To turn off black and white on Android, open your Settings app and go to Accessibility, then tap Color correction and toggle off the switch. This is the most common fix because the black and white screen is almost always caused by accidentally turning on Grayscale in the Accessibility settings.
Why your Android screen is black and white
The most common reason your Android screen suddenly appears in black and white is that Grayscale mode has been enabled. This feature is typically found in the Accessibility settings under "Color correction." Another frequent cause is Bedtime mode within Digital Wellbeing, which can automatically activate Grayscale during scheduled hours to reduce eye strain at night. On some devices, Power Saving mode or Battery saver can also reduce display performance, causing a black and white screen. Less commonly, Color inversion in Accessibility settings can make the screen appear black and white by swapping white pixels to black and vice versa.
Turn off black and white on Android via accessibility settings
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
- Tap Color correction (or "Color and motion" on some devices).
- Toggle the switch to turn off Color correction.
- If you see a separate "Grayscale" toggle, make sure it is also turned off.
After completing these steps, your screen should immediately return to full color. If the issue persists, check that no other color-related settings, such as Color inversion, are enabled in the same Accessibility menu.
Disable grayscale from bedtime mode in digital wellbeing
If your screen turns black and white automatically at certain times, Bedtime mode is likely the cause. To turn it off or customize its settings:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
- Select Bedtime mode.
- If Bedtime mode is currently active, tap Turn off to disable it immediately.
- To prevent Grayscale from activating in the future, tap Customize (or "Screen options at bedtime" on Android 13+ Pixel devices) and turn off Grayscale.
Bedtime mode can be scheduled to automatically activate Grayscale during specific hours. Disabling the Grayscale option within its settings stops it from affecting your display, even when the mode is active.
Add a color correction shortcut to quick settings
For quick and easy access to toggle Grayscale on and off, you can add a Color correction tile to your Quick Settings panel. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings fully, tap the pencil or edit icon, find the "Color correction" tile, and drag it into your active tiles. This lets you instantly turn off black and white on Android without navigating through menus, which is especially helpful if you frequently toggle the feature for tasks like adjusting brightness and display color.
Other troubleshooting steps
If the above methods don't restore color, try restarting your device. A simple reboot can reset temporary display settings and resolve software glitches. Next, check your device's Power Saving mode or Battery saver settings, as these can sometimes force a black and white screen to conserve battery. If you need to make the screen brighter again after restoring color, you can adjust brightness from the Quick Settings slider. Also, if you ever find yourself wondering where the flashlight on my phone is, it is typically in the same Quick Settings panel. For persistent connectivity issues, refer to 10 easy fixes for mobile data not working on Android.
Method 2: Developer Options, Enable Developer Options by tapping Build number 7 times in Settings > About phone. Then go to Settings > System > Developer options and set Simulate color space to Disabled to turn off monochromacy.
Method 3: App Settings, If a third-party app is enforcing black and white mode, open the app's own settings and look for a Grayscale, Monochromacy, or Color filter toggle to disable it.
Steps may vary slightly depending on your Android device manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, Google Pixel) and Android version. If the issue started after cleaning the screen protector, it might indicate a hardware problem. In this case, contact the device manufacturer for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Android screen suddenly turn black and white?
The most common causes are accidentally enabling Grayscale in Accessibility settings, Bedtime mode automatically activating Grayscale on a schedule, or Power Saving mode reducing display performance. Check these three areas first to identify the cause.
Does grayscale mode save battery on Android?
Yes, using Grayscale can slightly improve battery life because the display uses less power to render black and white pixels compared to full color. This is why some Power Saving modes and Bedtime modes enable it automatically.
Can I schedule grayscale to turn on automatically at night?
Yes, on most Android devices you can schedule Grayscale through Bedtime mode in Digital Wellbeing. Set your desired start and end times, and the screen will switch to black and white during those hours automatically.
Will turning off grayscale affect my phone's performance?
No, disabling Grayscale does not impact your phone's performance or speed. It only changes the visual appearance of the display back to full color, and your device will function exactly as before.
Why would someone want to enable black and white mode on their Android phone?
Enabling black and white mode reduces eye strain, improves battery life, and enhances visibility for users with visual impairments.
What if my screen is still black and white after trying all these steps?
If the display remains stuck in black and white, try restarting your device. If that doesn't work, check for any third-party apps that might be controlling color settings. If the problem started after physical damage or cleaning the screen protector, it could be a hardware issue requiring manufacturer support.
