Fix Red Tint on Galaxy S8 (Step-by-Step)

If your Galaxy S8 screen has a reddish or pinkish cast, especially at low brightness, you can usually correct it in the display settings without any special tools. This guide walks you through the built-in color adjustments and a few extra steps to get a natural-looking picture.

What You’ll Need

• Your Galaxy S8 (with the screen on)
• A few minutes of patience

Step-by-Step

1. Open Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade, then tap the gear icon. Alternatively, find the Settings app in your app drawer.
2. Go to Display. Scroll down and tap “Display�.
3. Open Screen Mode. Tap “Screen mode�. You’ll see several options: Adaptive, AMOLED Cinema, AMOLED Photo, and Basic.
4. Choose a mode. For the most accurate colors, tap “Basic�. This mode uses the sRGB color space and often eliminates the red tint. If you prefer more saturated colors, try “AMOLED Photo� or “AMOLED Cinema� – but note that these may still have a slight warm cast.
5. Adjust the color balance. If the red tint persists, tap “Color balance� (it may be a slider icon at the top right of the Screen mode screen). You’ll see a color wheel with a white dot. Drag the dot toward the opposite of the tint – for a red tint, move it toward blue/cyan. Do this in small increments and check the screen as you go.
6. Turn off Adaptive Brightness. Go back to Display settings and tap “Adaptive brightness�. Toggle it off. Some users report that adaptive brightness can cause a color shift at low brightness levels.
7. Restart your phone. Hold the power button, then tap “Restart�. This clears temporary glitches that might affect the display.
8. Check for software updates. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Samsung has released updates in the past to address display color issues, so make sure your phone is up to date.

Common Mistakes

• Overcorrecting. Moving the color balance dot too far can introduce a blue or green tint. Make small adjustments and step back to evaluate.
• Ignoring brightness. The red tint is often more visible at low brightness. Test your adjustments at the brightness level where you notice the issue most.
• Skipping the restart. A simple reboot can fix many display glitches, but it’s often overlooked.
• Assuming it’s a hardware defect. Many S8 units had a slight red tint out of the box, and it’s usually a software calibration issue, not a broken screen.

Tips

• Use the “Basicâ€� screen mode if you want the most accurate colors. It’s designed for color-critical work and removes the oversaturation that can make reds look strong.
• If you use the “Adaptiveâ€� mode, try adjusting the color balance within that mode instead of switching modes – you can have both vivid colors and a neutral white point.
• Keep your phone’s software updated. Samsung has released patches that improve display calibration.
• If the tint only appears on certain apps, check if the app has its own night mode or color filter (like a blue light filter) that you can turn off.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t fix the red tint, try these additional checks:

• Check for a blue light filter. Go to Settings > Display > Blue light filter and make sure it’s off. This filter adds a warm (red/orange) cast by design.
• Test in Safe Mode. Restart your phone and hold the volume down button when the Samsung logo appears. If the red tint disappears in Safe Mode, a third-party app is causing it. Uninstall recently downloaded apps to find the culprit.
• Check for physical damage. If the phone has been dropped or exposed to moisture, the display may be damaged. Look for cracks, discoloration, or lines on the screen.
• Factory reset as a last resort. Back up your data, then go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. This will restore all settings to default, which can eliminate any misconfiguration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Galaxy S8 have a red tint?

The red tint is often a calibration issue with the AMOLED display, especially at low brightness. It can also be caused by a blue light filter, adaptive brightness, or a third-party app.

Will changing the screen mode fix the red tint?

Usually, yes. Switching to “Basic� mode or adjusting the color balance in any mode will correct the tint. If it doesn’t, try the other steps like turning off adaptive brightness.

Is the red tint a sign of a defective screen?

Not necessarily. Many S8 units had a slight red tint that was corrected with software updates. If the tint is severe or accompanied by other issues like flickering, it could be hardware.

Can I fix the red tint without a computer?

Yes, all the steps in this guide are done directly on the phone. No computer or special tools are needed.

Will a factory reset help?

It can, if the tint is caused by a misconfigured setting or a problematic app. However, it’s a drastic step, so try the other fixes first.

Does the red tint affect battery life?

No, the red tint is purely a color display issue and does not affect battery life.

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