How to Make Your Android Screen Black and White or Grayscale

Opening Settings

1. 1
   Open the Settings app

   

   . Its icon usually looks like a cog

   

   . To do this, swipe up to open the app drawer. Then scroll down until you find the app. Click on it to open your device's settings.

   • You may also type Settings directly in the Search bar
     
     to search for the app.
   • On some launchers, there's a button that leads to Settings on the top-right corner of the swipe-down menu.

Enabling Developer mode (skip if already enabled)

1. 1
   Go to the "About phone" setting. This option is usually used to know all the information about your phone, such as Android version, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), etc.

   • If you are running an emulated instance, look for an option called "About emulated device".
2. 2
   Find your build number. Depending on your device, it may be hidden behind an extra menu called "Version", or under a subheading called "Device identifiers" or similar.
3. 3
   Click on the build number 7 times. As you approach 7 clicks, you will start seeing a message telling you about the progress (usually "You are now X step(s) away from being a developer.").

   • If developer options are already enabled on your device, you will see a message called "No need, you are already a developer.". In such a case, you can skip this sub-subsection.
4. 4
   Enter your device's password to confirm. Since developer options include a very sensitive set of settings, extra confirmation is required to enable these settings.

   • If your device does not have a password, you shall not be shown this interface and will not have to perform this extra step.
5. 5
   Look for confirmation. A message saying "You are now a developer!" will show on your device. This means that developer mode has been enabled on your device and you may now access developer options.

   • Click on the back button
     
     on the top-left corner to return to the main Settings page.
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Accessing Developer Options

1. 1
   Search developer options on the Search bar

   

   at the top.

   • Alternatively, you can access developer options directly by going to Settings > "System" > "Developer options".
2. 2
   Click on "Developer options". It should be the first result in the search. You will then be taken to the developer options main page.
3. 3
   Understand that you are in developer mode now. It contains a lot of sensitive settings, which if used incorrectly have the potential to cause a huge amount of damage to your device. Exercise extreme care while navigating through the options and try to avoid any misclicks.
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Switching to Grayscale mode

1. 1
   Look for an option called "Simulate color space". This option helps Android app developers simulate what their app would look like if a person with vision problems were to browse their app. The option should be present under a subheading called "Hardware accelerated rendering". Then click on it.

   • If you have never fiddled with this setting before, it will say "Disabled" under the option.
2. 2
   Click "Monochromacy" from the list of options that appears. Monochromacy limits a person's vision to just shades of gray ^[3] , so simulating that would essentially give you Grayscale mode on your device.

   • Notice the instant change of colors to black and white as you select the option.
3. 3
   Return back to the home screen. Close the Settings app and use your smartphone as usual.

   • If you want, you can go into overview
     
     and fully close Settings, but it is not necessary to do so.
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