For iPhone Users. New magnifier icon

[TwasBrillig]

I’m assuming this came with the latest iOS upgrade as I only noticed it yesterday. There is now a magnifier icon which is so useful and far better than an ordinary magnifier. If you haven’t already found it it has a black background with a white magnifying glass symbol with a yellow plus sign on it.

It doesn’t just magnify to different degrees - it also lets you change contrast and brightness. But the feature that really makes a difference to me is that you can change the reading colours and this includes black print on yellow background. This means you can use it on say, a letter and have it converted instantly to an enlarged black on yellow document. You can do multiple screenshots on a long document and then read it on your iPhone - or iPad.

Hope this is useful to someone.

TwasBrillig

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner]

Hello Everyone,

To use these settings go to Settings > Accessibility, there's a few different options so have a play around to see what suits you.

If you would like an extra hand, we have a tech talkers service at the Macular Society where a volunteer with an iPhone can ring you and walk you through how to access and use these different settings, just give us a ring on 0300 3030 111 Monday- Friday 0900-1700

All the best,

Becky

[TwasBrillig in reply to Becky_MacularSociety]

Just so there’s no confusion, the magnifier - as an app and with added capabilities - is a recent addition which came with iOS 14. This is not the same as “zoom” which enlarges what you’re reading on your device but a feature that turns your device into a magnifying glass.

There is a good visual article here:

macrumors.com/guide/magnifi...

TwasBrillig

[Becky_MacularSociety Partner in reply to TwasBrillig]

My mistake, thought you were referring to Zoom

[bel9mex]

Thank you - it was certainly helpful to me! I have an iPhone but never use it to make calls (I prefer to use my landline if I need to make a calll). However, I keep iPhone charged now (I used to forget) as you are often asked for the number in order to receive a validation code via text message! However, suffering from AMD (right eye now beyond help, left eye still okay), I find reading very difficult, especially when the contrast in, say, a magazine is lacking (as in pale yellow writing on a pale green background - they love to do that). I have magnifiers and torches all over the house but checked out the one on the iPhone, thanks to you, and it is great, especially the ability to change the reading colours! Suddenly I can see contrast where I couldn’t before. Many thanks for the info.

[TwasBrillig in reply to bel9mex]

Thanks for replying Bel9mex and really glad it was of use to someone. For me it’s a game-changer as the magnifiers from the low vision clinic no longer do much and, as you say, the yellow/black filter makes such a difference! Have you discovered the free Microsoft app Seeing AI? As well as describing people it can read text to you - wonderful for medicine labels and leaflets etc. I don’t want to clog the forum with stuff that isn’t strictly AMD related but please feel free to direct message me if you think I can help with the Seeing AI app or accessibility features on iPhone.

PS You mentioned torches. Don’t forget you can say “Hey Siri, turn on torch.” Great for nightly bathroom trips! Just remember to tell Siri to turn it off again.

[bel9mex in reply to TwasBrillig]

Thanks for additional info - will look into it. (By the way, I have Alexa turn on bedroom light when going up the stairs at night. 😺)

[Jmcfly]

Thank you for pointing this out. I hadn’t noticed it either. It’s really useful and better than any of my magnifying glasses.Very best wishes to you .

[Catseyes235]

Yes I just noticed it. Wasn’t sure whether to keep it but it’s proved itself quite useful. Thanks for the extra info on what you can do with it. I’ll have to experiment.