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Here's the problem: your mobile device's screen normally emits a blue light that's fine for daytime use but can disrupt your sleep at night. That's because blue light stimulates your brain and fools it into thinking it's daytime, potentially keeping you awake if you use your device before bedtime.

But don't despair. You can get around the blue light problem whether you're using an iOS, Android, or Windows 10 device. On an iPhone or iPad, you can use a feature called Night Shift to change the color temperature of your screen to one that is less stimulating. Some Android devices offer a built-in Blue Light feature; otherwise you can turn to a variety of Blue Light apps. And with Windows 10, you can tap into a Night Shift feature to shift the color temperature. Let's see how this works on all three platforms.

iPhone or iPad

On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Display & Brightness. At the Display & Brightness screen, tap the Night Shift setting. This feature alters the screen temperature of your device to a warmer color, thereby filtering out the blue light.

The Night Shift screen offers a few options that can help you control when the screen changes colors, and what colors should be used. Tap the Scheduled button.

Then tap the field displaying the From and To times. Here you can set a Start time and an End time for Night Shift. For example, you can set it to turn on an hour or so before you typically go to sleep, and turn it off when you usually wake up.

You can also set Night Shift to go into action specifically from Sunset to Sunrise. If you don't see this option, return to the main Settings screen. Tap Privacy > Location Services. Scroll to the bottom of the Location Services screen and tap System Services. Turn on the option for Setting Time Zone. Return to the Night Shift settings screen and tap the scheduled times. You'll now see the option for Sunset to Sunrise.

Go back to the main Night Shift screen. Tap the setting for Manually Enable Until Tomorrow. The blue screen filter immediately goes into effect and stays on until the start of the next day.

Finally, you can control the color temperature of Night Shift by moving the slider to More Warm or Less Warm. Warmer settings are best if you want to get a good night's sleep, but you'll want to find a balance so the screen is pleasing to view. Play around with this setting until you find the right temperature for you.

You can also turn on Night Shift mode from the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. To activate Control Center, swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen or down from the top-right, depending on your device. Press down on the control for Brightness and then tap the button for Night Shift On.

Android Device

Certain Android devices have built-in blue light filters, which can be enabled or disabled from the pull-down menu. However, as with many Android features, availability depends on your specific device and version of Android.

To seek out this feature on your Android phone or tablet, go to Settings > Display. Look for an option for Night Light or Blue Light filter. If you find it, tap on it to turn on the filter.

With some Android devices and versions, you may also be able to schedule the Night Light feature and adjust the temperature, as you can in iOS. If so, tap the Schedule option and set the start and end times or choose Sunset to Sunrise if accessible. Then look for an option for Intensity or Opacity to change the color temperature.

Blue-Light Filter Apps

If your Android device doesn't have a built-in Blue Light feature or doesn't let you schedule the times or adjust the temperature, you can instead try one of several third-party apps that filter out blue light.

Blue Light Filter

With Blue Light Filter, you can easily adjust the color temperature by choosing from among several preset options. The app even provides tips on the best temperature to make sure you sleep soundly. You can also manually tweak the intensity and the brightness of the filter.

sFilter

sFilter allows you to manually turn on a blue light filter or schedule it to turn on and off at specific times of the day or night. You can change the color, opacity, and brightness of the filter. The app also allows you to create a shortcut icon or widget so you don't have to open the app to enable the filter.

Twilight: Blue light filter

Twilight: Blue light filter advises you on the right color temperature as you move a slider. You can also set the filter to always be enabled, run from sunrise to sunset, or turn on and off at specific times.

Windows 10 Device

If you use a Windows 10 PC or tablet before bedtime, you can bump into the same trouble trying to catch a good night's sleep. But Microsoft's Night light feature can paint the screen with a warmer color.

Click the Start button and go to Settings > System > Display. Toggle the Night light switch to turn the feature on. Click the link for Night light settings to put the feature on a schedule or change colors.

Click Turn on now to enable Night light mode immediately. You can now adjust the color temperature by moving the slider on the Color temperature at night scale. Moving the slider to the left makes the temperature warmer while moving it to the right makes the temperature cooler.

You can also set up Night light so it automatically goes into effect at the right hours. Turn on the switch to Schedule night light.

Here, you have two choices: Sunset to sunrise or Set hours. To set it for sunset to sunrise, you must have already enabled Location services in Windows.

If you prefer to set specific hours for Night light, click the button for Set hours. Click the time under the Turn on line to set the start time. Then click the time under the Turn off line to set the time it stops. Night light will now automatically kick in when you need it and fade away when you don't.

Further Reading

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