How to Zoom with the Camera on Android

PDF download Download Article
A simple guide to zoom with the camera on Android
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to zoom in and out using your Android’s camera app.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using your Fingers

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-1.jpg\/aid8961204-v4-728px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":334,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":529,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most Androids use different camera apps, so its icon will vary.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-2.jpg\/aid8961204-v4-728px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":334,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":529,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This motion is basically the opposite of a pinch. Start by your thumb and pointer finger together on the screen, then move them away from one another in opposite directions. As you move your fingers, the image on the screen will grow larger.
    • Repeat this motion until you’re zoomed in as far as you want to be.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-3.jpg\/aid8961204-v4-728px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":334,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":529,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Start with your thumb and pointer finger a couple of inches apart, then pinch them together. As you pinch, the camera will zoom out, making the image on the screen much smaller.
    • Repeat this motion to zoom out more.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Volume Keys

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a7\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-4.jpg\/aid8961204-v4-728px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":334,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":529,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most Androids use different camera apps, so its icon will vary.
    • Not all camera apps support using the volume keys to zoom.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-5.jpg\/aid8961204-v4-728px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":334,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":529,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This should zoom in to the area, making everything appear larger.
    • Volume buttons are usually on the left or right edge of the device. The volume-up button is the one closer to the top of the phone.
    • Continue pressing volume-up to increase the zoom.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-6.jpg\/aid8961204-v4-728px-Zoom-with-the-Camera-on-Android-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":334,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":529,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will zoom out of area. Continue pressing the button until you’ve zoomed out to the original size.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I can't zoom in on my Android phone, neither of the options above work. How do I zoom in?
    ajeesh sj
    Community Answer
    Not all Android phones come with a "Zoom" option by default in the camera application. Often we need to depend on third-party applications to do additional functions. There are many camera applications available which fulfill the requirements. Camera 360 and Google Camera are some of the best camera apps with some beautiful functions.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 14
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Hide Apps on Android
      Download APKs from Google Play: A Step-by-Step Guide
      How to Set up and Use an IR Blaster on Android
      How to
      Know Chat ID on Telegram on Android
      How to Check What Apps You Have Installed on Android
      How to
      Install APK Files on Android
      A Complete Guide to Lucky Patcher for Android
      How to
      Import Contacts from Excel to an Android Phone
      How to
      Get in App Purchases for Free (Android)
      How To View Who Is Connected to Your Hotspot on Android
      Downloading and Installing WhatsApp to Your Android Device
      How to
      Leave a Group Text on Android
      Saving Photos on Telegram on Android + Fixes
      How to Download Android Apps: The Complete Beginner's Guide
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 86,199 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement