Want to use True Tone, but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a new iPad? Then you can imitate the effect somewhat with Night Shift. This tip explains how it works and what the differences are.
True Tone ensures that the screen colors with the ambient light. It is only available on select iPhones and iPads. If your device is not suitable for this, you can still somewhat imitate the effect of True Tone with the Night Shift function of iOS. This tip explains how to do that.
- What is True Tone?
- True Tone and Night Shift differences
- Imitate True Tone
- No changing color tones
What is True Tone?
True Tone is a feature on some iPhones, iPads, and Macs that adjusts the screen's color tone to match the environment. It looks at the lighting in the room. If it gets a bit darker in the evening and you have turned on warm-colored mood lighting, the screen will also show warmer tones. The sensors for True Tone are above the screen. If you're in the bright sun or if you have bright lights on, the color of the screen will be a bit bluer. They are special sensors that allow them to perceive both the brightness and the color temperature of the environment. On iPads with a black front you can see the light sensors more clearly.
It may seem like True Tone is available on every device these days, but it isn't. With the standard iPad it was not introduced until 2021! True Tone is available on the devices below and you do not need this tip from:
- iPad Pro 2016 and newer
- iPad mini 2019 and later
- iPad Air 2019 and later
- iPad 2021 and later
- iPhone 8 (Plus) and later
- iPhone SE 2020 and later
- MacBook Pro 2018 and later
- MacBook Air 2019 and later
- iMac 2020 and later
- Apple Pro Display XDR
- Apple Studio Display
Imitate True Tone with Night Shift
It is possible to somewhat match the effect of True Tone with Night Shift. But as you saw above, it doesn't work exactly the same. If you often find yourself in an environment with warm light, you can choose to always set the screen of your iPhone or iPad to a slightly warmer shade of yellow. Here's how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Go to Display & Brightness.
- Tap Night Shift.
- Move the slider to Less warm. You want the screen to be a little warmer than usual, but it shouldn't lean towards orange. Try to find a color tone that you like, for example at 20% of the slider.
- Turn on the switch under Scheduled. For From and To choose the same time, so for example 00:00.
Night Shift is now enabled 24 hours a day, in a slightly warm tone. You can also choose the times when you are awake, so for example 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.
No changing color tones
The disadvantage of Night Shift is that you cannot create complicated timetables. For example, you cannot choose a slightly warm shade during the day and an orange shade in the evenings. You will also always see the same light-warm color tone, which does not adapt to your environment. If you often find yourself in the same room with approximately the same lighting, this should not be a problem. This is the case, for example, if you mainly use the iPad ’on the couch in the evening.
True Tone and Night Shift differences
True Tone is slightly different from Night Shift, although the two are very similar. Night Shift is intended for use later in the evening to ensure that you do not have sleep problems due to prolonged exposure to blue light. With True Tone, the color adjustments are a bit more subtle and the main thing is that the screen is pleasant to read. With Night Shift, the strong orange glow can actually make the screen less pleasant to the eye.
There are some differences: with True Tone, the screen can move towards blue or orange, while Night Shift only makes your screen orange. Another difference is that True Tone is fully automatic. As soon as you flip the switch, the screen will constantly adjust. Night Shift is only active if you enable it manually or set a schedule. Furthermore, Night Shift always shows the same color tone, while True Tone always changes. With Night Shift you have control over the yellow tint, with True Tone you don't.
Read more about Night Shift in the articles below:
- Night Shift: this is how night mode works your iPhone and iPad
- How Night Shift night mode works on Mac
- Night Shift and f.lux on Mac: these are the differences
- How you can imitate Night Shift on the Apple TV