How to Use the Trackpad to Zoom on a Mac

This updated guide examines How to Use the Trackpad to Zoom on a Mac and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Part 1of 2:

Zooming With Your Trackpad

1. Open something that can be zoomed. You can change the zoom on web pages, pictures, documents, and more. You won't be able to zoom on the desktop or in Finder.
2. Place two fingers on the trackpad.
3. Move your two fingers apart to zoom in.
4. Pinch your two fingers together to zoom out.
5. Double-tap two fingers to zoom in on your cursor. Double-tap your two fingers again to zoom out. This will magnify the part of the document or web page that your cursor is over.^[1]

Part 2of 2:

Enabling and Disabling Gestures

1. Click the Apple menu. You can find this in the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. ClickSystem Preferences.
3. ClickTrackpad. If you don't see this option, click the Show All button at the top of the window.
4. Click theScroll & Zoomtab.
5. Click theZoom in and outbox. This will toggle the ability to pinch zoom on or off.
6. Click theSmart zoombox. This will toggle the ability to double-tap two fingers to smart zoom on or off.