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 even if Rotation Lock isn't enabled.

Rotate the screen on your iPad

  1. Make sure that Rotation Lock is off:
    • On an iPad with iOS 12 or later, or iPadOS, 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.
    • On an iPad with iOS 11 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom edge of your screen to open Control Center. Then tap the Rotation Lock button  to make sure it's off.
  2. Turn your iPad sideways. 

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

Check to see if your iPad 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 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.

Still need help?

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

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