How to Invert Pics on iPhone (2025 Guide)

Have you ever looked at a photo on your iPhone and wondered, “How would this look inverted?” Maybe you're experimenting with visual effects for a creative project, or you just want to play around with different aesthetics. Whatever your reason, knowing how to invert pics on iPhone can open up new possibilities for photo editing right from your device.

In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to invert pictures on your iPhone, whether you want to create a dramatic negative effect, make your photos easier to view in dark mode, or use it as a simple accessibility tool.

What Does Inverting a Picture Mean?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s quickly define what inverting a picture means.

Inverting a photo flips all the colors in the image to their opposites on the color spectrum. For example:

White becomes black
Blue turns into orange
Red changes to cyan
Green shifts to magenta

This effect is also called a negative image. It’s commonly used in design, digital art, and even forensic analysis.

On iPhones, you can invert images both manually using built-in tools and automatically using filters or third-party apps. Let’s look at all the available methods step-by-step.

Method 1: Invert a Picture Using iPhone’s Accessibility Settings

Step-by-Step Guide:

This method is ideal if you want to invert your entire display, including photos.

Go to Settings on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
Under the Vision section, tap Display & Text Size.
Scroll to find Smart Invert or Classic Invert.
- Smart Invert reverses screen colors but leaves images/media intact.
- Classic Invert inverts everything — including images.
Toggle Classic Invert on.

Pros:

Doesn’t require editing the image.
Instant preview.
Helpful for visually impaired users.

Cons:

Affects the whole screen, not just one image.
Doesn’t save the inverted version as a new photo.

Method 2: Invert Photos Using iPhone’s Photo Editing Tools

The iPhone’s built-in Photos app doesn’t have a direct “invert” button, but you can still get the inverted effect using filters or markup.

Using Markup Tool:

Open the Photos app.
Select the photo you want to invert.
Tap Edit in the top right.
Tap the Markup button (a pen tip icon).
Tap the + (plus) icon > Choose Opacity or adjust colors manually with the color wheel.
While this doesn’t fully invert, you can simulate strong contrast or apply dark filters.

For more precision, you’ll want to use a third-party app, which we’ll cover below.

Method 3: Use Shortcuts App to Invert Photos

The Shortcuts app is an incredibly powerful tool on iPhone — and yes, it can be used to invert photos with one tap.

How to Create a Shortcut to Invert Photos:

Open the Shortcuts app (pre-installed on iPhones).
Tap the + icon in the top-right corner.
Tap Add Action.
In the search bar, type “Photos” and choose “Select Photos”.
Search again and choose “Apply Filter” or “Adjust Image”.
Select Invert Colors (you may need to use scripting or a third-party shortcut).
Add another action to “Save to Photo Album”.
Tap Done, then name your shortcut — something like “Invert My Pics”.

Now, anytime you open this shortcut, it will ask you to select a photo, invert it, and save the inverted version directly to your Camera Roll.

Pros:

Reusable.
Doesn’t affect your whole screen.
Saves the image.

Cons:

Slight learning curve.
May require permissions and photo access.

Method 4: Invert Photos Using Third-Party Apps

If you're serious about photo editing, using a third-party app is the best way to get precise results.

Best iPhone Apps for Inverting Photos:

App Name	Features	Price
Snapseed	Advanced editing, curves tool	Free
Adobe Photoshop Express	Invert filter, high-quality edits	Free (with in-app purchases)
Pixelmator	Full color inversion	$4.99 (one-time)
Lightroom Mobile	Custom filters, color adjustments	Free (premium for full features)

How to Invert Using Snapseed:

Download and open Snapseed.
Tap Open and choose a photo.
Tap Tools > Curves.
In the curves editor, drag the top-right corner to the bottom, and the bottom-left to the top — this flips the tone curve and creates an inverted effect.
Tap Check to apply changes.
Tap Export > Save.

This gives you the most professional-looking inverted photos.

Method 5: Invert Photos on iPhone Using Online Tools

Don’t want to install anything? You can use free websites that let you upload a photo, invert it, and download it instantly.

Recommended Sites:

PineTools (https://pinetools.com/invert-image-colors)
IMGonline.com.ua
Photopea (Photoshop alternative)

Steps:

Go to one of the sites above using Safari.
Upload your image from the iPhone.
Click the Invert or Negative effect.
Download the result and save it to Photos.

Great for one-time use, though not as fast or integrated as apps.

Tips for Inverting Pics Creatively

Now that you know how to invert photos on your iPhone, here are a few creative ideas to try:

Create a Polaroid Negative Effect using black borders and white text.
Use Inverted Photos as iPhone Wallpaper for a futuristic look.
Combine invert + black and white filters for a dramatic aesthetic.
Layer inverted images in a collage using apps like Canva or PicsArt.

Inverting photos isn’t just for accessibility — it’s a fun way to add a unique touch to your images.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Smart Invert instead of Classic Invert: Smart Invert won’t change the actual photo.
Not saving the edited image after applying effects in third-party apps.
Over-editing: Too many filters on top of an inverted photo can make the image look unnatural.

Always duplicate your original photo before editing, just to be safe.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re doing it for fun, creative design, or accessibility reasons, learning how to invert pics on iPhone is easier than you might think. With built-in tools, shortcuts, and free apps, you have a ton of control over how your images look — and you don’t need to be a Photoshop expert to do it.

Take a few minutes to try the methods above, and soon, you’ll be flipping photos like a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I invert a photo directly in the Photos app?

Not directly, but you can use Markup and adjustments to simulate the effect. For full inversion, use a shortcut or third-party app.

What’s the difference between Smart Invert and Classic Invert?

Smart Invert doesn’t affect photos, while Classic Invert inverts the whole display, including images.

Is there a filter that inverts colors?

Yes, in many third-party apps like Snapseed or Photoshop Express, there are invert or curves tools that achieve this.

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