One of the annoying issues that a lot of Apple Watch users seem to face is to have the Apple Watch display magnified, where everything appears zoomed in.

If you are facing such an issue, and want to know what to do when your Apple Watch is zoomed in, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll try to provide some troubleshooting tips to fix the Apple Watch stuck zoomed in and how to zoom out on your Apple Watch.

 
Why is my Apple Watch zoomed in

There might be multiple reasons why your Apple Watch display may be stuck in zoomed-in mode. The most common reason why the display might appear magnified is due to a specific setting on the Apple Watch, though there might be other reasons related to a software or hardware issue.

Fix Apple Watch stuck Zoomed In (Magnified Display)

The below section will guide you with multiple troubleshooting steps to fix the Apple Watch magnified display and bring it back to normal.

 
How do I zoom out on my Apple Watch

The following tips will help you to revert to the regular display on your Apple Watch.

Note: Since the Apple Watch display is zoomed, we recommend that you use the paired iPhone to verify and change your Watch settings. Ensure your Apple Watch is close to the iPhone for updating your Watch settings using your iPhone

 
Ensure Zoom is turned off

Apple Watch has an accessibility feature called Zoom to help users with vision imparity navigate the Apple Watch more easily. However, if you’re unaware of the feature, it may be difficult to navigate the Watch with the magnified display.

Here’s what you need to do to zoom out on your Apple Watch and disable the zoom feature.

  1. To zoom out the display on the Apple Watch, try double-tapping with two fingers on the Watch display. This should ideally revert the display to the regular 1X zoom.
  2. Go into the Watch Settings (or the My Watch tab in the Watch app on your iPhone), and navigate to Accessibility >> Zoom, and ensure Zoom is disabled.

The above should fix the Apple Watch Face (or display) zoomed-in issues for most of the users. If you’re still having zoom issues on your Apple Watch, here are a few more things to try.

 
Reduce text size on your Apple Watch

Sometimes, the Apple Watch Display might seem magnified or zoomed in when the Watch text is larger than usual. To adjust the text size on your Apple Watch:

  1. Go into the Watch Settings (or the My Watch tab in the Watch app on your iPhone), and navigate to Display & Brightness.
  2. Reduce the Text Size until you’re comfortable with the output.
  3. Optionally, turn off Bold Text, if turned on already.
  4. Go back to the Settings main screen, then tap on Accessibility.
  5. Turn off Bold Text, if turned on already.

 
Update the watchOS Software

If there are any software updates available for your Watch, updating to the latest software might fix existing issues, such as the Apple Watch display keeps zooming in. To update your Watch to the latest software:

  1. Go into the Watch Settings (or the My Watch tab in the Watch app on your iPhone), and navigate to General >> Software Update.
  2. If there is an update available, tap Download & Install, and follow the on-screen instructions to update your Watch.

 
Restart your Apple Watch

Sometimes, restarting your Watch may fix the zoom issue on your Apple Watch. To restart the Watch:

  1. Press and hold the Side button of your Apple Watch until you see the Power Off slider.
  2. Slide the Power Off slider to the right until the Watch turns off.
  3. Press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

After the Watch has restarted, check again if the zoom issue has been resolved.

 
Unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch

If you’re facing zoom issues on your Apple Watch display due to a software bug, sometimes unpairing and re-pairing the Watch might solve it.

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches from the top-right corner.
  3. Tap the Info button next to the watch that you want to unpair.
  4. Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
  5. For GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan.
  6. Tap to confirm unpairing.
  7. Once the unpair process is completed, set up the Apple Watch again as you did it the first time.

After pairing it again with your iPhone, check the zoom again and verify if the issue has been resolved.

 
Factory Reset your Apple Watch

If the Apple Watch display zoomed-in issue is still not fixed, try resetting your Watch to Factory settings.

  1. Go into the Watch Settings (or the My Watch tab in the Watch app on your iPhone), and navigate to General.
  2. Scroll down and tap Reset.
  3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset.
  4. Once the factory reset is completed, set up the Apple Watch again as you did it the first time.

Finally, when your Apple Watch boots up and shows you the watch face, verify if the zoom issue has been fixed.

If you’re still facing the magnified or zoomed-in display issue, it could be an indication of malfunctioning hardware. At this point, your best bet is to make an appointment with the Genius Bar or your nearest Apple-authorized service center and let them investigate the problem. If your Watch is covered under the limited warranty or a suitable Apple Care plan, you might be eligible for a free repair or replacement.

Did our troubleshooting guide help you fix your Apple Watch problem? Let us know which one worked for you in the comments below.