Inverting your screen colors can be a useful accessibility feature for some users. It essentially reverses the foreground and background colors, creating a high contrast view that can make it easier to read text on some displays. Here’s a guide on how to invert colors on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and via web browsers.
Why Invert Screen Colors?
There are a few main reasons why someone may want to invert their screen colors:
- Improved readability – By flipping the foreground and background colors, there is increased contrast which can make text easier to read for some users.
- Light sensitivity – Inverting colors creates a darker display, which may be easier on the eyes for users who are light sensitive.
- Visual impairments – Certain visual conditions like astigmatism can make reading difficult. Color inversion improves readability in these cases.
- Aesthetic preference – Some users simply prefer the look of inverted colors over the standard white background display.
So in summary, the main incentives are increased contrast for readability, reduced light emissions from the screen, and accommodation for certain visual issues.
Invert Colors on Windows
There are a couple ways to invert screen colors on Windows computers.
Use the Ease of Access Settings
The simplest way is to use the Ease of Access settings in Windows 10 and 11:
- Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Color filters.
- Toggle on the switch for Invert colors. This will immediately invert the colors on your display.
- You can adjust the color inversion intensity with the slider.
- Toggle off to revert to normal colors.
Use Windows Key Shortcut
You can also quickly invert and revert colors using a keyboard shortcut:
- Press the Windows logo key + Ctrl + C to invert colors.
- Press Windows key + Ctrl + C again to go back to normal.
Third Party Windows Utilities
There are also free third party utilities you can use:
- InvertMonitor – Small portable app to invert screen colors.
- Colorblinding – More advanced color filter tool with presets.
- FX Inverter – Simple keyboard controlled color flipper.
These provide alternative options for toggling color inversion on Windows.
Invert Colors on Mac
MacOS also has built-in accessibility features to invert screen colors.
Use System Preferences
- Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Display.
- Check the “Invert colors” box to invert screen colors.
Use Keyboard Shortcut
Alternatively, press ⌥ Opt + ⌘ Cmd + Ctrl + 8 to quickly invert colors. Press the same shortcut again to revert to normal.
Third Party Mac Apps
Some third party utilities for inverting screen colors on Mac include:
- InvertMac – Free color inverter for macOS.
- Grayscale Mode – Open source app to invert colors.
- Invert Colors – Paid Mac app with color filters.
These provide additional options for macOS users who want to invert their display.
Invert Screen Colors on iPhone/iPad
iOS devices also include display accommodations to invert screen colors.
Via Accessibility Settings
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Tap on Invert Colors to invert the colors.
With Siri Shortcut
You can set up a Siri shortcut to toggle color inversion:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Siri.
- Tap on Customize Commands.
- Tap on Invert Colors to add the toggle action.
- Now you can simply say “Hey Siri, invert colors” to activate.
Smart Invert Colors
iOS also has a “Smart Invert” option that preserves some colorations like images:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Tap on Smart Invert to intelligently invert screen colors.
This provides an alternative, partial inversion for iOS users.
Invert Colors on Android
There are built-in and third party methods for inverting colors on Android.
Via Accessibility Settings
Most Android devices have an Accessibility setting to invert colors:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Tap on Invert Colors and toggle it on.
However, it’s not enabled by default on all devices.
Third Party Android Apps
Some apps for inverting colors on Android include:
- InvertColor – Open source color inverter.
- Colorblind Fix – App for colorblindness and accessibility.
- Invert Super – Provides color filters and inversion.
These apps can provide controls for screen color inversion if not available in Android’s system settings.
Invert Colors in Web Browsers
Many web browsers also have built-in or extension options for inverting pages.
Chrome and Microsoft Edge
Chrome and Edge have a Quick Setting to toggle page inversion:
- Click the puzzle icon for Quick Settings.
- Click Invert Colors to invert page colors.
Firefox Colorblind Support
The Firefox Colorblind Support add-on inverts web page colors.
Browser Extensions
There are various browser extensions that provide colorblindness and inversion tools:
- Invert Page Colors
- NoCoffee Vision Simulator
- Spectrum
These allow inverting both browser UI and web page colors.
Other Methods of Color Inversion
Here are a couple other ways to invert screen colors:
Display Driver Settings
Some video card driver software like AMD and Nvidia have color inversion filters built-in. You can access these from the control panel.
Monitor Settings
Certain monitors may also have a way to invert colors through the on-screen display menu settings.
External Hardware
Assistive technology devices like video magnifiers can be used to invert colors for users with visual impairments.
Conclusion
Inverting screen colors can be useful for improving readability, reducing eyestrain, and accommodating visual issues. Modern operating systems include built-in accessibility settings to invert colors, often via keyboard shortcuts. There are also third party apps and browser extensions to provide additional options. Inverted color schemes can benefit many users if enabled properly for their display and environment.
