Inverting colors on your iPhone can be done in a few simple steps. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, and select Display & Text Size. Here, turn on the switch for Smart Invert or Classic Invert. Your iPhone’s colors will be inverted immediately, which can be helpful for those with visual impairments or when using your phone in low-light conditions.
After you complete the action, your iPhone’s display will change from its usual color scheme to an inverted one, where light colors become dark and dark colors become light. This can make text easier to read for some users and can reduce eye strain in certain lighting conditions.
You can also watch this video about how to invert colors on iPhone for more on this topic.
Introduction
Have you ever found yourself squinting at your iPhone screen, trying to read text in the glaring sun or in a dimly lit room? Or perhaps you’re someone who has trouble with visual processing, and the typical bright white backgrounds with black text are hard to look at for long periods. Whatever your reason may be, inverting colors on your iPhone can be a game-changer. It’s not just a nifty trick to show off to your friends—it’s a useful feature that can improve readability and reduce eye strain, making your screen time more comfortable and accessible.
The invert colors option has been around for a while, but with the release of iOS 17, it’s become even smoother and more integrated into the iPhone’s system. It’s an important feature for those with visual impairments, as it can make the screen easier to view. And let’s be honest, it can also be a cool way to switch up the look of your phone. So, whether you’re a long-time iPhone user or new to the iOS family, learning how to invert colors is definitely worth your time.
Related: How to Reduce the Intensity of Bright Colors on an iPhone 7
Step by Step Tutorial: Inverting Colors on Your iPhone
In this section, we’ll walk through the steps to invert colors on your iPhone, ensuring that anyone can follow along easily and make their screen more comfortable to view.
Step 1: Open Settings
Tap on the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen.
Finding the Settings app should be pretty straightforward—it’s the one with the gear icon. If you’ve rearranged your apps and can’t find it, you can always swipe down from the middle of your screen and use the search bar to type in “Settings.”
Step 2: Tap on Accessibility
Scroll down and tap on the Accessibility option in the Settings menu.
The Accessibility menu is where Apple keeps all the features that make the iPhone more usable for everyone, regardless of their ability. It’s a treasure trove of helpful adjustments, from increasing text size to assistive touch options.
Step 3: Select Display & Text Size
In the Accessibility menu, select the Display & Text Size option.
This menu is specifically tailored to adjusting the visual aspects of your iPhone’s display, such as bold text, larger text sizes, and, of course, color inversion.
Step 4: Turn on Smart Invert or Classic Invert
Find the option for Smart Invert or Classic Invert and toggle the switch to the on position.
Smart Invert is a newer feature that selectively inverts the colors on your display, meaning images, media, and some apps that use dark color styles are left unchanged. Classic Invert, on the other hand, inverts everything, which can be more jarring but also more consistent.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Improved Readability | Inverting colors can make text stand out more against backgrounds, which can be especially helpful for users with visual impairments or dyslexia. |
| Reduced Eye Strain | Using an inverted color scheme in low light conditions can reduce the amount of blue light emitted by the screen, which is known to cause eye strain and interfere with sleep patterns. |
| Customizable Appearance | Some users may prefer the aesthetic of an inverted color scheme, or it can simply be a fun way to change up the look of your iPhone’s display. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Inconsistency Across Apps | Not all apps support Smart Invert properly, which can lead to a mix of inverted and non-inverted colors within the same app. |
| Possible Confusion | For users who are not visually impaired, inverted colors can be confusing and harder to navigate at first. |
| Aesthetics May Not Appeal to Everyone | Inverting colors can be visually jarring for some users, especially when using Classic Invert which affects all graphics and images. |
Video About Inverting Colors
Additional Information
When you’ve successfully inverted colors on your iPhone running iOS 17, you’ll notice that the overall appearance of your device has changed dramatically. However, it’s not just about the looks—inverting colors can also extend your battery life. This is particularly true for devices with OLED screens where black pixels are completely turned off.
It’s worth noting that Smart Invert is intelligent enough to keep images, videos, and certain apps in their original colors to avoid distorting their appearance. But what if you only need the inverted colors temporarily? No problem! You can easily set up an Accessibility Shortcut to quickly toggle the feature on or off by triple-clicking the side or home button, depending on your iPhone model.
Finally, if you’re worried about the inverted colors changing the way you view certain content, rest assured that you can easily switch back to the original color scheme at any time by following the same steps and toggling the Smart Invert or Classic Invert options off.
Summary
- Open Settings
- Tap on Accessibility
- Select Display & Text Size
- Turn on Smart Invert or Classic Invert
Frequently Asked Questions
Will inverting colors affect my battery life?
Inverting colors can actually save battery life on OLED iPhone models because black pixels are turned off, which reduces power usage.
Can I quickly toggle the inverted colors on and off?
Yes, by setting up an Accessibility Shortcut, you can triple-click the side or home button to toggle the invert colors feature.
Does inverting colors change everything on the screen?
Smart Invert selectively inverts colors, leaving images and videos in their original form, while Classic Invert changes everything.
Is inverting colors suitable for all users?
While it’s primarily designed for users with visual impairments, anyone can use and benefit from the inverted color scheme if they find it comfortable.
Can I use inverted colors in all apps?
Most apps support Smart Invert, but there may be some inconsistencies across different apps.
Conclusion
Inverting colors on your iPhone with iOS 17 is not just about making your screen look cool—it’s a practical feature that can make reading easier, reduce eye strain, and even save battery life. Whether you need it for accessibility reasons or you’re just looking to change up your iPhone’s appearance, following the steps outlined above will get you there easily.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with both Smart Invert and Classic Invert to find what works best for you. And remember, if the inverted colors aren’t to your liking, switching back is just as simple. Keep exploring the vast capabilities of your iPhone and make the most out of iOS 17’s features!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.