If the app icons on your iPhone 7 look small or the text is hard to read, you can make them bigger with a built-in feature called Display Zoom. It enlarges icons, text, and controls across the whole iPhone. This guide shows how to turn it on, plus other ways to make things easier to see, such as larger text, bold text, and Zoom. It also explains the newer large-icon options available on newer iPhones.
Quick Answer
Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > View (under Display Zoom), choose Zoomed, tap Set, and confirm with Use Zoomed. Your iPhone restarts the display, and app icons appear larger with fewer icons per row.
Step-by-Step: Turn On Display Zoom
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Scroll down to Display Zoom and tap View.
- Tap Zoomed at the top. Swipe the preview to see how the Home Screen, Messages, and Mail will look.
- Tap Set in the top-right corner.
- Tap Use Zoomed to confirm.
The screen goes dark briefly while the change is applied. To undo it, repeat the steps and choose Standard.
What Display Zoom Changes
| Standard | Zoomed | |
|---|---|---|
| App icons | Normal size, 4 per row | Larger, fewer per screen |
| Text and buttons | Normal size | Larger everywhere |
| Content on screen | More | Less, with more scrolling |
Other Ways to Make Things Easier to See
Larger text
Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size and drag the slider. For even bigger sizes, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text and turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes. This changes text in apps that support Dynamic Type, but not the icons themselves.
Bold text
Turn on Bold Text in Settings > Display & Brightness to make labels under icons easier to read.
Zoom (magnifier for the whole screen)
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom and turn it on. Double-tap with three fingers to zoom in and out, and drag three fingers to move around.
Button shapes and contrast
In Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, try Increase Contrast and Button Shapes.
Large Icons on Newer iPhones
The iPhone 7 supports up to iOS 15. On iPhones running iOS 18 or later, you can also make icons larger without Display Zoom: touch and hold the Home Screen, tap Edit > Customize, and choose Large. This enlarges icons and hides their names. It is not available on iPhone 7.
To enlarge text, see how to turn on Larger Text on iPhone.
Troubleshooting
Display Zoom option is missing
Display Zoom is available on iPhone 7 and many other models, but not every model or iOS version. Update iOS in Settings > General > Software Update, and check that you are looking under Display & Brightness.
Some apps look cramped
Apps not optimized for Zoomed mode may look slightly stretched. Switch back to Standard if it bothers you.
My Home Screen layout changed
Because fewer icons fit on each page, some icons move to other pages. Rearrange them by touching and holding an icon and dragging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make only the icons bigger, not the text?
Not on iPhone 7. Display Zoom enlarges everything. On iOS 18 and later, the Large icon option changes only icons.
Does Display Zoom affect battery life?
No noticeable effect.
How do I make icons smaller again?
Go to Display Zoom > View, choose Standard, and tap Set.
Summary
- Open Settings > Display & Brightness > View.
- Choose Zoomed and tap Set.
- Use Text Size, Bold Text, and Zoom for more readability.
- Switch back to Standard anytime.
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.