode’s usefulness.