Guide
How to use invert colors with low vision
How to invert colors for displays to improve visual contrast, and examples of how I use smart invert and classic invert with low vision.
Earlier today, my friend and I were looking at routes for the DC Metro on Google Maps when my friend realized they couldn’t see the Silver line at all. Google Maps color codes each of the routes, but the silver color doesn’t provide much contrast against the other transportation options, making it difficult to see where the Metro lines were in relation to the road. This problem was solved instantly when I inverted the display colors to provide better contrast with the different display elements, and we could easily identify where the Metro route was on the map. Here are my tips for how to use invert colors with low vision, and examples of how I use it personally.
How does invert colors work?
Invert colors (also known as inverted display or invert) is a color mode/color filter that changes a light-colored display with dark text to a dark-colored display with light text. This can be helpful for users with low vision that are sensitive to bright lights or want to improve the contrast of a display without removing any background graphics. Inverted display/inverted colors can be enabled as a display filter for screen magnification tools, or applied as a system-wide setting for iOS, Mac, Android, ChromeOS, and Windows devices.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
Smart invert vs classic invert
Some operating systems and programs offer two types of options to invert colors, known as Smart Invert and Classic Invert. Smart Invert does not invert or change the colors of pictures, images, videos, icons, or existing interfaces already in dark mode. Classic Invert will use a full color inversion, changing all display colors for content and displaying “dark mode” content in a light color palette. I talk more about how these settings can be used in different contexts later in the post.
How to invert colors on a display
Several popular operating systems provide users with the option to invert colors, as well as ways to toggle invert colors on/off with a keyboard shortcut, gestures, or other quick access method. Here’s a list of instructions for operating systems I have used:
Invert colors on Windows 10
- Select Start, then select Settings > Ease of Access > Color Filters.
- Turn on color filters, and then select Inverted
- To turn invert colors on and off with keyboard shortcut Windows + Ctrl + C, select the check box to enable the keyboard shortcut.
Invert colors on Windows 11
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Color Filters.
- Turn on color filters, and then select Inverted
- To turn invert colors on and off with keyboard shortcut Windows + Ctrl + C, select the check box to enable the keyboard shortcut.
Invert colors on iOS/iPadOS
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size
- Scroll down and turn on either Smart Invert or Classic Invert. Both settings cannot be turned on simultaneously.
- To add Smart Invert and/or Classic Invert as a shortcut, open the Accessibility Shortcut menu and add Smart Invert and/or Classic Invert to the list of shortcuts.
- Triple-click the top button of the device to open the Accessibility Shortcut and select a setting to quickly turn it on/off. If both options are selected, a prompt will display for the user to select which one they want to use.
Invert colors on Mac
- Open System Preferences > Accessibility > Display
- Check the box for Invert Colors, which will enable Smart Invert by default. To enable Classic Invert, select the additional check box for Classic Invert
- Alternatively, use keyboard shortcut Control + Option + Command + 8
Invert colors on Android
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Color and motion
- Turn on Color inversion
- To quickly enable color inversion, enable the Color inversion shortcut that will display within the accessibility menu
- Another option is to open the Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top of the screen and selecting Edit to add/move the Color inversion tile to the menu.
Invert colors on ChromeOS
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Display and Magnification
- Turn on Color inversion
- Alternatively, use keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Search + H
Related links
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Windows 10
- How To Use High Contrast in Windows 10 and Windows 11
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Android Phones
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Computers
Invert colors and screen magnification
The most common way that I invert colors on a display is while I am using a video magnifier device that has color filters or screen magnification software like Windows Magnifier or Zoom (iOS/Mac), which will invert colors within the magnification window/display. This is really useful if I want to focus on a specific area of the page or a display element like a dialog box on my computer. Here is how to use invert colors with screen magnification:
Invert colors with Windows Magnifier
- Open Magnifier by either selecting the icon or pressing both the Windows key and plus key on the keyboard (Windows key + +)
- Select Settings and check the box for Invert Colors.
- Alternatively, with Magnifier open, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + I
Invert colors with Zoom
- If Zoom is not already enabled, enable it opening Settings > Accessibility > Zoom and selecting On
- To invert colors automatically, select Zoom Filter > Inverted
- To turn on invert colors while Zoom is in use, triple-tap with three fingers and select Choose Filter > Inverted
Related links
- Windows Magnifier and Low Vision
- Zoom Magnifier and Low Vision
- All About The Eschenbach SmartLux Digital Video Magnifier
How I use invert colors with low vision
I use both Smart Invert and Classic Invert accessibility settings for different tasks and applications, as I find it helpful for improving the contrast of visual displays. Between the two options, I use Classic Invert more often as I often have trouble with viewing low contrast images and icons, which Smart Invert does not help with, and activate it with a keyboard shortcut or by adding Classic Invert as an accessibility shortcut on my device.
Smart Invert
- Locating routes on a GPS application like Google Maps (some applications may require Classic Invert).
- Browsing a website like Instagram or Pinterest that has a lot of graphics
- Reading/enlarging fine print on a website or document that is a different color than other text
- Using my iPad or similar device in a dark environment- I use Smart Invert more often on my iPad than Classic Invert, but still use both frequently.
- Accessing content that has light gray text on a white background or similar low contrast display
Classic Invert
- Improving the contrast of a screenshot that has a lot of text
- Looking at images of graphs, charts, or data visualizations
- Locating a desktop or toolbar icon that blends into the background on a lab computer
- Enlarging dialog boxes with screen magnification and reading what they say, especially in specialty applications or video conferencing tools
- Decreasing the effects of glare or light sensitivity on pages or content with bright white backgrounds
Related links
- Smartphone Apps For Orientation and Mobility
- How I Use Pinterest For Studying In College
- Reading Dialog Boxes With Low Vision
More tips on using invert colors with low vision
- Invert colors is different from dark mode, but both can provide options for reading light text on a dark background. Learn more in Choosing Between Light Mode and Dark Mode For Low Vision
- Want to adjust the display of text content? I share a few strategies in Mainstream eReader Apps and Low Vision Accessibility and Simplified Reading Displays and Low Vision
- Interested in learning more about high contrast? Read High Contrast and Low Vision
By Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes, www.veroniiiica.com
Published September 2024.
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