Got a tip for us?

How to adjust text and display settings on Apple Watch

by Chris Smith

You can change text size and display settings to customize the appearance of onscreen elements. You can make text bold, turn on color filters, and adjust transparency.

Text size is quick to change from Control Center, and you can limit animation, too.

Here’s how to adjust text and display settings on Apple Watch.

Adjust text size in Control Center

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Adjust Text Size button and turn the Digital Crown to adjust.

Choose how text and other items appear on the screen

You can adjust transparency, make text bold, turn on color filters, and more.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Accessibility, then adjust any of the following:
    • On/Off Labels: Adds visual indicators to switches—a vertical line shows when a switch is on, and a circle shows when it’s off.
    • Reduce Transparency: Reduces transparency effects to improve text readability against backgrounds.
    • Increase Contrast: Increases color contrast between text and backgrounds for better visibility.
    • Show Borders: Shows the outline of onscreen elements.
    • Color Filters: Applies a filter to view the entire screen in grayscale or adjust colors for color vision deficiencies.
    • Minimum Brightness: Sets a higher minimum brightness level when the display automatically adjusts to lighting conditions.
    • Text Size: Adjusts the size of text for better readability.
    • Bold Text: Makes text appear bolder and more prominent.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Accessibility, then change an option.

Note: Changes in bold text and grayscale take effect after you restart your Apple Watch.

Limit animation

Motion on the Home Screen, and when apps open and close, is something you can limit.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Go to Accessibility, tap Reduce Motion, and turn on Reduce Motion.

You can also go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, go to Accessibility > Reduce Motion, then turn on Reduce Motion.

Quick tip: Turn on Reduce Motion, choose grid view for the Home Screen, and every app icon ends up the same size.

See also

Tag: accessibility

Read Next

Illustration of Apple Watch with an arrow pointing to the Digital Crown at upper right.

How to use the Accessibility Shortcut on Apple Watch

by Emily Long
You can use the Accessibility Shortcut on Apple Watch to turn features like VoiceOver, Zoom, and AssistiveTouch on or off with a triple click.
Read Full Article
An iPhone screen showing Guided Access being set up. iPhone is being temporarily locked to just the Calculator app, and one of the buttons in the app has been disabled.

How to lock iPhone to one app with Guided Access

by Kevin Hollington
You can lock iPhone to one app, set a time limit, and choose which features and buttons are available with Guided Access.
Read Full Article
The Siri app showing two conversations. A button to start a new conversation appears at the bottom of the screen.

How to use accessibility features with Siri on Apple Watch

by Tyler Stephen
You can use accessibility features with Siri on Apple Watch, set how long Siri waits for you to finish speaking, and type to Siri.
Read Full Article