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Level 1

24 points

How do I adjust the FONT SIZE on Safari 10?

I'm using OS X 10.11.6, and I just downloaded Safari 10.0. It seems to have replaced the "minimum font size" with a "zoom" function; but there's a big problem: If I make the font size as large as I prefer, the page runs off the screen; if I make the page zoom optimal, the font is too small! So I have to either squint at the text, or keep sliding back and forth to see the whole page. This is annoying and stupid. Isn't there a way to adjust the font size ALONE?

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 11:12 AM

Best reply

daniellefromtaylors

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 11:28 AM

Have same question. Safari 10.0 is USELESS to me if I can't change font size. Never imagined Apple would do such a Microsoft (see IE) thing.

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122 replies

Egtverchi Author

Level 1

24 points

Sep 21, 2016 6:39 AM in response to RedMolly250

Safari 9 allowed me to increase the font size independently of page zoom, but Safari 10 removed that necessary function. My impression, not being particularly tech-oriented, is that different web pages use different display systems to set the relative proportions of text size, image size, and field size (e.g. a box in which certain text is displayed); and some of these systems interact in odd ways with different browsers. I'm not familiar with Firefox or Chrome, but you might check to see if there is a "font size" control hidden somewhere in those browsers; if there is, you should be able to increase the text (on most screens) to something more legible. The trade-off is that the text may end up too big for a particular field, in which case it will be truncated, or will wrap around, and may crowd out other text; but that's a choice which should be left to the user, rather than having the developers decide what's best for everyone else.

Egtverchi Author

Level 1

24 points

Sep 21, 2016 6:49 AM in response to Harold Holbrook

Apple's System fonts have always been teeny, and I've learned to live with them; I don't think they shrunk appreciably with Safari 10. Safari 9, however, at least allowed users to adjust most other fonts, so web pages were easier to read.

Sep 21, 2016 6:52 AM in response to Egtverchi

I used to be able to set the fonts to no smaller than. That setting is gone. I'm on Apple chat now with photos of the problem. I'll relay what they have to say 😁

Sep 21, 2016 7:05 AM in response to Egtverchi

This is what Apple Inc. Chat Support has to say: (which is basically of no help)

"Ok, based on the information available, you have a few options. I hope they work for you. I’ve been told the main font size difference is Safari and you should be able to set the zoom at 115%. The other option is to change the display resolution, which may not give ideal results."

Sep 21, 2016 7:11 AM in response to RedMolly250

The second reply from Apple Mac Chat was not helpful either. We can only hope that they get a fix!!!

We can do a SMC and a Nvram reset. Both require a restart so we will have to end the chat.

Egtverchi Author

Level 1

24 points

Sep 21, 2016 7:23 AM in response to RedMolly250

A shame they didn't bother to check out this thread - we've already tried and discarded their "fixes", and explained why their suggestions don't work. As you say - no help. (And I'm always apprehensive when Apple's own people say "I've been told", as if they are as clueless as we are!)

Egtverchi Author

Level 1

24 points

Sep 21, 2016 7:28 AM in response to RedMolly250

"We can do a SMC and a Nvram reset. Both require a restart so we will have to end the chat."

Translation: "Well, gotta run, bye!"

Sep 21, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Egtverchi

I know. And I even gave them the link to this thread so they could take a look. My guess is there will be thousands of help tickets and since the update just came out they'll have to Get a Fix. For now I'm zooming up crazy just to see 12 and 14 pt type. Yep and I agree, they sounded clueless! Irritatingly so. 😟 Then the solution is to go into the firmware of the computer to mess with those settings because an update They just delivered has a problem. Nope! Not doing that. 😉 Wait and see... ... Thanks for posting the the question.

Sep 21, 2016 7:30 AM in response to Egtverchi

Exactly!

Sep 21, 2016 7:33 AM in response to RedMolly250

I'm a macOS developer, but don't dabble in Web stuff. So I posted in the Developer Forums "Safari" section, to see if there is a Safari hack.

Egtverchi Author

Level 1

24 points

Sep 21, 2016 7:41 AM in response to Harold Holbrook

Appreciate it. Let us know if you find anything useful - especially something which can be easily implemented by non-techies like me.

Sep 21, 2016 8:01 AM in response to Harold Holbrook

Thank you!

Sep 21, 2016 8:22 AM in response to Egtverchi

I hear you, I am so mad about this... If all of us leave feedback maybe apple will bring it back.

johnhs99

Level 1

14 points

Sep 21, 2016 8:44 AM in response to Eric Root

Thanks for the link, Eric. Let's hope Apple gives a ****.

Oirud

Level 1

25 points

Sep 21, 2016 9:35 AM in response to Egtverchi

I'm totally miffed at Safari 10. Used to be able to set a minimum font size for pages and it generally worked. I also have the AllPagesZoom and ZoomBySite extensions. None of these are solving the new issue of setting a default text size. Facebook is suddenly nearly-unusable. At default settings the chat column on the right obscures other page elements. If I adjust size downward I can't read text. If I increase size numerous page elements are either clipped or disappear entirely. Gmail website font size is too small to read if I want to see the whole page layout correctly without clipping off elements on the right hand side.

Seriously, Sir Jony, must we all buy magnifying glasses to use Apple products now?

As a former typographer, I'm seriously dismayed by this interface screwup. If I can't get an easy workaround or Apple doesn't put back the minimum font size setting, I'm abandoning Safari as my primary laptop browser. This is absurd and the decision-making process leading to this shows some major ineptitude at Apple. Listening to too many focus groups, maybe?

AAAAAARGGGHHH!

How do I adjust the FONT SIZE on Safari 10?