What Is True Tone Display on an iPhone & How to Use It?

What Is True Tone Display

True Tone is a smart feature on your iPhone. It changes your screen’s colors and brightness to match the light around you.

For example, if you’re in a room with warm, yellowish light, your screen adjusts to look softer. If you’re in bright, white light, the screen changes to match that too. The goal is to make your screen look natural, no matter where you are.

Why Does True Tone Matter?

What Is True Tone Display


You might wonder if this feature is even important. It is! Here’s why:

  1. Natural Viewing Experience True Tone makes your screen feel more like looking at a physical page rather than a digital display. This is especially noticeable when you're reading, browsing photos, or watching videos.

  2. Less Eye Strain Ever noticed how your eyes can feel tired after staring at a bright screen for hours? True Tone reduces the harsh contrast between your display and the lighting in your environment, making it gentler on your eyes.

  3. Improved Color Accuracy Whether you’re editing photos, watching your favorite show, or scrolling through social media, True Tone ensures the colors on your screen stay consistent and realistic in any lighting.

  4. Better for Night Use In a dark room, a screen without True Tone can feel too bright. True Tone softens the display, making it more pleasant at night.

How Does True Tone Work?

Your iPhone has light sensors built into it. These sensors measure the light around you. They pick up how bright or warm the light is. True Tone uses this information to adjust your screen’s colors and brightness.

You won’t notice the change as it happens. It works quietly in the background to give you a better viewing experience.

How to Turn True Tone On or Off on Your iPhone

Turning True Tone on or off is super simple. Here’s how you can do it:

1. From Settings

  • Open the Settings app.

  • Tap Display & Brightness.

  • Find True Tone and toggle it on (green) or off (gray).

2. From Control Center

  • Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones).

  • Press and hold the Brightness slider.

  • Tap the True Tone icon to turn it on or off.

That’s it! You can switch it on and off as you like.

When Should You Use True Tone?

True Tone works well in most situations. You can leave it on all the time. However, there are some cases where it’s especially helpful:

  1. At Night If you use your phone in the dark, True Tone softens the screen. It’s easier on your eyes.

  2. While Viewing Photos True Tone makes pictures look natural, no matter what lighting you’re in.

  3. Reading or Browsing When you read articles or scroll on your phone, True Tone reduces glare and makes the text look better.

When Should You Turn It Off?

While True Tone is great, there are times when you might want to turn it off:

  1. For Color Accuracy If you’re editing photos or working on something where colors need to be exact, it’s better to turn True Tone off. The feature adjusts colors, which can make them slightly less accurate.

  2. If You Prefer a Consistent Screen Some people just like their screens to look the same all the time. If that’s you, keep it off.

True Tone vs. Night Shift: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse True Tone with Night Shift. But they are different features.

  • True Tone adjusts the screen to match your surroundings.

  • Night Shift makes your screen warmer by reducing blue light. It’s meant to help you sleep better.

Think of True Tone as making your screen look natural. Night Shift, on the other hand, is for reducing eye strain at night.

What iPhones Have True Tone?

True Tone is available on iPhones starting from the iPhone 8. You’ll also find it on iPads, some MacBooks, and Apple’s external displays.

Does True Tone Affect Battery Life?

The short answer: not much. True Tone uses sensors and software to adjust your screen. This doesn’t drain much battery. You can leave it on without worrying about battery life.

Final Thoughts

True Tone may seem like a small feature, but it makes a big difference. It makes your screen look natural and feels easy on your eyes. Whether you’re reading, editing photos, or just scrolling through Instagram, True Tone improves the experience.

Try it out! Turn it on and see how it works for you. Once you get used to it, you might not want to go back.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. Does True Tone drain the battery?

No, True Tone has a minimal impact on battery life. It uses sensors and software to adjust the display, so it won’t significantly drain your battery.

2. What is the purpose of True Tone?

True Tone adjusts your iPhone’s display to match the lighting around you. Its purpose is to make the screen look more natural, reduce eye strain, and improve your viewing experience in different environments.

3. Did my phone gain True Tone with iOS 18?

No, True Tone is a hardware feature and not dependent on iOS versions. If your phone didn’t already have True Tone before iOS 18, updating the software won’t add it. True Tone is available on iPhone models starting with the iPhone 8 and newer.

4. Is True Tone good for your eyes?

Yes, True Tone is good for your eyes. By adjusting the screen to match ambient lighting, it reduces the strain caused by bright or unnatural screen tones. This makes your phone more comfortable to use, especially in dimly lit environments.

5. Is it better to use True Tone on iPhone?

Yes, it’s generally better to use True Tone. It makes colors look more natural and enhances your viewing experience. However, if you’re working on tasks that require precise color accuracy, such as photo or video editing, you may want to turn it off temporarily.

Comments