Do you find yourself endlessly scrolling, distracted by a constant barrage of colorful icons and notifications? You’re not alone. Our phones are designed to be engaging, but sometimes they’re *too* engaging.
There’s a simple, built-in iPhone feature that can help: Grayscale mode. By turning your vibrant screen into a simple black and white display, you can dramatically reduce its allure, helping you curb screen time, improve focus, and even get better sleep.
This guide will show you not only how to enable it, but the fastest way to toggle it on and off.
Step-by-Step: How to Enable Black and White (Grayscale) Mode
The “black and white” feature on your iPhone is called Grayscale, and it’s located in the Accessibility settings. Here’s how to turn it on:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Accessibility.”
- Tap on “Display & Text Size.”
- Scroll down and tap on “Color Filters.”
- Toggle the “Color Filters” switch on.
- A list of options will appear. Tap on “Grayscale” to select it.
Your screen will immediately switch to black and white. To turn it off, simply follow the same steps and toggle the “Color Filters” switch back off.
Pro-Tip: Create a Shortcut to Toggle Grayscale On and Off
Going through all those menus is a hassle, especially if you only want to use Grayscale at night. The best way to use this feature is to set it as an “Accessibility Shortcut.” This lets you triple-click the side (or Home) button to instantly turn Grayscale on or off.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap on “Accessibility Shortcut.”
- Tap on “Color Filters.” A blue checkmark will appear next to it.
That’s it! Now, just triple-click the side button (or Home button on older iPhones) to instantly switch between color and black and white. This is the real game-changer for using Grayscale mode effectively.
4 Key Benefits of Using Black and White Mode
You know the “how,” so here’s the “why.” This simple change has several powerful psychological and practical benefits.
1. Reclaim Your Focus and Beat Screen Addiction
This is the biggest benefit. App icons, notifications, and social media feeds use bright, attention-grabbing colors (like red notification badges) to trigger a dopamine response in your brain. This is what makes them so “addictive” and hard to ignore.
When you switch to Grayscale, the screen becomes boring. Those red badges lose their urgency. Instagram photos are less compelling. You’ll find yourself less tempted to “just check one thing” and more able to put your phone down.
2. Improve Your Sleep Quality
We’ve all heard that the blue light from screens can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. While Grayscale mode doesn’t eliminate blue light (you should still use Night Shift for that), it makes the screen significantly less stimulating to your brain before bed, helping you wind down more easily.
3. Potentially Extend Your Battery Life (With a Catch)
This benefit depends entirely on your iPhone model.
- If you have an iPhone with an OLED screen (iPhone X, XS, 11 Pro, and all 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 models): Grayscale mode can save battery life. This is because on an OLED screen, each pixel is lit individually, and displaying colors requires more power than displaying simple white or gray.
- If you have an iPhone with an LCD screen (iPhone 11, XR, SE, 8, 7, etc.): Grayscale mode will not have a noticeable effect on battery life. This is because the entire screen’s backlight is always on, regardless of the colors being displayed.
4. Enhance Visual Accessibility
For individuals with certain types of color blindness or visual impairments, a high-contrast black and white screen can actually make it easier to read text and navigate the user interface. It removes the visual “clutter” of colors that may be difficult to distinguish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does black and white mode block blue light?
No. Grayscale mode only changes the color palette. It does not filter out blue light. To reduce blue light, you should use the Night Shift feature (found in Settings > Display & Brightness).
Q2: Will Grayscale mode save my battery?
It depends. It can provide a small-to-moderate battery boost on iPhones with OLED screens (like the iPhone 15 Pro). It will make almost no difference on iPhones with LCD screens (like the iPhone 11 or iPhone SE).
Q3: Can I make just one app black and white?
No. The Grayscale filter is a system-wide setting. When it’s on, it affects your home screen, all your apps, and your entire interface. However, using the Accessibility Shortcut (triple-click) makes it easy to turn on and off as you enter or leave certain apps.
Conclusion: Is Grayscale Mode Worth It?
Enabling black and white mode on your iPhone is a simple, reversible, and surprisingly effective tool. While it may not solve all your digital distraction problems, it’s a powerful step toward reclaiming your focus and building a healthier relationship with your device.
We highly recommend setting up the Accessibility Shortcut (triple-click) to get the most out of this feature. Try using it for an evening and see how it changes your habits!
