Changing the reading font on your iPad for dyslexia starts with installing a specialized font like OpenDyslexic. iOS does not include a built-in dyslexia font, so you will need to download the free OpenDyslexic app from the App Store and install it as a system font profile. This allows you to use dyslexia-friendly text in supported apps like Pages, Microsoft Office, and specialized reading applications.
I have worked with students and parents setting up iPads for school use, and I have seen how the right font can transform reading comprehension. One parent told me their child doubled their reading speed within two weeks of switching to OpenDyslexic. The weighted letter bottoms and increased spacing make a noticeable difference for anyone who struggles with letter confusion.
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Why OpenDyslexic Font Works for Dyslexia
OpenDyslexic is an open-source font specifically designed to increase readability for readers with dyslexia. The letters have weighted bottoms that create a visual “gravity” effect, keeping the text anchored and helping prevent letters from flipping or rotating in the reader’s mind.
The font emphasizes the unique shapes of each letter. Letters like “b,” “d,” “p,” and “q” that often get confused have distinct bottom-heavy designs that make them easier to tell apart. The spacing between letters and words is also slightly wider, giving the eyes natural resting points as they move across a line of text.
Unlike standard fonts where every letter might look similar when rotated, OpenDyslexic creates visual differentiation. The baseline of each character is thicker, providing a “grounding” effect that helps readers keep their place. This simple design change can reduce the mental fatigue that comes from constantly decoding confusing letter shapes.
Forum discussions about dyslexia and iPads consistently mention OpenDyslexic as the go-to solution. Users report significant improvements in reading accuracy and reduced eye strain. Because it is open source, the font is free to use and continually improved by a community of developers focused on accessibility.
How to Get Dyslexia Font on iPad: Step-by-Step Installation
Installing OpenDyslexic on your iPad requires downloading the official app and installing a font configuration profile. The process takes about five minutes and only needs to be done once.
Step 1: Download the OpenDyslexic App
Open the App Store on your iPad and search for “OpenDyslexic” by Abbie Gonzalez. This is the official font installer app developed by the creator of the OpenDyslexic typeface. Download the free app to your device.
Step 2: Launch the App and Select Your Fonts
Open the OpenDyslexic app after installation. The app presents several variants of the font including regular, bold, italic, and bold-italic styles. Select the font styles you want to install by tapping the checkboxes next to each option.
Step 3: Generate and Download the Font Profile
Tap the “Generate Font Profile” or “Install Fonts” button within the app. The app will create a configuration profile containing your selected font files. When prompted, allow the download to proceed. The profile file will be saved to your device.
Step 4: Install the Profile in Settings
Go to your iPad’s Settings app. Look for a “Profile Downloaded” notification at the top of the left sidebar, or navigate to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Tap on the OpenDyslexic profile and select “Install” in the top-right corner.
You may need to enter your device passcode to proceed. The system will display a warning about the profile being from an unknown developer. This is normal for font profiles. Tap “Install” again to confirm, then tap “Done” when the installation completes.
Step 5: Verify the Font Installation
Confirm the fonts are installed by going to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. You should see “OpenDyslexic Fonts” listed under the Configuration Profiles section. The fonts are now available to use in compatible apps on your iPad.
Step 6: Enable Fonts in Individual Apps
Open a supported app like Pages or Microsoft Word. Access the font menu and scroll to find OpenDyslexic in the list of available fonts. Select it to apply the dyslexia-friendly formatting to your document.
Using Dyslexia Fonts in Popular iPad Apps
Not every iPad app supports custom fonts, but many of the most popular writing and reading applications do. Here is how to use OpenDyslexic in the apps students and professionals use most.
Pages
Apple’s Pages app fully supports custom fonts installed via profiles. Open any document and tap the paintbrush icon to access formatting options. Select “Font” and scroll through the list to find OpenDyslexic Regular, Bold, or Italic. The font applies immediately to your selected text or the entire document.
Microsoft Word and Office Apps
Microsoft Office for iOS also recognizes system-installed fonts. In Word, tap the “A” icon with the pencil to open the formatting menu. Choose “Home” and then tap the font name to see the full list. OpenDyslexic appears alphabetically in the font list alongside other installed typefaces.
Notes App Limitations
The built-in Notes app on iPad does not support custom fonts. It uses the system default typeface and offers no way to change to OpenDyslexic within the app itself. Students who need dyslexia-friendly notes should use Pages or a third-party note-taking app like Notability or GoodNotes that supports custom font selection.
Third-Party Reading Apps
Many dedicated reading apps like Kindle, Libby, and Kobo include OpenDyslexic as a built-in font option. Check the font settings within each app’s reader view. If the app does not list OpenDyslexic, look for other dyslexia-friendly options like Comic Sans or sans-serif fonts with good letter spacing.
How to Change Safari Browser Font for Dyslexia
Safari on iPad does not support custom font changes natively. Apple restricts Safari’s rendering engine, so you cannot force websites to display in OpenDyslexic through the standard browser. However, there are workarounds for reading web content with dyslexia-friendly fonts.
Use the Navidys Browser App
Navidys is a specialized browser app designed for readers with dyslexia. Available on the App Store, Navidys allows you to browse websites while applying OpenDyslexic font, custom background colors, and text spacing adjustments. Simply copy any web link into Navidys or use it as your default browser for reading-intensive research.
Reader View in Safari
For articles and blog posts, Safari’s Reader View can improve readability even without custom fonts. Tap the “AA” icon in the address bar when viewing a compatible page. This strips away ads and distractions, allowing you to focus on the text. While you cannot change to OpenDyslexic here, you can increase text size and enable a darker background for easier reading.
Color Filters and Overlays
Some readers with dyslexia benefit from color overlays that reduce visual stress. iPad’s built-in color filters can simulate this effect across all apps including Safari. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters and enable a tint that works for you. Many dyslexic readers prefer yellow, orange, or light blue overlays.
Additional iPad Accessibility Settings for Dyslexia
Beyond changing fonts, several built-in iPad settings can make reading easier for people with dyslexia. These features work alongside OpenDyslexic to create a comprehensive reading support system.
Display and Text Size Adjustments
Go to Settings > Display & Text Size to access several helpful options. Bold Text increases the weight of all system text, making letters more distinct. Larger Text allows you to increase the size of readable content across iOS. Button Shapes adds outlines to tap targets, reducing accidental presses.
Speak Selection and Speak Screen
Text-to-speech features help dyslexic readers verify what they see on screen. Enable Speak Selection in Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content. With this on, you can highlight any text and tap “Speak” to hear it read aloud. Speak Screen reads entire pages when you swipe down from the top with two fingers.
Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast
Visual clutter makes reading harder for many dyslexic users. In Display & Text Size settings, turn on Reduce Transparency to eliminate blurry background effects behind menus. Increase Contrast makes text edges sharper and more defined, helping letters stand out from their backgrounds.
Guided Access for Focus
Students who get distracted while reading can use Guided Access to lock the iPad into a single app. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access to set it up. Once enabled, triple-click the home button or top button to activate it. This prevents accidental app switching and keeps the reader focused on their current document.
FAQ
How to get dyslexic font on iPad?
Download the free OpenDyslexic app from the App Store, then install the generated font profile through Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Once installed, the font becomes available in supported apps like Pages and Microsoft Word.
What is the best font for dyslexia on iPad?
OpenDyslexic is the most recommended font for dyslexia on iPad. It features weighted bottoms and unique letter shapes that prevent confusion between similar characters like ‘b’ and ‘d’. The font is free, open source, and specifically designed for dyslexic readers.
How do I make my iPad dyslexia friendly?
Install the OpenDyslexic font for supported apps, enable Bold Text and Larger Text in Display settings, turn on Speak Selection for text-to-speech, and use Color Filters if colored overlays help your reading. Also consider using apps like Navidys for web browsing with dyslexia-friendly fonts.
How to get dyslexia overlay on iPad?
Use the Color Filters feature in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters. Enable a tint such as yellow, orange, or blue to create a colored overlay effect across the entire screen. This simulates the physical colored overlays used by many dyslexic readers.
Is there a font that is easier for people with dyslexia to read?
Yes, OpenDyslexic is specifically designed for dyslexic readers with weighted letter bottoms, increased spacing, and distinct character shapes. Other helpful alternatives include Comic Sans and Verdana due to their simple, sans-serif letterforms and good spacing.
Does Apple have a dyslexia font?
No, Apple does not include a built-in dyslexia font in iOS or iPadOS. Users must install third-party fonts like OpenDyslexic using a font profile installer app. Apple does provide other accessibility features like Speak Selection, VoiceOver, and Display Accommodations that complement dyslexia fonts.
Learning how to change reading font on iPad for dyslexia opens up new possibilities for students and adults who struggle with traditional typefaces. The OpenDyslexic font installation takes only a few minutes but can provide years of improved reading comfort.
I recommend starting with the OpenDyslexic app installation, then exploring the additional accessibility settings like Speak Selection and Color Filters. Every reader is different, so experiment with combinations of font styles, text sizes, and color overlays to find what works best for you or your child.
For school iPads, make sure teachers know about the font change so they can support students using these accommodations. With the right setup, reading on iPad becomes significantly more accessible for everyone with dyslexia.