Related Articles
After growing accustomed to iOS 9.3’s upcoming Night Shift feature, I sought out a solution for my Android device.
Using Night Shift on iOS, the device’s screen changes color saturation from a blue to a warmer color that’s easier on your eyes. The end result should make it easier to fall asleep if you use your device before bedtime. You can read a more detailed explanation from our very own Sarah Mitroff here.
At first, I was skeptical of the feature and found the warmer color to just look weird. But after using it for the last three weeks or so, I appreciate the subtle shift as the sun starts to go down. Actually, I now prefer it.
I didn’t want my iOS devices to be the only devices that would help me sleep better, so I began looking for Android apps to replicate the night-time look.
I found two apps that provide the same color-shifting functionality.
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
First is Night Shift: Blue Light Filter (pictured left). It’s free in the Play Store, and is barebones. Meaning, it offers an option to change the color during daytime and nighttime hours and not much else.
Night Shift sets its own schedule with daytime spanning from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and night hours making up for the rest. Unfortunately you can’t set the app to adjust based on your location and true sunrise or sunset times. The app gets the job done, however.
The second app I found is called Twilight (pictured right). It’s far more robust than Night Shift and offers a free or pro version.
Either version of Twilight will use your location to set sunrise and sunset times, in turn automatically adjusting the color of your display to fit the time of day. Alternatively, you can manually turn the feature on or off, set a custom time range or use your device’s alarm app as a point of reference.
