How to use the screen magnifier in Chrome OS

Short guide

Click the Time widget in the bottom-right corner to open the System menu.
Click on the Settings icon to open the Settings window.
Select Accessibility from the left-hand column. If Accessibility is not visible, click Advanced to reveal more menu items.
Click on Manage accessibility features in the right-hand panel.
Click the toggle switch next to either Enable full-screen magnifier or Enable docked magnifier to switch your preferred option to On.
To change the level of magnification when the magnifier opens, click the drop-down menu next to Fullscreen zoomed level or Docked zoom level, depending on which mode you’re using. Select one of the preset options or choose Custom to set your own level.
You can quickly increase the magnification level by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Brightness up or decrease it by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Brightness down. To move around the screen in full magnification mode, just move the pointer to the edge of the screen.

Before and after

Video guide

This section will take you step-by-step through the process of enabling the screen magnifier, complete with pictures of the screens to help you.

1. To access the Accessibility features on your Chromebook, click the Time widget in the bottom-right corner to open the System menu.

Click on the time in the bottom-right corner of the screen

Open Settings

Click on the Settings icon to open the Settings window.

Find the Accessibility settings

3. Once the Settings window opens, select Accessibility from the left-hand column. If Accessibility is not visible, click Advanced to reveal more menu items.

Select Accessibility from the left-hand column. Click Advanced if you can't see it.

Open the accessibility features

4. Click on Manage accessibility features in the right-hand panel.

Enable the screen magnifier

5. Click the toggle switch next to either Enable full-screen magnifier or Enable docked magnifier to switch your preferred option to On.

Click the switch next to Enable full-screen magnifier or Enable docked magnifier

Change the level of magnification

6. To change the level of magnification when the magnifier opens, click the drop-down menu next to Fullscreen zoomed level or Docked zoom level, depending on which mode you’re using. Select one of the preset options or choose Custom to set your own level.

Using the magnifier

You can quickly increase the magnification level by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Brightness up or decrease it by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Brightness down . To move around the screen in full magnification mode, just move the pointer to the edge of the screen.

Note: If this does not work it could be because someone else manages your computer settings (an IT department or administrator). If this is the case, you will need to contact them to access these settings or for further help.

Call our free helpline

How to use the screen magnifier in Chrome OS

Short guide

Before and after

Video guide