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How do I make text bigger on my phone?
Small text on a phone is frustrating. Both iPhone and Android have several ways to make it bigger, and most people never find them. Here is where they live.
On iPhone, open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, tap Text Size, and drag the slider to the right. On Android, open Settings, Display, and tap Font Size. For even bigger text on iPhone, Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text Size, Larger Text has a much longer slider.
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On an iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app, tap Display & Brightness, then tap Text Size. You will see a slider at the bottom of the screen. Drag it to the right to make text bigger, or to the left to make it smaller. The sample text at the top of the screen updates as you move the slider, so you can see the change before committing. When it feels right, just leave the screen. The setting saves automatically.
Going even bigger
If the main slider does not go large enough, go back to Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Display & Text Size, and then tap Larger Text. Turn on "Larger Accessibility Sizes" at the top, and you will get a longer slider that goes much further than the standard one. This is the setting people use when they really need to see clearly.
On an Android phone
Open Settings and tap Display. Look for "Font size" or "Font size and style". Tap it, and you will see a slider or a set of size choices. Pick the one that feels comfortable. On some Samsung phones the option is under Settings, Accessibility, Visibility enhancements, Font size and style.
Making everything bigger, not just the words
Android also has a "Screen zoom" or "Display size" option in the same area. This makes icons, buttons and images bigger as well as text, which some people find easier on the eyes than just resizing the words. Try both settings and see which combination works for you.
Zooming in inside apps
Some apps ignore the phone-wide text size setting, especially older ones. In most websites and emails, you can pinch the screen with two fingers to zoom in on just that page. Try it next time something is too small to read. It will not change any settings, just make that one page bigger temporarily.
The Safari and Chrome browsers also have their own zoom setting. In Safari on iPhone, tap the "AA" button in the address bar and pick a larger text size. In Chrome, tap the three dots, then Settings, then Accessibility.
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Book a VisitTurning on bold text
Bold text is a small change that makes a surprising difference to readability. On iPhone, go to Settings, Display & Brightness, and turn on Bold Text. The phone restarts for a few seconds and then everything on the screen is slightly bolder. On Android, it is under Settings, Accessibility, Visibility enhancements. It is not as dramatic as bigger text but it often feels easier on the eyes without taking up more screen space.
Making icons and buttons bigger too
On iPhone, there is a separate setting for this. Open Settings, Display & Brightness, scroll down, and turn on Display Zoom. The phone will restart and everything on the screen, including app icons, buttons and the home screen, will be visibly larger. On Android, the equivalent is the Display Size or Screen Zoom option mentioned above.
When to call us instead
Call us if you cannot find these options in the settings menu, if you have tried several combinations and none feel right, or if you would rather someone walk through the options with you. This is a common thing we cover during tech tutoring sessions in Durham Region homes, and it takes about fifteen minutes once we are sitting together.
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Common questions about text size
- Will making text bigger break any apps?
Most modern apps handle bigger text fine. Some older apps may have layout quirks where text overlaps slightly, but the app will still work. If one particular app looks odd, try closing it completely and reopening it. The vast majority of apps are unaffected.
- Why does text look the same size even after I changed the setting?
A few apps ignore the phone-wide setting. These include some bank apps, some messaging apps, and most games. For those, the only way to zoom is to pinch the screen with two fingers or use the app's own settings.
- Can I make just one app's text bigger?
Yes, for most apps. Inside the app, look for a Settings menu with a Text Size or Display option. Many news apps, browsers and email apps have their own zoom. For apps without this option, the phone-wide setting is your only path.