How to Fix iPhone Black and White in 7 Ways [Solved]

If your iPhone is black and white follow our simple guide to bring back the colors on your iPhone. This guide shares 7 ways to fix your iPhone’s screen. From simple solutions to more advanced methods, we’ve got everything you may need.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Jul. 04, 2024

iPhones are cool but not so much if the iPhone is black and white. iPhone screen suddenly turning greyscale can be frustrating. Luckily, there are solutions! This guide has 7 simple fixes. We’ll figure out the problem using some simple steps and try to repair the system without data loss. So, Say goodbye to the grayscale and hello to vibrant colors again. Your iPhone is black and white, but not for long! But first, let’s see why your iPhone may be having this issue.

Why the iPhone Is Black and White

Let’s explore why your iPhone is black and white. This issue may occur due to either software or hardware problems. Finding the main problem is important to fix your iPhone’s screen and bring back its colors. Let’s discover the software settings that may affect the display’s color.

Software Settings Issue:

iPhones come with accessibility features to help people with visual impairments. Turning these settings ON might change how your screen looks.

  • One such feature is Grayscale Filter. It changes the screen to black and white. It is often used by people who have trouble seeing colors.
  • Another accessibility feature is  Zoom Filter. It also includes a Grayscale option which turns on when you magnify the screen using Zoom Filter.
  • Apart from these accessibility settings, a random software glitch can sometimes cause a black and white screen on an iPhone.

Hardware Issue:

In most software issues, we can fix iPhone is black and white problem in some simple steps. However, if the problem persists, there might be underlying hardware issues. A physical problem with the display or its connections can cause a black and white screen. This is usually the case if you drop your iPhone or it gets damaged by water.

Now let’s move on to the main part of this article. We are now going to reveal the secret solutions for this issue.

How to Fix iPhone Is Black and White

Getting the color back on your screen might be easier than you think. Here are the fixes if your iPhone Is Black and White. We’ll start with the simplest method.

Fix 1. Force Restart iPhone

A minor software glitch can sometimes cause the iPhone screen to display in black and white. A force restart can often clear this up by refreshing the system’s memory. The process for restarting the iPhone depends on its models. Let’s learn to force restart your iPhone on all the models.

Force Restart iPhone to Fix iPhone Not Responding to Touch or Screen Frozen

Force Restart iPhone

iPhone 8/X/11/12 (or later):

Here’s how to force restart iPhone 8 and later models.

Step 1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.

Step 2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.

Step 3. Press the Side or Sleep/Wake button and hold it down for about 10 seconds. Don’t let go even if you see the Apple logo appear.

Step 4. Hold the button until your iPhone restarts and shows the Apple logo again.

iPhone 7:

Here is how to force restart the iPhone 7.

Step 1. Locate the Side or Sleep/Wake button and press and hold it simultaneously with the Volume Down button.

Step 2. Hold both buttons together for about 10 seconds. Don’t release them even if you see the Apple logo.

Step 3. Hold until your iPhone restarts and displays the Apple logo again.

iPhone 6S (or earlier):

These are the steps to force restart the iPhone 6S or earlier versions.

Step 1. Press and hold the Home and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.

Step 2. Keep holding both buttons for about 10 seconds. Hold until your iPhone restarts and shows the Apple logo again.

If the force restart doesn’t solve the problem, check for other solutions in the following steps.

Fix 2. Switch off Grayscale Filter

Some accessibility settings might be the cause if your iPhone is black and white. The grayscale filter is one such setting that could be accidentally turned on.

Let’s check if the Grayscale Filter is activated and turn it off.

Step 1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap on “Accessibility”.

Step 3. Tap on “Display & Text Size”.

Click Display and Text Size

Click Display and Text Size

Step 4. Look for “Color Filters” and tap on it.

Step 5. If Color Filters is enabled, the toggle switch will be ON. Toggle off the switch.

After switching the toggle off, your iPhone screen should return to full color. If the problem persists and still the iPhone is black and white, check for other accessibility settings.

Fix 3. Turn off Zoom Filter

Other accessibility settings that may cause the iPhone screen to turn black and white include Zoom Filter settings. This feature magnifies part of the screen for vision-impaired people. If Zoom is accidentally enabled with a grayscale filter, it can cause the entire screen to appear black and white. This could be why your iPhone is black and white.

Let’s check the Zoom Filter setting and ensure it’s not causing the grayscale effect.

Step 1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap on Accessibility > Zoom.

Step 3. Toggle off the switch next to “Zoom” to disable it.

Toggle off the Zoom Switch

Toggle off the Zoom Switch

Once you turn off the toggle, your iPhone screen should display full color. If the iPhone is still greyscale, try repairing your system with some repair tool.

Fix 4. Repair System without Data Loss

iPhone is black and white? Don’t worry, we have a solution to restore the colors of your iPhone without the risk of erasing your precious data. AnyFix – iOS System Recovery is a powerful repair tool created to resolve common iOS system problems without the risk of losing data. It tackles multiple iOS problems like system errors, glitches, and unexpected crashes. You can fix your iPhone problems yourself by just following simple instructions. Here are the key features of AnyFix.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

  • Easy-to-use Interface – Provides a simple and user-friendly experience, suitable for users of all technical levels.
  • Wide-Ranging System Repair – Resolves various iOS errors and glitches, like touch screen not working, white screen, stuck on recovery mode, etc. and restores the overall system health.
  • Prioritizes Data Security – Ensures the protection of your data files during the repair process.
  • Step-by-Step Guidance – Offers clear instructions and support, making iPhone repairs accessible to everyone.

Here are the steps to use Any Fix and resolve the grayscale screen issue

Step 1. Free download AnyFix and connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable. Choose System Repair mode.

AnyFix System Repair Option

AnyFix System Repair Option

Step 2. Select the issue type and click Start Now. If your device is detected, the program will enter the next step.

AnyFix System Repair Screen Stuck

AnyFix System Repair Screen Stuck

Step 3. Choose the Standard Repair option if you don’t want to lose your data.

AnyFix Standard Repair

AnyFix Standard Repair

Step 4. The software will now download the firmware package. After the firmware package is downloaded successfully, Click the Start Standard Repair button.

AnyFix System Repair Firmware Download

AnyFix System Repair Firmware Download

Step 5. Any Fix will start repairing your iOS device. You will see the Repair Completed page after the repair process is complete.

Repair Is Completed

Repair Is Completed

This process gives positive results in the majority of cases. If your problem is still there and your iPhone is black and white, you should try updating the system or erasing all contents to factory restore the device.

Fix 5. Update iOS

An outdated iOS version might have bugs that cause display issues. If your iPhone is black and white, and nothing seems to work, updating to the latest version of iOS can be a solution. Sometimes, these updates contain bug fixes for display-related problems. Here are the steps to update your iOS system on your iPhone.

Step 1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.

Step 2. Tap on General within the Settings menu.

Step 3. Look for the Software Update option and select it to see if any updates are available for your device.

Update Your iOS Firmware

Update Your iOS Firmware

Step 4. If an update is available, Tap Download and Install.

Step 5. Once your device is updated and restarted, the display should be back to normal color.

If you’ve tried all the given solutions and still your iPhone is black and white. There’s one last thing that might help you. Let’s give it a try.

Fix 6. Erase All Content and Settings

You can erase all the content and settings on your phone. This fix acts like a factory reset and will resolve deep-rooted software problems that might be causing the display issue.
But remember, This is a last resort, as it will delete all your data. Steps to erase all content and settings are as follows:

Step 1. Before removing all data, you should create a backup using iCloud or your computer to preserve photos, messages, and other data.

Step 2. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.

Step 3. Locate and tap on the “General” section.

Step 4. Scroll down to the bottom of the General settings and tap “Transfer or Reset iPhone” (or “Reset” on older iOS versions).

Step 5. Select the option “Erase All Content and Settings”. Confirm the action by tapping “Erase iPhone” and enter your device passcode if prompted.

Choose Erase All Content and Settings

Choose Erase All Content and Settings

Note: You’ll need your Apple ID and password to reactivate your iPhone after the reset. Have this ready beforehand.

If none of the solutions worked, check for physical damage to the screen, this could be causing the black and white issue.

Fix 7. Check for Physical Damage

Sometimes the root of the screen and display problems is physical damage. Internal components of your device might be affected if your iPhone has fallen or been exposed to liquids.
Examine your phone for signs of wear and tear. Look for cracks or deep scratches on the screen, liquid stains, or a bent frame.

If you notice signs of physical damage, visit an authorized Apple service center for professional diagnosis and repair. Do not attempt to fix internal damage at home as it could worsen the issue or void your warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How to prevent the iPhone screen from turning black and white?

iPhone screen turns black and white mostly due to software settings. It’s important to be mindful of changing your device’s settings. Moreover, Keep your iOS software updated to avoid potential bugs and glitches. Lastly, to avoid physical damage, protect your iPhone with a case and screen protector to minimize the risk of damage caused by drops and spills.

Q2. How to change the screen color on an iPhone?

iPhone has a built-in “Color Filters” feature to adjust the screen appearance. This feature offers several ways to customize your screen. Options include Grayscale for removing all color and Color Tint for applying a color overlay. You can also adjust the intensity and hue for further personalization.

The Bottom Line

This article explains solutions and tools to fix the iPhone is black and white issue. We have presented an all-in-one guide. Before calling for professional help, try these methods. Using AnyFix repair tool is one simple and comprehensive solution. With AnyFix you can save time, and the hassle of complicated troubleshooting. So, if you’re ever facing a black and white screen issue with your iPhone, you know where to find the ultimate solution!

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.

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