Grayscale removes all color from your iPhone screen and displays everything in shades of gray and black

Grayscale is a display setting that strips color from your iPhone's screen. Everything you see—apps, photos, text, icons—appears only in black, white, and gray tones. Apple built this feature into iOS for two reasons: some people find it easier to read without color distraction, and others use it to reduce screen time by making their phone less visually engaging.

The setting does not change how your photos or files are actually stored. Turn grayscale off and your colors return exactly as they were. It is purely a display change that affects what you see on screen right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Grayscale is found in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size on all current iPhone models.
  • You can turn grayscale on or off in about 30 seconds from the Accessibility menu.
  • You can also add grayscale to Control Center so you toggle it on and off without opening Settings.
  • Grayscale does not affect your actual photos or files—it only changes what appears on your screen.
  • Some iPhone models also let you set grayscale to turn on automatically at a specific time each day.

The quickest way: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Tap Accessibility (it has a white circle with a person inside). Then tap Display & Text Size.

Scroll down until you see Color Filters. Tap it. At the top of the next screen, toggle the switch next to Color Filters to turn it on. Then make sure Grayscale is selected in the list below—it usually is by default. The moment you select it, your entire screen turns gray.

To turn grayscale off later, go back to the same menu and toggle Color Filters off. Your colors come back when ready.

Adding grayscale to Control Center for faster access

If you plan to turn grayscale on and off often, you can add it to Control Center so you reach it in two taps instead of navigating through Settings each time.

Go to Settings > Control Center. Tap the green plus button next to Color Filters. That is all. Now when you swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), you will see a Color Filters button. Tap it to toggle grayscale on and off when ready.

Setting grayscale to turn on automatically at a specific time

Some iPhone models let you schedule grayscale to set up and deactivate on its own. This works the same way as scheduling Night Shift or other display features.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters. Turn on Color Filters and select Grayscale. Then look for a Scheduled option. If your model has it, you can set a start time and end time—for example, grayscale turns on at 9 p.m. and off at 7 a.m. Not all iPhone models include this feature; if you do not see it, your phone does not support scheduled grayscale.

Why someone might use grayscale

Grayscale can help reduce distractions. Colored app icons and notifications are designed to catch your eye; removing color makes your phone feel less urgent and engaging. Some people use it in the evening to wind down before bed, or during work hours to stay focused.

It is also useful for people with color blindness or certain visual processing differences, since it removes the reliance on color to distinguish between elements on screen.

Grayscale does not affect storage, photos, or backups

Turning grayscale on does not change how your photos are stored or backed up. Your actual image files remain in full color. When you turn grayscale off, you see all the colors again—nothing is lost or altered.

The same is true for everything else on your phone. Grayscale is only a filter applied to your display. It does not modify files, reduce storage space, or affect how your phone works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use grayscale on just one app?

No. Grayscale is a system-wide display setting that affects everything on your screen at once. You cannot turn it on for one app and off for another. If you need to focus on a single app, consider using Screen Time or app limits instead.

Will grayscale save battery?

Grayscale itself does not significantly reduce battery drain. It is a display filter, not a power-saving mode. If you want to extend battery life, use Low Power Mode or reduce screen brightness instead.

What if Color Filters does not appear in my settings?

Make sure you are in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. If you still do not see Color Filters, your iPhone model may not support it—this is rare on current models, but very old iPhones may lack the feature. Check Apple's support site for your specific model.

Can I schedule grayscale to turn on at different times on different days?

No. If your iPhone supports the Scheduled option, it applies the same start and end times every day. You cannot set different schedules for weekdays and weekends.

Does grayscale affect video calls or FaceTime?

Yes. When grayscale is on, the person you are calling sees your video in color on their end, but you see them in grayscale on your screen. Turn grayscale off if you want to see colors during a call.