Apple Watch Zoomed In? How to Unzoom the Apple Watch

What to Know

  • If your Apple Watch keeps zooming in, it's most likely because you've accidentally enabled the Accessibility display setting called "Zoom." This feature will automatically zoom in the Apple Watch screen after a double tap.
  • To get out of it, the easiest way is to use your iPhone to go to the Watch app and go into Accessibility Settings and tap disable Zoom. 
  • If your phone is not near your, you can disable it via the Apple Watch by going to Settings > Accessibility and turning off Zoom.
  • Navigate your watch while in zoom by using two fingers to scroll.

* This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

Have you had the issue where your Apple Watch becomes zoomed in and won't zoom out? If your Apple Watch is seemingly zooming in by itself, it's probably because the Zoom accessibility feature became enabled. While it's good to remember you can always navigate your Apple Watch while zoomed by using two fingers to scroll instead of one, here's how to fix it when your Apple Watch is zoomed in and gets stuck.

Disable Apple Watch Zoom from Your iPhone

The Zoom feature on your Apple Watch is a helpful accessibility feature if you have a visual impairment. However, if you don't need to enlarge your watch's display, you can turn Zoom off. If your Apple Watch zooms in by itself, it's often too zoomed in to read or navigate easily. In this case, you may have better luck disabling Apple Watch Zoom on your iPhone instead. Use these steps to disable Zoom using your iPhone:

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

    Open the Watch app to disable zoom on Apple Watch
  2. Tap Accessibility.

    Tap on Accessibility
  3. Tap on Zoom.

    Tap on Zoom
  4. Tap the green toggle to disable Zoom.

    Tap the green toggle next to Zoom to disable the Apple Watch zoom feature
  5. When Zoom is disabled, the toggle will turn gray.

    Zoom is disabled when the toggle is gray

Remember that you can always go back in and enable this if you're having trouble reading your Apple Watch screen.

Enable or Disable Zoom on Your Apple Watch

If you're still able to navigate the Settings app on your zoomed-in watch face or your iPhone is far away, it is still possible to disable Zoom on the Apple Watch. To navigate a zoomed-in watch face, use two fingers at once instead of one. If you like cool tips and tricks about how to use your Apple devices, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day!

  1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.

    Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch to disable zoom
  2. Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.

    Tap on Accessibility
  3. Tap on Zoom.

    Tap on Zoom
  4. Tap the green toggle to disable Zoom.

    Tap the green toggle next to Zoom to disable the Apple Watch zoom feature
  5. When Zoom is disabled, the toggle will turn gray.

    Zoom is disabled when the toggle is gray

This means that you won't be able to use Zoom to enlarge things on your Apple Watch screen, but it also means you won't have to deal with restarting your Apple Watch repeatedly to reset the zoomed-in screen.

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Author Details

Leanne Hays's picture

Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.