If you've used f.lux or any other similar app before, you might already know what this article is going to cover. If you don't, let me take a moment to explain something about the type of light emitted by just about every screen you use and the effect light has on you.
SummaryHow They WorkWindows, Mac, and Linux:f.luxAndroid:TwilightiOS:Night ShiftConclusionThe most powerful light emitted by your screen is not necessarily white light. Instead, this light is instead an extremely bright blue that strains your eyes and also disrupts your sleep patterns, allowing for long nights spent as an insomniac in front of a computer.
Basically, f.lux and other similar apps like the ones we will cover in this article are effective in reducing eye strain and helping you sleep. Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's talk a bit about how these programs work.
Essentially, these apps work to reduce the blue light that hits your eyes by using a color filter that adjusts over the course of the day. During the day your screen will look normal, as you progress through the late afternoon and into the night, however, your screen will gradually take on a warmer color that is more reminiscent of the paper of an old book than your usual bright white monitor.
This color change reduces your eye strain because you're not constantly looking at great light and helps you fall asleep because blue light doesn't bother you. There is one unfortunate downside to using these programs though; watching movies and videos, as well as viewing photos and playing video games, will result in inaccurate colors. If you do these things often, you'll want to periodically disable these programs if color accuracy is important to you.
There are a few other f.lux-like apps on Android, but none as good as twilight.
Twilight is the best f.lux alternative for Android, and it shows. The only downside is that unlike f.lux's more natural orange filter, Twilight has a strong red tint that's really hard to miss.
Also, unlike f.lux, Twilight locks some features behind a paid Pro version. It only costs a few dollars, but compared to the full free desktop alternative, it leaves a bit to be desired.
Although alternative f.lux apps exist on iOS, they all require you to jailbreak your iPhone and void your warranty. With the latest versions of iOS, Apple has instead opted to allow its users to enjoy the benefits of apps such as f.lux as a native feature of the operating system. No paywall, no headaches. It's just built into the operating system, Apple-style.
f.lux was a big leap forward for user convenience and health apps, and once it reached the point where even a company as large as Apple integrated its features into its operating system, it's time to take notice.
If you don't already use f.lux or a similar app, give it a try! I highly recommend it, especially if you have trouble sleeping and spend long hours in front of the computer.
