MacOS is well-known for its ease of use and user-friendly features. One of these features is the built-in zoom function, which allows users to zoom in on the screen for more precise work or to make text and images more legible. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to use your keyboard to zoom in and out on your Mac.
Step 1: Enable the Zoom Feature
The first step is to enable the zoom feature in your Mac’s system preferences. Here’s how:
- Click on the Apple menu at the top left corner of your screen.
- Select “System Preferences.”
- Click on “Accessibility.”
- Choose “Zoom” from the list on the left.
- Check the box next to “Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom.”
Step 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Zoom
Once you’ve enabled the zoom feature, you can now use keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out. The default keyboard shortcuts for zooming are:
Zoom In: Option + Command + Equals Key (=)
Zoom Out: Option + Command + Minus Key (-)
Customizing Zoom Shortcuts
If you find the default shortcuts uncomfortable or inconvenient, you can also customize your own keyboard shortcuts for zooming. Here’s how:
- Go back to the “Zoom” section in the “Accessibility” settings.
- Click on the drop-down menu next to “Zoom Style.”
- Choose “Full Screen” or “Picture-in-Picture,” depending on your preference.
- Next, click on “Advanced…” button at the right bottom of the window.
- In the pop-up window, click on the “Controls” tab.
- Here, you can customize the modifier keys and the maximum and minimum zoom levels.
Please, note that changes you make here only apply to the Zoom function. Other keyboard shortcuts and system functions are not affected.
Conclusion
Zooming in on Mac using the keyboard is a simple, but effective way to enhance your view when working on intricate tasks or when you need to magnify the screen for better visibility. Now that you know how to enable this feature and use it, you can add it to your Mac user skills toolbox. Happy zooming!