Supply alternative text labels for all meaningful images. Although the “left-facing triangle” image looks the same as the “go left” image, using it in a navigation control might be confusing if the appearance of the triangle changes in the future. For example, in a control that lets people navigate to the left, it makes sense to use the “go left” image. When you choose an image for its meaning, your app can remain visually consistent with the system even if the appearance of the image changes. Use each system-defined image according to its meaning - not its appearance. In some cases, a symbol might not have the same size or alignment as the image it replaces, so it’s important to check your layout. Select “Show View Options” from the menu.IMPORTANT By default, the system APIs return SF symbols configured as 13 pt, large scale, and medium weight. To increase the size of desktop icons, right-click on a folder, file or app icon at random. I find that three-quarters of the way to “Max” is ideal, whereas setting the magnification closer to “Min” makes barely any difference. To enable it, toggle the tickbox and get sliding. The second slider, “Magnification”, increases the size of an icon when you hover over it with the mouse. However, there’s another tool that will help people who struggle to see icons. The Dock icons will change before your eyes as you use the slider. I prefer just under halfway towards large. Note that you can make them very, very big and very, very small (those are the technical terms). If you simply want to make the icons bigger, use the first slider.

This will bring up a window with two sliders…

Head to System Preferences and – surprise, surprise – click the Dock option on the top row. The former will show you how to make the Dock (the menu bar that stretches along the bottom of the screen) icons larger, while the latter will guide you through boosting the size of folders, files and icons on your desktop.

I’m going to split this article into two sections: the Dock and desktop icons. Do you find yourself squinting down at the macOS Dock, trying to differentiate between Google Chrome and Spotify? If so, Apple has made it incredibly easy to boost the size of icons and folders to give your eyes a rest.

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