Size of icons in Mail

[paieye]

I am an older user, and my sight is no longer as good as it was. As a result, although I can comfortably read all of the displays used in MacRumors, when I use Mail, I can scarcely see the icons for New Mail, Send, Attach, &c. in the menu-bar Is there any means of increasing the size or perhaps the contrast of these ?

 

[Unsupported]

I am an older user, and my sight is no longer as good as it was. As a result, although I can comfortably read all of the displays used in MacRumors, when I use Mail, I can scarcely see the icons for New Mail, Send, Attach, &c. in the menu-bar Is there any means of increasing the size or perhaps the contrast of these ?

Perhaps you can find some useful options in System Preferences --> Accessibilty?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Curious to know what it is about your eyesight that cannot be corrected with proper glasses?

 

[Unsupported]

Curious to know what it is about your eyesight that cannot be corrected with proper glasses?

If you were "an older user", like the OP, you wouldn't need to ask.

There are issues with vison as the years go by, many people suffer with visual impairment to some degree, and they can't all be corrected with "proper glasses". 👓

 

[BrianBaughn]

If you were "an older user", like the OP, you wouldn't need to ask.

There are issues with vison as the years go by, many people suffer with visual impairment to some degree, and they can't all be corrected with "proper glasses". 👓

Thanks! I guess I type younger than I am.

I just had lens replacements in both eyes and it ain't because I'm a youngster!

 

[Unsupported]

Thanks! I guess I type younger than I am.

I just had lens replacements in both eyes and it ain't because I'm a youngster!

I had cataracts removed around 15 years ago and intraocular implants too, but let's not go too far off topic.

The OP wants to know how to use Mail.app more comfortably without requiring eye surgery 😉

He mentioned increasing contrast, perhaps this would help?

 

[paieye]

Perhaps you can find some useful options in System Preferences --> Accessibilty?

View attachment 1731735

Many thanks for that, but could you possibly suggest the adjustments that I might make from there ?

 

[paieye]

If you were "an older user", like the OP, you wouldn't need to ask.

There are issues with vison as the years go by, many people suffer with visual impairment to some degree, and they can't all be corrected with "proper glasses". 👓

My sight has been permanently damaged by macular degeneration, a notorious age-related malady. Cataract-surgery in the last 4 or so months has produced a huge improvement, but but cannot of course undo the damage already done.

 

[Unsupported]

Many thanks for that, but could you possibly suggest the adjustments that I might make from there ?

Luckily I've not needed to use any of the options offered.

I can only suggest you experiment for yourself, and hopefully you'll find a setting that works for you. In general CMD + will enlarge and CMD - will reduce, while CMD 0 will bring things back to the default, although it seems that doesn't work in Mail.

For your needs I'd advise trying System Preferences - Accessibility - Zoom - Enable Hover Text

I just tried it and pressing the CMD key while holding the pointer over the menu item will indeed enlarge it in Mail.app.

 

[mk313]

I am an older user, and my sight is no longer as good as it was. As a result, although I can comfortably read all of the displays used in MacRumors, when I use Mail, I can scarcely see the icons for New Mail, Send, Attach, &c. in the menu-bar Is there any means of increasing the size or perhaps the contrast of these ?

I suspect this won't help, but might be worth a try. In Mail, under view > customize toolbar, there is an option to view Icon only, Text Only or Icon & Text. Selecting Icon & Text gives you extra visual info for each toolbar item. The font is in the same color as the icon, so it might hot help, but since the text length varies by button, it might be of some help.

 

[Unsupported]

My sight has been permanently damaged by macular degeneration, a notorious age-related malady. Cataract-surgery in the last 4 or so months has produced a huge improvement, but but cannot of course undo the damage already done.

Having worn glasses for myopia and astigmatism since I was 8 years old cataract removal and intraocular lens implants has proved to be a blessing. From 8 diopters in one eye down to 0.25!

I can now go about my daily business at home without glasses, but I have one pair for driving (an obligation), and as my ophthalmologist says, "seeing better", ie: watching TV or at the cinema.

I also have a pair of glasses specifically calibrated for my computer screen - arm's length to the wrist.

I have a relative who suffers with macular degeneration, and 3 friends have had detached retina. Just last week one of those also had cataract surgery. These things are more common than one would think.

 

[Unsupported]

I suspect this won't help, but might be worth a try. In Mail, under view > customize toolbar, there is an option to view Icon only, Text Only or Icon & Text. Selecting Icon & Text gives you extra visual info for each toolbar item. The font is in the same color as the icon, so it might hot help, but since the text length varies by button, it might be of some help.

I do believe my suggesting is the best solution. It's a system wide setting that works in any application:

Enable Hover Text:

 

[paieye]

Luckily I've not needed to use any of the options offered.

I can only suggest you experiment for yourself, and hopefully you'll find a setting that works for you. In general CMD + will enlarge and CMD - will reduce, while CMD 0 will bring things back to the default, although it seems that doesn't work in Mail.

For your needs I'd advise trying System Preferences - Accessibility - Zoom - Enable Hover Text

I just tried it and pressing the CMD key while holding the pointer over the menu item will indeed enlarge it in Mail.app.

View attachment 1732201

Thank you again, but my version of the operating-system (OSX 11.10.6) does not offer me Enable HoverText.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Not sure what version of macOS you ARE on but Enable Hover Text is also not an option in Mojave.

A setting that I use in Accessibility is the "Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom" and have the "Zoom style" set to "Picture-in-picture"…but "Full screen" might be your preference.

Clicking "Options…" I have these settings:

So now when I hold down the control and option keys together I get a picture in picture zoom window where my mouse is located. I adjusted the size of that window (dragging the corners) by, of course, clicking the "Adjust Size and Location" button.

I hope this helps.

 

[Unsupported]

Thank you again, but my version of the operating-system (OSX 11.10.6) does not offer me Enable HoverText.

Do you mean OS 10.6 Snow Leopard?

In which case you could upgrade to macOS 11 Big Sur, if your hardware supports it.

macOS Big Sur is compatible with these computers – Apple Support (UK)

You can install macOS Big Sur on any of these Mac models.

support.apple.com

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.

support.apple.com

How to upgrade from old Mac operating system to macOS Catalina/Big Sur

Apple supports macOS migrations back several releases, but you can wind up with too big a gap.

www.macworld.com

 

[paieye]

Not sure what version of macOS you ARE on but Enable Hover Text is also not an option in Mojave.

A setting that I use in Accessibility is the "Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom" and have the "Zoom style" set to "Picture-in-picture"…but "Full screen" might be your preference.

View attachment 1732225
Clicking "Options…" I have these settings:

View attachment 1732226

So now when I hold down the control and option keys together I get a picture in picture zoom window where my mouse is located. I adjusted the size of that window (dragging the corners) by, of course, clicking the "Adjust Size and Location" button.

I hope this helps.

Yes, that certainly does help --- thank you !

 

[Unsupported]

Yes, that certainly does help --- thank you !

If you could upgrade to macOS Big Sur this is what you could do with Enable Hover Text:

 

[paieye]

Do you mean OS 10.6 Snow Leopard?

In which case you could upgrade to macOS 11 Big Sur, if your hardware supports it.

macOS Big Sur is compatible with these computers – Apple Support (UK)

You can install macOS Big Sur on any of these Mac models.

support.apple.com

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.

support.apple.com

How to upgrade from old Mac operating system to macOS Catalina/Big Sur

Apple supports macOS migrations back several releases, but you can wind up with too big a gap.

www.macworld.com

No, as stated beneath my signature, I use El Capitan. As the text there also discloses, this notebook is an antique or at least vintage MacBook Air, and El Capitan is the very latest version of the operating-system that it can accommodate. And by the way, I have now learned from this very helpful thread how to use Ctrl-Option with the mouse-pointer to achieve the result shown in your screen-capture. I am truly grateful to all of you that have come to my aid.

 

[Unsupported]

No, as stated beneath my signature, I use El Capitan. As the text there also discloses...

I couldn't see any of that. Whatever, good luck and I'm glad you've found a solution that helps you.