How to Zoom In or Out on an iPhone or iPod Touch (with Pictures)

One of the most powerful features of an iOS device like an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad is the ability to zoom into things like maps, photos and web pages. This handy guide helps explain the basics behind bringing out enhanced detail on your touch screen device.
STEPS

1

WHILE USING A ZOOM-FRIENDLY APPLICATION (MORE COMMON INSTANCES ARE WEB PAGES, EMAIL MESSAGES AND PHOTOS), PLACE YOUR THUMB AND POINTER FINGER AT OPPOSING POINTS OF THE SCREEN AS IF PREPARING TO PINCH A CHEEK.

2

GENTLY MOVE YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. Note that the speed at which your fingers are spread will influence the rate of zoom.

3

TO ZOOM BACK OUT, REVERSE THE MOTION AND GENTLY "PINCH" YOUR FINGERS TOWARDS EACH OTHER WHILE KEEPING CONTACT WITH THE SCREEN.
VIDEO

TIPS
An alternate method is to simply double-tap on an image or object you would like to zoom into or out of. Though the zoom distance is pre-set, this can often be a handy shortcut for quickly glancing at something in detail, and can sometimes be repeated to zoom deeper into high-detail objects like maps.
Though this guide applies specifically to iOS devices, the action will work on nearly any modern multi-touch screen.
It can help to use your fingernail and fingertip to add precision and avoid obscuring details of what you'd like to zoom in on.
While zoomed in, some applications will allow you to rotate an object (a map or a picture, for instance) by simply "rotating" your fingers around the same center point you were zooming in an out from.
THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad
fingers