For many iPhone users, the default keyboard size can seem too small, especially when typing for long periods or trying to be precise. This common issue has a variety of solutions, enabling users to increase the size of their keyboard and improve their overall typing experience. Whether through built-in iPhone settings or third-party applications, users have several options to customize their keyboard size to suit their needs.
Adjusting the keyboard size can be essential for ensuring comfort and accuracy when typing on an iPhone. Larger keys make texting easier and can help reduce typos and frustration. This customization can be particularly beneficial for users with visual impairments or those who just prefer a larger interface.
How to Make the Keyboard Bigger on iPhone (2025 Guide)
Typing on an iPhone can feel cramped, especially if you have larger hands or vision challenges. While iOS doesn’t have a single “make keyboard bigger” button, there are several ways to enlarge keys, improve visibility, and make typing more comfortable.
1. Use Display Zoom (Built-in iOS Feature)
Display Zoom enlarges everything on your screen, including the keyboard.
How to turn it on:
- Go to Settings → Display & Brightness.
- Tap Display Zoom (or View on some models).
- Select Larger Text or Zoomed view.
- Tap Set and restart your iPhone if prompted.
📌 Note: This works best on iPhones with larger screens (like Pro Max models), but it will still make a difference on smaller devices.
2. Enable Bold Text & Larger Accessibility Sizes
If your main issue is visibility, increasing text size and weight can make keys easier to read.
Steps:
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size.
- Turn on Bold Text.
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Larger Text.
- Use the slider to increase text size.
3. Rotate to Landscape Mode
Turning your iPhone sideways instantly gives you a wider keyboard.
- Make sure Portrait Orientation Lock is off (swipe down from the top-right corner → tap the lock icon).
- Open any app that uses the keyboard and rotate your device.
💡 Pro Tip: On larger iPhones, the landscape keyboard also adds extra keys like arrow buttons.
4. Use a Third-Party Keyboard
Some third-party keyboards allow you to manually adjust key size — something Apple’s default keyboard doesn’t offer.
Popular options:
- Gboard (Google) – Adjustable key height and width.
- SwiftKey (Microsoft) – Customizable layouts and larger keys.
- Typewise – Hexagonal keys for bigger touch targets.
To install:
- Download the keyboard app from the App Store.
- Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard.
- Select the new keyboard and enable Allow Full Access if needed.
5. Use Accessibility Zoom for Magnification
If you just need to temporarily zoom in on the keyboard:
- Go to Settings → Accessibility → Zoom.
- Turn on Zoom.
- Double-tap with three fingers to zoom in/out while typing.
6. Try an iPad or External Keyboard for Long Typing Sessions
If you often type long documents, pairing your iPhone with an external Bluetooth keyboard or using an iPad with Apple Pencil support can make the experience much more comfortable.
Summary Table
| Method | Difficulty | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Display Zoom | Easy | Enlarges entire interface, including keyboard |
| Bold Text & Larger Accessibility Sizes | Easy | Improves visibility of letters |
| Landscape Mode | Very Easy | Widens keys instantly |
| Third-Party Keyboard | Medium | Customizable key size and layout |
| Accessibility Zoom | Medium | Temporary magnification |
| External Keyboard | Easy | Full-size typing experience |
✅ Bottom Line:
While Apple doesn’t yet offer a direct “keyboard size” slider in iOS, you can combine Display Zoom, accessibility settings, and third-party keyboards to create a bigger, easier-to-use typing experience.
Key Takeaways
- Users can customize their iPhone keyboard size for a better typing experience.
- Built-in accessibility features provide ways to adjust keyboard size.
- Third-party keyboard apps offer additional resizing options.
Adjusting Keyboard Size on iPhone
Optimizing the iPhone keyboard for better visibility involves making use of built-in settings. Two methods stand out for increasing keyboard size: applying the Display Zoom feature and adjusting accessibility settings for a magnified view. Both approaches can be found in the iPhone’s Settings app.
Using Display Zoom
Display Zoom increases the size of icons and text across the entire system, which indirectly affects the keyboard size. Here’s how you can activate it:
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Select View under the Display Zoom section.
- Choose Zoomed then tap Set. The iPhone will restart to apply the changes.
Enlarging Keyboard with Accessibility Settings
The Accessibility settings provide a zoom functionality specifically for viewers needing a closer look. To use the zoom feature for the keyboard, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Accessibility.
- Tap Zoom and toggle it on.
To zoom in on the keyboard while typing, double-tap with three fingers. You can also adjust the zoom area by dragging with three fingers on the screen. For persistent magnification of text, you could adjust the Larger Text option under Accessibility > Display & Text Size, enabling users to benefit from larger keyboard characters.
Alternative Keyboard Solutions
To achieve a greater typing surface on an iPhone, users can explore the variety of third-party keyboards available in the App Store or connect to external keyboards via Bluetooth.
Installing Third-Party Keyboard Apps
The App Store offers a selection of third-party keyboard apps that can replace the default keyboard. These apps often provide a chance to adjust key size and layout to better fit personal preferences. For example, the Big Keys Keyboard app allows users to make keys larger, and Typewise Keyboard aims for a more ergonomic typing experience.
To install:
- Users should go to the App Store on their iPhone.
- Search for the keyboard app of their choice, such as ReBoard or Typewise.
- Download and install the app.
- Open Settings, navigate to General, then tap on Keyboard.
- Select Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and choose the installed app from the list.
To use the new keyboard, just tap the Globe Icon whenever the keyboard is active, or pull up the Control Center if adjustments are needed. Some apps even support a one-handed mode for easier typing.
Utilizing External Keyboards
For those who type frequently or prefer the tactile feel of physical keys, connecting an external keyboard via Bluetooth is a viable option. Bluetooth keyboards offer full keyboard access and typically have larger keys than the iPhone’s screen keyboard.
Steps to connect:
- Turn on the external Bluetooth keyboard.
- On the iPhone, go to Settings and select Bluetooth.
- Enable Bluetooth and the iPhone will search for devices.
- Tap the keyboard’s name when it appears in the list to pair.
Once paired, the iPhone automatically connects to the keyboard when in range. This setup provides a larger keyboard without altering any settings on the iPhone itself.
