How to Change the Font Size on Your Phone
If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at your phone or holding it at arm’s length just to read a message, you’re not alone. Phone screens are sharper and sleeker than ever — but the default text size can often feel surprisingly small, especially if you’re reading for long periods or dealing with low lighting. Whether you’re texting, checking the news, or scrolling through emails, struggling to read your screen can turn a quick task into a frustrating experience.
The good news is, you don’t have to stick with the default settings. Both iPhones and Android phones include built-in options to change the size of the text on your screen — and it only takes a few taps. You can make the font bigger for easier reading or smaller to fit more information at once. Either way, adjusting your font size is one of the quickest ways to make your phone more comfortable to use.
And it’s not just about comfort. Larger font sizes can help reduce eye strain, improve posture (no more leaning in!), and make everyday phone tasks more accessible. Plus, once you know how to change it, you can always tweak it again later depending on what you need.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to change the font size on iPhone and Android phones, including tips for going beyond the basics — like enabling bold text or enlarging app buttons — and what to do if your screen doesn’t look quite right afterward. And if anything still feels off or confusing, TechPals is here for you. Just visit techpals.org, and we’ll help you get your screen looking exactly how you want it.
Why Adjust Your Font Size?
Before we dive into the how-to, here’s why changing font size is worth doing:
Less eye strain: Tiny text can lead to headaches and fatigue.
Better posture: If you’re constantly leaning forward to read, larger text may help.
More control: Some people want larger fonts for readability, others prefer smaller ones to fit more on screen. You decide what’s most comfortable.
Accessibility: Font settings help people with vision changes or reading difficulties use their phones more easily.
The best part? You can always change it again — it’s not permanent.
How to Change the Font Size on iPhone
Apple makes it easy to adjust your text size, whether you want it a little bigger or much larger.
Option 1: Regular Text Size Adjustment
Open the Settings app
Tap Display & Brightness
Tap Text Size
Use the slider to make text larger or smaller
You’ll see a live preview as you adjust, so you can stop when it feels right. This change affects system-wide text — menus, messages, notifications, and most apps that support dynamic type.
Option 2: Make Text Even Larger (Accessibility Settings)
Need more than what the regular settings allow? You can unlock larger text sizes this way:
Go back to the main Settings menu
Tap Accessibility
Tap Display & Text Size
Tap Larger Text
Turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes
Use the new slider for even bigger font options
This is great for anyone who has trouble reading even with the regular size adjustments — and it works in apps that support these larger formats.
Bonus Tip: Use “Bold Text” for Better Contrast
In the same Display & Text Size menu under Accessibility, you can turn on Bold Text to make everything more defined. It’s especially useful if thin fonts are hard to read.
How to Change the Font Size on Android
Because Android phones come in many different versions (Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, etc.), the exact steps may vary slightly. But here’s what works on most devices.
Basic Font Size Adjustment
Open the Settings app
Tap Display
Tap Font Size or Font Size and Style (on Samsung)
Use the slider to increase or decrease the size
You’ll usually see a preview right on that screen. Once you’re happy with the size, just exit — the change will apply throughout the system.
Bonus Option: Change the Display Size
Many Android phones also let you change more than just the font. You can make buttons, icons, and menus larger or smaller by adjusting the overall Display Size.
Here’s how:
Go to Settings
Tap Display
Tap Display Size or Screen Zoom (varies by phone)
Use the slider to adjust everything on the screen — not just text
This is especially helpful if you're finding that tapping tiny icons or buttons is difficult.
Extra Features That Improve Readability
In addition to changing font size, both iPhone and Android offer tools that make your screen easier on the eyes:
iPhone:
Increase Contrast: Found under Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size
Reduce Transparency: Makes menus easier to read
Smart Invert or Classic Invert: For those who prefer light text on dark backgrounds
Android:
High Contrast Text: Adds outlines to help fonts stand out
Magnification Shortcut: Lets you temporarily zoom in on parts of the screen
Dark Theme: Easier on your eyes at night (found under Display settings)
Don’t be afraid to try different combinations. You can always undo changes with a few taps — or visit techpals.org if you want us to walk you through it.
Common Questions About Font Size
“Does changing the font size affect all my apps?”
Most of them, yes. Apps that support dynamic type or system fonts will follow your size setting automatically. This includes Messages, Mail, Settings, Calendar, Notes, and many popular third-party apps.
Some apps, however, don’t fully support font resizing. In those cases, the text might stay small even if you've made it larger in Settings.
“Will it make my keyboard bigger too?”
Not necessarily. Font size changes the text, but not always the keyboard. If you're having trouble typing because the keyboard feels small, look in your phone’s settings for Keyboard size or layout options.
For example, on Samsung:
Settings → General Management → Samsung Keyboard Settings → Keyboard Layout
Or try using a third-party keyboard app that lets you adjust the size manually.
“Can I set different sizes for different apps?”
No, not directly. Font size changes are usually system-wide. However, some apps — like email or reading apps — may let you adjust text size within the app itself, independent of your main settings.
Troubleshooting Font Size Issues
Sometimes changing your font size doesn’t go quite as planned. Here are a few things to check:
Text looks blurry or uneven: This can happen if you're using very large fonts on an app that doesn’t scale properly. Try adjusting the size slightly down, or switching to Bold Text for clarity.
Menu text is fine, but message text is still small: Look inside the app's own settings. Some messaging apps have their own font controls.
You changed the size but don’t like how it looks: You can always reset to the default. On iPhone, go back to the Text Size slider. On Android, use the “Reset to Default” or just drag the slider to the middle.
Still need help? Visit techpals.org — we’ll figure it out together.
When Bigger Isn’t Better
While larger fonts can be easier to read, going too big can create new problems:
Text might get cut off or overlap in certain apps
You may have to scroll more to read content
Navigation can get harder if buttons move around or get pushed off-screen
If you’re using very large fonts but still struggling to read your screen, consider other settings — like Bold Text, High Contrast, or even VoiceOver (on iPhone) or TalkBack (on Android), which can read content aloud.
TechPals can help you explore these tools without making your phone feel overwhelming.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Phone Work for You
Changing your phone’s font size might sound like a small thing — but it can have a big impact. It’s all about making your screen feel more comfortable, personalized, and easy to use. Whether you’re making the jump to larger fonts to reduce eye strain or just experimenting to find what fits best, remember that these tools are built in for a reason — to help.
Let’s recap:
iPhone:
Settings → Display & Brightness → Text Size
Or Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Larger Text
Android:
Settings → Display → Font Size
Optionally, Display Size for overall screen adjustments
And of course, if anything feels off or you just want a second set of eyes, your tech pals are here 24/7. We can help you fine-tune things so your phone is exactly how you want it.
Need help making your phone easier to read? Visit techpals.org. We’ll get everything looking just right — no stress, no confusion.
