MotionShineShort answer: Open System Settings, Accessibility, Zoom and turn on Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom. Then press Option-Command-Plus to zoom in, Option-Command-Minus to zoom out, and Option-Command-8 to switch between zoomed in and zoomed out. Apple's page also offers a trackpad gesture and a scroll gesture with a modifier key. If you want a video of your screen to zoom in on clicks, that is a different job, covered lower down.
The Apple steps below come from Apple Support's "Zoom in on your Mac screen" page and its Multi-Touch gestures page, checked on 24 October 2026. Neither page shows a publish date. Menu names can differ on older macOS versions. This guide is by the maker of MotionShine, which appears near the end.
Zoom the whole screen with the keyboard
- Open System Settings and click Accessibility.
- Click Zoom. You may need to scroll down.
- Turn on Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom.
- Press Option-Command-Plus (+) to zoom in.
- Press Option-Command-Minus (-) to zoom out.
- Press Option-Command-8 to flip between zoomed in and zoomed out.
Apple's page also says you can use Accessibility Shortcuts to turn Zoom on or off quickly.
Zoom with the trackpad or the scroll wheel
Apple's page lists three ways to zoom, and you can turn on more than one.
| Method | Setting to turn on | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard | Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom | Option-Command-Plus, Minus and 8 |
| Trackpad | Use trackpad gesture to zoom | Double-tap with three fingers and drag to zoom gradually. Double-tap with three fingers to switch quickly between zoomed in and out |
| Scroll gesture | Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom | Pick Control, Option or Command, hold it and scroll with the trackpad or a mouse |
Apple's Zoom page does not say which modifier key is the default, so pick one yourself in the Modifier key for scroll gesture menu.
Zoom styles: full screen, split screen, picture-in-picture
Under Zoom style, Apple's page lists three choices:
- Full Screen: Zoom uses the whole screen. With more than one display, each can be zoomed on its own.
- Split Screen: The zoomed view sits along one edge of the screen.
- Picture-in-Picture: The zoomed view appears in a box around the pointer.
For Split Screen and Picture-in-Picture, click Size and Location to resize and move the zoomed area, then click OK. Picture-in-Picture is the gentlest if you want the normal screen to stay in view.
Zoom a web page or a document
This is not the same feature. It makes things bigger inside one app.
- In many apps and browsers: Command-Plus makes the content bigger and Command-Minus makes it smaller. This is common behaviour, and Apple's Zoom page does not cover it.
- On the trackpad: Apple's Multi-Touch page lists a two-finger pinch to zoom in or out, and Smart zoom, a two-finger double-tap that zooms in and back out of a web page or PDF. You can view and turn these off under Trackpad, Scroll & Zoom. They need a Magic Trackpad or a built-in Multi-Touch trackpad.
If the pinch does the wrong thing, check Scroll & Zoom in Trackpad settings. I did not find the direction spelled out clearly on the Apple page I read, so try it once and see.
Zoom in a screen recording
Apple's Zoom changes what you see on your screen. It is not a video effect. Apple's pages do not say how Zoom and screen recording interact, so test it before an important take. Even if it records, a manual zoom while you talk is rarely a smooth, planned camera move.
To make a video that zooms in on the part that matters, you zoom in the editing stage or have the recorder do it. QuickTime Player's page from Apple does not list a zoom effect. For a tutorial, the usual aim is that viewers see the button, not a tiny cursor on a big screen. For more on editing a recording, see how to edit a screen recording on Mac and video editing tips for screen recordings.
MotionShine: auto zoom, and who it is not for
MotionShine is a free Mac screen recorder made by the person who wrote this post. When you stop recording, the editor opens with a zoom on each click already in place, and you can change them. It also has a smooth cursor, click effects and motion blur, and a full editor for text, pictures, music, voice over and on-device captions.
The free version exports up to 720p at 30 fps with no watermark and no time limit. Pro unlocks 1080p, 1440p, 4K and 60 fps, with one-time prices.
It is not for you if you only need to magnify your own display while you work. Apple's Zoom does that for free. It also does not stream and has no share links. If you want an app comparison, see the best screen recorder for Mac or the free Screen Studio alternative.
FAQ
What is the shortcut to zoom in on a MacBook?
After you turn on Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom in Accessibility, Zoom, press Option-Command-Plus. Apple's page also lists Option-Command-Minus to zoom out and Option-Command-8 to switch.
How do I zoom in on a MacBook with the trackpad?
Turn on Use trackpad gesture to zoom in Accessibility, Zoom. Then double-tap with three fingers and drag to zoom gradually.
Why does my MacBook zoom not work?
Zoom must be switched on first. Apple's page says the keyboard or trackpad option has to be on before you can use it. Check System Settings, Accessibility, Zoom.
How do I zoom in on a screen recording on a Mac?
Apple's Zoom magnifies your display only. To make a video zoom in, use an editor or a recorder that adds zooms, such as MotionShine, which adds one on each click.
How do I zoom out again?
Press Option-Command-Minus, or Option-Command-8 to switch back. With the trackpad gesture, double-tap with three fingers.
Does the zoom change how big the file is?
Not that I found on Apple's pages. They do not say, so this post makes no claim.
