Small text on a phone screen is a problem for a lot of people, not only those with poor eyesight. If the numbers and transaction names in your banking app blur together, that is not your fault and it does not mean you are doing something wrong. The good news: you can make the text bigger in just a few minutes. This guide walks you through two ways to do it — through the banking app's own settings, if it has that option, and through your phone's general settings, which will make text bigger in every app at once.
Take your time. There is nothing here that can break anything or cause permanent damage. If you tap the wrong button, simply go back one step and try again.
Method 1: Increase the font size inside the banking app
Some banking apps (an app is a program you installed on your phone and open by tapping its icon on the screen) have their own text size setting. Check this option first.
- Open your banking app by tapping its icon on your phone screen.
- Look for a "Profile" or "Settings" section — usually a small person-shaped icon or three horizontal lines in a corner of the screen.
- Tap that icon to open the menu.
- Find "Settings" in the list and tap it.
- Scroll down with your finger, looking for an option called "Font Size", "Appearance", or "Display".
- If you see that option, tap it.
- Choose a bigger text size using the slider or from a list of options, such as "Large".
- Confirm your choice by tapping "Save" or "Done".
If your banking app does not have this option, that is perfectly normal. Most banks rely on your phone's own settings instead. Move on to Method 2.
Method 2: Increase the font size through your phone's settings (Android)
This will make text bigger in every app on your phone, not only the banking one.
- Find the "Settings" icon on your phone — it looks like a gray gear.
- Tap the "Settings" icon to open it.
- Look for an option called "Display" (on some phones it may just say "Screen").
- Tap "Display".
- Find and tap "Font Size" (sometimes labeled "Font size and style").
- Slide the bar to the right with your finger to make the text bigger.
- Press the "Back" button or the "Home" button to leave the settings.
- Open your banking app again and check whether the text looks better.
Method 2: Increase the font size through your phone's settings (iPhone)
- Find the "Settings" icon on your phone — a gray gear.
- Tap the "Settings" icon.
- Scroll down and tap "General".
- Tap "Accessibility".
- Tap "Display & Text Size".
- Tap "Larger Text".
- If the "Larger Text" switch is off, tap it to turn it on.
- Slide the bar at the bottom of the screen to choose the size you want.
- Open your banking app and check the result.
What to do if something goes wrong
Don't worry — none of these steps can harm your account or your money. Here is what to do if you run into trouble:
- Your banking app has no font size option. This is common. Simply use Method 2 instead — changing the text size in your phone's settings almost always affects the banking app too.
- You changed the text size on your phone, but the banking app did not change. Some apps use a fixed, custom-drawn screen layout and don't respond to system settings. In that case, check whether the app itself offers a similar setting (Method 1), or contact your bank's support line — you can always find the phone number on the back of your bank card.
- The text became too big, and buttons now overlap. Go back to the same settings screen and slide the bar slightly to the left to reduce the size. Try a few times until you find what is comfortable for you.
- Someone calls offering to "help you set up the larger text" remotely, and asks you to install an app or read out a code from a text message. This is a scam. A real bank never calls asking you to install remote-access software or to read out a one-time code. Hang up, and if you are unsure, call your bank back yourself using the number printed on your card.
If you are still choosing a convenient, modern account with an app that's easy to read, take a look at our ranking of personal accounts: /en/best/personal-accounts.