Change text size in Settings

The fastest way to change text size across most of your iPhone is through the Settings app. Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then tap Text Size. You will see a slider with a small "A" on the left and a large "A" on the right. Drag the slider to make text larger or smaller, and the preview text above the slider updates as you move it. This change affects Mail, Messages, Notes, and many other built-in apps.

The text size you set here is the default for most apps, but not all apps follow this setting. Some third-party apps like social media platforms have their own text size controls that override the system setting. After you adjust the slider, tap the back arrow to return to Display & Brightness and your change takes effect immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size lets you adjust the default text size across most iPhone apps using a slider.
  • Larger Accessibility text sizes are available in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size if the standard slider does not go large enough.
  • Individual apps like Safari, Mail, and Notes often have their own text size controls in their settings menus.
  • Zooming in on the screen itself using two-finger pinch or Control Center magnification works in any app but does not change the actual text size setting.

Use Accessibility text size for larger options

If the standard Text Size slider does not make text large enough, your iPhone has a second, larger range of sizes built into Accessibility settings. Open Settings, go to Accessibility, then tap Display & Text Size. At the bottom of this screen is a toggle for Larger Accessibility Sizes. Turn it on, and the Text Size slider will now extend to much larger sizes than before.

This setting is designed for people who need significantly larger text to read comfortably. When you turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes, the slider gains additional steps at both ends, allowing text to grow much bigger. The change applies to the same apps as the standard Text Size setting, though some apps still may not respond to it.

Adjust text size in individual apps

Many apps have their own text size controls separate from the iPhone system setting. In Safari, open a webpage, tap the "aA" button in the address bar, and use the plus and minus buttons to change the text size for that page. In Mail, open a message, tap the three dots at the bottom right, and look for a text size option. Notes has a similar menu accessed through the three dots.

These app-specific controls override the system Text Size setting for that app only. If you change text size in Safari, it does not affect how text appears in Mail or Messages. Check the settings or menu of any app you use regularly to see if it offers its own text size adjustment.

Use zoom to enlarge everything on screen

If you want to make everything on your screen larger — not just text, but icons and buttons too — you can use the zoom feature. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom and turn on the toggle. Once enabled, double-tap the screen with three fingers to zoom in and out. You can also pinch with two fingers to zoom in and out of any app or screen.

Zoom is different from changing text size because it magnifies the entire display, not just the words. This means you may need to scroll more to see the full screen, but everything becomes larger. Zoom works in every app, including those that do not respond to the Text Size setting. You can adjust the zoom level by going back to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom > Zoom Level and dragging the slider.

Bold text and other display options

Beyond text size, you can make text easier to read by turning on Bold Text. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on Bold Text. This makes all text on your iPhone appear thicker and darker, which some people find easier to read than larger text alone. Your iPhone will restart after you turn this on.

You can also turn on Increase Contrast in the same menu to make text stand out more from the background. These options work together with text size adjustments, so you can combine them to get the readability you need. Some people use Bold Text and Increase Contrast without changing the text size at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing text size affect all my apps?

The system Text Size setting affects most built-in apps like Mail, Messages, and Notes, but not all third-party apps follow it. Social media apps, news apps, and other downloaded apps often have their own text size controls. Check each app's settings menu to see if it has its own text size option.

Can I make text bigger without restarting my iPhone?

Yes. Changing text size through Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size takes effect immediately without a restart. Turning on Bold Text is the only text-related change that requires a restart. All other display adjustments happen right away.

What is the difference between Text Size and Larger Accessibility Sizes?

Text Size is the standard slider that covers most everyday text size needs. Larger Accessibility Sizes adds extra-large options beyond what the standard slider offers. Turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes if you need text significantly bigger than the standard slider allows.

Does zooming with two fingers work in every app?

Pinch-to-zoom works in most apps, but some apps disable it or use it for different functions. For example, in Photos, pinching zooms into the image itself rather than the whole screen. If pinch zoom does not work in an app, try the three-finger double-tap zoom method instead.

Can I undo text size changes?

Yes. Go back to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size and move the slider to the middle position to return to the default size. If you used Larger Accessibility Sizes, you can turn that toggle off to go back to the standard range. Any changes you made are reversible at any time.