Until now you could cheat a bit to read smaller print, or get a closer look at a small item by using the zoom function in your iPhone’s Camera app. However, with the release of iOS 10, Apple has given the nearsighted among us an even better way to view the small print. It’s called “Magnifier,” and it allows you to use your iPhone’s camera as a super-duper magnifying glass, even allowing you to zoom in to read even the tiniest, “for lawyers only” contract text.
Turn On The Magnifier
The Magnifier feature isn’t on by default. You’ll need to visit “Settings” -> “General” -> “Accessibility” -> “Magnifier.” Now, tap the “Magnifier” toggle switch to turn it on. (It’ll turn green, as seen below left.)
Now, whenever you need to access the Magnifier, just triple-click the Home button. (It might take awhile to get the knack, but you can do it.) When the Magnifier app loads, it’ll look like the screen shown above right.
As shown in the photo above, we’ve pointed out all the buttons and sliders on the Magnifier screen, and what they do:
- The slide above the shutter button controls how closely to zoom in. Sliding left zooms out, sliding right zooms in.
- The left bottom button turn the camera light on and off, perfect for when you need more light.
- The “Focus Lock” button does exactly what it sounds like, it locks the camera focus.
- The center button is the shutter button, tap it to take a photo of what you’re magnifying.
- Tapping the three circles on the right allow you to adjust the brightness and contrast, or even apply a color filter, if that’s how you roll.
Unlike some of the new iOS 10 features, the Magnifier feature is available on any iPhone that is compatible with iOS 10. The feature is particularly nice for those of us who are already rocking bifocals and still have to squint to read the fine print on our Social Security forms. Use it in good health!
This how to is based on an original tip by Sal Conigliaro.
