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How to change text size and spacing on iPhone

4 minute read · updated October 28, 2026

8 sources: 2 peer-reviewed research, 6 product documentation

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text and drag the slider; turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes for more steps, and Bold Text for heavier letters. For spacing, Apple's guides point to Accessibility Reader, which sets line, word and character spacing for text from any app.

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Apple lets you set one preferred text size for all apps that support it, including Calendar, Mail, Messages, Notes and Settings, and turn on bold text across the phone.[1] Bigger or bolder text is worth trying if a small screen feels hard going. Spacing is handled differently: Apple's guides describe it as a setting inside Accessibility Reader.

Make text bigger and bolder

Change text size for the whole iPhone

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.[1]
  2. Tap Larger Text, then drag the slider.
  3. For sizes beyond the usual range, turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes.
  4. Go back one screen and turn on Bold Text if you want heavier letters.[1]

You can also change the size while you are in an app: open Control Center and use the Text Size slider. If it is missing, tap the Add button in the top-left corner, tap Add a Control, then tap Text Size.[1]

Different sizes for different apps

Set text size for one app

  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Per-App Settings.[4]
  2. Tap Add App and choose an app, or Home Screen & App Library.
  3. Tap the app name to change its text size, color and motion settings.[4]

This is handy if you want very large text in Mail or Books but a normal size elsewhere so more fits on screen.

Enlarge everything with Display Zoom

Display Zoom makes icons and buttons bigger along with text.[1] In iOS 27, go to Settings > Appearance > Display Zoom, tap Larger Text, tap Done, then tap Use Zoomed.[2] In iOS 26 the path starts at Display & Brightness instead of Appearance.[3]

Change line, word and letter spacing

Apple's text size pages do not include a spacing control for the whole phone. Spacing lives in Accessibility Reader, which shows text from any app in a full-screen view with your own settings.[5]

Set spacing in Accessibility Reader

  1. Turn on Settings > Accessibility > Read & Speak > Accessibility Reader.[5]
  2. Open the app with the text and launch Accessibility Reader from the Accessibility Shortcut (a triple-click of the side button), Control Center, or the Share menu.
  3. Tap the More button, then the Customize Reader button. Select a theme, then tap Edit.[5]
  4. Set Line Spacing, Word Spacing and Character Spacing to Default, Loose or Open.
  5. Adjust Text Size, Font, Bold Text, and Text Color and Background Color if you like.
  6. Tap Rename to save the theme under a name you will remember.[5]

With the System Font, Accessibility Reader also offers High Legibility Characters.[5] Apple does not describe what that changes in detail, so compare a paragraph with it on and off and keep the one you prefer.

Troubleshooting

  • Some apps ignore the new size. Apple says the preferred size applies to apps that support it, so some apps keep their own sizes.[1] Per-App Settings or Display Zoom may help, or use Accessibility Reader for that app's text.[4][5]
  • Web pages stay small. Try Safari Reader to reformat an article; see Safari Reader.[6]
  • You want to undo spacing changes. In the Accessibility Reader customize screen, use Reset to Default.[5]

Quick answers

How do I make text bigger than the largest setting on iPhone?

In Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text, turn on Larger Accessibility Sizes.[1]

Can I change line spacing on iPhone?

Yes, inside Accessibility Reader. Customize a theme and set Line Spacing to Default, Loose or Open.[5]

Can I make text larger in just one app?

Yes. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Per-App Settings, add the app, and change its text size.[4]

Review status

Source-checked, not expert-reviewed

Drafted with AI assistance. Each factual claim was checked against the source it links to on 2026-10-28. No clinician, psychologist or dyslexia specialist has reviewed this page. See the claims register.

Sources

  1. [1]Make text easier to read on iPhone. Apple, 2026. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
  2. [2]Adjust iPhone display and text settings (iOS 27). Apple, 2026. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
  3. [3]Adjust iPhone display and text settings (iOS 26 version). Apple, 2025. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
  4. [4]Customize visual accessibility settings for specific apps on iPhone. Apple, 2026. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
  5. [5]Read or listen to text in apps with Accessibility Reader on iPhone. Apple, 2026. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
  6. [6]Hide distractions when reading articles in Safari on iPhone. Apple, 2026. Accessed 2026-10-28. Product documentation
  7. [7]Dyslexie font does not benefit reading in children with or without dyslexia. Kuster SM, van Weerdenburg M, Gompel M, Bosman AMT. Annals of Dyslexia 68(1):25-42. doi:10.1007/s11881-017-0154-6, 2018. Accessed 2026-10-28. Peer-reviewed research
  8. [8]The effect of a specialized dyslexia font, OpenDyslexic, on reading rate and accuracy. Wery JJ, Diliberto JA. Annals of Dyslexia 67(2):114-127. doi:10.1007/s11881-016-0127-1, 2017. Accessed 2026-10-28. Peer-reviewed research

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