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Customising App Display Settings on iOS

Make use of Per-App Accessibility settings on iOS to control how an app displays

12 February 2026 3 min read Stuart
image representing accessibility settings

Article

Customising App Display Settings on iOS

Apps aren’t just about what they do—they’re about how comfortable they are to use. Text that’s too small, contrast that’s too low, or motion that feels distracting can all make an app harder to engage with over time.

The good news is that iOS includes powerful per-app accessibility settings, allowing you to tailor the experience of individual apps without affecting the rest of your device. That means you can adjust things like text size, contrast, and motion in a way that suits you best.

Customising display settings per app

iOS lets you override system-wide display preferences for specific apps. This is especially useful if you want larger text in a reading or note-taking app, but standard sizing elsewhere.

To set this up:

  • Open Settings
  • Go to Accessibility
  • Scroll down and tap Per-App Settings
  • Tap Add App and choose the app you want to customise
  • Select the app from the list to adjust its settings

From here, you can configure a range of options.

Adjusting text size

One of the most commonly used settings is text size. Within the app’s accessibility settings, you can:

  • Increase or decrease font size
  • Enable Larger Accessibility Sizes for even bigger text

This works alongside Dynamic Type, meaning apps that support it will automatically scale their text to match your preference.

Other useful accessibility options

Per-app settings go beyond text. Depending on your needs, you can also adjust:

  • Bold Text – makes text easier to read at a glance
  • Increase Contrast – improves visibility between elements
  • Reduce Motion – minimises animations that might feel distracting
  • Reduce Transparency – replaces translucent backgrounds with solid ones

These changes apply only to the selected app, giving you fine-grained control over your experience.

Designed to work with your settings

These features rely on apps respecting system accessibility settings—and that’s something we take seriously. The Shaking the Habitual apps are built to follow iOS guidelines for Dynamic Type and accessibility, so adjustments you make at the system level are reflected properly in the app.

This means you can customise your experience with confidence, knowing the interface will adapt in a consistent and predictable way.

Why this matters

Accessibility isn’t just about edge cases—it’s about making everyday interactions more comfortable. Whether you prefer larger text for reading, reduced motion for focus, or higher contrast for clarity, these tools help you shape your device around your needs.

With per-app settings in iOS, you’re not locked into a single configuration. You can fine-tune each app to feel right for you, creating a more personal and usable experience across your device.

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