The fastest way to make text bigger on your iPhone 13

You can change font size on iPhone 13 in two places: within individual apps, or system-wide across most of your phone. The system-wide method is faster if you want everything larger. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size, then drag the slider to the right to make text bigger. This affects Mail, Messages, Notes, Calendar, and most built-in apps, but not Safari or apps that set their own text size.

If you want text even larger than the Text Size slider allows, or if you need to enlarge text in Safari and third-party apps, use Larger Accessibility Sizes instead. This option lets you go much bigger, but you have to turn it on first in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Accessibility Sizes. Once enabled, the Text Size slider in Display & Brightness will expand to show much larger options.

Key Takeaways

  • The Text Size slider in Settings > Display & Brightness changes font size across Mail, Messages, Notes, and Calendar without affecting Safari or third-party apps.
  • Larger Accessibility Sizes must be turned on first in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size before the Text Size slider will show extra-large options.
  • Safari and many third-party apps ignore the system Text Size setting and have their own font size controls built into the app itself.
  • Bold Text, another accessibility option, makes fonts heavier and easier to read without changing their size.

How to use the Text Size slider for most apps

Open Settings on your home screen. Tap Display & Brightness, then scroll down and 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 the right to increase text size, or to the left to decrease it. The preview text above the slider updates as you move it, so you can see the change before you confirm.

This setting affects built-in apps like Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, and Stocks. It does not affect Safari, Maps, or most apps downloaded from the App Store, because those apps control their own text size independently. If you need to change font size in Safari, open Safari, tap the Aa button in the address bar at the top, and adjust the text size there instead.

Enabling Larger Accessibility Sizes for maximum text enlargement

If the regular Text Size slider does not go large enough, turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes first. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. Scroll down and toggle Larger Accessibility Sizes to the on position (it will turn green). You may see a warning that this will make text very large; tap Continue to proceed.

Once Larger Accessibility Sizes is on, go back to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size. The slider now extends much further to the right, offering sizes up to 200 percent of the default. This larger range applies to the same apps as before: Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Calendar, and Stocks. Third-party apps and Safari still use their own controls.

Changing font size in Safari

Safari does not use the system Text Size setting. To adjust text in Safari, open the app and load any webpage. Tap the Aa button in the address bar at the top of the screen. A menu appears with a small "A" and a large "A" separated by a plus or minus symbol. Tap the plus to increase text size or the minus to decrease it. Safari remembers this setting for future browsing sessions.

If you do not see the Aa button, make sure you are on a webpage (not the Safari home screen) and that the address bar is visible. Swipe down slightly if the address bar is hidden. Some websites override Safari's text size setting with their own fixed font sizes, so you may not see a change on every page you visit.

Adjusting font size in third-party apps

Apps you read from the App Store set their own text size controls. There is no single system setting that changes text across all of them. Open the app you want to adjust, then look for a settings or preferences menu, usually accessed through a gear icon or the app's main menu. Search for options labeled "Text Size", "Font Size", "Display", or "Readability".

Some apps, like Kindle or Medium, have a dedicated text size button on the reading screen itself. Others bury the setting in the app's preferences. If you cannot find it, check the app's help section or support website. Remember that turning on Bold Text in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size will make fonts heavier and slightly easier to read across most apps, even if it does not change their size.

Using Bold Text to improve readability without changing size

Bold Text makes fonts appear thicker and heavier, which can make them easier to read even if the size stays the same. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle Bold Text to the on position. Your iPhone will restart, and when it comes back on, text across most apps will appear bolder. This works in Mail, Messages, Notes, Safari, and many third-party apps.

Bold Text is useful if you find regular text hard to read but do not need it to be physically larger. You can use Bold Text at the same time as any text size adjustment. Some users combine a modest text size increase with Bold Text to get the best of both: larger and easier to read without making everything so big that fewer words fit on the screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Text Size slider not affect Safari or my apps?

The system Text Size setting only controls built-in Apple apps like Mail and Messages. Safari and third-party apps have their own text size controls because they manage their own display differently. Open Safari and tap the Aa button in the address bar, or open your app and look for a settings menu to adjust text there.

Can I make text bigger in all apps at once?

No single setting makes text bigger everywhere. The system Text Size slider works for Apple's built-in apps, and Bold Text makes fonts heavier across most apps. For Safari and third-party apps, you have to adjust each one individually using its own text size control.

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

Text Size offers a standard range of sizes. Larger Accessibility Sizes must be turned on first, then it unlocks a much larger range in the Text Size slider, going up to 200 percent. Use Larger Accessibility Sizes if the regular Text Size slider does not go large enough for your needs.

Does changing font size affect battery life?

No. Changing text size does not drain your battery. It only changes how large the letters appear on your screen, not how hard your display has to work.

Will Bold Text slow down my iPhone?

No. Bold Text is a display setting that makes fonts appear thicker. It does not affect performance or speed.