Safari Reader Font Size & Color on iPhone and iPad
Safari’s Reader Mode on iPhone and iPad strips away ads, menus, and clutter, leaving just the article text. You can change the font size and choose between a white, sepia, gray, or black background, but you cannot change the font color itself. The controls are built into the Reader view and are adjusted with the “aA” button.
How to Adjust Font Size in Safari Reader
Once you are in Reader Mode on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:
- Tap the aA button in the Smart Search field at the top of the screen (or in the toolbar at the bottom on iPads).
- A small popover menu appears with two letter “A” icons. Tap the larger A to increase the font size, or the smaller A to decrease it.
- The text size changes instantly. You can tap multiple times to reach the size you want.
- Tap anywhere outside the menu to close it and continue reading.
There is no numeric slider; the size increases or decreases in fixed steps. The change applies only to Reader Mode, not to the regular website view.
Choosing a Font and Background Color
The same aA menu offers a few display options. Tap the aA button, then look for the icons at the bottom of the popover:
- White background (default) – high contrast, best for bright environments.
- Sepia – a light tan background that reduces glare for some readers.
- Gray – a dark gray background with white text, useful in low light.
- Black – pure black background with white text, often called “dark mode” within Reader.
You cannot pick a custom color, and the text color is always black (or white on dark backgrounds). The font itself is a standard serif or sans-serif, and you cannot change the typeface in Safari’s Reader.
Where Is the aA Button?
The location of the aA button depends on your device and orientation:
- iPhone (portrait): The button appears in the Smart Search field at the top, next to the website address.
- iPhone (landscape): It may move to the top-right corner of the screen.
- iPad: The button is in the toolbar at the top of the screen, near the address bar.
If you don’t see the aA button, you are not in Reader Mode. Tap the Reader Mode icon (a small rectangle with lines) on the left side of the Smart Search field to enter it. Some websites do not support Reader Mode, so the icon may not appear.
Why Can’t I Change the Font Color?
Apple intentionally keeps the font color fixed to maintain readability and contrast. The background choices are designed to work with the fixed text color: white background uses black text, sepia uses dark brown text, and gray/black backgrounds use white text. This ensures the text is always legible. If you need a specific color combination, you can use the Smart Invert or Color Filters accessibility features in iOS, but these affect the entire screen, not just Reader Mode.
How to Make Text Even Larger (or Smaller) Globally
If the largest Reader font size is still too small, you can increase the system-wide text size:
- Open Settings → Display & Brightness → Text Size.
- Drag the slider to the right to increase the base font size.
- For even larger options, go to Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Larger Text and enable it, then adjust the slider.
These settings affect all apps, including Safari’s Reader Mode. Note that some websites may not fully respect the larger text setting in their non-Reader view.
Common Problems and Fixes
- The aA button is missing: Make sure you are in Reader Mode. If the Reader icon is not visible, the site may not support it. Try a different article page.
- Font size resets after closing Safari: This is normal; Safari does not remember per-site Reader settings. You will need to adjust the size each time you enter Reader Mode.
- Dark mode is not working: If you have “Dark Mode” enabled in iOS, Reader Mode may default to a dark background. You can still switch to white or sepia using the aA menu.
- Text is too large and overlapping: Decrease the font size using the smaller A. If the problem persists, try rotating your device or restarting Safari.
Comparison: Safari Reader vs. Other Browsers
Other browsers offer more customization. For example, Firefox Focus and Brave have similar Reader modes, but some allow you to change the font family and text color. Chrome on iOS has a Reader Mode that is less customizable. Safari’s strength is that it is built-in and works seamlessly with iOS, but it lacks the granular control some users want. If you need custom colors, consider a dedicated reading app like Pocket or Instapaper, which let you choose from many themes and font styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the font style in Safari Reader?
No. Safari Reader only offers a single font (a serif typeface) and does not provide options to switch to sans-serif or other styles. You can only adjust the size and background.
Does the font size in Reader Mode affect the rest of Safari?
No. The Reader Mode font size is independent of the regular browsing view. However, the system-wide text size setting in iOS does affect both, so if you change that, Reader Mode will also change.
Why does Reader Mode sometimes not appear for a website?
Reader Mode works best on articles and long-form text. It may not appear on pages with heavy multimedia, paywalls, or dynamic content. Also, some sites explicitly disable it. Try refreshing the page or opening the article in a new tab.
Is there a way to set a default font size for Reader Mode?
No. Safari does not remember your preferred size between sessions. You have to adjust it each time you enter Reader Mode. This is a common request, but Apple has not added a persistent setting as of the latest iOS versions.
Can I use Safari Reader Mode on Mac?
Yes, Mac Safari has a similar Reader Mode, but the controls are different. You click the Reader icon in the address bar, then use the “aA” button in the toolbar to adjust size and background. The options are the same: white, sepia, gray, and black.
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