When I am introducing students and clients with low vision to iPad accessibility settings, one of the features we often end up discussing the most is Zoom Magnifier and low vision use cases. This screen magnification software is a great example of assistive technology that is built into a mainstream device, though it can be a bit overwhelming to learn how to use effectively. Here is an overview of Zoom magnifier and low vision access for iPhone and iPad, and my personal tips for using it.
How to open Zoom on iPad | How to open Zoom on iPhone
While a lot of people associate Zoom for iPhone or Zoom for iPad with the teleconferencing software or with the pinch-to-zoom gesture, in this context Zoom is a screen magnification tool designed to be used with mobile devices.
Before using Zoom magnification for the first time, go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom (vision) and set the Zoom option to On. Once Zoom is turned on, it can be activated using any of the following options:
- Triple-tap on the screen with three fingers to turn Zoom on/off. Turning Zoom on in Settings will automatically activate magnification, triple-tap with three fingers to remove magnification from view.
- Turn on the Zoom controller, which is a small overlay that is always visible on the screen and can be pressed to enable Zoom magnification on any screen
- Add Zoom to Control Center (iOS 18)
- Add Zoom to Accessibility Shortcut, which can be activated by pressing a button on the device
In my experience, asking Siri to activate Zoom does not work well, since this tends to open the unrelated Zoom app or the Magnifier, which does not magnify on-screen content.
Related links
- Customize Accessibility Settings For Specific Apps
- Enabling Temporary Accessibility Settings For iPad
- iOS Magnifier and Low Vision Accessibility
Choosing a magnifier view and zoom level
Zoom for iPad and Zoom for iPhone offer three different views for screen magnification, also known as zoom regions. To switch between options, open Zoom using a gesture or button and select Choose Region to select between pinned zoom, full screen zoom, and window zoom. I share more about each option in later sections of the post.
Zoom screen magnification levels
To adjust zoom magnification power, use the slider at the bottom of the Zoom controller or menu to adjust the level of zoom. Within Accessibility settings, users can configure the maximum level of zoom magnification they would like to have available from the slider, which supports up to 15.0x magnification (1500%). Zoom increments are a bit confusing in that they aren’t whole numbers and they don’t increase in equal steps; for example I can set the magnification power to 2.0x, 2.2x, 2.5x, and 2.8x.
I personally set my maximum Zoom level to 4.0, which is similar to what I use on my desktop computer and use the slider accordingly.
Zoom filters
Color filters make it easier or more comfortable for users to view visual content by changing how colors are displayed in a magnified image. Examples of Zoom magnification filters include
- Inverted: Dark text on a light background is displayed as light text on a dark background. Images may appear distorted
- Grayscale: Colors are removed from image, image is shown in shades of gray and white
- Grayscale inverted: Colors are removed from image, but image is shown on a black/dark background with gray text
- Low light: Colors from image are present but muted, image is shown with a dim display
Filters can be selected by selecting Choose Filter from the Zoom menu or setting a filter in Accessibility settings.
Zoom Controller
The Zoom controller is a menu that provides a list of options for accessing Zoom, and can be opened either by triple-tapping three times or activating the floating controller in Accessibility settings. The floating controller is always visible on screen, and there are options for customizing the size, color, and opacity. When I refer to the Zoom menu in other sections of the post, it is in reference to the menu options when the Zoom controller is opened.
Related links
- How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision
- High Contrast and Low Vision
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- Choosing Between Light Mode and Dark Mode For Low Vision
Using Pinned Zoom with Zoom Magnifier
Known as Docked view in other screen magnification programs, pinned zoom shows the magnified image in a fixed location on the screen. By default, this image is shown at the top of the screen, but it can be moved and readjusted either with fingers by dragging the handle or by selecting “Choose Position” from the Zoom menu and selecting top, left, right, or bottom. As the user scrolls or interacts with content, the area of interest is magnified within the Zoom window.
I find Pinned Zoom useful for enlarging a small portion of the screen, or for when I am reading things like discussion boards. Pinned zoom can also be helpful for avoiding dizziness or vertigo from tracking fast moving items in full screen view or window zoom, if this is a concern.
Related links
- Low Vision Assistive Technology For Discussion Board Posts
- My Talk At A Future Date: What I Wish I Learned About AT Before Starting College
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
Using Full Screen Zoom With Zoom Magnifier
Full screen view displays the magnified image across the entire screen, typically only showing a small portion of the screen at the time. To navigate across the screen, users drag three fingers across the screen without tapping to scroll or pan or triple-tap three fingers twice to zoom out.
When the Zoom controller is activated, users can pan by dragging the controller, and double-tapping the controller to zoom in or out. To show the Zoom menu, tap the controller a single time.
Full screen view is generally considered the best way to use screen magnification software unless motion sickness or vertigo negatively impacts the user experience.
Using Window Zoom with Zoom Magnifier
Sometimes known as a lens view, window zoom features a smaller, adjustable window that can be customized by selecting Resize Lens within the Zoom controller. Users can choose to keep the zoom window in one location on the screen, or drag the handle with their finger to different areas.
Using Zoom magnifier with a keyboard
There are two different contexts in which Zoom magnifier for iPad and iPhone can be used with a keyboard, including on-screen keyboards and physical keyboards.
Zoom Magnifier and on-screen keyboards
Within Accessibility settings, there are a few options for customizing how Zoom behaves when a user is accessing an on-screen keyboard:
- Follow Focus: Track the text insertion point, selected text, gestures, and typing. Basically, wherever the user is touching something on the screen, Zoom will follow
- Smart Typing: Switch to Window Zoom when a keyboard appears so that the keyboard isn’t magnified
Zoom Magnifier and external keyboards
Zoom offers an option for using keyboard shortcuts to control Zoom with an external keyboard. While the exact shortcuts are set by Apple, users can turn these shortcuts on or off if they don’t want to use a particular one:
- Adjust Zoom level
- Toggle Zoom
- Move Zoom window
- Resize Zoom window
- Switch Zoom region (full screen, pinned, window)
- Temporarily toggle Zoom
- Zoom with scroll wheel
When keyboard access is used, the Zoom window will follow the text insertion point to determine which area should be in focus.
Related links
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Keyboards
- Choosing An iPad Keyboard For Low Vision
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Covers and Cases
Examples of how I use Zoom Magnifier for iPad with low vision
When I was first learning how to use Zoom magnifier, I found it helpful to read examples of how other people use it so I could get ideas on how to use it on my own. Here are some examples of how I personally use Zoom magnifier in a variety of contexts on my iPad:
- Reading math problems and chemistry equations can be challenging, especially if there are lots of little numbers or if they appear washed out. I can use Window or Pinned view to enlarge an equation and invert the colors for increased contrast
- PDF and other non-responsive file formats like screenshots can also be difficult to zoom in on. If I’m reading a lot of content, pinning the Zoom controller to my screen makes it easier to open Zoom as needed
- Enlarging websites or course applications that do not support pinch-to-zoom
- Viewing details of a suspicious email address or other potential phishing to see if something looks “off”
- Enlarging digital icons in Stylebook, a digital closet app I use on iPad
- Navigating ribbons, menus, or icons in an unfamiliar application, especially if there is lots of information close together
- Pairing Zoom with VoiceOver to have information enlarged and read out loud simultaneously. I find this much easier when also using an external keyboard, though it can be done without as well.
Even though I use both a computer and my iPad, there are some contexts where it is easier to magnify content on my iPad because I can adjust the display angle and hold my face closer to the screen more easily and comfortably than I can with a computer. This is especially helpful for reading through the bifocal in my glasses.
Related links
- Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
- How I Read Research Sources With Assistive Technology
- Online Safety For Visually Impaired Users: Safer Internet Day
- How I Use The Stylebook App With Low Vision
- Secret Microsoft Office Accessibility Features I Use Every Day
More iOS and iPad Magnification settings like Zoom Magnifier
- Looking for a way to enlarge text when typing? Check out How To Use Hover Text For iPad With Low Vision
- Want to turn an iPhone or iPad into a video magnifier and zoom in on surrounding objects? Read iOS Magnifier and Low Vision Accessibility
- To make it easier to identify icons without having to zoom in all the time, I recommend finding a way to organize apps. Check out some recommended strategies in How To Organize Apps On iPad With Low Vision
- Looking for a more complete list of iOS accessibility features? Browse How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
Published November 5, 2019. Updated November 2024