Do the app icons on your phone look too small?
Perhaps you find it difficult to see which app is which, or you sometimes tap the wrong icon by mistake.
The good news is that many smartphones allow you to make app icons, buttons and other items on the screen appear larger. The exact options depend on whether you have an iPhone, Samsung or another Android phone.
In this simple beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain how to make icons and apps bigger on your phone, step by step.
💡 Quick Tip: Making your app icons bigger is different from making the text bigger. If it’s the writing that’s difficult to read, see our guide: How to Make Text Bigger on a Smartphone.
Quick Answer: How Do I Make the Icons Bigger on My Phone?
The easiest method depends on your phone.
On an iPhone: Look in Settings → Display & Brightness → Display Zoom. On supported versions of iOS, choosing a larger display view can make text, icons and controls appear bigger.
On a Samsung Galaxy phone: Touch and hold an empty area of the Home screen, open Settings, and look for Home screen grid or Apps screen grid. Choosing a grid with fewer spaces can make app icons appear larger.
On other Android phones: Look in Settings → Display for options such as Display size, Screen zoom or Display size and text. The exact name varies between phones.
Don’t worry if your menus look slightly different. Smartphone manufacturers regularly change the names and locations of settings.
Why Are the Icons on My Phone So Small?
Modern smartphones are designed to fit a lot of information onto the screen.
That can be useful, but it can also mean that:
- App icons appear too small.
- Buttons are difficult to tap.
- Writing is difficult to read.
- Several apps look similar at a glance.
- You accidentally open the wrong app.
Increasing the size of items on your screen can make your phone much more comfortable to use.
This can be particularly helpful for people with reduced vision, anyone with difficulty making precise taps, or simply anyone who prefers a clearer and less cluttered screen.
How to Make App Icons Bigger on an iPhone
Depending on your iPhone and version of iOS, you may be able to make items on the screen larger using Display Zoom.
Try:
Settings → Display & Brightness
Then look for:
Display Zoom
Choose the larger display option if one is available.
Follow the instructions on your screen to apply the change.
Display Zoom can make various screen elements appear larger, which may include:
- App icons
- Buttons
- Menus
- Text
- Other controls
The exact appearance and options can vary depending on your iPhone model and iOS version.
What if I only want bigger text?
If the app icons are fine but the writing is too small, you don’t necessarily need to enlarge everything.
Instead, adjust your phone’s Text Size settings.
This allows you to make writing easier to read without necessarily changing the overall appearance of everything on the screen.
Can I Make iPhone App Icons Bigger Without Making Everything Bigger?
On newer versions of iOS, you may also have options to customise the appearance of your Home Screen icons.
Try touching and holding an empty area of the Home Screen until the icons enter editing mode.
Look for a customise or editing option.
Depending on your iOS version, you may be able to select a larger icon style.
When larger icons are selected, some versions of iOS may remove the app names underneath the icons to create more space.
If you don’t see this option, your iPhone may be using a different version of iOS.
In that case, Display Zoom may be the easiest alternative.
How to Make App Icons Bigger on a Samsung Phone
Samsung Galaxy phones give you useful control over the layout of your Home Screen.
One method is to change the Home screen grid.
To try this:
- Touch and hold an empty area of your Home Screen.
- Tap Settings.
- Look for Home screen grid.
- Choose a grid with fewer apps across the screen.
- Tap Done or Apply, if required.
For example, changing from a grid that fits many icons onto each row to one that fits fewer may allow the icons to appear larger and more spaced out.
You may also see:
Apps screen grid
This controls the layout of the screen that displays all your apps.
💡 Simple Tech Guide Tip: If you frequently tap the wrong app, a less crowded Home Screen can sometimes help just as much as making the icons themselves bigger.
How to Make Icons Bigger on Other Android Phones
Android phones are made by several manufacturers, including:
- Samsung
- Motorola
- OnePlus
- Xiaomi
Because of this, the exact instructions can vary.
Open:
Settings → Display
Then look for an option such as:
- Display size
- Display size and text
- Screen zoom
- Screen size
- Font and display size
Moving the display-size control towards the larger setting can make items on your screen easier to see.
Depending on your phone, this may enlarge:
- App icons
- Buttons
- Menus
- Notifications
- Other screen elements
If you can’t find the setting, use the search box at the top of your phone’s Settings app and search for:
Display size
or
Screen zoom
What’s the Difference Between Font Size and Display Size?
This is an important distinction.
Font Size
Changing Font Size mainly makes writing larger.
This is useful if:
“I can see the icons, but I can’t read the words.”
Display Size or Screen Zoom
Changing Display Size or Screen Zoom can make more of the phone’s interface appear larger.
This may include:
- Icons
- Buttons
- Menus
- Controls
- Some text
This is useful if:
“Everything on my phone looks too small.”
If you’re unsure, try changing one setting slightly and see how the phone looks.
You can always change it back.
Can I Make Just One App Icon Bigger?
Usually, your phone’s normal settings change the size or layout of multiple app icons at once rather than enlarging one individual app.
However, some phones allow you to add widgets to the Home Screen.
A widget is a larger panel associated with an app.
For example, you might have a large:
🌤️ Weather widget
🕐 Clock
📅 Calendar
🎵 Music control
Widgets can be easier to see and tap than small app icons.
Not every app offers a useful widget, but they’re worth considering for apps you use frequently.
Make Your Most Important Apps Easier to Find
Making icons bigger isn’t the only way to make your phone easier to use.
You can also simplify your Home Screen.
Consider keeping your most-used apps on the first screen.
For example:
📞 Phone
💬 Messages
📷 Camera
🌐 Internet browser
Move less frequently used apps onto another Home Screen or into folders.
This means you don’t have to search through dozens of icons every time you want to do something.
How to Move an App to Your Home Screen
If an important app isn’t easy to find, you may be able to move it to your Home Screen.
On many phones, you can touch and hold the app icon and then drag it to the position you want.
The exact method varies between iPhone and Android.
If you’re unsure how to do this, see our separate beginner guide:
How to Move Apps to Your Home Screen
What If Everything on My Phone Is Too Small?
If you’re struggling with more than just app icons, consider adjusting several accessibility settings.
You may be able to:
🔎 Make text larger
🔍 Increase display size
☀️ Adjust screen brightness
🔠 Use bold text
🎨 Increase contrast
🔎 Use screen magnification
🎤 Use voice controls
Both iPhone and Android phones include accessibility features designed to make devices easier to use.
You don’t need to have a disability to use these settings. They’re available for anyone who finds the standard display uncomfortable or difficult to see.
Can Making Icons Bigger Damage My Phone?
No.
Changing display size, screen zoom or Home Screen layout does not normally delete your:
- Photos
- Messages
- Contacts
- Apps
- Emails
You’re simply changing how things appear on the screen.
If you don’t like the result, you can return to the same settings and change it back.
Why Did My App Icons Suddenly Get Smaller?
If your icons have suddenly changed size, possible reasons include:
- A phone software update
- A change to Display Zoom or Display Size
- A Home Screen grid change
- A launcher or Home Screen setting change on Android
- Accidental customisation of the Home Screen
Check your Display and Home Screen settings first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make apps bigger on my phone?
Look for Display Zoom on an iPhone or Display Size/Screen Zoom on Android. Samsung phones may also let you change the Home Screen grid so fewer, larger icons appear on each screen.
Can I make icons bigger without making the text bigger?
This depends on your phone. Some devices allow you to adjust the Home Screen icon layout separately, while others enlarge multiple screen elements together.
How do I make Samsung app icons bigger?
Try changing the Home screen grid by touching and holding an empty part of the Home Screen, opening its settings and selecting a grid with fewer icon positions.
Why can’t I find Display Size on my Android phone?
Different manufacturers use different names. Search your Settings for Display size, Screen zoom, Screen size or Display size and text.
Will changing my display size delete anything?
No. Changing the visual size of items on your screen should not delete your apps, photos, contacts or other personal information.
Can I change it back if I don’t like it?
Yes. Simply return to the same Display or Home Screen settings and choose your previous size or layout.
Quick Checklist: Make Your Phone Easier to See
If your phone feels difficult to use, try:
☐ Make app icons larger
☐ Increase text size
☐ Increase display size or screen zoom
☐ Remove unnecessary apps from the first Home Screen
☐ Move important apps to the first screen
☐ Increase screen brightness if needed
☐ Turn on bold text if available
☐ Explore your phone’s Accessibility settings
Small changes can make a surprisingly big difference.
Final Thoughts
If the icons and apps on your phone are too small, you don’t necessarily have to struggle with the standard settings.
On an iPhone, look for options such as Display Zoom and Home Screen customisation.
On Samsung and other Android phones, look for Home Screen grid, Display Size or Screen Zoom.
The exact settings vary between phones, but the goal is the same: making your smartphone clearer, simpler and more comfortable to use.
Start with a small adjustment and see how it feels. You can always change it back if you prefer the original layout.
Related Simple Tech Guides
📱 How to Make Text Bigger on a Smartphone
📱 How to Move Apps to Your Home Screen
📱 How to Close Apps on Your Phone
📱 Smartphone Buttons Explained