How to Use Vision Accessibility Features on Your Phone

Make your phone easier to see with larger text, zoom, magnifier, and screen reader features.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Your phone has built-in vision help
2.Make text bigger and bolder
3.Use the Magnifier for real-world objects
4.Zoom in on your phone screen
5.Have your phone read the screen aloud

Your phone has built-in vision help

~25s

If you have trouble seeing your phone screen, your phone has many free features that can help — no extra apps needed. You can: - Make text bigger across all apps - Zoom in on anything on the screen - Use your phone as a magnifying glass for real-world objects - Have your phone read the screen aloud - Increase contrast and use bold text These features are built into every iPhone and Android phone.

Make text bigger and bolder

~37s

This is the easiest change and makes the biggest difference. **iPhone:** 1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size 2. Drag the slider to the right to make text bigger 3. For even larger text: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text > turn on "Larger Accessibility Sizes" 4. To make text bold: Settings > Display & Brightness > turn on "Bold Text" **Android:** 1. Go to Settings > Display > Font size (or Display size) 2. Drag the slider to make text bigger 3. Some phones have a "Display size" slider that makes everything bigger 4. For bold text: Settings > Accessibility > Display > turn on "Bold text"

Use the Magnifier for real-world objects

~37s

Your phone can work like a magnifying glass for reading small print on labels, menus, or mail. **iPhone:** 1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier > turn it on 2. To use it: Triple-click the side button 3. Point your camera at what you want to read 4. Use the slider to zoom in 5. Tap the flashlight button for more light **Android:** 1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnification 2. Turn on "Magnification shortcut" 3. Use the accessibility shortcut to activate The Magnifier is great for medicine bottles, restaurant menus, and price tags.

Quick Tip

Add the Magnifier to your iPhone's Control Center: Settings > Control Center > tap the "+" next to Magnifier.

Zoom in on your phone screen

~31s

Zoom lets you magnify any part of your phone screen. **iPhone:** 1. Settings > Accessibility > Zoom > turn it on 2. Double-tap with three fingers to zoom in or out 3. Drag three fingers to move around while zoomed in **Android:** 1. Settings > Accessibility > Magnification > turn it on 2. Triple-tap the screen to zoom in 3. Drag two fingers to move around 4. Triple-tap again to zoom out This is different from the Magnifier — Zoom works on your phone screen, while the Magnifier uses your camera for real-world objects.

Have your phone read the screen aloud

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If seeing the screen is very difficult, your phone can read everything aloud to you. **iPhone (VoiceOver):** 1. Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > turn it on 2. Tap once to hear what something is. Double-tap to open it. 3. For a simpler option: Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content > "Speak Screen." Swipe down with two fingers to hear the page read aloud. **Android (TalkBack):** 1. Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack > turn it on 2. Tap once to hear what something is. Double-tap to open it. Start with "Speak Screen" (iPhone) or "Select to Speak" (Android) if you want to keep using your phone normally but have specific things read aloud.

Warning

VoiceOver and TalkBack change how you interact with your phone. If you get stuck, ask Siri ("Turn off VoiceOver") or Google Assistant ("Turn off TalkBack").

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