iOS 17 Default Contact Screen Difficult to Read

Latest update to iOS 17 put a big gray poster background with white font on each of my contacts. Unless they used a custom photo, it is nearly impossible to read.


For clarification, I’m an older adult and my eyes aren’t what they used to be so most of my settings are set to a black background with a gray font.


Has anyone figured out how to change that gray poster box without having to do it on each contact one at a time?

Posted on Sep 19, 2023 3:41 PM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 3, 2023 3:02 PM

I called Apple support and you can change the background color by hitting edit one the contact then the edit picture and then chose color or for some of them I didn’t have that option so had to hit monogram ( put the first letter in the first circle) then pick the color you want. Each one has to be done individually but for my 95 year old mother I had to do it. Fortunately her iPad and phone are connected so at least I only had to do it on the phone.

177 replies

Dec 16, 2023 2:28 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I too suffer from macular degeneration and have suffered from night blindness for decades. Even when I was young I had this issue. I can tell my eyes are straining after just a few minutes of using the iphone. Whoever "OK'd" this is definitely someone with no vision issues at all. I'll just keep hoping that in the near future, Apple will give us some options so that those that like this can keep it and the rest of us can get a color that is easier on the eyes.

Dec 18, 2023 8:34 AM in response to mgambo71

mgambo71 wrote:

I too suffer from macular degeneration and have suffered from night blindness for decades. Even when I was young I had this issue. I can tell my eyes are straining after just a few minutes of using the iphone. Whoever "OK'd" this is definitely someone with no vision issues at all. I'll just keep hoping that in the near future, Apple will give us some options so that those that like this can keep it and the rest of us can get a color that is easier on the eyes.

Tell Apple:


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Dec 25, 2023 12:22 PM in response to evyda3mon

Apple colors ,designs etc on iOS are really making our iPhones look like androids, we prefer me and my family if updating iOS that is not user friendly will only force some of us run to google pixel which is giving better defaults in color,design and performance. The new update is just making my iPhone look like my Samsang .clours are very faint and dilute like those of a 100$ phone . Let apple concentrate on iOS 16 if it has failed to bring some thing friendly in iOS 17 which is silently killing what apple phones are known for . The default dial screen and order of buttons like mute button should be changed to the previous to avoid killing our pride and prestige.any change in observable tradition screen will scare us from buying other apple gadgets .change immediately no one forced for iOS 17 ,

Feb 11, 2024 11:44 AM in response to Community User

Yes, I agree: it's ugly and annoying that I cannot fix it unless I go through each one. I'm sorry I upgraded; I only did it for use of an app I needed and I hate the unintended consequences. It would seem they want you to use more storage to the point of having to buy a new phone every year. NOT GOOD for peoples' wallets or the planet. Gray is so counter to the entire APPLE ethos of fun and easy that I can only assume apple has lost the thread.

Feb 29, 2024 9:19 AM in response to Community User

PLEASE FIX THIS! I’m clearly not the only one who hates this and finds it annoying. I found this community post after spending at least 30 minutes looking for a way to at least change the default color to something other than ugly “hard to read gray”! I only customize close family and friends. With all the technology Apple has and with all the pretty gadgets they market who’s bright idea was it to not only make the default “hard to read gray” but then sign off on making it impossible to change without going to each individual contact. I’m no software engineer but this is dumb. Who has the time or the inclination to do that? Unless you have less than 10 people in your phone! Please, please fix this.

iOS 17 Default Contact Screen Difficult to Read

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