To make the font bigger on your iPhone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size and drag the slider to the right. For even larger text, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text, turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes, and drag the slider further. The change applies to Settings, Messages, Mail, and other apps that support Apple’s Dynamic Type.
These steps work in iOS 17 and later versions, including the latest iOS. Below are all the ways to make text and everything else on screen easier to read.
Method 1: Change the text size
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Tap Text Size.
- Drag the slider to the right to make text bigger, or to the left to make it smaller. The preview text changes as you drag.
Method 2: Use even larger text sizes
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Tap Larger Text.
- Turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes.
- Drag the slider at the bottom to the size you want.
The largest sizes can make some screens crowded, and a few apps may cut off text. Try a middle setting first.
Method 3: Make text bold
Thicker letters are often easier to read than larger ones. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and turn on Bold Text. You’ll also find it in Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
Method 4: Change text size for just one app
- Go to Settings > Control Center and add Text Size if it’s not there. In newer versions, open Control Center, tap + in the top-left corner, tap Add a Control, and search for Text Size.
- Open the app you want to change.
- Open Control Center and tap the Text Size button (aA).
- Choose [App name] Only at the bottom, then drag the slider up or down.
This is handy if you want big text in Messages or a news app but normal text everywhere else.
Method 5: Make everything bigger with Display Zoom
Display Zoom makes icons, buttons, and text bigger all at once.
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom.
- Choose Larger Text (called Zoomed on some models).
- Tap Done, then Use Zoomed. Your iPhone restarts the display.
Method 6: Zoom in on anything
- Zoom: Turn on Settings > Accessibility > Zoom, then double-tap the screen with three fingers to magnify any part of it.
- Hover Text: In Accessibility > Hover Text (on supported models and versions), you can show a large, high-contrast copy of text under your finger.
- Magnifier: Use the Magnifier app to enlarge printed text with your camera.
Make the Lock Screen clock and notifications bigger
The Text Size setting also makes notifications larger. To change the clock, touch and hold the Lock Screen, tap Customize > Lock Screen, tap the time, and choose a bolder or larger font style.
Text still small in some apps?
- Some apps, especially games and older apps, don’t support Dynamic Type. Look for a font size option in the app’s own settings.
- In Safari, tap aA in the address bar and tap the larger A to zoom the page. To set a default, go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Page Zoom.
- In Mail and Messages, you can also pinch to zoom in on a message.
Frequently asked questions
Why didn’t the font get bigger in every app?
Only apps that support Dynamic Type follow your text size setting. Apple’s apps and most popular apps do, but some don’t.
How do I make the keyboard bigger?
The keyboard doesn’t change with text size. Use Display Zoom, or turn your iPhone sideways for a wider keyboard.
Can I change the font style on my iPhone?
No. iOS doesn’t let you change the system font, only its size and weight. You can change the Lock Screen clock font.
How do I undo bigger text?
Go back to Text Size and drag the slider to the middle, which is the default size.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.