OnePlus 5 Reading Mode on Any Android

This guide shows you how to bring the OnePlus 5’s famous Reading Mode—a display filter that makes on-screen text look like paper and reduces eye strain—to any Android phone. You’ll learn two reliable methods: a built-in Android feature (for Android 10 and up) and a third-party app that works on almost any version. No root access or special hardware is needed, just a few minutes of setup.

What You’ll Need

• An Android phone or tablet (any brand, running Android 8 or newer for the app method; Android 10+ for the built-in method).
• Internet connection to download the app (if using the app method).
• Optional: a screen protector or matte film if you want a more paper-like feel.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Built-in Grayscale (Android 10 and later)

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap Digital Wellbeing & parental controls (on some phones it’s just “Digital Wellbeing” or “Display” > “Advanced”).
3. Tap Bedtime mode (or “Wind Down” on older versions).
4. Tap Turn on now to enable the mode temporarily. This activates a grayscale filter that removes color, mimicking the monochrome look of OnePlus Reading Mode.
5. To schedule it, tap Schedule and set your desired start and end times (e.g., 10 PM to 7 AM).
6. For a quicker toggle, add the Bedtime mode tile to your Quick Settings: swipe down twice from the top of the screen, tap the pencil/edit icon, find “Bedtime mode” and drag it to your active tiles.

Note: This method only grayscales the screen; it does not adjust warmth or contrast like the OnePlus version, but it reduces blue light and distractions significantly.

Method 2: Third-Party App (Works on Android 8 and up)

1. Open the Google Play Store on your device.
2. Search for “Reading Mode” or “Blue Light Filter”. A popular, reliable option is “Reading Mode” by Krov (free, with ads). Another is “Blue Light Filter – Night Mode” by Infinity.
3. Install the app of your choice. For this guide, we’ll use “Reading Mode” by Krov as an example.
4. Open the app. It will ask for overlay permission. Tap Allow and follow the system prompt to grant it (Settings > Apps > Special access > Display over other apps).
5. The app will show a floating icon (a small circle with a book icon). Tap it to enable Reading Mode. The screen will turn sepia or grayscale, depending on your settings.
6. To customize, open the app’s settings. You can adjust:
   • Color filter: Choose sepia, grayscale, or a custom tint.
   • Intensity: Slide to control how strong the filter is.
   • Schedule: Set automatic activation times.
   • App whitelist: Select which apps trigger Reading Mode automatically (e.g., Kindle, Chrome).
7. For quick access, add the app’s widget to your home screen or use its notification shortcut.

Common Mistakes

• Not granting overlay permission: The floating icon won’t work without it. Double-check in Settings > Apps > Special access.
• Using grayscale only for everything: If you enable grayscale system-wide, you’ll lose color for photos and videos. Use the app’s per-app whitelist to keep color where you need it.
• Expecting exactly OnePlus’s implementation: The OnePlus version also reduces contrast and sharpens text slightly. Third-party apps approximate this but won’t be identical.
• Forgetting to turn it off: If you schedule it, make sure the end time is correct, or you’ll wonder why your screen is sepia at noon.

Tips

• Combine with a matte screen protector: This physically diffuses light and makes the screen look even more like paper.
• Set a quick toggle: On many phones, you can assign the app to a hardware button (like the volume down key) via the app’s settings or a third-party launcher.
• Use with dark mode: If your apps support dark mode, enable it along with Reading Mode for maximum eye comfort at night.
• Experiment with color temperature: Some apps offer a “warmth” slider. A slight amber tint (around 3500K) is often more comfortable than pure gray.

Troubleshooting

• The floating icon doesn’t appear: Re-launch the app and ensure overlay permission is granted. If it still fails, restart your phone.
• The filter doesn’t apply to some apps: Some apps (like banking or DRM-protected video) block overlays. This is a security feature; you cannot override it without root.
• The screen flickers or lags: Disable the app’s “color inversion” option if enabled, and lower the filter intensity. Also, close other apps running in the background.
• Battery drains faster: The overlay runs continuously. Turn off the filter when you don’t need it, or use the schedule feature to limit active hours.
• The app crashes on startup: Clear the app’s cache (Settings > Apps > [App] > Storage > Clear Cache). If that fails, uninstall and reinstall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this exactly the same as the OnePlus 5 Reading Mode?

Not exactly. The OnePlus version also adjusts contrast and sharpness, but the core idea—reducing blue light and making text look like paper—is replicated well by third-party apps. The built-in grayscale method only removes color.

Will this work on Samsung, Xiaomi, or Pixel phones?

Yes. The app method works on any Android device running Android 8 or later. The built-in grayscale method works on Android 10+ but may be located under different settings names (e.g., “Digital Wellbeing” on Pixel, “Battery” on Samsung).

Do I need root access?

No, neither method requires root. Both use standard Android permissions.

Can I schedule Reading Mode to turn on automatically?

Yes. Both the built-in Bedtime mode and most third-party apps allow you to set a schedule based on time or sunset.

Will this damage my screen?

No. It’s just a software filter; it doesn’t affect the display hardware. It actually reduces blue light emission, which may help prevent eye strain.

Does it save battery?

On OLED screens, grayscale can save a small amount of battery because black pixels are turned off. On LCD screens, the effect is negligible.

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