How to minimize Headaches, Migraines & Eye Strains when reading on an iPhone or iPad (Android too)

PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) is a technique used for dimming OLED displays. But PWM makes the screen flicker so that some users can get headaches, migraines and eye strain when reading on a device with OLED display. You can’t see the flickering but your eyes can. The eye muscles has to always work because of the screen flickering. That's why your eyes and head hurt after a while. In this tutorial I show you how to minimize PWM flickering on your iPhone and iPad. Some of the tips also works on Samsung Galaxy phones. All iPhone from iPhone XS Max and above has PWM flickering (except for iPhone SE 2), and the iPad Pros has that too. And all recent Samsung Galaxy Phones has it too. Fortunately the new iPad Air 4 (2020) doesn't have the PWM flickering! But I also show you a nifty trick to make the iPad Air 4 better for reading too, because PWM flickering is not the only bad thing for your eyes when reading, the backlit display is too... So I learn you have to make your devices great for reading again. And how to make them more like a real E-Ink ebook reader.

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[pallavisharma]

I can’t thank you enough for this. I have been struggling with brightness and my eye strain since I moved to iPhone and iPad. Thank you. You saved my eyes. 🙏

[mmp]

Thank you. Did not really know any of this. I tried it and I can tell the difference. Would only use it for reading because of impact on battery life - but your instructions about adding it to Control Center makes it easy to toggle off and on.

[musiclava]

Thank you so so so so much! I couldn’t open my eyes searching for a solution. I was about to puke when I found your video. After I adjusted that white point, a miracle happened. You have no idea how thankful I am.

[reallyfamous]

I recently upgraded from an iPhone 7 to a iPhone 13 mini. The 13 mini is huge upgrade from the 7; battery life, cameras, full screen, phone speed, etc. are wonderful. I had the 13 mini for roughly a week in a half and then bam, I started to notice eye strain. I didn’t get nausea or headaches as some have reported, but just dry eye and noticeable discomfort accompanied by occasional vision blurriness.

I was aware of PWM prior to upgrading, but after going to different stores and looking at the phone, it didn’t have an noticeable affect on me at all. Like I previously stated, I didn’t notice the affects until after upgrading and having the phone for roughly a week in a half.

Unfortunately, this PWM issue really takes the joy out of using this phone. Even now as I type I can feel the eye discomfort and have to look away periodically and blink rapidly.

On a better note, thank you for your video. Using white point, adjusting brightness (to 100%) and using dark mode have helped. I also have significantly reduced my screen time from like 5 hours a day to like a hour and a half a day (if that). I also try to hold my phone at a half arms length distance.

In closing, if your looking to upgrade to a phone w/ a OLED screen please be aware of possible eye issues that could occur if you have sensitive eyes like I appear to have. It may be best to go w/ a phone w/ a LCD display like a iPhone 11 or SE 2022; I’ve read these phones have no PWM. Or, if you’re going to stick it out (like I may have to), hopefully Apple releases a software update that helps resolve this PWM issue since it appears to be a software problem. This sucks man lol.

I hope this helps. Thanks.

[vickyalberts]

I bought an iPhone 12 mini last week and the screen is so bad I’m returning it. It gives me awful headaches. Now I know why. I’ll stick with my old iPhone SE instead.

[bharathjp]

Thanks so much for making this video. Its super useful and while typing this comment i hardly have any strain to my eyes❤

[MONIS]

You have contributed more than expected ✌️

[mutchekb]

Thank you for making this video. The new settings really helped with my eye strain.

[sachicoarevalo]

It really help me from eye strain whenever I use my phone especially a laptop

[alexandercrush]

Be nice if Apple offered an LCD option for people like us who have sensitive eyes 😔

[MuhammadYasir-]

Very much needed video for me. Luckily I bought iPad air4. Great video.

[robertwilsoniii]

But thanks man I can't believe I didn't realize this sooner.

[shibatanksley]

Thank you, so much suffering from a migraine but still I have to get some work done. This is how tremendously.

[aboutthat]

I used S10 for almost two years before switching to an iPhone 14 Pro Max, which has more PWM frequency than the S10, at least according to papers (S10 has 240HZ whereas iPhone 14 Pro Max has 250HZ <39% brightness). Shortly after switching to the 14 Pro Max, I started experiencing discomfort and within a week or so, severe headaches and pain in the eyes while moving the eyes upwards and downwards. I did some research and discovered few things and started tweaking my iPhone and eventually nothing worked.

After losing $200 on the sale of the 14 Pro Max, I converted to S22 Ultra, which operates at a much lower frequency than the 14 Pro Max (usually 120 Hz), and I never experienced any real discomfort. I did some research and discovered an article that explains the distinction between OLED and AMOLED, but I don't think I'm sensitive to PWM; instead, I think I'm sensitive to the OLEDs that iPhone was utilising in its smartphones.

When compared to AMOLED, OLED is less expensive, and it lacks the additional TT layer that makes the colours look more brilliant (which is helpful for clarity but extremely harmful to certain people's eyes). Your eyes will eventually grow tired and all the nerves that are connected to your eyes, including the ones in your ears, neck, shoulders, and the area around your eyes, will become uncomfortable and may even experience mild to severe pain. Displays with this colour calibration will constantly ask your eyes to focus more and force them to re-work and refocus almost constantly. Long-term use may give you migraines that last a lifetime. The hardware, not the software, is the issue.

[queenroenatyy]

thank you so much you really helped me reduce eye strain & headaches my eyes are very sensitive & i don't use glasses anyway god bless you

[je]

Thanks! For years I´ve been dealing with this, only tip that helped me, is to get screens with high ppi (at least 300ppi). But never couldn´t figure it out how to reduce the white glare.

[aktchungrabanio]

I think because of WPM everyone will eventually develop eye fatigue or worst many years down the road. Who was the genius who came up with that idea?

[AlexIonutComan]

Interesting advice, Stefan. It really seems to help, especially when using the phone indoors. I wonder how this affects the battery life. Does it drain a lot faster?

[tontonz-uuos]

Thank u
U doing excellent information it is solvent 80% off the vision problem and help to read comfortably way
Again thank you

[alturaaltura]

Thank you.That's great advice.Can you tell me what's best overall iphone setting for aging eyes?Should I use your recommendation for general settings for my iphone 12 pro max?