Smart Invert is a feature on iOS devices that inverts the colors on your screen, essentially switching to a “dark mode” view. This can be useful in low-light environments or if you simply prefer darker colors. However, some users find Smart Invert to be distracting or hard on the eyes. If you want to permanently disable Smart Invert, there are a few steps you need to take.
Understanding Smart Invert
Smart Invert was introduced in iOS 11 as an Accessibility feature. When enabled, it inverts the colors on your screen so that interface elements use darker colors instead of lighter ones. The intention is to make the screen easier to view in low-light conditions.
Here’s an overview of how Smart Invert works:
- Inverts the colors for most UI elements and images
- The inversion happens dynamically, adapting to what’s on your screen
- Text and app icons remain their original colors
- You can quickly toggle Smart Invert on or off from Control Center
For some users, having an inverted interface makes their device easier to use in dim environments or if they have light sensitivity. However, others find the inverted colors distracting or fatiguing to look at. If Smart Invert doesn’t work for you, you may want to disable it completely.
Disabling Smart Invert in Settings
The first step to permanently turning off Smart Invert is to disable the feature in your Settings app:
- Open Settings and tap Accessibility.
- Under Vision, tap Display & Text Size.
- Find the Smart Invert toggle and turn it off.
This will prevent Smart Invert from automatically engaging when you triple-click the Home button (on devices with a Home button) or when you triple-click the side/power button (on newer devices).
However, even with Smart Invert disabled in Settings, you may still be able to toggle it on temporarily from Control Center. To prevent this, you’ll need to remove Smart Invert from Control Center.
Removing Smart Invert from Control Center
Follow these steps to remove Smart Invert from your Control Center:
- Open Settings and tap Control Center.
- Under More Controls, find Smart Invert.
- Tap the minus symbol next to Smart Invert to remove it.
This will prevent you from being able to quickly toggle Smart Invert on from Control Center. The feature will now be completely disabled.
Using Restrictions to Block Smart Invert
For total assurance that you or someone else won’t re-enable Smart Invert, you can use Restrictions (also known as parental controls).
To do this:
- In Settings, tap Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- If you haven’t set a Screen Time passcode, you’ll be prompted to create one.
- Find the Allowed Apps section and tap Applications.
- Turn off the toggle next to Invert Colors.
This will block the Invert Colors feature, of which Smart Invert is a part, from being enabled at all. Just be aware that if you use Restrictions, you’ll need your Screen Time passcode to change these settings again in the future.
Using Accessibility Shortcuts
As one final precaution, you can also remove Smart Invert from your Accessibility Shortcuts which are engaged by triple-clicking the side/Home button. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut.
- Remove Smart Invert by tapping the minus symbol next to it.
With Smart Invert now removed from your Accessibility Shortcuts, triple-clicking your side/Home button will no longer toggle it on.
Summary of Steps
To recap, here are the key steps to permanently disabling Smart Invert on your iOS device:
- Turn off Smart Invert in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Remove Smart Invert from Control Center.
- Use Restrictions to block the Invert Colors feature.
- Remove Smart Invert from Accessibility Shortcuts.
Taking all of these steps will ensure that you have fully disabled Smart Invert with no way to accidentally (or intentionally) re-enable it.
Alternative Options
If you find Smart Invert disruptive but still want options for lowering brightness or reducing eye strain, consider these features instead:
- Brightness controls – Manually lower your screen’s brightness or set Auto-Brightness to reduce intensity.
- Night Shift – This feature removes blue light that can impact sleep.
- Dark mode – Applications with a dark mode theme invert just that app’s colors.
- Zoom – Magnify your screen to make items bigger and easier to see.
These provide some of the benefits of Smart Invert without fully inverting all colors and contrast.
The Bottom Line
While useful for some, Smart Invert can be visually disruptive for many users. Thankfully, it’s possible to fully disable Smart Invert through Settings, Restrictions, Control Center, and Accessibility Shortcuts. With all of these disabled, you can ensure that Smart Invert stays off for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about permanently turning off Smart Invert:
Can I disable Smart Invert without a passcode?
You can disable Smart Invert in Settings, Control Center, and Accessibility Shortcuts without needing a passcode. However, to use Restrictions to block it, you will need to set a Screen Time passcode.
Will these steps disable Smart Invert on an iPad or Mac?
The steps in this guide apply specifically to disabling Smart Invert on an iPhone or iPod Touch running iOS. On an iPad, the process will be similar but settings may be located in slightly different areas. Smart Invert is not currently available on Mac computers.
Can I automate toggling Smart Invert on and off?
Unfortunately there is no built-in way to automatically toggle Smart Invert on and off based on time of day or environment. Disabling it completely is the only permanent solution.
Will this disable color filters for accessibility?
No, other color filters like Color Tint and Color Filters will still be available in Accessibility settings. It’s specifically the Smart Invert function that will be disabled.
Is it possible to disable just the triple-click Smart Invert trigger?
There isn’t a setting to disable just the triple-click trigger for Smart Invert. You would need to disable it fully in Accessibility settings and shortcuts.
Conclusion
While Smart Invert provides a quick way to invert colors for better visibility, many users find the inverted display disruptive or headache-inducing. Thankfully, iOS provides robust settings for permanently disabling Smart Invert across Settings, Control Center, Restrictions, and Accessibility Shortcuts. With all of these controls disabled, you can ensure Smart Invert stays off for good. Look instead for alternative options like brightness reduction or dark mode themes to customize your viewing experience.
| Setting | How to Disable Smart Invert |
|---|---|
| Settings App | Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. Turn off Smart Invert toggle. |
| Control Center | Open Settings > Control Center. Remove Smart Invert from More Controls. |
| Restrictions | Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Block Invert Colors using Allowed Apps. |
| Accessibility Shortcuts | Open Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. Remove Smart Invert. |
Other Alternatives to Smart Invert
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Brightness Controls | Manually reduce screen brightness or enable Auto-Brightness. |
| Night Shift | Removes blue light that can disrupt sleep patterns. |
| Dark Mode | Inverts colors only for supported apps. |
| Zoom | Magnifies screen to make items bigger. |
