Switch Your iPhone to Grayscale in Settings

You can turn your iPhone display to black and white by opening Settings, then going to Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters. Toggle on the Color Filters switch, then select Grayscale from the options. Your screen will when ready shift to black and white.

This method keeps the setting active until you turn it off again. The grayscale applies to everything on your phone — apps, photos, text, and the home screen. If you want to switch back to color, return to the same menu and toggle Color Filters off.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to go black and white is through Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters, then toggle on Grayscale.
  • You can create a shortcut in Control Center so you can switch between color and grayscale with one tap from any screen.
  • Grayscale affects your entire display, including photos, videos, and app icons, until you turn it off.
  • The setting works the same way on all iPhone models running iOS 13 or later.

Add Grayscale to Your Control Center for Quick Access

If you plan to switch between color and grayscale often, add it to Control Center so you can toggle it without opening Settings. Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls, then scroll down and tap the green + button next to Color Filters.

Once added, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones) to open Control Center. Tap the Color Filters icon, then tap Grayscale to turn it on or off. This takes about two seconds and works from any app or screen.

Use a Shortcut to Automate the Switch

For even faster switching, you can create a shortcut that toggles grayscale on and off with a single tap. Open the Shortcuts app, tap the + button to create a new shortcut, then tap Add Action. Search for "Set Color Filter" and select it.

Choose Grayscale from the dropdown menu, then tap the three dots at the top and name your shortcut something like "Grayscale On." Tap Done. You can now tap this shortcut from your home screen or Siri to switch to black and white when ready. Create a second shortcut with the Color Filter set to Off to toggle back to color.

Understand What Grayscale Does to Your Display

When you turn on grayscale, your iPhone removes all color information from the display. This means photos appear in shades of gray, app icons lose their colors, and text becomes easier to read for some people. The change is purely visual — it does not affect how apps work or how your phone stores images.

Grayscale can reduce eye strain for some users, especially in low light. It also reduces the visual stimulation from your phone, which some people find helpful when they want to focus or wind down before bed. The setting does not change battery life noticeably.

Turn Off Grayscale When You No Longer Need It

To return to full color, go back to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters and toggle the switch off. If you added it to Control Center, you can also open Control Center and tap the Color Filters icon, then select Off.

Your display will return to normal color when ready. All your photos, apps, and settings remain unchanged — grayscale is only a display filter that sits on top of everything.

Troubleshoot If Grayscale Is Not Working

If you turn on grayscale and your screen does not change, first check that you toggled the Color Filters switch all the way on — it should be green. Make sure you selected Grayscale from the three filter options (the other two are Grayscale and Red/Green or Blue/Yellow, which are for color blindness).

If the toggle is on and grayscale is selected but your screen is still in color, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button and volume up button together, swipe to power off, wait 10 seconds, then power it back on. This usually fixes any display settings that are not responding correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does grayscale use less battery than color?

Grayscale does not significantly reduce battery drain on modern iPhones. Older phones with LCD screens might see a tiny improvement, but the difference is not noticeable in daily use. If you want to save battery, lowering screen brightness or enabling Low Power Mode is far more effective.

Can I set grayscale to turn on automatically at a certain time?

Yes, using the Shortcuts app and Automation. Open Shortcuts, tap the Automation tab, create a new automation, and set it to run at a specific time of day. Add the "Set Color Filter" action and choose Grayscale. You can create a second automation to turn it off at a different time.

Will grayscale affect how I take photos or videos?

No. Grayscale only changes how your display shows images — it does not change how your camera captures them. Photos and videos you take will still be in full color when you view them on another device or turn off grayscale.

Can I use grayscale on just one app?

No, the grayscale setting applies to your entire display. If you want to use grayscale only sometimes, use the Control Center toggle or shortcut to turn it on and off as needed.