Rotate the screen on your iPad

The screen on your iPad can rotate so that you can see apps like Safari and Messages in portrait or landscape mode. Learn how to rotate the screen on your iPad, or get help if the feature doesn't work.

Some apps don't support rotation, so your screen might not rotate while you're in those apps even if rotation is enabled.

How to rotate the screen on your iPad

  1. Make sure that Rotation Lock is off: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Then tap the Rotation Lock button  to make sure it's off.
    iPad screen showing Control Center.
  2. Turn your iPad sideways. 

If the screen still doesn't rotate, try a different app like Safari or Messages, which work in landscape mode, and check to see if your iPad has a side switch.

If you have an older iPad, check to see if it has a side switch

If you don't see the Rotation Lock button , check to see if your iPad has a side switch. If you have an older iPad with a side switch, you can set the side switch to work as a rotation lock or mute switch.

Go to Settings > General. Under Use Side Switch To, select the option that you want.

Side view of iPad showing side switch.

Check the app that you're using

Remember that not all apps support rotation. If some apps on your iPad rotate as expected and others don't rotate, the ones that don't were built that way by their developers.

Still need help?

If the screen on your iPad still won't rotate, contact Apple support.

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