How To Increase Text Size on Chromecast Using Text Scaling (Google TV)

If you’ve ever had to squint trying to read tiny text on your Chromecast with Google TV, you’re not alone. It’s kind of annoying when menus and labels look like they need a magnifying glass. Thankfully, there’s a way to dial up the text size, so everything becomes a bit easier to read. It’s not super straightforward, and sometimes the options are a bit hidden, but it’s doable. Here’s what usually works.

Step 1: Get into Settings

Start at the Google TV home screen. Look for the Profile icon or gear icon in the top-right corner — click it to open the Settings. If you don’t see it, try pressing the physical Home button on your remote, then scroll right to find the gear icon. Once there, navigate to the System section. On some firmware versions, it’s right in the main menu. Otherwise, you’ll need to dig into the submenu labeled Device or similar.

Step 2: Find Accessibility

Inside Settings, scroll down until you see Accessibility. If it’s not immediately obvious, it might be tucked under System or Advanced Settings. On some devices, you might also see it directly as a tab or in a separate menu. Anyway, click on Accessibility. Here’s where the magic happens.

Step 3: Change Text Size or Scaling

In the Accessibility menu, look for Text Size or sometimes called Font Size. The exact wording can differ depending on your firmware, but it’s usually a slider or a list of options like Small, Large, Very Large. Some versions let you set a percentage — e.g., 125%, 150%, 200%. Pick a size that makes everything easier to read. The changes should be immediate, so check if the text looks better on menus, app labels, and other UI elements.

Pro tip: If you don’t see the setting or it doesn’t seem to do much, it might be because your firmware doesn’t support detailed text scaling. Or maybe you need to restart the device — sometimes it’s that simple.

Step 4: Optional – Boost Contrast for Better Readability

If the text still feels kinda muted or blends into background colors, try enabling High Contrast Text. You can find this in the same Accessibility menu. It’s like giving the font a neon outline — it makes reading easier, especially if you’re visually impaired or just prefer bolder text.

Step 5: Check App-Specific Text Settings

Most of the time, changing text size in the system settings won’t affect apps like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+. If you want bigger subtitles or menu options within those apps, look inside the app’s own settings. For example, Netflix has subtitle size controls under its playback menu. So don’t be surprised if your changes don’t carry over there; sometimes apps have their own independent settings.

Extra Tips & Common Issues

Sometimes, changing the text size isn’t enough — or maybe it just doesn’t work right away. Here are a few things that can help:

Try toggling the text size setting off and on again, then restart the device — weird, but on some setups, it resets the font scaling properly.
If apps aren’t respecting the scaling, make sure those apps are fully updated from the app store. App devs sometimes add their own font controls in updates.
Adjust your TV’s display settings or picture mode if the text doesn’t look right — sometimes the TV’s own sharpness or contrast affects readability.

Making text bigger on Chromecast with Google TV isn’t always consistent, but these steps usually help get you closer. It’s a little fiddly, especially if different firmware versions behave differently, but once set, it’s a game-changer for usability. Just messing around with those menus and settings might get your setup to where you want it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I revert back to the original text size?

Absolutely. Just go back into Accessibility and dial the slider back down or select smaller text options. Easy peasy.

What if the text still doesn’t get any bigger?

This can happen. Make sure your device is running the latest firmware (Settings > System > About > System Update), because sometimes these settings are buggy or limited on older versions. If all else fails, a factory reset might be needed, but that’s a last resort.

Are there any tricks for super tiny text in specific apps?

Yes, most apps like Netflix or YouTube have their own subtitle text controls. Check within each app’s settings for “Subtitle Size” or “Text Options.”