How to turn on black and white on the phone Xiaomi: 4 working ways

The black and white mode on Xiaomi smartphones is not only a stylish visual effect, but also a useful feature for those who want to reduce eye strain, save battery power or just try something new. Depending on the version of MIUI and the device model (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or flagship Xiaomi 14), the inclusion process can be slightly different. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from standard settings to hidden features for power users.

It's important to understand that monochrome mode works in different ways: it's just a screen filter, and it's a full-scale flashing of the system in gray, and we'll also tell you how to bring back the colors if you don't like it, and we'll give you tips on how to optimize your black and white interface, and some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, but most users will do without it.

If you use Xiaomi at work or school, black and white mode can help reduce distractions – research shows that monochrome interfaces reduce cognitive load on your computer. 12-15%. And for photographers, it is also a way to see the world in a "classic" color scheme, like in old film cameras.

Method 1: Including through the "Color filter" (MIUI 12 and later)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in Color Filter feature, which is available on most devices with MIUI 12 and higher, which does not require administrator rights and is reversible in one click.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Special features (or additional settings on some models).
• 🔍 Scroll down and select a Color Filter (sometimes called Color Correction).
• 🖱️ Activate the switch in the upper right corner.
• 🎨 In the list of modes, select Shades of Grey (or Monochrome).
• 🔄 Adjust the intensity of the effect with a slider (if available).

Are the energy-saving modes turned off (they may conflict with the filter)|

Are all applications closed (some games block filtering)|

Is color profile synchronization enabled (in Settings → Display)|

Checked in Safe Mode (press the power button → “Safe Mode”)

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This method works on all modern devices, including the Redmi 10/11/12 series, POCO F4/F5, Xiaomi 13T/14 and even some Black Shark models. The main advantage is that the filter is applied to the entire interface, including system applications and games, without exception. However, it has a limitation: in some applications (for example, Instagram or TikTok), videos can be displayed in color if they are played through an embedded player.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro) black and white mode can increase battery life on 8-12%, Because the pixels are completely off in the black areas. IPS-Matrices (e.g. Redmi Note) 10) The effect will be minimal.

Method 2: Read Mode (for screen and applications)

If you don’t want a full monochrome interface, but only a comfortable reading experience, you can use Read Mode. It’s available in Settings → Display and offers a softer color palette, close to e-books.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Reading Mode.
2. Activate the switch and select Always or Scheduled.
3. In additional settings, turn off Warm Tones and turn on Black and White (if available).
4. Customize the brightness and contrast to your preferences.

This regime is particularly useful for:

• 📖 Read books on Google Play Books or Moon+ Reader.
• 📰 View news on Google News or Yandex Zen.
• 📝 Work with documents in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Color filter (full monochrome)|

Reading mode (soft tones)|

Nothing, I love colors.|

I use both depending on the task.-->

Reading mode is less aggressive than a full black and white filter, but it doesn't affect system menus and some apps, like Telegram or WhatsApp, the colors will remain the same, but it's ideal for long-term text work, as it reduces eye fatigue by 20-30% compared to the standard mode.

Method 3: ADB-Compulsory Incorporation (for Advanced Enablers)

If your device doesn’t support color filters (e.g. older versions of MIUI 11 or custom firmware), you can turn on black and white via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a connection to your computer, but does not need root permissions.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled 1


adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer 0

To return the colors, use:

adb shell settings put secure accessibility_display_daltonizer_enabled 0

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro MIUI 12.5) after application ADB-The color calibration may be lost. To fix this, go to Settings. → Display. → Screen Colors and Select a Standard Profile.

This is a versatile technique that works even on devices where the manufacturer has removed the option from the menu, but it requires minimal technical skills. If you have never used ADB, we recommend that you first practice on less critical commands, for example, to check the version of Android:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

Method 4: Magisk Castom Firmware and Modules (for enthusiasts)

For those who are willing to go beyond the standard features, there are custom solutions based on Magisk or alternative firmware like LineageOS. These methods give maximum flexibility, but require an unlocked bootloader and can deprive you of warranties.

Popular modules for black and white mode:

• 🔧 Monet Tweaks – allows you to fine-tune the system’s color palettes, including full monochrome.
• 🔧 Grayscale Mode Enabler is a simple module that adds a switch to the notification panel.
• 🔧 Substratum Themes with Black & White themes – changes icons and interface elements.

How to determine:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install TWRP or another custom recaveri.
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Download the desired module from the Magisk repository and activate it.

adb pull /dev/block/bootimg boot_backup.img


adb push boot_backup.img /dev/block/bootimg

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Advantages of custom solutions:

• 🎛️ Full control over shades of gray (you can adjust the scale, contrast, brightness).
• 🔄 Quickly switching through notification panel or gestures.
• 🖼️ Ability to apply monochrome only to individual applications.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic RAM Expansion (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Installation of some Magisk modules may lead to reduced performance on the 5-10%. Before installing, check the compatibility of the module with your model in the forum. XDA Developers.

How to bring back the color: rollback changes

If you don’t like the black and white mode or cause inconvenience, you can return the standard colors in several ways depending on the method of inclusion:

For Method 1 (Color Filter):

• Return to Settings → Special Options → Color filter and turn off the switch.
• Or use the notification bar: swipe down and tap the color filter icon (if there is one).

For Method 2 (Reading Mode):

• Turn off the mode in Settings → Display → Reading mode.
• Or wait until the automatic shutdown is on schedule (if it was set up).

For Method 3 (ADB):

• Follow the cancellation command (see above).
• Or reset the settings of special features: Settings → System → Resetting of settings → Resetting of special features.

For Method 4 (Magisk):

• Disable the module in the Magisk manager.
• Or remove it completely and restart the device.

💡

If, after disabling black and white mode, colors are displayed incorrectly (for example, with a greenish or reddish tint), calibrate the screen in Settings → Display → Screen Colors → Calibration.

Tips for using black and white mode on Xiaomi

To monochrome interface was not only stylish, but also functional, use these recommendations:

• 📱 Set up gestures: In Settings → System system → Gestures can be assigned to swipe on the screen for quick on / off filter.
• 🔋 Watch the battery: AMOLED-Black and white saves charge, but if you use Always-On Display, turn it off – in monochrome it loses meaning.
• 📷 Photos in color: In the Xiaomi camera, you can enable photo saving in color even with a monochrome interface: Camera settings → Keep the original.
• 🎮 Games and videos: On YouTube or Netflix, you can temporarily turn off the filter through the notification panel if the content looks uncomfortable.

For photographers, it's easy to evaluate contrast and composition in black and white, try taking a few shots in monochrome, and then compare them to the color versions, which many professionals use to teach "seeing" light and shadows.

If you're working with documents, turn on a dark theme in Microsoft Office or Google Docs — it works better with a black and white interface and further reduces eye strain. To do this, go to the app's settings and select Dark Mode or AMOLED Black.

FAQ: Frequent questions about black and white on Xiaomi