Monochrome mode on Android: how to enable it and why you need it

Monochrome (black and white) mode on Android is not just a design decision, but a useful feature for those who want to reduce eye strain, save battery power, or reduce distractions. Enabling this mode converts the entire device interface to grayscale, creating a 90's "graphics laptop" effect. But how to activate it on different smartphone models?

In this article we will look at all possible methods: from standard settings to using hidden commands ADB and third-party applications. You'll learn which models support the feature natively and where additional configuration will be required. We will also talk about hidden advantages monochrome mode - for example, how it helps with color blindness or addiction to gadgets.

Important: not all manufacturers call this function the same. In Samsung it can be "Graphic mode", in Xiaomi - "Black and white filter", and in Google Pixel - "Color correction". We will cover all options.

Why do you need a monochrome mode on a smartphone?

At first glance, a black and white screen seems anachronistic in the era of AMOLEDdisplays with a billion colors. However, this function has several practical applications:

• 🔋 Battery saving —on AMOLEDscreens, black pixels do not consume energy, which increases the operating time by up to 10-15%.
• 👁️ Reducing eye fatigue —the absence of bright colors reduces the load during long periods of time use.
• 📱 Reducing dependency —monochrome interface makes the smartphone less “attractive,” helping to concentrate.
• 🎨 Designer tasks —useful for checking the contrast of layouts or working with graphics.
• 🩺 Medical indications —recommended for some forms of epilepsy or migraine.

Interesting fact: studies show that monochrome mode reduces the level of cortisol (stress hormone) when using a smartphone in the evening. This is due to the lack of blue light, which suppresses the production of melatonin.

However, there is a downside: some applications (for example, games or graphic editors) may become unusable. Also, in this mode, it is more difficult to distinguish between notifications - red and green indicators turn into the same shades of gray.

Standard method: configuration via the Android menu

Most modern smartphones allow you to enable monochrome mode without additional tools. Let's look at step-by-step guide for popular brands:

For devices Samsung (One UI)

The manufacturer hides this function in the accessibility menu:

1. Open Settings → Accessibility.
2. Select Visibility settings → Color correction.
3. Activate the switch and select Grayscale.
4. For quick access, add a shortcut to the notification panel: Settings → Notification panel → Accessibility shortcuts.

For devices Xiaomi (MIUI)

In the firmware MIUI the function is called "Black and white filter":

1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Black and white filter.
2. Turn on the slider and adjust the brightness of the filter (recommended 70-80% for comfortable viewing).
3. To turn it off, double-tap your finger on the screen (if the corresponding option is activated).

For Google Pixel and “clean” Android

In the stock firmware, the function is called "Color Inversion" or "Color Correction":

1. Open Settings → Accessibility → Color Correction.
2. Select Grayscale (or Deactivate color in some versions).
3. To quickly switch, add a button in Settings → System → Gestures → Quick settings.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei or Oppo), monochrome mode may not be available in the standard settings. In this case, you will need to use ADB or third-party applications.

Brand	Path to setup	Features
Samsung	Special. capabilities → Color correction	Works on all models with One UI 2.0+
Xiaomi	Special. capabilities → Black and white filter	Allows intensity adjustment
Google Pixel	Special. features → Color correction	May conflict with the "Dark Mode" theme
OnePlus	Settings → Usability → Color filter	Requires OxygenOS 11+

Activation via ADB: for advanced users

If your device does not support monochrome mode out of the box, you can enable it via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on most devices with Android 8.0+, but requires a connection to a computer.

You will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with drivers installed ADB (you can download from the website Android Developers).
• 📱 Smartphone with software debugging enabled USB (Settings → About phone → Build number —press 7 times).
• 🔌 Cable USB-Type C (better original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
2. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   The serial number of your device should appear.

3. Run the monochrome activation command mode:

   adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled 1
   adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer 0

   Here 0 is the code for grayscale.

4. Reboot the device.

To return colors, use the commands:

adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled 0
adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer -1

What to do if ADB does not see the device?

1. Check if USB debugging is enabled in the developer settings.

2. Install drivers for your smartphone model (for example, Samsung USB Driver for Samsung devices).

3. Try a different cable or USB port.

4. phone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB can lead to system malfunctions. If after executing the commands the screen begins to flicker or artifacts appear, reset accessibility settings:

adb shell settings reset secure

Applications for monochrome mode: alternative solutions

If standard methods are not suitable, you can use third-party applications. They offer additional functions, for example, flexible contrast settings or an automatic turn-on schedule.

Top 3 applications from Google Play:

• 📱 Gray Scale - a simple application with the ability to adjust the intensity of the gray filter. Supports a widget for quick activation.
• 🌓 Night Mode & Blue Light Filter —in addition to the monochrome mode, it offers a blue light filter and a schedule.
• 🎨 Color Blindness Simulator —allows you not only to turn on shades of gray, but also to test the perception of other types of color blindness.

How to install and configure:

1. Download the application from Google Play (for example Gray Scale).
2. Open it and grant permission to Overlay on top of other windows.
3. Turn on the filter and adjust the transparency (80-90% recommended for full effect).
4. Add a shortcut to your home screen for quick access.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, banking or with screenshot protection) may block the operation of filters. In this case, you will have to use ADB or standard settings.

Monochrome mode and performance: what you need to know

Enabling grayscale affects not only the perception, but also the performance of the device. Here are the key points:

• 🔋 Battery saving — on AMOLEDscreens (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 7) savings can reach 15-20% with active use. On IPS-displays (Xiaomi Redmi Note 12) the effect is minimal - about 3-5%.
• 🎮 Games and multimedia - many games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) become unsuitable for the game. Video players (for example, YouTube or Netflix) retain color if the video is played in full screen mode.
• 📸 Camera and photos - pictures taken in this mode will remain in color, but the preview in the gallery will be black and white. This can be confusing when shooting.
• 📊 Performance —system-level color filtering adds load to the GPU (~5-10% according to tests Geekbench). On weak devices (for example Samsung Galaxy A10) this can cause stuttering.

Interesting test: on Google Pixel 6 Pro with monochrome mode and enabled Adaptive battery mode battery time work increased from 6 to 7.5 hours when watching videos. However, in games (Call of Duty Mobile) FPS dropped from 60 to 55 frames/sec.

How to disable monochrome mode if something goes wrong

Sometimes after activating grayscale, users encounter problems: the screen becomes too dark, artifacts appear, or the system starts to slow down. Here's how to return everything to its original state:

If you used the standard settings:

1. Go to the same menu where you turned on the mode (for example, Settings → Accessibility → Color correction).
2. Select Disable or Default colors.
3. Restart the device.

If used ADB:

Run the commands:

adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled 0
adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer -1

If the screen has become unreadable:

It happens that after activating the monochrome mode through ADB the screen becomes too dark or a greenish tint appears. In this case:

1. Connect the phone to the computer and run the command:

   adb shell settings reset secure

   This. will reset all accessibility settings.

2. If the screen is not visible at all, try turning on Google Voice Assistant and give the voice command: “Disable color correction.”

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Huawei (for example, P40 Pro) resetting settings via ADB may lead to blocking Bootloader. In this case, a full reset via Recovery Mode.

Hidden features of monochrome mode

In addition to the obvious advantages, the black and white screen has several non-obvious uses:

• 📖 Reading books — in monochrome mode, e-books (FB2, EPUB) are perceived as printed on paper, reducing eye fatigue.
• 🎵 Listening to music —the absence of color stimuli helps to better focus on sound (the effect was confirmed by research Spotify in 2022).
• 📝 Working with texts —editing documents or writing code becomes more comfortable due to increased contrast.
• 🛒 Savings on purchases — in monochrome mode, advertising banners in online stores (AliExpress, Wildberries) become less noticeable, which reduces impulsive purchases.

Life hack for photographers: if you are engaged in black and white photography, the monochrome mode on the smartphone screen will help you better evaluate the contrast and composition of your photos even at the shooting stage. Applications like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile in this mode show how the final image will look.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Sony Xperia), monochrome mode may conflict with the Bravia Enginefunction, which leads to distorted colors in the gallery. In this case, it is recommended to use third-party applications.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about monochrome mode

Is it possible to enable monochrome mode on Android 7.0 and lower?

On devices with Android 7.0 Nougat and older there is no standard function. However, you can use applications like Gray Scale or activate the mode via ADBif the manufacturer has not blocked this feature. On Android 6.0 and below, monochrome mode is available only on some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).

Why do some applications remain in color in monochrome mode?

This is due to the fact that some applications (for example, Instagram, TikTok or games) use their own graphics rendering, ignoring system ones settings. Video players in full-screen mode and applications with protection from screenshots (banking, instant messengers with secret chats) can also save color.

How to make the monochrome mode turn on automatically at night?

For this you can use the application Tasker or MacroDroid. Create a rule:

1. Condition: Time → from 22:00 to 7:00.
2. Action: Enable accessibility → Color correction (Shades of gray).

An alternative is an application Night Modethat has a built-in schedule.

Does monochrome mode affect the operation of the always-on display (AOD)?

Yes, but differently depending on manufacturer:

• Samsung: Always On Display will become monochrome, but the brightness may decrease.
• Google Pixel: Ambient Display will retain colors, as it uses separate rendering.
• Xiaomi: AOD will be black and white, but flickering will appear at low brightness.

On AMOLED-screens, this additionally saves the battery.

Is it possible to configure monochrome mode only for certain applications?

No using standard Android tools. However, the application Gray Scale allows you to create a white list of applications for which the filter is disabled. Alternative. use Island (sandbox) to isolate applications with original colors.