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The Complete Guide to Every iOS 27 Feature

How to customize apps and widgets on the iPad Home Screen

by Tyler Stephen

You can change how app icons and widgets look on your Home Screen—adjust their size, apply a color tint, or switch between light and dark appearances. Auto gives icons and widgets a dark look at night, and a light appearance during the day.

In large size, the app names disappear, and a clear look makes the icons translucent. You can resize a widget, too. Some apps don’t offer every widget size, though, while others offer sizes up to extra large.

The iPad Home Screen with clear app icons.

If you’d like to add, remove, or edit what a widget displays, see our article, Add, edit, and remove widgets.

Customize the look of app icons

  1. Go to the Home Screen.
  2. Touch and hold the Home Screen background until the icons begin to jiggle.
  3. Tap the Edit button at the top of the screen. Then choose Customize.
  4. Do any of the following:
    • Make the icons larger: Tap the LargeAppIcons button. In large size, the names of the apps disappear.
    • Choose a dark appearance: Tap Dark. To show icons and widgets with a dark appearance at night and a light appearance during the day, tap Auto.
    • Give the icons a clear look: Tap Clear to make the icons translucent, then choose Light, Dark, or Auto.
    • Add a color tint: Tap Tinted. Use the sliders to choose the color and saturation (or use the eyedropper to select a color in your wallpaper). Then choose Light, Dark, or Auto.

Resize a widget

  1. Go to the Home Screen.
  2. Touch and hold the app icon or widget on your Home Screen.
  3. Choose a widget size.

    Note: Not all apps offer every widget size. Some apps provide only small and medium widgets, while others offer sizes up to extra large.

To change the widget back to an app icon, touch and hold it, then tap the App Icon button.

See also

Tag: Home Screen
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How to improve audio and record video calls on iPad

by Chris Smith

You can control the settings for capturing audio and video in apps and websites—for example, during a videoconference—to maximize the quality of your recording.

An input source for recording audio can be set for a specific app or website, or for your device. Voice Isolation reduces background noise so your voice comes through clearly, while Wide Spectrum keeps all the surrounding sounds. After the call, your recording is saved in the Files app by default.

Here’s how to improve audio and record video calls on iPad.

Select an audio input source

You can choose an input source for recording audio in a specific app or website or for your device.

  1. Open the app or go to the website you want to record from.
  2. Open Control Center.
  3. Tap the button for your app or browser at the top of Control Center.
  4. Tap Input and then select an input device.

    A menu in Control Center shows input source options for recording your side of a videoconference.

Filter out background sounds with Voice Isolation

To make your voice come through clearly, Voice Isolation reduces background noise. Wide Spectrum keeps all surrounding sounds, which helps in music or group settings.

  1. Open the app or go to the website you want to record from.
  2. Open Control Center.
  3. Tap the button for your app or browser at the top of Control Center.
  4. Tap Voice Isolation.

To include the background sounds in your recording, tap Wide Spectrum, if it’s available. (Wide Spectrum isn’t available for all apps.)

After the call, your recording is saved by default in the Downloads folder in the Files app, unless you specify another location. Tap the Share button to share it with other call participants. It can be combined with other participants’ recordings in a post-production app such as Logic Pro or Final Cut Pro.

Record audio and video with Local Capture

Local Capture saves high-quality audio and video recordings directly to your iPad. Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum don’t affect a Local Capture recording, but you can edit it afterward to adjust the sound.

Local Capture records audio and video by default, but if another app is using your camera, it records only audio.

  1. Open the videoconferencing app you want to record from.
  2. Open Control Center.
  3. Touch and hold the Local Capture button.

    Note: If you don’t see the Local Capture button, add it to Control Center first. See Use and customize Control Center.

  4. Tap Start Recording.

    Note: Depending on your audio input source, you can adjust the input gain by dragging the slider (if one appears onscreen). The input gain slider allows you to attenuate the incoming volume when you use an external USB microphone.

    To exclude video from your recording, select Audio Only in Control Center.

Note: While you’re recording with Local Capture, you can use Voice Isolation to filter out background noise during the live session, though not in the recording itself. However, you can fix this by editing the recording after the live session, filtering out background sounds.

After the call, your recording is automatically saved in the Downloads folder in the Files app, unless you specify a different location for saving Local Capture recordings. Tap the Share button to share the recording with other call participants. It can be combined with other participants’ recordings in a post-production app (such as Logic Pro or Final Cut Pro).

Choose where Local Capture recordings are saved

You can specify a location for saving Local Capture recordings other than the default Downloads folder in the Files app.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap General and then tap Local Capture.
  3. Tap Save Location and then go to the folder where you want to save your Local Capture recordings.
  4. Tap the folder where you want the recordings saved and then tap Open.

Use AirPods to record audio and capture video from a distance

With supported models of AirPods and AirPods Pro, you can use your AirPods to remotely record audio and video during a videoconference. To start and stop recording, press the AirPods stem.

See also

Tag: Control Center
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How to make a recording in Voice Memos on iPad

by Moses Johnson

You can use iPad as a portable recording device to record personal notes, classroom lectures, musical ideas, and more, using the built-in microphone, a supported headset, or an external microphone. You can fine-tune your recordings with editing tools like trim, replace, and resume.

When Voice Memos is turned on in iCloud settings, your recordings appear and update automatically on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac signed in to the same Apple Account. You can also filter out background sounds and record in stereo or mono.

A Voice Memo recording, showing a waveform of the recording that’s in progress, along with a time indicator, a button to pause the recording, and a button to view the transcription.

Make a basic recording

  1. Go to the Voice Memos app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Record button to begin recording.

    To adjust the recording level, move the microphone closer to or farther from what you’re recording.

  3. Tap Done to finish recording.

Your recording is saved with the name New Recording or the name of your location, if Location Services is turned on in Settings > Privacy & Security. To change the name, tap the recording, then tap the name and type a new one.

To fine-tune the recording, check out our guide, Edit a recording.

Note: For your privacy, when you use Voice Memos to make recordings, an orange dot appears at the top of your screen to indicate your microphone is in use.

Filter out background sounds

Your Mono and Stereo recordings can include background sounds or leave them out.

  1. Open the Voice Memos app on your iPad.
  2. Open Control Center.
  3. Tap Voice Memos at the top of Control Center.
  4. To filter out background sounds and record only your voice, select Voice Isolation.

Record stereo or mono

Which recording mode you select determines how the recording sounds on playback.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Apps and tap Voice Memos.
  3. Tap Recording Mode, then choose one of the following:

    • Mono: Audio playback is the same in both ears.
    • Stereo: Separates audio playback between the left and right ears.

    When Stereo is selected, Voice Memos records using multiple microphones on your iPad and with right and left audio channels. If you listen to a Stereo recording through headphones, you hear different sounds from different microphones; however, the waveform display still looks the same.

Use the advanced recording features

Pausing and resuming as you record lets you make a recording in parts.

  1. Open the Voice Memos app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Record button to begin a recording.

    To adjust the recording level, move the microphone closer to or farther away from what you’re recording.

    To see more details while you’re recording, swipe up from the top of the waveform.

  3. Tap the Pause button to stop recording; tap Resume to continue.
  4. To review your recording, tap the Play button.

    To change where playback begins, drag the playhead right or left across the small waveform at the bottom of the screen before you tap the Play button.

  5. To save the recording, tap Done.

Your recording is saved with the name New Recording or the name of your location, if Location Services is turned on in Settings > Privacy & Security. To change the name, tap the recording, then tap the name and type a new one.

To fine-tune your recording, read our article, Edit or delete a recording.

Mute the start and stop tones

Turning on Silent mode mutes the start and stop tones.

Open Control Center, then tap the Silent Mode Off button to turn on Silent mode.

Use another app while recording

You’re free to use another app while you’re recording, as long as it doesn’t play audio on your iPad.

  1. Open the Voice Memos app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the Record button to begin recording.
  3. While recording, you can open the Home Screen and open another app.

    If the other app starts playing audio, Voice Memos stops recording.

  4. To return to Voice Memos, tap the orange icon at the top of the screen.

With Voice Memos turned on in iCloud settings or preferences, iCloud saves your recording, and it shows up automatically on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.

Unless you turn on Stereo Recording in Settings, recordings using the built-in microphone are in Mono. To record in Stereo, you can also connect an external stereo microphone or audio interface that works with iPad. Look for the Apple “Made for iPad” or “Works with iPad” logo on the accessory.

See also

Tags: iCloud, Voice Memos
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How to keep the screen off when you use VoiceOver on iPad

by Kevin Hollington

If you use VoiceOver on iPad and don’t need to see what’s on the screen, you can turn on the screen curtain to improve battery life and maintain privacy. Your iPad stays active even though the display is off.

You can turn the screen curtain on or off with a three-finger gesture, which changes slightly if Zoom is also on. You can also use VoiceOver gestures, zoom in on the iPad screen, and learn how to operate iPad when VoiceOver is on.

See also

Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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How to print an email or attachment in Mail on iPad

by Kevin Hollington

In the Mail app, you can print a message or an attachment. You can print an email, or print an attachment or picture, right from the Mail app on your iPad. And you can add email attachments in Mail on iPad, or print from iPad in other apps, too.

Print an email

  1. Open the Mail app on your iPad.
  2. In the message, tap the More Actions button in the bottom-right corner and tap Print.

Print an attachment or picture

  1. Open the Mail app on your iPad.
  2. Tap an attachment to view it, tap the Share button, and choose Print.

See also

Tag: Mail
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How to change Apple Pencil double tap and squeeze settings for accessibility

by Dave Johnson

If you have difficulty using double tap or squeeze on Apple Pencil, you can adjust Apple Pencil settings for accessibility. You can change how firmly you need to press for the squeeze action, choose a slower duration for double tap, or turn double tap off.

Note: Double tap is available on supported iPad models with Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil Pro. Squeeze is available on supported iPad models with Apple Pencil Pro.

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, and then tap Apple Pencil.
  2. Do any of the following:
    • Drag the slider to adjust how firmly you need to press for the squeeze action. Turn on Extended Range for additional firmness options.
    • Turn double tap on or off.
    • Choose a slower duration for double tap.

Quick tip: Apple Pencil settings have more options for customizing Apple Pencil; just go to Settings > Apple Pencil.

See also

Tags: accessibility, Apple Pencil
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How to sing along with Apple Music on iPad

by Moses Johnson

Apple Music subscribers can use Apple Music Sing to view real-time, beat-by-beat lyrics for select songs, as well as adjust the volume of a song’s vocals, so you can sing along with the music while the lyrics are highlighted.

Apple Music Sing is available on iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Air (4th generation and later), iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (6th generation), and iPad (9th generation and later) using iPadOS 16.2 or later. If a song is playing with Dolby Atmos, turning on Apple Music Sing turns Dolby Atmos off. On Apple TV 4K, you can even see yourself singing onscreen.

Adjust the volume of a song’s vocals

  1. Start the Music app on your iPad.
  2. While a song is playing, tap the MiniPlayer to open the Now Playing screen. Tap the Lyrics button.
  3. Touch and hold the Apple Music Sing button. Then drag the slider up or down to adjust the vocal volume.

    When you need help pronouncing or translating the lyrics, tap the Translation and Pronunciation button, then choose Show Pronunciation or Show Translation. The Translation and Pronunciation button only appears when a translation or pronunciation is available that matches your iPad device’s Preferred Languages list. (You can view this list and add languages directly to it in Settings > General > Language & Region.) Not available in all languages.

    Tip: You can have either the lyrics or the pronunciation appear in larger text. Go to Settings > Apps > Music > Larger Text.

  4. To turn off Apple Music Sing for the song, tap the slider.

Turning on Apple Music Sing during a song playing with Dolby Atmos turns Dolby Atmos off, so the song plays without surround sound. Turn off Apple Music Sing, and the song plays with Dolby Atmos again.

The Now Playing screen showing the Apple Music Sing slider to the right of the lyrics. The currently playing lyrics are highlighted.

Sing onscreen with visual effects on Apple TV 4K

Using your iPad as a Continuity Camera puts you onscreen singing along with the lyrics, and you can add visual effects to your image and lyrics for a richer singalong experience.

“Cruel World” written by Holly Humberstone, Rob Milton, and Benjamin Francis Leftwich.

See also

Tag: Music
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How to use an adjustable onscreen trackpad on iPad

by Dave Johnson

With Virtual Trackpad on iPad, you can turn a small region of the screen into a resizable trackpad, and use it to move and click an onscreen pointer.

Before you can use Virtual Trackpad, you add it to AssistiveTouch, either in the AssistiveTouch menu or as a custom action. You can also adjust how quickly the pointer moves and the scrolling speed, and change how the trackpad looks, even making it fill the entire screen.

An iPad with a virtual trackpad displayed in the corner of the screen. Also on the screen are the AssistiveTouch menu (which is used to open the trackpad) and the pointer (which is controlled by the trackpad).

Set up Virtual Trackpad

To use Virtual Trackpad, you first need to add it to AssistiveTouch.

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Touch, and then tap AssistiveTouch.
  2. Do any of the following:
    • Add Virtual Trackpad to the AssistiveTouch menu: Tap Customize Top Level Menu, tap the Increment button, tap the Add button that appears, and then choose Virtual Trackpad.
    • Set a custom action to open Virtual Trackpad: Tap an action (such as double-tap or long press) below Custom Actions. Choose Virtual Trackpad.

Use Virtual Trackpad

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Touch, and then tap AssistiveTouch.
  2. Turn on AssistiveTouch.
  3. Depending on how you set up Virtual Trackpad, do one of the following to open it:
    • Use the AssistiveTouch menu: Tap the AssistiveTouch menu button and tap Virtual Trackpad.
    • Use the custom action you set: Tap, double-tap, or long press the AssistiveTouch menu button.
  4. Do any of the following:
    • Drag your finger on the trackpad to move the pointer.
    • Tap the trackpad to click at the location of the pointer.
    • Drag the arrows in the top-left corner of the trackpad to resize it.
    • Drag a border of the trackpad to move it.
  5. To close Virtual Trackpad, repeat the action you use to open it.

Change Virtual Trackpad settings

  1. Open Settings, tap Accessibility, tap Touch, and then tap AssistiveTouch.
  2. Tap Virtual Trackpad.
  3. Change any of the following:
    • Tracking: Adjust how quickly the pointer moves.
    • Scrolling: Adjust the scrolling speed. Or turn Natural Scrolling—content moves in the same direction as your fingers—on or off.
    • Appearance: Change how the trackpad looks, make it fill the entire screen, or adjust how long it takes for the trackpad to fade after you stop using it.

You can also change the appearance of the pointer.

See also

Tag: accessibility
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How to delete or recover items in Reminders on iPad

by Chris Smith

You can permanently delete items from your Reminders lists. If you accidentally delete an item, you can recover it within 30 days from the Recently Deleted list.

Items left in Recently Deleted are removed automatically and permanently after 30 days. A recovered item moves to the default list, while a permanently deleted item is removed immediately from all your devices.

Here’s how to delete or recover items in Reminders on iPad.

Delete an item

  1. Go to the Reminders app on your iPad.
  2. While viewing a list, swipe left on an item. Tap Delete.

To undo immediately, tap with three fingers or shake your iPad.

Recover or permanently delete recently deleted items

  1. Open the Reminders app on your iPad.
  2. In the list view, tap Recently Deleted.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • Recover an item: Tap the item, then tap Recover. The item moves to the default list.
    • Permanently delete an item: Swipe left on the item, tap Delete, and tap Delete again. The item is removed immediately from all your devices.

Items left in Recently Deleted are automatically and permanently removed after 30 days.

Tag: Reminders
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How to operate iPad when VoiceOver is on

by Stacey Butler

When VoiceOver is on, you need to use special gestures to unlock iPad, go to the Home Screen, open Control Center, switch apps, and more.

How you unlock depends on your model, whether it has a Home button, Touch ID in the top button, or Face ID. You can also enter your passcode silently using handwriting mode, use the Dock, switch to another app, or use the App Switcher.

Here’s how to operate iPad when VoiceOver is on.

Unlock iPad

  • On an iPad with a Home button: Press the Home button using the finger you registered with Touch ID.
  • On an iPad with Touch ID: Rest your finger on the top button using the finger you registered with Touch ID.
  • On an iPad with Face ID: Wake iPad and glance at it, then drag up from the bottom edge of the screen until you hear two rising tones (if Face ID is enabled).

If prompted, enter your passcode. To avoid having your passcode spoken as you enter it, enter your passcode silently using handwriting mode or type onscreen braille.

Go to the Home Screen

  • Drag one finger up from the bottom edge of the screen until you hear two rising tones, then lift your finger.
  • On an iPad with a Home button, press the Home button.

Use the Dock

Slide one finger up from the bottom edge until you hear two rising tones, then swipe down.

Switch to another app

Swipe right or left with four fingers to cycle through the open apps.

Alternatively, you can use the App Switcher.

  1. To open the App Switcher, do one of the following:
    • Drag one finger up from the bottom edge of the screen until you hear three tones, then lift your finger.
    • Double-click the Home button (on an iPad with a Home button).
  2. To browse the open apps, swipe left or right until the app you want is selected.
  3. Double-tap to open the app.

Open Control Center

  • Drag one finger down from the top edge of the screen until you hear two rising tones.
  • Tap any item in the status bar, then swipe up with three fingers.

To dismiss Control Center, do a two-finger scrub (move two fingers back and forth three times quickly, making a “z”).

View notifications

  • Drag one finger down from the top edge of the screen until you hear three rising tones.
  • Tap any item in the status bar, then swipe down with three fingers.

To dismiss the notifications screen, do a two-finger scrub (move two fingers back and forth three times quickly, making a “z”).

Speak status bar information

  1. Tap the status bar at the top of the screen.
  2. Swipe left or right to hear the time, battery state, Wi-Fi signal strength, and more.

Rearrange apps on your Home Screen

To rearrange apps on your Home Screen, do one of the following:

  • Drag and drop: Tap an icon on the Home Screen, then double-tap and hold your finger on the screen until you hear three rising tones. The item’s relative location is described as you drag. Lift your finger when the icon is in its new location. Drag an icon to the edge of the screen to move it to another Home Screen.
  • Move actions: Tap an app, then swipe down to hear available actions. When you hear “Edit Mode,” double-tap to start arranging apps. Find the app you want to move, then swipe down to the Move action and double-tap. Move the VoiceOver cursor to the new destination for the app, then choose from the available actions: Cancel Move, Create New Folder, Add to Folder, Move Before, or Move After.

When you’re finished, tap Done, then double-tap.

Search from the Home Screen

  1. Tap anywhere on the Home Screen outside the status bar.
  2. Swipe down with three fingers.

See also

Tags: accessibility, VoiceOver
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