Setting up a new Pixel for a parent or grandparent over the holidays? The default text can feel tiny to someone moving from an older phone. Android has two separate sliders, one for text and one for everything else on screen, plus bold text and a quick way to change size later. This guide follows Google's Android Accessibility Help. Google notes some of these steps work only on Android 13 and up.
Font size vs. display size
- Font size changes the size of text.
- Display size makes all the items on your screen, like icons and buttons, smaller or larger.
Most people need a bit of both. Change one, look at the Home Screen, then change the other.
Make the font size larger
- On the phone, open the Settings app.
- Search for and select Font size.
- Move the slider left or right to choose the preferred font size.
Google notes the font size setting doesn't apply to some apps.
Make the display size larger
- Open the Settings app.
- Search for and select Display size.
- Move the slider left or right to choose the preferred display size.
Google says you get a preview of the change after you set each slider. If you don't like it, tap Reset settings to return display size and text to the original settings.
Add Font Size to Quick Settings
This lets the person who uses the phone adjust text later without hunting through Settings. Google says if you change font size from Settings, the Font Size tile is added to Quick Settings automatically.
- From the top of the screen, swipe down to find Quick Settings.
- Tap Font Size.
- Tap Increase or Decrease, or drag the percentage slider left or right.
Google says you can adjust font size up to 200%.
Turn on bold text
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Accessibility > Display size and text.
- Turn Bold text on.
Google notes some apps won't use this setting.
Outline text on Android 16 and up
On Android 16 and up, Google offers outline text to make text easier to read:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility > Display size and text.
- Turn Outline text on or off.
On Android 15 and below, Google points to high-contrast text instead.
Do it during setup
Google's tip: these settings can also be set from the start in the setup wizard. If you're unboxing the phone together, that's the easiest moment to choose sizes, before apps and widgets are arranged.
A gift-day plan
- Unboxing: set font size and display size in the setup wizard.
- First evening: turn on bold text and check Messages and the phone app.
- Later: show them the Font Size tile in Quick Settings.
- Home Screen: choose a calm wallpaper so the larger icons stand out.
Troubleshooting
- Text in one app didn't change: Google says the font size setting doesn't apply to some apps.
- Steps don't match: some steps work only on Android 13 and up, so check the Android version.
- Too big: tap Reset settings and start again.
Going further with ScreenLux
ScreenLux is the wallpaper app I built, with 4K video wallpapers for Android 8.0 and up, and a calm background keeps larger icons easy to pick out. The app installs a live wallpaper service that plays the video loop on the Home Screen. The winter and holiday styles are at customphonewallpapers.com. All artwork is created with generative AI tools.
ScreenLux is free to download and preview; subscription unlocks the full catalog and removes ads.
My team specializes in advanced generative AI art and video, and WatchLux and ScreenLux are where we apply it to the watch and the phone.
- Android: ScreenLux on Google Play
Sources checked (official help pages, Oct 22, 2026): Android Accessibility Help, "Change text & display settings" (support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/11183305)
Sean McCue, Founder, WatchLux and ScreenLux
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