If you’ve noticed your Instagram photos looking like they’ve been dipped in lava, don’t worry — you’re not imagining things. Many Google Pixel users are running into the frustrating Red Tint issue that makes colors look way off. Greens turn into rusty browns, skies lose their blue charm, and skin tones take on an unnatural, sunburned hue.
This Red Tint glitch seems to hit hardest when using the Instagram in-app camera, leaving your otherwise stunning shots looking overcooked. If you’ve been wondering why your feed suddenly looks like it’s filmed on Mars, this pesky Red Tint problem is the culprit — and you’re definitely not the only one dealing with it.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Reinstall Instagram
Sometimes, apps just need a fresh start — kind of like us after a good night’s sleep. Uninstall Instagram, then reboot your phone. Once you’re back, reinstall Instagram from the Play Store. This simple reset often clears app glitches causing color distortion.
Step 2: Clear Instagram Cache and Data
Instagram stores data to speed things up, but sometimes this cached info gets corrupted:
- Head to Settings > Apps > Instagram.
- Tap Storage & cache.
- Clear Cache first; if issues persist, clear Storage/Data (Warning: This will log you out, so keep your password handy!).
This clears any weird settings or corrupted files causing the red tint.
Step 3: Toggle Instagram’s Dark Mode
Here’s a quirky fix that’s gained traction: toggle Instagram’s dark mode setting.
- Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap Settings > Theme.
- Switch between Light and Dark mode.
Some users find toggling this setting resets how Instagram renders photos, reducing tint effects. Pixel’s AMOLED screen sometimes interacts oddly with Instagram’s theming — this trick is like giving it a little nudge.
Step 4: Adjust Display Settings on Your Pixel
Since this might partly be a system-level display calibration issue:
- Turn off Adaptive Brightness via Settings > Display > Adaptive Brightness.
- Set the color mode to Natural in Settings > Display > Colors.
- Restart your device after changing these settings for good measure.
Step 5: Use Instagram’s Built-In Photo Editor Before Posting
Sometimes, Instagram’s upload compression adds weird saturation:
- Edit your photo inside Instagram’s editor.
- Slightly decrease the saturation or adjust warmth before posting.
- Alternatively, edit photos using Google Photos or Snapseed first, then upload.
Conclusion
Both Google and Instagram are already aware of the Red Tint glitch and are working on permanent fixes. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to report the issue through Instagram’s support page or Google’s Pixel support page — your feedback can help speed up the patch rollout. By following these quick steps, you can reduce or even fix the Red Tint problem and get back to capturing your best moments. Don’t let the Red Tint dull your shine — snap confidently once again!
