How to Control Screen Rotation on Your iPad – Side Switch & Control Panel


Let’s go over the methods to manage screen orientation on your iPad. We’ll begin with legacy (old) iPads. You can learn much more about using legacy iPads in my

iPad Basics Video Lessons

.

CHANGING SCREEN ROTATION
SIDE SWITCH
See if your iPad has a side switch.

One way to control screen rotation is by using the side switch. You can assign two functions to this side switch – mute or rotation lock. I find it handier to use it for rotation lock since you can quickly mute sound from your iPad using the volume rocker switch just below the side switch. You can rapidly reduce volume to zero (mute) by holding volume down for about two seconds.

side switch on iPad

side switch ipad mini

You can assign rotation lock to the side switch from the Settings pane. Go to Settings > General and look for Use Side Switch to

side switch
 
USE CONTROL PANEL

The other way to control or change screen rotation is by using the Control Panel. In iOS 11 or earlier:
Swipe Up from the Bottom Edge of the Screen. This will open the Control Panel. Use the button to lock or unlock rotation.

swipe up for control panel

control panel old
 
To activate control panel when the iPad is running iOS 12 or later
Swipe Down from the Upper Right Corner of the Screen. This will open the Control Panel. Use the button to lock or unlock rotation.

control panel

control panel new


About Andy Brovey

Dr. Andy Brovey, The Portable Prof, teaches about digital tools through his work, websites and social media. In 2007, Apple Inc. recognized his work and named him an Apple Distinguished Educator. He started this iPad Academy website shortly after the first iPad went on sale. On his Freelance Teaching site you'll find the resources you need to teach like a smart entrepreneur.

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