Zoom is a setting on the iPad that allows students to magnify parts of the screen.
Zoom can support students to:
increase focus and attention
reduce fine motor demands
build independence
boost confidence while using the iPad
To set up Zoom on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Tap each image below to learn more, and zoom in to get a closer look.
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Tap "Zoom".
Use the menu items to toggle on or off "Follow Focus", "Smart Typing" or "Show while Mirroring".
Select "Keyboard Shortcuts", "Zoom Controller", "Zoom Region" or "Zoom Filter" to show more menu items and customize how Zoom will look.
Touch and drag the circle on the slider to the left or the right to set the "Maximum Zoom Level".
Tap the circle to toggle on "Zoom". A Zoom lens will be shown on the screen.
To turn off Zoom, double tap the screen with three fingers.
To use Zoom on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Double tap the screen with three fingers to turn on Zoom (or use the Accessibility Shortcut - see Accessibility Shortcut to learn more).
Touch and drag the bottom of the Zoom lens to move it around the screen (Window Zoom).
Double tap the screen with three fingers (without lifting fingers off the screen after the second tap), then drag up or down to zoom in and out.
To zoom in on other areas of the screen, use three fingers to drag the screen into the Zoom window (Full Screen Zoom).
Triple tap the screen with three fingers to show the Zoom menu.
Tap "Choose Region" to select where the Zoom area will be shown on the screen.
Select "Pinned Zoom" to keep the Zoom lens at the top of the screen. Then select "Choose Position" to place the Zoom lens at the "Top", "Left", "Right", or "Bottom" of the screen.
Select "Choose Position", then tap "Top", "Left", "Right", or "Bottom" to decide where the Zoom lens will be on the screen.
Select "Full Screen Zoom" to make the whole screen the Zoom lens.
Then use the slider to Zoom in or out by touching and dragging the circle to the left or right.
Select "Window Zoom" to keep the Zoom lens as a small rectangular window on the screen.
When using Window Zoom, tap "Resize Lens", then touch and drag any of the circles (grab points) around the lens to make it bigger or smaller.
Helpful Tip: If the Zoom menu is not shown on the screen or the grab points are not shown, touch the Zoom lens, then triple tap the screen with three fingers to show the Zoom menu and tap "Resize Lens".
Tap "Choose Filter" to change the colour of the Zoom lens.
Tap "Show Controller" to show the Zoom Controller on the screen.
With the Zoom Controller turned on, tap the controller to show the "Zoom Menu".
Double tap the controller to zoom in or out. Helpful Tip: This Controller Action can be changed in the Zoom Accessibility settings menu by tapping "Zoom Controller", then change the "Controller Actions".
When Window Zoom or Pinned Zoom is turned on, use one finger to touch and drag the controller to move around (pan) the screen.
To move the Zoom Controller to another area of the screen, use one finger to touch, hold and drag the controller.
To turn off the Zoom controller, tap the controller once to show the Zoom menu, then tap "Hide Controller".
To turn off Zoom, double tap the screen with three fingers or use the Accessibility Shortcut (See Accessibility Shortcut to learn more).
Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:
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With Zoom, students in the TDSB can:
make parts of the screen bigger. Easily view details in maps images and diagrams in Geography or Science.
see the small print on the screen. Make words and letters bigger using Zoom.
touch the chosen apps or icons. Reduce fine motor demands by zooming in on the screen to make it easier to select the correct app or icon.
customize the Zoom Lens of the iPad. Customize the look of zoom and how it is displayed on the iPad screen.
Last Updated June 16, 2025