To invert colors on your iPhone in iOS 17, open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turn on Smart Invert or Classic Invert. Smart Invert flips the colors of the screen but keeps photos, videos, and apps that already use dark styles looking normal. Classic Invert flips everything. To switch it on and off quickly, add it to the Accessibility Shortcut and triple-click the side button.
The same steps work in iOS 18 and later. Below you’ll learn the difference between the two modes, how to set up shortcuts, and when Dark Mode or other settings might be a better fit.
How to invert colors on iPhone
- Open Settings and tap Accessibility.
- Tap Display & Text Size.
- Turn on Smart Invert or Classic Invert. Only one can be on at a time.
Smart Invert vs. Classic Invert
| Smart Invert | Classic Invert | |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Look normal | Inverted, like negatives |
| Apps with dark styles | Left alone | Inverted, which can make them light |
| Best for | Everyday reading with less glare | Maximum contrast, or apps Smart Invert doesn’t handle well |
How to turn invert colors on and off quickly
Accessibility Shortcut
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut (at the bottom).
- Tap Smart Invert or Classic Invert.
- Triple-click the side button (or the Home button on iPhones that have one) to toggle it anytime.
Control Center or Back Tap
- Control Center: Add Accessibility Shortcuts in Settings > Control Center (on iOS 18, edit Control Center directly), then tap it to choose Smart or Classic Invert.
- Back Tap: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap, choose Double Tap or Triple Tap, and pick an invert option. Then tap the back of your iPhone to toggle it.
Other settings that make reading easier
- Dark Mode: Settings > Display & Brightness > Dark. It darkens apps that support it without inverting images, so many people prefer it to Smart Invert.
- Color Filters: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters can make the screen grayscale or adjust colors for color blindness.
- Reduce White Point: Found in the same menu. It lowers the intensity of bright colors.
- Larger Text and Bold Text: Also in Display & Text Size.
To soften colours without inverting, see Reduce White Point.
For a black and white screen, see how to turn on grayscale on iPhone.
Troubleshooting
- Screenshots look normal even though the screen is inverted: That’s expected. Invert only changes what you see, not screenshots or photos you save.
- An app looks strange with Smart Invert: Some apps don’t support it well. Switch to Classic Invert or Dark Mode for that app.
- Colors inverted by accident: You may have triple-clicked the side button. Triple-click again, or turn off invert in Display & Text Size.
Frequently asked questions
Does inverting colors save battery?
On iPhones with OLED screens, darker pixels use less power, so it can help slightly. Dark Mode usually saves more because it’s designed for it.
Is Smart Invert the same as Dark Mode?
No. Dark Mode is a design setting that apps support directly. Smart Invert flips colors on the fly, which can look less polished.
Can I invert colors on only one app?
Not directly, but you can set per-app display settings in Settings > Accessibility > Per-App Settings, including Smart Invert for specific apps.
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.