How to use Night Shift on iPhone

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To use Night Shift on your iPhone, navigate to Settings > Display & Brightness > Night Shift. From there, you can schedule Night Shift to activate automatically or manually enable it for immediate use.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before enabling Night Shift on your iPhone, ensure you meet the following requirements.
  • •iPhone running iOS 9.3 or later.
  • •Access to the device's Settings app.
  • •No restrictions enabled that prevent access to display settings.
  • •Ensure your iPhone is charged or connected to power to avoid interruptions.

Method 1: Using the Settings App

This is the primary method for enabling Night Shift, suitable for most users.
  • •Step 1: Open the Settings app by tapping the gear icon on your home screen.
  • •Step 2: Scroll down and select 'Display & Brightness'.
  • •Step 3: Tap on 'Night Shift'. You will see options to schedule and enable Night Shift.
  • •Step 4: To enable Night Shift immediately, toggle the 'Manually Enable Until Tomorrow' switch. To schedule, select 'Scheduled' and set your preferred times.
  • •Step 5: Confirm that the screen color has shifted to a warmer tone, indicating Night Shift is active.

For iOS 15 and Later

In iOS 15 and later, the Night Shift settings have been streamlined.
  • •Step 1: Follow the same steps as above.
  • •Step 2: You can now also adjust the color temperature slider to make the display warmer or cooler according to your preference.

For iOS 14 and Earlier

The Night Shift feature is similar but may lack some customization options.
  • •Step 1: Follow the same steps as above.
  • •Step 2: Note that the color temperature adjustment may not be as refined as in later versions.

Method 2: Using Control Center

This method provides a quick way to enable Night Shift without navigating through settings.
  • •Step 1: Swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen (iPhone X and later) or swipe up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier) to access Control Center.
  • •Step 2: Press and hold the brightness control slider until additional options appear.
  • •Step 3: Tap on the 'Night Shift' icon (a crescent moon) to enable it immediately.
  • •Step 4: Confirm that the screen color has changed to a warmer tone.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If Night Shift is not working as expected, consider the following solutions.
  • •Error: 'Night Shift not available' - Solution: Ensure your iPhone is updated to at least iOS 9.3.
  • •Issue: Night Shift turns off unexpectedly - Fix: Check if 'Manually Enable Until Tomorrow' is toggled off or if the scheduled times conflict.
  • •Problem: Night Shift color temperature is not changing - Workaround: Restart your iPhone and try enabling Night Shift again.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

Enhance your Night Shift experience with these tips.
  • •Keyboard shortcut: Not applicable on iPhone, but you can use Siri by saying, 'Turn on Night Shift'.
  • •Hidden feature: You can set specific times for Night Shift to activate automatically, which is useful for maintaining a consistent routine.
  • •Tip: Use Night Shift in combination with 'Do Not Disturb' mode for an uninterrupted night-time experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

For optimal eye comfort, adjust the color temperature to your preference and schedule Night Shift to align with your sleep routine.