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 are in those apps even if you enable rotation.

Rotate the screen on your iPad

  1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center.

  2. Tap the Rotation Lock buttonNo alt supplied for Image to make sure it's off.

    iPad screen showing Control Center with the Lock Rotation switch button highlighted.

  3. Close Control Center.

  4. Turn your iPad sideways.

If the screen still doesn't rotate, try a different app like Safari or Messages, both of which work in landscape mode.

Determine if your iPad has a side switch

If you don't see the Rotation Lock buttonNo alt supplied for Image, 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:

  1. Go to Settings > General.

  2. Under Use Side Switch To, select the option that you want.

Side view of iPad showing the side switch, which can be used for rotation lock or mute.

Confirm app supports rotation

Remember that not all apps support rotation. Make sure to use an app that works in multiple orientations.

Restart your iPad

If the screen on your iPad still won't rotate, try restarting your iPad.

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