Selective Greyscale (iPhone and Android)

Setting up selective grayscale (making only specific apps black-and-white) is a popular digital wellbeing technique. On iPhones, this is achieved through Shortcuts Automation, while on Android, it generally requires third-party apps or Digital Wellbeing features. iPhone (iOS) – Selective Grayscale Using the “Shortcuts” app allows you to automatically turn on grayscale when specific apps (e.g., Instagram, TikTok) are opened and turn it off when they are closed. Set up Grayscale (Base Setting): Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters. Toggle Color Filters ON and select Grayscale. Tip: Toggle it back off for now, the automation will handle it. Create “On” Automation: Open the Shortcuts app and tap the Automation tab. Tap the + button (or “Create Personal Automation”) and choose App. Choose the apps you want (e.g., Instagram) and ensure Is Opened is checked. Select Run Immediately and tap Next. Tap New Blank Automation > Add Action. Search for “Set Color Filters” and set it to Turn Color Filters On. Tap Done. Create “Off” Automation: Repeat the steps above, but select Is Closed instead of “Is Opened”. Set the action to Turn Color Filters Off. Now, opening the app turns grayscale on; closing it turns it off. Android – Selective Grayscale Android does not have a native “per-app” grayscale setting, but it can be achieved using tools in Settings or third-party apps. Method 1: Using “Grayscaler” App (Easiest for Specific Apps) Download the Grayscaler app (or similar) from the Play Store. It requires setting up Shizuku (a tool to grant advanced permissions) to work. Select the Whitelist (only specific apps in color) or Blacklist (only specific apps in grayscale) mode to customize which apps are muted. Method 2: Using Tasker (Advanced) Create a profile in Tasker that triggers on specific application launch. Create a task to set the “Custom Setting” secure:accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled to 1 (Grayscale on) and an exit task to set it to 0. Method 3: Native Bedtime Mode (All Apps at Specific Time) Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Bedtime mode. Customize this to turn on grayscale automatically during specific hours. Quickly Toggle Grayscale (Both) If you prefer manual control over automated: iPhone: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and select Color Filters. Now, triple-click the side/home button to toggle. Android: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Color Correction and enable the shortcut, which adds a button to your screen.