How to Change (Reduce) Color Saturation on Discord (PC and Phone)

Discord has become one of the most popular communication platforms for gamers, professionals, and communities alike. While its functionality is often praised, some users may find its default vibrant color saturation overwhelming or distracting, especially for long sessions. Whether you’re using Discord on your PC or phone, reducing color saturation can significantly improve the visual experience, especially for users who are sensitive to bright colors or simply prefer a more subdued interface. This article will guide you through the available methods to change or reduce color saturation on Discord, ensuring a user-friendly and professional tone.

Why Reduce Color Saturation on Discord?

Before diving into how to adjust Discord’s color settings, it’s important to understand why some users may want to reduce saturation. Discord’s user interface features bold and eye-catching colors, but for some individuals, these colors may cause eye strain or make it difficult to focus on conversations and tasks. Reducing saturation can help:

  • Minimize eye strain during prolonged use.
  • Create a more personalized and visually calm environment.
  • Enhance accessibility for users with visual sensitivities.

Method 1: Reducing Saturation Using a Custom Discord Theme on PC

One of the easiest ways to reduce color saturation in Discord is by customizing its look. While Discord doesn’t offer built-in options to directly reduce saturation, it supports third-party tools and themes through open-source modifications like BetterDiscord. Here’s how you can achieve this:

  1. Download and install BetterDiscord: Visit the official BetterDiscord website and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.
  2. Search for a low-saturation theme: After installation, browse the BetterDiscord theme library for themes with muted or grayscale color palettes.
  3. Install and activate the theme: Download your preferred theme file and place it in the themes folder (accessible via BetterDiscord settings). Enable the theme from the themes menu within Discord.

This method allows you to fully customize Discord’s appearance, including reducing the saturation of colors used both in the interface and the chat messages. Keep in mind, however, that using BetterDiscord may technically violate Discord’s terms of service, so proceed with caution.

Method 2: Adjusting Your Monitor or Display Settings

If using third-party software isn’t an option, you can manually reduce display saturation through your monitor or PC settings. This approach reduces saturation across all applications, not just Discord:

  1. Access display settings: On Windows, right-click on your desktop and select Display settings. For Mac users, go to System Preferences and then select Displays.
  2. Adjust color settings: Navigate to options for advanced display or color calibration to reduce the overall saturation level. Many monitors also offer built-in controls for color adjustment, accessible via physical buttons.
  3. Test the changes: Switch back to Discord and test the new settings to ensure the colors are more comfortable for your eyes.

While this solution doesn’t modify Discord directly, it provides a quick and universal way to reduce screen brightness and vibrancy.

Method 3: Reducing Saturation on Discord Mobile App

Discord’s mobile application currently has limited customization options compared to its PC counterpart, making it more challenging to directly adjust color saturation. However, there are still methods to improve visual comfort:

  1. Enable Dark Mode: Dark Mode can significantly reduce the brightness of the interface, which often makes colors appear less saturated. To enable this, navigate to User Settings > Appearance in the app and select Dark mode.
  2. Use your phone’s accessibility settings: Many modern smartphones offer accessibility options that allow you to reduce color saturation system-wide. For example:
    • iPhone: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and enable Reduce White Point or tweak the Color Filters setting.
    • Android: Access Settings > Accessibility and explore options such as Color Correction or reduce screen vibrancy directly in Display settings.

Although these steps won’t change Discord’s internal appearance, they can reduce the intensity of the interface colors on your mobile device.

Final Thoughts

Customizing Discord’s color saturation can make the platform not only more visually appealing but also more comfortable to use. Whether you prefer using third-party tools like BetterDiscord, system-wide display adjustments, or accessibility features on your phone, there are simple and effective ways to reduce the vibrant colors of Discord.

Remember to carefully evaluate your comfort level with third-party software and any potential risks before opting to modify Discord in ways beyond its official settings. Ultimately, finding the right balance between functionality and personalization ensures you get the best experience out of this versatile communication tool.