Adjusting color saturation on Android: all methods from standard to hidden

Colors on a smartphone screen are not just aesthetics, but a key factor in comfort during long-term use. Too pale shades tire the eyes, and oversaturated shades distort the perception of photos and videos. Fortunately, Android offers several ways to adjust color rendering, but not all of them are obvious to the average user. In this article we will look at all available methods from basic settings in the display menu to hidden parameters of the engineering mode, which manufacturers do not advertise.

It is important to understand that the customization options depend on smartphone models, version Android i even screen type (AMOLED vs LCD). For example, flagships Samsung Galaxy with displays Dynamic AMOLED 2X support advanced calibration through the app Adaptive Displaywhile budget devices are often limited to choosing between a “warm” and “cold” profile. We will cover solutions for different scenarios - from quick corrections to fine-tuning for professionals.

If you notice that the colors on the screen have become dull after updating the firmware or replacing the display, do not rush to blame the manufacturer. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved programmatically - you just need to know where to look. And for owners of devices with root access additional opportunities will open up through system files and the kernel. But first things first.

Standard screen settings in Android

Let's start with the simplest - built-in options that are available on most devices without installing third-party software. The path to them may differ slightly depending on the shell (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS etc.), but the general logic remains the same.

As a rule, the basic color rendering parameters are hidden in the Settings → Screen section (or Display). Here you will find:

• 🎨 Color profile —preset modes (“Natural”, “Bright”, “Cinema”, etc.). On Samsung this can be called Screen style, on Xiaomi — Color scheme.
• ☀️ Color temperature — slider for adjusting from “warm” (yellowish) to a “cold” (bluish) tint.
• 🔄 Adaptive adjustment - automatic color change depending on lighting (not available on all devices).

For example, on Google Pixel 7 the path will be like this: Settings → Screen → Colorswhere you can choose between Natural, Rich and Adaptive modes. And on Realme GT Neo 3 similar options are hidden in Settings → Display and brightness → Color mode.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (especially those with LCD screens), changing the color profile may lead to a noticeable decrease in maximum brightness. This is normal behavior due to hardware limitations.

Advanced settings for Samsung devices

Smartphones Samsung traditionally offer the most flexible tools for screen calibration, especially in rulers Galaxy S and Galaxy Z. Here, saturation is adjusted not only at the profile level, but also through individual parameters.

To access advanced options on Samsung:

1. Open Settings → Screen.
2. Select Screen style (or Color mode in new versions One UI).
3. Tap on Additional settings (may be called Manual settings).

In this menu you will find three key sliders:

• 🔴 Red — adjusts the intensity of red shades.
• 🟢 Green — is responsible for the green gamma (important for natural rendering of natural landscapes).
• 🔵 Blue —corrects cold tones, affects the perception of white color.

For example, if you think that the white color on the screen is too bluish (a typical problem AMOLED displays), reduce the blue value by 5-10 units. To check the result, use test images with gray gradients - it’s easier to notice the color shift.

Parameter	Recommended value for natural colors	Effect when overstated
Red	240–245	The skin in the photo looks “tanned”, green foliage darkens
Green	235–240	Shades of gray acquire a greenish tint
Blue	230–238	White color becomes icy, the eyes get tired faster

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung s Android 14 and newer, manual RGB adjustment may be blocked in some regions due to certification HDR10+. In this case, resetting the screen to factory settings or using ADB commands will help.

Adjusting colors through the engineering menu (for experienced users)

If the standard options are not enough, you can turn to engineering menu —the hidden section of Android, where low-level display parameters are available. Caution: incorrect changes here can lead to incorrect operation of the screen or even damage to the matrix. Proceed only if you are confident in your actions.

To open the engineering menu:

1. Open the application Phone.
2. Enter code: ##36446337## (for Mediatek) or ##4636## (universal).
3. Go to section Hardware Testing → Display.

Depending on the processor (Qualcomm, Mediatek, Exynos) the following may be available here:

• 📊 Gamma correction — gamma curve correction (affects contrast).
• 🎛️ White balance — white balance (analogous to RGB settings in Samsung).
• 🔍 Color temperature — color temperature kelvins (for example, 6500K for neutral white).

For example, on devices with a chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon the path may look like this: Hardware Testing → Display → Color Mode → Manual. Here you will find the parameters Saturation (saturation) and Hue (hue), which can be changed in the range from 0 to 255.

⚠️ Attention: Changes in the engineering menu are not saved after a reboot on some firmware. To fix the settings, you may need to use ADB commands or rights root.

What to do if the engineering menu does not open?

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi with global firmware), the engineering menu is blocked. An alternative is to use applications like MTK Engineering Mode (for Mediatek) or Qualcomm Service Menu (for Snapdragon).

Applications for fine-tuning colors

If there are few built-in tools, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. They are especially useful for devices with limited screen settings (for example, budget Nokia or MotorolaLet's consider the top 3 solutions:

1. Screen Balance (free, no root)

A simple application with an intuitive interface that allows you to adjust:

• 🌡️ Color temperature (from 2000K to 10000K).
• 🎨 Saturation and contrast (sliders from 0% to 200%).
• 🔄 Automatic change on a schedule (for example, warm tones in the evening).

Feature: works through the overlay of a color filter, so it may slightly reduce performance in games.

2. Color Control (requires root)

Powerful tool for deep calibration, including:

• 📈 Adjustment of RGB channels individually.
• 🖥️ Adjusting the gamma curve (useful for correcting dark areas).
• 🔧 Saving profiles for different scenarios (reading, video, games).

Minus: on Android 12+ may require additional permissions via ADB.

3. f.lux (alternative to Night Light)

A well-known application for reducing blue light, but with advanced options:

• 🌇 Smooth transition between day and night modes.
• 🎭 Custom color profiles (for example, for reading books).
• 📱 Works without root, but requires permission to overlay.

Suitable for those who want not only to change the saturation, but also to reduce eye strain.

Application	root access	Deep calibration	Automation
Screen Balance	❌ No	⚠️ Partially	✅ Yes
Color Control	✅ Yes	✅ Full	✅ Yes
f.lux	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes

Make sure that screen brightness is set to 50-70%|Disable adaptive brightness in settings|Make a backup copy of your current screen settings|Check the application's compatibility with your smartphone model-->

Adjusting colors for specific applications

Sometimes you need to change the color rendering not globally, but only for individual apps. For example, in Instagram or Lightroom color accuracy is important, while in games you can sacrifice realism for the sake of richness of the picture. The following will help you solve this problem:

1. "Games" mode on Xiaomi/Redmi

On devices with MIUI there is a built-in function for optimizing the screen for games:

1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Game Mode.
2. Select Screen settings.
3. Activate Enhanced colors (increases saturation by 15-20%).

Works only for applications added to Game Turbo.

2. ForceDark and color filters (Android 10+)

Through ADB you can force enable a dark theme or color filters for individual applications:

adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled 1
adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer 0.5

Where 0.5 — filter intensity (from 0 to 1). More information about filter codes can be found in Android documentation.

3. Tasker + Secure Settings

To automatically switch color profiles according to conditions (for example, rich mode at startup Netflix):

• 📱 Install Tasker and plugin Secure Settings.
• 🔄 Create a task with an action Display Color Temperature.
• 🎯 Set up a trigger to open the desired application.

⚠️ Warning: Forcing colors to change for individual applications may conflict with their built-in settings. For example, in YouTube this sometimes leads to distortion. HDR content.

Problems with colors after updating or replacing the screen

If the color saturation has changed on its own, the culprit may be:

• 🔄 Firmware update —manufacturers sometimes reset the screen calibration to factory values.
• 🛠️ Replacement display —non-original matrices often have a different color rendition.
• 🔋 Power saving mode —some devices reduce saturation to save battery.

How to return the previous colors:

1. Reset the screen settings: Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset display settings.
2. Check whether the mode Reading or Protection vision is activated in the notification shade.
3. If the problem appeared after replacing the screen, try calibrating it through the engineering menu (section Display → OLED Regulation).

For example, after updating to Android 13 on Samsung Galaxy S22 many users complained about excessively warm tones. The solution is to manually reduce the red value in the screen settings to 10–15 units.

If the display has been replaced and the colors look dull even after calibration, a matrix of a lower class was probably installed (for example, instead of Dynamic AMOLED a regular one was installed. In this case, only repeated replacement with the original part will help. AMOLED). In this case, only repeated replacement with the original part will help.

How to check the originality of the screen?

On Samsung enter the code in the engineering menu #0# - in the test Red/Green/Blue non-original displays often show uneven backlighting or color shifts.

Comparison of capabilities on different devices

Not all smartphones are equally useful in terms of color adjustment. Here's what popular brands offer:

Brand	Manual RGB adjustment	Adaptive calibration	Profiles for applications	HDR calibration support
Samsung (One UI)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (Adaptive Display)	✅ Yes (Game Launcher)	✅ Yes
Xiaomi/Redmi (MIUI)	❌ No	⚠️ Partially (Sunlight Mode)	✅ Yes (Game Turbo)	❌ No
Google Pixel	❌ No	✅ Yes (Adaptive Colors)	❌ No	✅ Yes
OnePlus (OxygenOS)	✅ Yes (in the engineering menu)	✅ Yes (Adaptive Mode)	❌ No	✅ Yes

As can be seen from the table, Samsung and OnePlus lead in flexibility of settings, then how Google Pixel relies on automation. Devices Xiaomi often require third-party solutions for deep calibration.

If you are choosing a smartphone and screen quality is critical for you, pay attention to models with support DCI-P3 or sRGB — they offer a wider color gamut out of the box. For example, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra covers 100% DCI-P3, and Google Pixel 7 Pro — 98%.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about adjusting colors on Android

Is it possible to ruin the screen by changing color settings?

No, software color adjustment (through the menu or applications) cannot physically damage the matrix. However, incorrect values in engineering menu can lead to visual artifacts that will have to be reset through the factory settings.

Why do colors look unnatural after calibration?

This is a typical problem when manually adjusting RGB. The human eye adapts to the color shift in 10-15 minutes, so:

1. Use neutral test images (gray gradients).
2. Compare with standards (for example, photos from professional cameras).
3. Reduce changes by 5-10% at a time, rather than by 50 at once.

How to reset color settings to factory settings?

Methods depend on the device:

• 📱 Samsung: Settings → Display → Screen Style → Reset.
• 📱 Xiaomi: Settings → Display → Color Scheme → Default.
• 📱 Universal method: Reset all settings via Settings → System → Reset settings (does not affect data).

Is it true that AMOLED screens always have better color reproduction?

Not really. AMOLED provides deeper black color and high contrast, but often suffers from color shift when viewed at an angle. LCD (for example, iPhone or Google Pixel 6a) usually more accurately conveys colors in the standard sRGB, which is important for professional work with graphics.

Is it possible to adjust the colors separately for the dark and light themes?

Yes, but only on some devices:

• 📱 Samsung One UI 5+: In the screen settings there are separate profiles for dark and light modes.
• 📱 Android 12+: Can be used Tasker to switch automatically filters when changing the theme.
• 📱 Root solution: The application Substratum allows you to create custom themes with unique color profiles.