Change text size in Settings on your iPhone

You can make text larger or smaller across most of your iPhone by going to Settings, then Display & Brightness, then Text Size. Move the slider left to shrink text or right to enlarge it. This change affects Mail, Messages, Notes, Calendar, and many other built-in apps, though some apps like Safari or social media platforms may not respond to this setting.

The text size slider shows a small "A" on the left and a large "A" on the right. Drag the circle between them to your preferred size. You will see a preview of the change as you move the slider. Once you release it, the new size takes effect when ready in compatible apps.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest way to enlarge text across your iPhone is Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size, then drag the slider to the right.
  • This setting works in Apple's built-in apps like Mail, Messages, and Notes, but third-party apps may ignore it or have their own text size controls.
  • If the standard text size slider is not large enough, you can turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size for even bigger text.
  • Individual apps sometimes have their own text size controls in their settings, separate from the system-wide iPhone setting.

Use Larger Accessibility Sizes for maximum enlargement

If the regular text size slider does not go large enough, your iPhone has a second tier called Larger Accessibility Sizes. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Display & Text Size. Toggle on "Larger Accessibility Sizes." A new slider will appear below it that extends the range much further than the standard setting.

This accessibility slider lets you make text significantly larger than the regular maximum. It is designed for people who need more magnification, but anyone can use it. The trade-off is that very large text may not fit neatly on the screen, so you may need to scroll more within apps to see all the content.

Change text size in individual apps

Many apps have their own text size controls that override or work alongside the iPhone system setting. In Safari, for example, tap the "aA" button at the top of the screen and choose a size. In Mail, open a message and look for a text size button, usually represented by an "A" with a plus or minus sign.

To find an app's text size control, open the app and look in its settings menu or in the toolbar while you are reading. The location varies by app. Some apps put the control in a menu icon (three horizontal lines or three dots), while others place it directly on the reading screen. If you cannot find it, the app may not have its own text size option and will use only the system-wide setting.

Adjust text size in Messages and Mail

Messages and Mail both respect the system text size setting you chose in Display & Brightness. However, you can also pinch and zoom within an open message to temporarily enlarge the text on screen without changing the permanent setting. Pinch outward with two fingers to zoom in, or pinch inward to zoom out.

If you want to change the permanent text size for just these apps, adjust the system-wide slider in Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size. The change will appear the next time you open a message or email. This is faster than hunting for app-specific controls, since both Mail and Messages follow the system setting by default.

Make text bold for better contrast

Larger text is easier to read, but bold text can also help, especially if you find regular text hard to see even at a bigger size. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Display & Text Size, and toggle on "Bold Text." Your iPhone will restart, and when it comes back on, text throughout the system will appear thicker and darker.

You can use bold text at the same time as a larger text size. Many people find that combining both settings gives them the clearest, easiest-to-read display. Bold text works in the same apps as the text size setting, so it will not affect apps that have their own text rendering.

Use Dynamic Type in compatible apps

Some third-party apps built with Dynamic Type will automatically scale their text when you change your system text size setting. Apps made by Apple and many popular apps from other developers support this feature. When you adjust the text size slider, these apps will when ready show larger or smaller text the next time you open them.

Not all apps support Dynamic Type. If you change the system text size and an app does not respond, that app either does not support the feature or has its own separate text size control. Check the app's own settings menu to see if there is a text size option you can adjust independently.

Undo text size changes and return to default

If you want to go back to the original text size, open Settings, then Display & Brightness, then Text Size. The slider will be somewhere in the middle. Drag it back to the center position, which is the default size. If you turned on Larger Accessibility Sizes, you can toggle that off in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size to return to the standard range.

There is no "reset all" button, so you will need to adjust each setting individually if you changed multiple text options. Start with the main text size slider, then check Larger Accessibility Sizes and Bold Text if you turned those on. Once you have undone the changes you want, your text will return to normal the next time you open an app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did some apps not change size when I adjusted the text slider?

Apps that do not support Dynamic Type will ignore the system text size setting. Social media apps, web browsers, and some games often have their own text controls or do not scale text at all. Check the app's own settings menu for a text size or font option. If the app has no text control, you may need to use the pinch-and-zoom gesture to enlarge text temporarily while reading.

Can I make text bigger in Safari?

Yes. Open Safari and tap the "aA" button at the top right of the screen. A menu will appear with text size options. Tap the larger "A" to increase size or the smaller "A" to decrease it. You can also pinch outward on any webpage to zoom in, though this enlarges the entire page, not just the text.

Does changing text size affect all my apps?

No. The system text size setting in Display & Brightness only affects Apple's built-in apps and third-party apps that support Dynamic Type. Many popular apps have their own text controls and will not respond to the system setting. You may need to adjust text size separately in each app that has its own control.

What is the difference between text size and Larger Accessibility Sizes?

The regular text size slider in Display & Brightness offers a moderate range suitable for most people. Larger Accessibility Sizes in the Accessibility menu extends that range much further for people who need significantly larger text. You can use both settings together, but Larger Accessibility Sizes alone provides the maximum enlargement available on iPhone.

Will bold text slow down my iPhone?

No. Turning on bold text in Accessibility settings will not affect your iPhone's speed or performance. It only changes how text is displayed on screen. Your iPhone will restart when you enable it, but that is a normal part of explore the setting and does not indicate a problem.