Here is how to change font size on iPhone: open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, choose Text Size, and drag the slider until the sample text looks right. If you want to make the font bigger than that slider allows, there is a second setting under Accessibility. Below you will find every method, including a shortcut that changes size for just one app.
Quick reference: where each setting lives
| What you want | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Bigger or smaller text system-wide | Settings > Display & Brightness > Text Size |
| Extra-large text | Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text |
| Heavier, easier-to-read letters | Settings > Display & Brightness > Bold Text |
| Text size for one app only | Control Center Text Size control |
| Bigger text on a website | Safari address bar > aA |
How to change font size on iPhone for every app
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Tap Text Size.
- Drag the slider left for smaller text or right for bigger text. The preview at the top updates as you move it.
This change applies to apps that support Dynamic Type, which includes Apple apps like Messages, Mail, Notes, and Settings, and many third-party apps. A few apps use fixed text sizes and will not respond. If something looks unchanged, check that app’s own settings.
How to make the font bigger than the default maximum
The standard slider has a limit. If you need larger letters, use the accessibility version, which offers much bigger steps.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility.
- Tap Display & Text Size, then tap Larger Text.
- Turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes.
- Drag the slider to the size you prefer.
Very large sizes can make some layouts wrap awkwardly, which is a normal trade-off. Step down one notch if buttons start getting cut off.
Turn on Bold Text for clearer letters
Sometimes text is large enough but still hard to read because the strokes are thin. Bold Text thickens the system font.
- Open Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Switch on Bold Text.
- Confirm if prompted. Your iPhone may restart to apply the change.
Under Accessibility > Display & Text Size you will also find Increase Contrast and Button Shapes, which pair well with bigger text if you have low vision or simply read in bright sunlight.
Change text size for just one app
You do not have to enlarge text everywhere. A Control Center shortcut lets you resize text for a single app. It takes a one-time setup.
Add the Text Size control
- Go to Settings > Control Center.
- Tap the add button (+) next to Text Size.
Use it in an app
- Open the app whose text you want to change.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center (on iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom).
- Tap the Text Size icon (the small and large A).
- At the bottom of the panel, choose Only [App Name] instead of All Apps.
- Drag the vertical slider up or down, then swipe back to close.
This is handy for reading in Books or Kindle with big letters while keeping the Home Screen tidy.
Make text bigger on websites in Safari
- Open a page in Safari and tap the aA button in the address bar.
- Tap the large A repeatedly to increase the page’s text size, or the small A to reduce it. The percentage shows your current zoom.
- Tap Website Settings if you want the choice remembered for that site.
The same menu offers Show Reader View, which strips clutter and lets you adjust font and size for long articles.
Other places that have their own size controls
- Books: tap the aA menu to change size, font, and theme.
- Lock Screen clock: long-press the Lock Screen, tap Customize, then tap the time to adjust its style.
For official walkthroughs and screenshots, see Apple’s iPhone User Guide. Menu names can shift slightly between iOS versions, but the paths above have been stable for years.
Want a different look, not just a different size?
Size is only one part of readability. If you also wonder whether you can swap typefaces, read how to change font on iPhone for what iOS allows. If you are building a document and need type that reads clearly at any size, browse modern fonts or sophisticated fonts, and see what font Apple uses to understand the design behind the interface you see every day.
Frequently asked questions
How do I increase the font size on my iPhone?
Go to Settings, then Display & Brightness, then Text Size, and drag the slider to the right. For even bigger text, use Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text Size, then Larger Text.
Why did my text size not change in some apps?
Some apps use fixed sizes and ignore the system setting. Look inside the app’s own settings for a text size or display option.
Can I change font size in only one app?
Yes. Add the Text Size control to Control Center, open the app, tap the control, and choose the option for that app only instead of All Apps.
How do I make text bigger on a website?
In Safari, tap the aA button in the address bar and tap the larger A until the text is comfortable. You can save the zoom level for that website.
Does Bold Text change the font size?
No. It makes letters heavier but does not change their size. Combine Bold Text with a larger Text Size for the clearest reading.
