Greyscale Mode

Displays the entire screen in black and white to reduce visual overstimulation and unify colour contrasts.

What does this setting do?

Greyscale mode removes all colour information from the screen. Content is shown only in black, white and shades of grey. This can be helpful for people who are quickly overwhelmed by intense colours, who find it hard to distinguish colours due to colour blindness, or who need fewer stimuli to concentrate better. Some people also find greyscale simply calming.

Instructions for different systems

Version: iOS 15+

Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Colour Filters. Turn on Colour Filters and select Greyscale. The screen switches to black and white immediately.

Tip: Add Greyscale to the Accessibility Shortcut list (triple-press the side button) to toggle it on and off quickly.

Version: varies by device

Open Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Colour correction or Colour adjustment. Select Greyscale. On some devices the setting can also be found under Settings > Display > Colour.

Note: The exact path varies by device manufacturer (Samsung, Pixel, etc.).

Version: Windows 10/11

Open Settings > Accessibility > Colour filters. Turn on Colour filters and select Greyscale. The entire screen immediately switches to black and white.

Version: macOS Ventura/Sonoma

Open System Settings > Accessibility > Colour Filters. Turn on Enable Colour Filters and select Greyscale.

Often mentioned in relation to the following conditions:

ADHD – Attention-deficit / hyperactivity-related difficulties such as distractibility, impulsivity, or sensitivity to visual motion.
Autism (mild) – Mild autism-spectrum traits with sensory sensitivities to light, sound, motion or complex interfaces.
High Sensitivity (HSP) – Increased sensory sensitivity to light, sound, colors, or emotional stimuli.
Color Vision Weakness – Difficulty distinguishing certain colors, often red–green or blue–yellow.
Photosensitivity – Sensitivity to bright light, screen glare, or high-contrast elements.
Visual Overload – Rapid sensory overwhelm from flashing, moving, or visually dense content.

Commonly used for the following difficulties:

Visual Overload

Users experiencing visual overload are quickly overwhelmed by dense layouts, flashing elements, or competing visual information. Simplified displays can reduce stress.

Color Vision Difficulty

Users who have trouble distinguishing certain colors benefit from color filters or high-contrast UI themes.

Light Sensitivity

Users with light sensitivity experience discomfort or visual strain when screens are too bright or high-contrast. Adjustments such as reducing brightness, using dark mode, or …

Difficulty Maintaining Focus

Distractions from movement, colors or notifications can interrupt focus. Reducing visual noise and limiting alerts supports sustained attention.

Other settings frequently used together

Adjust Cursor Size

Also commonly used for 2 of the difficulties listed above.

Invert Colors

Also commonly used for 2 of the difficulties listed above.

Reduce Brightness / Dark Mode

Also commonly used for 2 of the difficulties listed above.