Use Command+/Command- to Change Desktop Icon Size instead of Page Size on MacBook (macOS)
If you're a MacBook user, you might have noticed that the keyboard shortcuts Command+ and Command- are used to zoom in and out on a webpage. However, did you know that you can also use these shortcuts to change the size of the desktop icons on your MacBook? This can be particularly useful if you find the default icon size too small or too large for your preference.
Changing Desktop Icon Size with Keyboard Shortcuts
To change the size of your desktop icons using keyboard shortcuts, follow these simple steps:
- Locate the Finder icon on your Dock and click on it to open a new Finder window.
- Press and hold the Command key on your keyboard.
- While holding down the Command key, press the + key to increase the size of the desktop icons or the - key to decrease the size of the desktop icons.
- Release both keys when you reach the desired icon size.
Changing Desktop Icon Size with the Trackpad
If you prefer using the trackpad over keyboard shortcuts, you can still change the size of your desktop icons with ease. Here's how:
- Open a new Finder window as described in the previous section.
- Place two fingers on the trackpad and spread them apart to zoom in and increase the size of the desktop icons or pinch them together to zoom out and decrease the size of the desktop icons.
Benefits of Changing Desktop Icon Size
Changing the size of your desktop icons can offer several benefits. For instance, if you have a hard time seeing small icons, increasing their size can make them easier to distinguish and identify. Conversely, if your desktop is cluttered with too many icons, decreasing their size can help you fit more icons on the screen and keep your desktop organized.
Other Ways to Customize Your Desktop
In addition to changing the size of your desktop icons, there are several other ways to customize your desktop on a MacBook. For example, you can change the desktop background, arrange icons in a specific order, or create folders to group related icons together.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While changing the size of your desktop icons is a straightforward process, you might encounter a few issues along the way. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
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The keyboard shortcuts don't work: Make sure you're holding down the Command key while pressing the + or - key. Also, ensure that your MacBook is not in full-screen mode or that you haven't accidentally locked the screen resolution.
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The trackpad gestures don't work: Check that your MacBook's trackpad is enabled and that the gesture settings are correctly configured. You can do this by going to System Preferences > Trackpad and making sure that the Zoom gesture is enabled.
In this article, we've covered how to use Command+ and Command- to change the size of desktop icons instead of page size on a MacBook running macOS. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily customize your desktop to fit your preferences and needs.
References
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Apple Support. (2021). Change the size of desktop icons on your Mac.
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Apple Support. (2021). Use gestures on your Mac Trackpad.
// Sample code block in a programming language
func changeDesktopIconSize(increase: Bool) {
let commandKey = "\u{00000061}" // "a" in ASCII
let plusKey = "\u{0000002B}" // "+" in ASCII
if increase {
// Increase icon size
NSApp.sendAction(Selector(("_changeIconSize:")), to: nil, from: nil)
NSApp.sendAction(Selector(("_changeIconSize:")), to: nil, from: NSApp.keyWindow)
} else {
// Decrease icon size
NSApp.sendAction(Selector(("_changeIconSize:")), to: nil, from: nil)
NSApp.sendAction(Selector(("_changeIconSize:")), to: nil, from: NSApp.keyWindow)
}
let event = NSApp.currentEvent!
event.modifierFlags &= ~NSEvent.ModifierFlags.command.rawValue
event.modifierFlags ^= NSEvent.ModifierFlags.shift.rawValue
}