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The Complete Guide to Every iOS 27 Feature

How to organize your Freeform boards in folders on iPad

by Stacey Butler

In the Freeform app, you can organize your boards into folders. You can create a subfolder, move a folder inside another folder, and rename a folder. You can also move boards into or out of a folder, several at the same time if you like.

Create a folder

  1. Open the Freeform app on your iPad.
  2. In the sidebar, tap the New Folder button, name your folder. Tap OK.

    If you don’t see the sidebar, tap the Show Sidebar button.

  3. Do any of the following:

    • Create a subfolder: Touch and hold a folder, then tap New Folder. You can also move a folder inside another folder.
    • Rename a folder: Touch and hold a folder, tap Rename, enter a new name, and then tap OK.

Move boards into or out of a folder

  1. Open the Freeform app on your iPad.
  2. With the sidebar open, do one of the following:
    • Move several boards at the same time: Tap the Folder Actions button, tap Select, and tap each board you want to move. Tap Move and then choose a folder to move them to.
    • Move a board or subfolder to another folder: Touch and hold a board or subfolder. Then drag it into a folder.
    • Remove a board or subfolder from a folder: Touch and hold a board or subfolder and tap Move. Then tap Move to Top Level. A removed board goes to All Boards, and a removed subfolder goes to the top level of the folder list.

See also

Tag: Freeform
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How to connect external storage devices to iPad

by Abigail Shilets

You can use the Files app and other supported apps to access files stored on external devices, such as USB drives and SD cards, connected to your iPad. Depending on your iPad model and device, you may need an adapter. And the device must have only a single data partition.

Connect a USB drive or an SD card reader

  1. Attach the USB drive or SD card reader to the charging port on your iPad using a compatible connector or adapter.

    Depending on your iPad model and external device, you may need the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter, Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, USB-C to SD Card Camera Reader, or Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader (all sold separately).

    On models that support Thunderbolt / USB 4, you can connect multiple USB drives and other Thunderbolt devices to each other, and then connect the chain of devices to the charging port on your iPad.

    Note: An external storage device must have only a single data partition, and it must be formatted as APFS, APFS (encrypted), macOS Extended (HFS+), exFAT (FAT64), FAT32, or FAT. To change the formatting of a storage device, use the Files app on iPad or a Mac or PC.

  2. Do any of the following:

    • Insert an SD memory card into a card reader: Don’t force the card into the slot on the reader; it fits only one way.

      Note: You can import photos and videos from the memory card directly to the Photos app. See Import and export photos and videos on iPad.

    • View the contents of the drive or memory card: In a supported app (for example, Files), tap Browse at the bottom of the screen and then tap the name of the device below Locations. If you don’t see Locations, tap Browse again at the bottom of the screen.
    • Disconnect the drive or card reader: Remove it from the charging port on iPad.

When you use them with iPad, external hard drives often need an external power source. If a drive doesn’t supply its own power, a powered USB hub works on models that support Thunderbolt / USB 4. On an iPad with a Lightning connector, connect a USB power adapter to the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.

See also

Tag: Files
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How to share long videos on iPad

by Tyler Stephen

Some long video files are too large to send in a standard text message. You can use AirDrop, iCloud, or Mail Drop to send long videos that you record with your iPad camera.

AirDrop is the simplest way to send a large video to someone nearby on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Vision Pro, since it sends information using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Here’s how to share long videos on iPad.

Send a video using AirDrop

For sending a large video to a nearby Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Apple Vision Pro, AirDrop is the simplest option. Because it sends information using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth®, both you and the recipient need to have these controls turned on in Control Center before sending.

  1. If the person you’re sending the video to isn’t in your contacts, have them do one of the following:

    • On iPhone or iPad: Open Settings, tap General, tap AirDrop, and tap Everyone for 10 Minutes.
    • On a Mac: Choose Apple menu > System Settings. Then click General in the sidebar. Click AirDrop & Handoff. Then click the pop-up menu next to AirDrop and choose Everyone.
  2. Open the Photos app on your iPad.
  3. Tap the video you want to send. Tap the Share button.

    If you want to send the video in its original format, including metadata, location, and any associated edit history or captions, tap Options, then turn on All Photos Data.

  4. Tap AirDrop and then tap the contact or device you want to share with.

    After you share, the recipient receives an alert to accept or decline the AirDrop transfer.

Send a video using Mail Drop

With Mail Drop, you can send a large video as an attachment in Mail.

  1. Open the Photos app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the video you want to send, tap the Share button, and then tap Mail.
  3. Tap the To field and then enter the name or email of the recipient.

    If you want to add a subject or message, tap the Subject field or message body.

  4. Tap the Send button to send.

    Recipients have 30 days to download Mail Drop attachments.

See also

Tag: Photos
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How to import and export photos and videos on iPad

by Abigail Shilets

You can import photos and videos directly to the Photos app from a digital camera, an SD memory card, or another iPad or iPhone that has a camera. You can also export unmodified versions of your photos and videos directly to an external drive, memory card, or other storage device that’s connected to your iPad.

To import from a camera, you connect it with an adapter and make sure it’s in transfer mode.

Import photos and videos to your iPad

Import photos and videos saved on another device such as a digital camera or an external drive to the Photos app on your iPad.

  1. Insert the camera adapter or card reader into the Lightning connector or USB-C connector, or connect the device directly to your iPad.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Connect a camera: Connect the adapter to the camera. Turn on the camera and make sure it’s in transfer mode. For more information, see the documentation that came with the camera.
    • Connect an external storage device or insert an SD memory card into the card reader: Don’t force the card into the slot on the reader; it fits only one way.
    • Connect an iPhone or iPad: Use the Lightning adapter or the USB-C cable that came with the device to connect it to the camera adapter. Turn on and unlock the device.
  3. Open the Photos app on your iPad.
  4. Tap Import.
  5. Select the photos and videos you want to import. Select your import destination.
    • Import all items: Tap Import All.
    • Import selected items: Tap the items you want to import (a checkmark appears for each), tap Import, and then tap Import Selected.
  6. After the photos and videos have been imported, keep or delete them on the camera, card, iPhone, or iPad.
  7. Disconnect the camera adapter or card reader.

Export photos and videos to an external storage device

You can export photos and videos you took on your iPad directly to an external drive, a memory card, or other storage device.

Note: Photos and videos you’ve edited will export as the unmodified original version.

  1. Connect your iPad to the storage device using the Lightning or USB-C connector, or connect the device directly to your iPad.
  2. Open the Photos app on your iPad.
  3. Select the photos and videos you want to export.
  4. Tap the Share button and then tap Export Unmodified Original.
  5. Tap your storage device (below Locations) and tap Save.

Photos and videos in the Hidden album won’t be transferred if the album is locked. To unlock it, go to Settings > Apps > Photos, then turn off Use Face ID, Use Touch ID, or Use Passcode.

See also

Tag: Photos
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How to change FaceTime audio settings on iPad

by Tyler Stephen

Spatial Audio in the FaceTime app makes it sound like your friends are in the room with you. Their voices are spread out and sound like they’re coming from the direction in which each person is positioned on the screen.

You can also adjust other audio settings during a call. Voice Isolation filters out background sounds, Wide Spectrum includes the sounds around you, and you can mute your mic. Spatial Audio works with AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max on supported iPad models.

Note: Spatial Audio is available on supported iPad models and works with the following AirPods models: AirPods 3, AirPods Pro (all models), and AirPods Max.

Filter out background sounds

Voice Isolation (available on supported models) prioritizes your voice in a FaceTime call and blocks out ambient noise, so you’re heard clearly while other sounds get filtered out.

  1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, open Control Center.
  2. Tap FaceTime and select Voice Isolation.

Include the sounds around you

To have your voice and all the sounds around you come through in a FaceTime call, turn on Wide Spectrum (available on supported models).

  1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, open Control Center.
  2. Tap FaceTime, then select Wide Spectrum.

Adjust audio automatically

To have your audio settings adjusted automatically, choose Automatic.

  1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, open Control Center.
  2. Tap FaceTime, then select Automatic.

Mute the mic

  1. During a call in the FaceTime app on your iPad, tap the screen to show the FaceTime controls (if they aren’t visible).
  2. Tap the Microphone Switch button.

    Tap the Microphone Switch button to turn the mic back on.

When your mic is muted, it detects whether you’re speaking, and you’re notified that your mic is muted and that you can tap the Microphone Switch button to unmute it.

See also

Tag: FaceTime
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How to play music in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on iPad

by Dave Johnson

If you subscribe to Apple Music, you can play available tracks in Dolby Atmos, which creates an immersive, three-dimensional (spatial) audio experience on stereo headphones and speakers or receivers compatible with Dolby Atmos.

Albums available in Dolby Atmos have the Dolby icon next to them, and the icon also appears on the Now Playing screen while a track plays that way. You can control Spatial Audio and head tracking, too. Dolby Atmos plays on any headphones, but not all speakers will play it as intended.

Note: Apple Music and Dolby Atmos aren’t available in all countries or regions.

The Now Playing screen showing the Dolby Atmos icon for the track that’s playing.

Turn on Dolby Atmos

  1. Open Settings, tap Apps, and then tap Music.
  2. Tap Dolby Atmos and then choose Automatic or Always On.
    • Automatic: Plays Dolby Atmos whenever iPad is connected to compatible headphones such as AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, or to speakers or receivers compatible with Dolby Atmos.
    • Always On: Plays Dolby Atmos on any headphones or speakers. The Music app will attempt to play Dolby Atmos tracks on any headphones or speakers connected to iPad.

Any headphones will play Dolby Atmos, but not all speakers will play Dolby Atmos as intended.

Control Spatial Audio and head tracking on iPad

When you play supported music on your iPad with AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, you can use Spatial Audio and head tracking to create an immersive, theater-like environment with sound that surrounds you. Follow these steps to control Spatial Audio and head tracking in Control Center.

  1. Wear your AirPods and open Control Center.
  2. Touch and hold the volume control. Then tap Spatial Audio at the lower right.
  3. Tap one of the following:
    • Off: Turns off both Spatial Audio and head tracking.
    • Fixed: Turns on Spatial Audio without head tracking.
    • Head Tracked: Turns on both Spatial Audio and head tracking. This setting allows the sound to follow the movement of your head.

The settings you choose are saved and applied automatically the next time you use that app. For example, if you tap Fixed while listening to a song in Apple Music, the Fixed setting is automatically used the next time you play a song in Apple Music.

Note: If you’d like head tracking disabled for all apps on your iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods and tap your AirPods, then turn off Follow iPad.

Download songs in Dolby Atmos

  1. Open Settings, tap Apps, and then tap Music.
  2. Turn on Download in Dolby Atmos.

See also

Tag: Music
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How to play lossless audio in Music on iPad

by Dave Johnson

Apple Music subscribers can access millions of tracks encoded using lossless audio compression, a form of compression that preserves all of the original data.

Apple developed its own lossless technology, Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC), and the entire Apple Music catalog is encoded with it in resolutions from 16-bit/44.1 kHz (CD Quality) up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Streaming lossless audio uses significantly more data, though, and downloads take up more space. Bluetooth® connections, like AirPods, aren’t lossless, and to play songs at sample rates higher than 48 kHz, you need an external digital-to-analog converter.

What you need to know about lossless in Apple Music

  • Streaming lossless audio over a cellular or Wi-Fi network consumes significantly more data. And downloading lossless audio uses significantly more space on your device. Higher resolutions use more data than lower ones.
  • AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Beats wireless headphones use Apple AAC Bluetooth Codec to ensure excellent audio quality. However, Bluetooth® connections aren’t lossless.
  • To get a lossless version of music that you already downloaded from Apple Music, just delete the music and redownload it from the Apple Music catalog.
  • To play songs at sample rates higher than 48 kHz on iPad, you need an external digital-to-analog converter.

Note: Apple Music and lossless aren’t available in all countries or regions.

Turn on Lossless Audio and choose audio quality settings

Cellular streaming, Wi-Fi streaming, and downloads each have audio quality settings you can choose.

  1. Open Settings, tap Apps, and then tap Music.
  2. Tap Audio Quality and tap Lossless Audio to turn it on or off.
  3. Choose the audio quality for streaming and downloading audio.

    • Choose Lossless for a maximum resolution of 24-bit/48 kHz.
    • Choose Hi-Res Lossless for a maximum resolution of 24-bit/192 kHz.

      Note: Automix and Crossfade are not available while Hi-Res Lossless is turned on. To use Automix or Crossfade, select Lossless or another audio quality setting.

Several things affect the audio quality of streamed music: song availability, the capability of connected headphones or speakers, and network conditions.

Identify lossless music

When music is available in lossless audio, you’ll see the Lossless icon on album pages.

To see the Lossless icon for music on the Now Playing screen, go to Settings > Apps > Music > Audio Quality, then turn on Lossless Audio.

See also

Tag: Music
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How to translate in-person conversations with iPad

by Emily Long

In the Translate app, you can type or simply speak to see translated text in chat bubbles while talking to someone in a different language. In the face-to-face view, each person can see the conversation from their own side.

Conversations work for downloaded languages even without an internet connection, and words are translated as you type or speak. You can also play the audio translation, and with Auto Translate, iPad can tell when you start and stop speaking.

Translate an in-person conversation

You’ll see translated text bubbles from both sides of the conversation on iPad, and for downloaded languages, conversations still work without an internet connection or when using on-device translation.

The Conversation tab, showing chat bubbles and their translations.

  1. Open the Translate app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Conversation.
  3. Do one of the following:

    • Type: Tap “Enter text,” type a phrase (or paste text), then tap the Done button.
    • Speak: Tap the Listen button and then say a phrase.

    Note: Words are translated as you type or speak.

  4. To play the audio translation, tap the Play button. To adjust the playback speed, touch and hold the Play button, then choose a speed.

Quick tip: For added convenience, tap the More Options button and choose any of the following:

  • Play translations: Automatically play the audio translations.
  • Auto Translate: Translate the conversation without tapping the microphone button. iPad automatically detects when you start speaking and when you stop.
  • Detect Language: The languages spoken are automatically detected.

Switch to the face-to-face conversation view

When chatting face-to-face, each person can see the conversation from their own side.

  1. Open the Translate app on your iPad.
  2. Tap View, then tap Face to Face.

See also

Tag: Translate
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How to use Apple Intelligence to communicate with ease on iPad

by Chris Smith

With Apple Intelligence, you can communicate and share information with ease—strike the right tone and proofread your writing with Write with Siri, provide relevant info during calls, communicate across languages in real time, and more. Live Translation can translate messages, show live translated captions in FaceTime, and give spoken translations for calls.

Note: Apple Intelligence on iPadOS 27 or later is available on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) and iPad models with M1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions. Usage limits may apply.*

An iPad showing Siri proofreading and giving feedback on text.

Find the perfect words

Siri AI can generate a draft from scratch, summarize information, and provide feedback on what you’ve written—just describe what you want. For example, ask Siri to proofread an email or to write an itinerary for an upcoming trip.

Siri AI is available in beta on iPadOS 27 or later on an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPad mini (A17 Pro) or iPad model with M1 or later set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not initially be available in the EU on iPadOS. Usage limits may apply.

Siri AI: Write with Siri

For those not using Siri AI, see our article, Use Writing Tools to write, improve, and summarize content.

A conversation in the Messages app translated from Spanish to English.

Translate across languages in real time

Live Translation can automatically translate messages in the Messages app, show live translated captions in FaceTime, and give you spoken translations for calls in the Phone app.

To get started, go to the Translate app, tap the More button then download the languages you want to be able to translate between. When you’re on a call, tap the More button, then tap Live Translation.

Translate text in messages

See translated captions in FaceTime

See translations during phone calls

Even more communication features

  • Live Translation with AirPods

    When someone nearby speaks to you in a different language, you can use Live Translation with AirPods to hear what they’re saying translated into your preferred language in real time.

  • Craft quick responses in Mail and Messages

    Smart Reply helps you compose fast responses in Mail and Messages to make sure you covered everything.

    Use Smart Reply in Mail

    Reply to a message

  • Get suggested polls

    Apple Intelligence can suggest a poll when it detects different options in a conversation.

    Start a poll

  • Get relevant information while on a call

    With Call Context, you can proactively surface relevant information from your apps when you’re calling a business—like a confirmation code from Mail when you call an airline.

    View relevant information during a call

  • Get suggestions in Mail

    Use suggestions in Mail to take quick actions based on context from your conversations. For example, you can add a calendar event and create reminders with a tap.

    Check your email in Mail

*Apple Intelligence is available with Siri and device language set to Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. Some devices may not be available in all regions. Siri AI is available in beta in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27 and requires an Apple Intelligence–enabled device set to a supported language. Available in English to start. Siri AI will not be initially available in the EU on iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. Certain Apple Intelligence features that rely on server-side models are subject to daily usage limits, including but not limited to Siri AI, Intelligent Photo Editing Tools, Image Playground, and AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts. Daily limits may vary by feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Expanded access to such features will be available for a fee in the future. Use of these features is subject to the Apple Intelligence Terms and Conditions.

Tag: Apple Intelligence
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How to translate words and phrases on iPad

by Abigail Shilets

In the Translate app, you can type or speak words and phrases and translate them to another language. Download languages to translate entirely on your iPad, even without an internet connection.

You can play the audio translation, look up the translation in the dictionary, show it in full screen, or copy it. You can also save your favorite translations, and they stay up to date across devices signed in to the same Apple Account.

Note: Translation is available for supported languages.

The Translate screen, showing phrases translated from English to Chinese, Japanese to Arabic, French to German, and English to Spanish. Along the top, from left to right, are the Show Sidebar, Translate, Camera, Conversation, Favorites, and More buttons.

Translate a word or phrase

  1. Start the Translate app on your iPad.
  2. Tap the languages to choose what to translate from and to.

    To swap languages, tap the Language Swap button.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • Type: Tap “Enter text,” type a phrase (or paste text) and tap Next.
    • Speak: Tap the Listen button and then say a phrase.

    Note: Words are translated as you type or speak.

  4. When the translation is shown, do any of the following:

    • Play the audio translation: Tap the Play button.
    • Adjust the playback speed: Touch and hold the Play button and choose a speed.
    • Show the translation in full screen: Tap the Enter Full Screen button.
    • Look up the translation in the dictionary: Tap the Dictionary button.
    • Copy the translation: Tap the Copy button.
    • Delete the translation: Swipe left, then tap the Delete button.

Save and view your favorite translations

  1. Start the Translate app on your iPad.
  2. To save a translation as a favorite, tap the Favorites button.
  3. To review your favorites, tap Favorites.

Note: The Translate app syncs your favorite translations across your devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account, so they’ll stay up to date.

See also

Tag: Translate
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