On Mac computers, the quickest way to change the magnification of a particular window (such as the browser) is to press the Command and + (plus) keys to increase it and - (minus) to decrease it. However, there are many other zoom options, including trackpad gestures and keyboard shortcuts. This article describes the various ways to change the zoom on a macOS computer, desktop or laptop.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Zoom Out in a Window
Step 1. Open the window to enlarge
If you are only interested in changing the zoom of a single program, such as Safari or Pages, you can use a quick keyboard shortcut on any Mac, without having to configure any special settings.
Step 2. Press ⌘ Command ++ to zoom in
By pressing these buttons at the same time, you enlarge the contents of the selected window so you can see them better.
Keep pressing the + (plus) key to increase the zoom level as much as you want
Step 3. Press ⌘ Command + - to zoom out
With this command you reduce the size of the contents of the selected window.
As you did to zoom in, keep pressing the - (minus) key to reduce the size of the content as desired
Method 2 of 4: Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Change the Zoom to Full Screen
Step 1. Click on the Apple menu
If you want to use the keyboard to enlarge the entire screen (instead of just one window), use this method when you want to set accessibility shortcuts. Start by clicking on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click on System Preferences in the menu
Step 3. Click the Accessibility icon
It depicts a blue and white person and is almost at the bottom of the window.
Step 4. Click on the Zoom menu
You will see it in the left pane. The icon you're looking for looks like a computer with a round magnifying glass in the top left corner.
Step 5. Check the box next to "Use keyboard shortcuts for zooming" at the top of the right pane
Step 6. Press ⌥ Option + ⌘ Command + 8 to enable or disable keyboard shortcuts for Accessibility
The shortcuts to full screen magnification are only available when you enable this feature.
You may find it useful to enable image smoothing when you activate this mode. Thanks to this feature, the outlines of enlarged objects will be less grainy, making the text easier to read. Use the keys Option + Command | + \ to activate it.
Step 7. Press ⌥ Option + ⌘ Command + = to zoom in
With this command you change the entire screen. Keep pressing the keys to reach the desired magnification level.
Step 8. Press ⌥ Option + ⌘ Command + - to zoom out
With this command you reduce the size of all content on the screen. As in the previous case, you can keep pressing the keys until you reach the desired zoom level.
Method 3 of 4: Use the Two Finger Gesture on the Trackpad
Step 1. Move the mouse pointer to the desired location
If you're using your laptop's trackpad or an external Magic Mouse, you can quickly zoom in or out with a simple swipe of your finger. Start by bringing the pointer to where you want to zoom out.
Step 2. Put two fingers together on the trackpad
Do this after moving the mouse over the point you want to enlarge.
Step 3. Spread your fingers to increase the zoom level
This movement is an inverted pinch. You can repeat this to further increase the magnification if you wish.
Step 4. Pinch two fingers together on the trackpad to zoom out
As you did before, you can repeat the gesture until you reach the desired zoom level.
Method 4 of 4: Using a Modifier Key with a Mouse or Trackpad
Step 1. Activate the Scroll Gesture option with modifier keys
If you're using a mouse with a scroll key, one with a multi-touch surface (like Apple's Magic Mouse), or your laptop's trackpad, you can use it to change the zoom level by associating a "modifier" key. This way, you can change the magnification by pressing a key (like Command) when you scroll up or down on the wheel or surface. Here's how to activate this feature:
- Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences;
- Click on the button Accessibility (the one with the icon representing a blue and white person);
- Click on Zoom in the left pane;
- Check the box next to "Use swipe gesture with modifier key to zoom";
- Select a modifier key, such as Control or Command;
-
Select a zoom type from the menu:
- Click on Full screen to zoom in or out on the whole screen;
- Click on Split screen to view the enlarged (or reduced) portion on one side of the screen.
- Click on Picture-in-picture if you prefer to enlarge only the part of the screen where the mouse pointer is located.
Zoom Out on a Mac Step 17 Step 2. Press the modifier key when you are ready to change the zoom level
For example, if you selected the Control key, hold it down now.
Zoom Out on a Mac Step 18 Step 3. Scroll up with the mouse wheel to increase the zoom level
If you're using a Magic Mouse or laptop trackpad, you'll need to use two fingers to swipe up on the surface instead.
Zoom Out on a Mac Step 19 Step 4. Scroll down with the mouse wheel to zoom out
If you're using a Magic Mouse or trackpad, you'll need to use two fingers to scroll down instead.
