How to Invert Colors on an iPhone Photo: Simple Step-by-Step Guide

The iPhone offers a fantastic suite of built-in editing tools within its iOS system, allowing you to enhance your photos right after you snap them. Among these fun and creative edits is the ability to invert colors. This effect can transform ordinary pictures into something unexpected, sometimes humorous, sometimes dramatic, and it’s a great way to explore color theory. You might think inverting colors is a complex technique, but it’s surprisingly easy to do directly on your iPhone, without needing any complicated or expensive software. Forget about transferring photos to a computer; everything you need is right in your pocket.

This guide will walk you through the process of inverting colors on your iPhone photos. We’re dedicated to providing you with clear, easy-to-follow instructions so you can enjoy experimenting with color inversion to your heart’s content. We’ll cover several methods, including using built-in iPhone features and popular third-party apps like Luminar Mobile, Photoshop Express, and Lightroom. Let’s dive in and discover how to give your photos a vibrant, inverted twist!

Exploring Different Methods to Invert Photo Colors on iPhone

While iCloud Photos provides numerous editing capabilities, direct color inversion isn’t a standard feature. Therefore, to achieve this effect, you’ll primarily rely on either your iPhone’s accessibility settings or utilize third-party photo editing applications.

Photo editing apps like Photoshop Express and Lightroom are excellent choices, not only for inverting colors but also for a wide range of photo manipulations. Both offer free versions that are user-friendly and effective, with optional premium upgrades for more advanced features. The specific steps for inverting colors vary slightly between apps, giving you the flexibility to choose the method that best suits your workflow.

Here are several straightforward methods to invert colors on your iPhone, allowing you to select the most convenient approach.

Method 1: Using iPhone Accessibility Settings (Smart Invert or Classic Invert)

The simplest way to invert colors on your iPhone is actually through a feature designed for accessibility, not directly for photo editing. The Smart Invert and Classic Invert options within your iPhone’s settings can be used to achieve a color inversion effect on your photos. Here’s how:

1. Access Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Navigate to Accessibility: Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.

3. Find Display & Text Size: Within the Accessibility menu, select Display & Text Size.

4. Choose Smart Invert or Classic Invert: Toggle either Smart Invert or Classic Invert to the ON position.

   • Smart Invert: This option reverses the colors of the display, except for images, media, and apps that use dark color styles. This is generally preferred as it aims to preserve the intended look of images while inverting the interface colors.
   • Classic Invert: This option simply reverses all colors on the display, including images. This provides a more traditional color inversion effect.

5. Open Photos App: Now, open the Photos app and view the image you want to “invert.” The colors will be inverted based on the invert setting you chose.

6. Take a Screenshot (Optional): The Accessibility setting inverts the colors system-wide. If you want to save the inverted image as a separate photo, take a screenshot of the image while the invert setting is active. You can then crop the screenshot to isolate the inverted photo.

7. Disable Invert (When Finished): Remember to go back to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turn off Smart Invert or Classic Invert when you’re done to return your iPhone display to normal colors.

This method is quick and doesn’t require any app installations, but it’s more of a workaround as it inverts your entire screen. For more controlled and dedicated photo editing, consider the following app-based methods.

Method 2: Inverting Colors with Luminar Mobile

Luminar Mobile is a user-friendly photo editing app packed with features, including the ability to invert colors. Beyond inversion, it offers AI-powered enhancement tools, light and shadow adjustments, and professional-grade presets. A notable advantage is that Luminar Mobile often provides a free trial, allowing you to explore its capabilities.

Steps to Invert Colors in Luminar Mobile:

1. Open Photo in Luminar Mobile: Launch Luminar Mobile and open the photo you wish to edit.
2. Navigate to Edit Tab: Tap on the Edit tab located at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select Curves Tool: Scroll through the toolbar and find the Curves tool. Select it.
4. Invert the Curve: In the Curves panel, you’ll see a diagonal line representing your image’s tonal range. To invert colors:
   • Tap and drag the top right point of the curve down to the bottom right corner.
   • Tap and drag the bottom left point of the curve up to the top left corner. This S-shaped curve configuration inverts the colors.
5. Adjust as Needed: Fine-tune the curve if necessary to achieve your desired inversion effect.
6. Save Your Edit: Once satisfied, tap Done or the export icon to save your inverted photo.

Method 3: Using Photoshop Express for Color Inversion

Photoshop Express is a powerful yet free mobile app from Adobe, and it stands out for its dedicated “Invert” option. Among iPhone apps, it’s arguably one of the most reliable for straightforward color inversion. Photoshop Express provides a specific filter designed for quickly flipping image colors.

Invert Colors in Photoshop Express:

1. Import Image: Open the Photoshop Express app and import the photo you want to invert.
2. Access Edit Options: Tap the Edit button, usually located at the bottom right.
3. Find the Invert Filter: In the editing menu that appears, scroll through the filters until you locate Invert.
4. Apply Invert: Tap on Invert. The colors in your image will instantly flip.
5. Undo (If Needed): If you’re not satisfied with the inversion, tap the Undo button at the top left to revert.
6. Save or Done: Once you’re happy, tap Done (also typically at the top left) to finalize your changes and save the inverted image.

Method 4: Invert Colors with Lightroom Mobile

Lightroom Mobile, another offering from Adobe, provides a robust photo editing experience, including a smart “Invert” option similar to Photoshop Express. Lightroom is known for its comprehensive editing tools and easy accessibility, making it ideal if you want to do more than just invert colors and explore a wider range of photo enhancements.

Steps to Invert Colors in Lightroom Mobile:

1. Import Photo: Open Lightroom Mobile and import the image you wish to edit.
2. Go to Edit Panel: Tap Edit at the bottom to access the editing tools.
3. Find the Curve Tool: Navigate to the Curve tool within the editing options (often found under Light or Color adjustments).
4. Invert the Curve: Similar to Luminar Mobile, to invert colors using the Curve tool:
   • Drag the top right point of the curve to the bottom right.
   • Drag the bottom left point of the curve to the top left.
5. Adjust and Save: Refine the curve if needed and then tap Done or the export icon to save your inverted image.

Method 5: Using Online Photo Inversion Tools

If you prefer not to install another app, numerous online tools can invert colors directly in your web browser. BeFunky is a popular and user-friendly online photo editor that includes an inversion feature.

How to Invert Photos Online with BeFunky:

1. Visit BeFunky Website: Go to the BeFunky website in your iPhone’s browser.
2. Edit a Photo: Click the Edit a Photo button and upload the image from your iPhone’s photo library.
3. Access Edit Menu: Once your image is loaded, click the Edit button, usually in the top menu.
4. Locate Invert: Scroll through the editing options to find Invert.
5. Apply Inversion: Click on Invert. The colors of your photo will be inverted.
6. Undo if Necessary: If you’re not satisfied, use the Undo button, typically in the top menu.
7. Save Your Inverted Photo: Once you’re happy with the result, click Done or Save, often found in the top menu, to save the inverted image back to your device.

This method is convenient for quick, one-off inversions without needing to download any apps.

Inverting Photos on Desktop with Luminar Neo

For users who prefer desktop editing or require more advanced features, Luminar Neo is an excellent photo editing program with comprehensive color inversion capabilities. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned photo editor, Luminar Neo offers a range of tools to suit your needs.

Steps to Invert Colors in Luminar Neo (Desktop):

1. Launch Luminar Neo: Open Luminar Neo on your computer.
2. Add Image: Click Add Image to upload the photo you want to edit.
3. Go to Develop Section & Curves Tool: Find the Develop section in the editing tools list. Within Develop, locate and click on the Curves tool.
4. Invert Colors with Curves: In the Curves tool panel, you’ll see the diagonal line. Invert the colors by dragging:
   • The upper right point of the curve down to the bottom right corner.
   • The lower left point of the curve up to the upper left corner.
5. Adjust and Refine: Make any further adjustments using the Curves tool or other editing tools in Luminar Neo. Use Undo to revert any actions if needed.
6. Save Your Edited Photo: Click the Share icon (usually in the upper right corner) and choose the appropriate option to save your inverted photo.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, inverting colors on an iPhone photo is quite straightforward, with multiple methods available to suit your preferences. The simplest approach is using the built-in Photos app via the Accessibility settings.

To quickly recap using the Accessibility setting:

1. Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
2. Toggle Smart Invert or Classic Invert ON.
3. View your photo in the Photos app (screenshot to save).
4. Remember to turn the invert setting OFF when done.

For more control and dedicated photo editing features, third-party apps like Photoshop Express, Lightroom Mobile, and Luminar Mobile offer robust inversion tools and a wider array of editing options.

So, go ahead and experiment with color inversion on your iPhone! Try out these methods and discover the unique and visually striking results you can achieve.

How to Invert a Picture on iPhone | Skylum How-to(3)