TL;DR
To zoom out on your Mac, follow one of these methods:
- Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Navigate to Accessibility and select Zoom.
- Toggle on the Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom switch.
- Now, you can use the Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + + (plus) shortcut to zoom in.
- To zoom out, use the Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + – (minus) shortcut.
- To disable zoom, use the Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + 8 shortcut.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
I used to squint at my Mac screen until I learned how to zoom out. Here are my go-to quick and easy methods to improve your screen experience.
How to Zoom Out on Your Mac
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Knowing how to zoom out can make it easier to manage your Mac screen space and view content comfortably. Below, I’ve shared 5 simple and easy methods to zoom out on your Mac.
1. Using the Keyboard Shortcuts
Use the following Mac keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out:
- To zoom out on a window, press the Command ⌘ and – (minus) keys simultaneously.
- To zoom in on a single window, press the Command ⌘ and + (plus) keys simultaneously.
These shortcuts work in apps like Google Docs. For system-wide zoom shortcuts, follow these steps:
- Click the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Navigate to Accessibility and select Zoom.
- Toggle on the Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom switch.
- Now, you can use the Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + + (plus) shortcut to zoom in.
- To zoom out, use the Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + – (minus) shortcut.
- To disable zoom, use the Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + 8 shortcut.
2. Using the Trackpad
I rely on my MacBook’s trackpad for quick zooming. Just place two fingers on the trackpad and move them apart to zoom out for a broader view.
However, you must first enable the trackpad gesture to zoom your Mac screen. Here’s how:
- Go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click Zoom in the Accessibility section.
- Toggle on the Use trackpad gesture to zoom switch.
- Now, you can zoom in and out by double-tapping and dragging three fingers across the trackpad.
3. Using the Magic Mouse
Your Magic Mouse is a handy tool for zooming. Here’s how to use it to zoom out on your Mac screen:
- Position the cursor over the screen area you want to zoom out from.
- Hold down the Control ^ key on your keyboard.
- Swipe two fingers down on the Magic Mouse surface while holding the Control ^ key.
Here are the steps to enable the Magic Mouse Zoom:
- Navigate to the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Click Trackpad in the left sidebar and navigate to the Scroll & Zoom tab.
- Toggle on the Smart zoom switch.
- Now, double-tap with two fingers to zoom in or zoom out.
4. Using the Mission Control Feature
Mission Control is your Mac’s command center, showing all open windows for easy task switching. While not traditional zooming, it gives a clear workspace overview. Here’s how to use it:
- Press the F3 key on your keyboard to activate Mission Control.
- All your windows will become smaller, and you can see everything on your screen simultaneously.
5. Using Hover Text
Hover Text magnifies text at your cursor, making small text easier to read without zooming the entire screen. Here’s how to enable it on Mac:
- Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
- Click Accessibility and select Zoom.
- Toggle on the Hover Text switch.
- Click the small i icon next to the Hover Text toggle switch to adjust the settings to your preference. Then, press Done.
- Now, you can hover your cursor over the text and press the Command ⌘ key to zoom in on it.
What If You Can’t Zoom Out on Your Mac
If you’re unable to zoom out on your Mac, try these troubleshooting steps:
- 🤔 Try Different Methods: Use shortcuts, gestures, or Mission Control if one method fails.
- 🔧 Check System Settings: Ensure zoom is enabled in Accessibility.
- 🔛 Restart Your Mac: A restart often fixes temporary issues.
- 🔄 Update Your Mac: Check and Install updates to resolve zoom-related bugs.
- 💾 Reset NVRAM or PRAM: Fix display glitches by resetting NVRAM/PRAM.
- 📞 Consult Apple Support: Reach out to Apple Support if the issue persists.
Zoom Out on Your Mac
Zooming out on your Mac is a simple but effective way to see more of your screen. You should pair it with other tips to make your actions better. Here’s how you can do it:
- Split screen on your Mac to use your screen real estate more productively.
- Organize your files on Mac to optimize your system and make everything more accessible.
- Declutter your Mac desktop to streamline your workflow and improve your system performance.
