iPhone has a blue light filter called Night Shift, built into every model

Yes, iPhone includes a Night Shift feature that reduces blue light by warming the screen color. It is built into iOS and works on all recent iPhone models — you do not need to read anything or pay for it. Night Shift shifts the display toward the red and yellow end of the spectrum, which is the same approach other devices use, though Apple calls it by a different name than Android's "Blue Light Filter".

Night Shift is separate from True Tone, which is another display feature on newer iPhones. True Tone adjusts the overall color temperature based on the light in your room, while Night Shift specifically reduces blue wavelengths. You can use both at the same time, or use Night Shift alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Night Shift is Apple's built-in blue light filter, available on all recent iPhone models and turned on through Settings.
  • You can set Night Shift to turn on automatically at sunset or at a specific time, or turn it on manually whenever you want.
  • The strength of the blue light reduction is adjustable — you can make the screen warmer or cooler depending on your preference.
  • Night Shift works alongside other display features like True Tone and Dark Mode, and you can use them together without conflict.

How to turn on Night Shift manually

Open Settings and tap Display & Brightness. Scroll down and tap Night Shift. Toggle the switch to on. The screen will when ready shift to a warmer color. If you want to adjust how warm it gets, use the slider below the toggle — move it toward Warm for more blue light reduction, or toward Cool for less.

This manual approach works if you want to turn Night Shift on only when you need it, such as before bed. You can turn it off the same way by going back to Settings and toggling it off, or by using Control Center (swipe down from the top right corner on newer iPhones, or up from the bottom on older models, then long-press the brightness slider and tap Night Shift).

How to schedule Night Shift to turn on automatically

Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then tap Night Shift. Toggle on Scheduled. You will see two options: Sunset to Sunrise or Custom Schedule. Sunset to Sunrise automatically turns Night Shift on when the sun sets in your location and off when it rises. Custom Schedule lets you set exact times — for example, 9 PM to 7 AM.

Once you set a schedule, Night Shift will turn on and off at those times without you having to do anything. If you are traveling and the sunset time changes, Sunset to Sunrise will adjust automatically based on your location. Custom Schedule stays the same regardless of where you are.

What Night Shift actually does to your screen

Night Shift removes blue wavelengths from the display by adding red and yellow tones. Blue light is the part of the visible spectrum that can suppress melatonin production — the hormone that signals your body it is time to sleep. By reducing blue light in the evening, Night Shift may help you fall asleep more easily if you use your phone before bed.

The effect is visible: the screen looks warmer and more orange-tinted when Night Shift is on. Colors look different than they do with Night Shift off, which is why photographers and designers often turn it off when they need to see true colors. For everyday use, reading, messaging, and browsing, the color shift does not interfere with what you are doing.

Night Shift versus True Tone and Dark Mode

True Tone is a separate feature that adjusts the display's white balance based on the ambient light in your room. If you are in a warm room, True Tone makes the screen warmer; in a cool room, it makes the screen cooler. Night Shift always shifts toward warm tones regardless of the room. You can use both at the same time — they work together without conflict.

Dark Mode changes the background colors of apps and the system from white to black or dark gray. It reduces overall brightness and can be easier on your eyes in low light, but it does not specifically reduce blue light the way Night Shift does. Many people use Dark Mode and Night Shift together for maximum comfort in the evening.

If Night Shift is not available on your iPhone

Night Shift is available on iPhone 5s and later. If you have an older model, you cannot use Night Shift. In that case, third-party apps from the App Store offer blue light filters, though they work differently — they typically overlay a colored filter on top of your screen rather than adjusting the display hardware itself.

Check your iOS version to confirm you have the latest software. Open Settings, tap General, then tap About and look for the iOS version number. Night Shift was introduced in iOS 9.3, so if your phone is running that version or later, Night Shift should be available in Display & Brightness settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Night Shift actually help you sleep better?

Research suggests that reducing blue light in the evening may help some people fall asleep more easily, because blue light can delay melatonin production. Night Shift is one way to reduce blue light exposure, but the effect varies by person. Other factors like screen time duration and how close you hold the phone also matter.

Can I use Night Shift while watching videos or playing games?

Yes, Night Shift works on any app. The screen will be warmer, which changes how colors look, but the feature does not interfere with video playback or gaming. If you are watching something where accurate colors matter, you can turn Night Shift off temporarily through Control Center or Settings.

Will Night Shift drain my battery faster?

No, Night Shift does not use extra battery. It straightforward adjusts the color output of the display, not the brightness or power consumption. Using Night Shift has no measurable impact on how long your battery lasts.

What is the difference between Night Shift and the Night Light feature on Android?

Night Shift and Android's Night Light do the same thing — they both reduce blue light by warming the screen. Apple calls it Night Shift, while Android calls it Night Light or Blue Light Filter depending on the phone manufacturer. The functionality is nearly identical.