Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. Turn on Classic Invert to invert all colors. Turn on Smart Invert to invert interface colors while keeping images, videos, and some media content unchanged.
Invert Colors
Reverses screen colors to reduce glare and improve contrast.
What does this setting do?
Inverting colors changes bright areas to dark and dark areas to bright. This can reduce eye strain, limit glare and make low-contrast elements easier to see. iOS offers both “classic” and “smart” inversion, where smart invert leaves images and media untouched. Other platforms provide only classic color inversion.
Instructions for different systems
Open Settings > Accessibility > Color correction. Turn on Color inversion. Light and dark areas are fully inverted.
Note: In the Google standard version of Android, only basic color inversion is available, without advanced or adaptive options.
Open Settings > Accessibility > Color filters. Turn on Color filters and select one of the following options:
Inverted
Inverted grayscale
You can optionally adjust the intensity.
Keyboard shortcut:
Windows key + Ctrl + C → Turn color filters on or off
Note: Windows provides system-wide color filters only (no per-app inversion).
Open System Settings > Accessibility > Display. Enable Invert colors. macOS does not support smart inversion — images and media will also be inverted.
Often mentioned in relation to the following conditions:
- Photosensitivity – Sensitivity to bright light, screen glare, or high-contrast elements.
- Low Contrast Sensitivity – Reduced ability to distinguish text or icons when contrast is low.
- Age-related Vision Changes – Reduced sharpness, color distinction and tolerance for small text.
- Presbyopia – Age-related difficulty focusing on small or close text.
- Autism (mild) – Mild autism-spectrum traits with sensory sensitivities to light, sound, motion or complex interfaces.
Commonly used for the following difficulties:
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 …
Screen Glare Sensitivity
Users with glare sensitivity struggle with reflections or bright hotspots on screens. Lowering brightness, increasing contrast, or using dark mode can reduce strain.
Low Contrast Tolerance
Low contrast text or icons can be difficult to recognize. High-contrast modes or bold text improve visibility.
Visual Overload
Users experiencing visual overload are quickly overwhelmed by dense layouts, flashing elements, or competing visual information. Simplified displays can reduce stress.
Other settings frequently used together
Relation to WCAG guidelines
For setting to be effective, a website or app often must be technically implemented in such a way that it respects operating system and browser settings.
Developers and designers should follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The following WCAG criteria are particularly relevant for this setting:
1.4.11.4.31.4.11