How to Change Fonts on Samsung Galaxy J5

Changing the font on your Samsung Galaxy J5 lets you personalize the look of menus, messages, and apps. This guide shows you how to switch between the built-in fonts and, if you want more options, how to download new ones from the Galaxy Store. You don’t need any special tools—just your phone and a few minutes.

What You’ll Need

Samsung Galaxy J5 (any variant: J5 2015, J5 2016, J5 2017)
A stable internet connection if you plan to download new fonts
Samsung account (optional, but required for some font downloads)

Step-by-Step

Unlock your phone and go to the Home screen. Swipe up or tap the Apps icon (a grid of dots) to open the app drawer.
Open the Settings app. It looks like a gear icon. You can also pull down the notification shade and tap the gear icon in the top right.
Scroll down and tap “Display.” This may be listed as “Display and wallpaper” on some versions of Android.
Look for “Font and screen zoom” or “Font style.” On Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and 7.0 (Nougat), it’s usually under “Display” > “Font and screen zoom.” On Android 8.0 (Oreo), tap “Font size and style.”
Tap “Font style.” You’ll see a list of available fonts. The default is usually “Default.”
Select a font from the list. As you tap each font, a preview will appear at the top of the screen. You can scroll through the list to see all options.
Tap “Apply” or “Done.” The font will be applied immediately. If you don’t like it, repeat the steps and choose another.
To download more fonts: In the “Font style” screen, tap “Download fonts” or the Galaxy Store icon (a blue shopping bag with a “G”). This opens the Galaxy Store’s font section.
Browse or search for a font. You can filter by “Free” or “Paid.” Tap a font to see details and previews.
Tap “Download” or “Install.” If it’s a paid font, you’ll need to confirm the purchase (using your Samsung account). After downloading, the font will appear in your “Font style” list.
Apply the downloaded font. Go back to “Font style,” select the new font, and tap “Apply.”

Common Mistakes

Not finding the right menu: On some J5 models with older Android versions, the path is “Settings” > “Display” > “Font style.” If you can’t find “Font and screen zoom,” look for “Font style” directly.
Tapping “Apply” without selecting a font: Make sure you actually tap the font name (it should get a checkmark or highlight) before hitting “Apply.” Otherwise, nothing changes.
Downloading fonts from third-party websites: These may not be compatible with your J5 and can cause errors or security issues. Stick to the Galaxy Store.
Assuming all fonts are free: Many fonts in the Galaxy Store cost money. Check the price before downloading.
Forgetting to restart after applying: Sometimes the font doesn’t fully apply until you restart the phone. If the text looks mixed, restart.

Tips

Use “Font size” separately: The “Font size” slider (next to “Font style”) changes how big the text is, not the style. Adjust it if the new font feels too small or too large.
Preview before applying: The preview at the top of the screen shows sample text. Type a sentence you often use (like a message) to see how it looks.
Stick to one font: Changing fonts frequently can make your phone feel inconsistent. Pick one you like and keep it.
Check compatibility: Some third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) may override the system font. If you use a custom launcher, check its own font settings.
Free alternatives: If you don’t want to pay, look for “Free” in the Galaxy Store filter. There are usually several decent free options.

Troubleshooting

Font doesn’t change after applying: Restart your phone. If that doesn’t help, go back to “Font style” and select “Default,” then apply your chosen font again.
Downloaded font doesn’t appear in the list: Make sure the download completed. Go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “Galaxy Store” and clear its cache. Then reopen the font section and check.
“Font style” option is missing: On some J5 models with heavy customization, the option might be under “Accessibility” > “Vision.” Try that path.
Galaxy Store won’t load: Check your internet connection. If you’re on Wi-Fi, try switching to mobile data or vice versa. Also, make sure your Samsung account is signed in.
Font appears blurry or broken: This can happen with third-party fonts. Remove the font from your device (via “Font style” > “Delete” or in the Galaxy Store) and re-download it. If it persists, use a different font.
Battery drains faster after changing font: This is unlikely, but if you notice it, revert to the default font and see if the issue resolves. Some animated or heavy fonts may use more resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any TTF font on my Galaxy J5?

No. The J5 only supports fonts installed through the Galaxy Store or pre-installed system fonts. You cannot simply copy a .ttf file to your phone and use it without root access, which is not recommended.

Why do some fonts cost money?

Fonts are designed by type foundries and licensed to Samsung. The price covers the licensing. Free fonts are available, but they may have fewer characters or styles.

Will changing the font affect my apps?

Yes, most apps that use the system font will reflect the change. However, some apps (like games) have their own fonts and won’t change.

How do I reset to the default font?

Go to “Settings” > “Display” > “Font style” and select “Default.” Tap “Apply.” Your phone will revert to the original font.

Can I schedule font changes?

No, the J5 does not have a built-in scheduler for fonts. You have to change it manually each time.

Does changing the font void my warranty?

No, it’s a standard software setting. It does not affect your warranty.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →