How to increase contrast and reduce transparency on an iPad

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Device

iPad

Shown on

iPadOS 26.5 (iPad A16)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Accessibility

Real screenshots

7 of 7 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

The glass-like, see-through look of iPadOS can make text hard to read, because whatever is behind a panel shines through. Two switches fix most of it, and three more on the same page help people who have trouble telling colours apart.

The screenshots show iPadOS 26.5 on an iPad (A16), held upright. In landscape the same rows sit in the same order.

Step by step

1. 

   Open Settings

   Tap the grey gear icon on the Home Screen. In the picture it is in the second row; it also sits in the Dock at the bottom.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Accessibility, then Display & Text Size

   Accessibility is the second entry in the list on the left. Display & Text Size is in the Vision group on the right.

   Done

3. 

   Switch on Reduce Transparency

   It improves contrast by reducing transparency and blurs on some backgrounds.

   Done

4. 

   Switch on Increase Contrast

   It increases the colour contrast between the foreground and the background of apps.

   Done

5. 

   Consider Differentiate Without Color

   Things that are only told apart by colour get another sign as well.

   Done

6. 

   Consider On/Off Labels

   It adds On/Off labels to the switches on settings pages, so you do not depend on green and grey.

   Done

7. 

   Know what Smart Invert does

   It reverses the colours of the display, except for images, media and some apps that already use dark colours.

   Done

Good to know

The same switches on a phone: how to reduce transparency and increase contrast on an iPhone.

In short: Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text Size: Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast.