iPad: Understanding the side switch

Summary

Learn about the two functions of iPad's side switch: Rotation Lock and Mute.

Products Affected

iPad

You can use the side switch on iPad to either lock the screen orientation or to mute some iPad sounds and alerts:

Rotation Lock

Rotation Lock prevents the iPad display from switching between portrait and landscape mode. While Screen Rotation Lock is enabled, the following occurs:

The display remains in landscape or portrait mode, regardless of how iPad is held.
The Rotation Lock icon appears in the status bar.
A padlock appears in the rotation lock button (viewable when you flick to the left on the recently used apps list, after double-clicking the Home button).

Mute

When you mute your iPad, only certain sounds are muted.

Sounds such as alerts, notifications, sound effects, and game audio are muted.
Media playback (such as music, podcasts, movies, videos, and TV shows) are not muted.

Changing the function of iPad's side switch

Tap Settings > General.
Under "Use Side Switch to:", select Lock Rotation or Mute.

Additional Information

Enabling Rotation Lock if "Use Side Switch" is set to Mute

Rotate iPad so the display is in the desired orientation.
Double-click the Home button to display recently used apps.
Flick from left to right along the bottom of the screen.
Tap the Screen Rotation Lock button on the bottom left of the screen.
A padlock will appear in the Screen Rotation Lock button.

A small Screen Rotation Lock icon appears in the status bar until you disable Screen Rotation Lock:

Enabling Mute if "Use Side Switch" is set to Lock Rotation

Double-click the Home button to display recently used apps.
Flick from left to right along the bottom of the screen.
Tap the Mute button on the bottom left of the screen.
A slash will appear across the Mute button:

Troubleshooting Rotation Lock

If your iPad display does not rotate as expected, verify that Rotation Lock is off:

Check the status bar for the Rotation Lock icon.
Toggle the Side Switch to verify that the device is not locked.
Note: Some apps do not rotate to match the current or locked orientation. Use the Home screen to determine Rotation Lock status.
If Rotation Lock is off and you are still unable to rotate the iPad display, restart your iPad:
Hold the Sleep/Wake button until "slide to power off" appears, and then slide to turn off your device. When it is off, press the Sleep/Wake button to turn it back on.