Android · Display & Sound
Increase text and on-screen element size app-wide
Font Size and Display Size sliders scale text and interface elements system-wide, independently of each other, so text can be enlarged for readability while overall layout density stays the same, or the entire UI can be scaled up including icons and spacing.
How to open Font Size & Display Size
- Open Settings
- Tap Display
- Select Font size or Display size
- Drag the slider and check the live preview
- Tap Apply to save the change
What you should know
- Font size scales text only, across system menus and most apps
- Display size scales icons, spacing, and layout density in addition to text
- Both include a live preview before applying changes
- Extreme settings may cause some third-party apps to display awkwardly
Why it matters
Default text and UI sizing is a compromise that doesn't work for everyone, particularly users with low vision or anyone using a phone at arm's length or in bright sunlight. Because both sliders apply system-wide rather than per-app, adjusting them once improves readability consistently everywhere rather than requiring changes inside each individual app that even offers its own text size option.
Best practices
- Adjust font size first and display size second, since they interact and are easier to tune sequentially
- Use the live preview to check readability before committing to an extreme setting
- Test a few frequently used apps after a significant size change to catch any layout issues early
- Consider a moderate increase rather than the maximum, since very large settings can cause more UI clipping issues
Common problems and fixes
- Some app layouts look broken after increasing display size
- Reduce display size slightly, since not all third-party apps scale gracefully at extreme sizes
- Text looks fine in Settings but not in a specific app
- Check whether that app has its own separate in-app text size setting overriding the system one
- Icons and text feel mismatched in size
- Adjust font size and display size independently rather than assuming they move together
Tips and tricks
- Combine with bold text (if available) for an extra readability boost without further increasing size
- Use the accessibility shortcut to bind quick access to font size for situational adjustment, like reading in dim light
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between font size and display size?
Font size only changes text, while display size scales the whole interface including icons, buttons, and spacing.
Will this affect photos and videos?
No, media content itself is unaffected; only interface elements and text scale.
Can I reset to default quickly?
Yes, both sliders have a default marked position that can be dragged back to instantly.
Related settings
- Display & Dark ThemeDisplay settings control brightness, screen timeout, font size, and Dark theme — a system-wide dark color scheme that's easier on the eyes and can save battery on some screens.
- MagnificationMagnification lets low-vision users zoom into any part of the screen using a shortcut gesture or button, temporarily or persistently enlarging content system-wide, independent of any single app's own zoom controls.
- Accessibility SettingsAndroid's Accessibility settings include TalkBack screen reading, magnification, color and contrast adjustments, and Switch Access for people who use adaptive hardware.
More Display & Sound guides for Android
- NotificationsNotification settings let you decide which apps can alert you, how those alerts look, and where they show up — from the lock screen to the status bar. You can manage this globally or app by app, and choose which notifications are urgent enough to break through Do Not Disturb.
- Sound & VibrationSound & Vibration settings control independent volume levels for media, ringtones, notifications, and alarms, along with vibration intensity and patterns. You can also assign custom ringtones per contact and configure haptic feedback for touch and typing.
- Do Not Disturb / Focus ModeDo Not Disturb silences calls, texts, and notifications while still letting you choose specific exceptions, like starred contacts or repeat callers. Android's broader Modes system extends this with presets like Bedtime and Driving, plus fully custom modes for work or focus time.
- Game Mode / Game DashboardGame Dashboard is an overlay that appears during gameplay on supported devices, offering an FPS counter, screen recording, screenshot capture, and a one-tap Do Not Disturb toggle without leaving the game. Game Mode, accessed from the same overlay, lets you choose between prioritizing performance or battery life for that specific title.
- Screen TimeoutScreen Timeout controls how many seconds or minutes of inactivity elapse before the display automatically turns off and locks, balancing convenience against battery use and security.
- Auto-Rotate ScreenAuto-Rotate uses the device's accelerometer to switch the display between portrait and landscape orientation as the device is physically turned, and can be toggled off to lock the screen to a single orientation.