Is the text on your MacBook too small, or do you want to look at something up close for a moment? There are several ways to zoom in or enlarge the screen: only in an app, the whole screen temporarily, or everything bigger permanently. This article explains the handiest ways, with shortcuts and the trackpad.
Blue Apple repairs MacBook screens in Amsterdam. If your screen is blurry or shows patches, zooming will not help; more about that at the end.
Zooming in an app
- Command + plus: bigger. Command + minus: smaller. Command + 0: back to normal, as the app shows it by default. This works in Safari, Chrome, Mail, Pages, Word and many other apps.
- Trackpad: pinch two fingers apart or together, like on a phone. Or double-tap with two fingers for smart zoom in Safari.
Enlarging the whole screen (Zoom)
- Open System Settings, Accessibility, Zoom.
- Turn on Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom.
- Then use Option + Command + 8 to turn zoom on or off, and Option + Command + = or - to zoom in or out.
You can also turn on Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom: hold Control and scroll with two fingers on the trackpad to zoom in.
Everything permanently bigger
If you want all text and buttons always bigger, change the screen resolution: System Settings, Displays, and choose an option showing "Larger Text". Everything becomes bigger, and less fits on your screen. On a MacBook the picture stays sharp, because macOS scales neatly.
Only the text bigger
In System Settings, Accessibility, Display, under Text size you can choose a bigger font per app (such as Finder, Mail, Messages), without changing the rest of the screen. In the Finder this mainly enlarges lists and names.
Making the pointer bigger
Losing the mouse pointer? Enlarge it in System Settings, Accessibility, Display, under Pointer. There you can also change its colour. Shake the mouse briefly and the pointer becomes big for a moment so you find it again.
Handy for reading
- Reader mode in Safari: click the reader icon in the address bar for a calm page with bigger text.
- Hover Text: hold Command over text to see a large version (turn it on under Accessibility, Zoom).
- Dark mode or more contrast sometimes makes text easier to read.
Always showing a web page bigger
In Safari you can remember per website how big the page should be. Zoom in with Command + plus; next time the site opens at the same size. In Safari settings, under Websites, Page Zoom, you set a default zoom level for all websites. In Chrome you find the same under Settings, Appearance.
When size is not the problem
If the picture is blurry, or you see patches, lines or a dark area, zooming will not help. Then there may be something wrong with the screen. Read lines on your MacBook screen and stains on your MacBook screen. If you work a lot, a bigger external monitor is also an option. See connecting your MacBook to a monitor.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We replace damaged or patchy MacBook screens. You hear beforehand which options there are for your model and what it costs. More on our page about MacBook screen repair.
Frequently asked questions
My screen is suddenly zoomed in. How do I get back?
Press Option + Command + 8 to turn zoom off, or Command + 0 in the app.
Does the screen get blurry if I change the resolution?
On MacBooks with a Retina display it stays sharp.
Can I enlarge only part of the screen?
Yes, under Zoom you can choose a picture-in-picture window, like a magnifying glass.
