Control Center

On supported models, you can use the built-in flashlight to light your way or get a better view of something. It’s in Control Center. You can also turn it on or off with Siri, and change the brightness of the flashlight, too.

Use Control Center to turn the flashlight on or off

1. Open Control Center.
2. Tap the Flashlight button to turn the flashlight on; tap it again to turn it off.

   Note: If you don’t see the Flashlight button in Control Center (on a supported model), you can add it. See Customize controls.

Use Siri to turn the flashlight on or off

You can use Siri to turn the flashlight on or off.

Siri: Ask Siri something like, “Siri, turn on the flashlight.” Learn how to use Siri.

Change the brightness of the flashlight

1. Open Control Center.
2. Touch and hold the Flashlight button in Control Center. Slide your finger up or down on the control to adjust the brightness.

See also

• Use and customize Control Center on iPad

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.

   

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

• Adjust the volume and silence on iPad
• Change iPad sounds

Control Center on iPad gives you instant access to useful controls—including Airplane Mode, Do Not Disturb, volume, screen brightness, and more.

Many controls offer additional options. The Camera control, for example, can take a selfie, record a video, or take a photo, and the Power button can power off your iPad. You can rearrange, add, or remove controls, or add a custom group, and you’re able to temporarily disconnect from a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth devices.

Open Control Center

Swipe down from the top-right edge. You can jump to specific groups of controls by swiping down through the icons on the right edge of the screen. Swipe up through the icons to go back to the first group.

To close Control Center, swipe up from the bottom center of the screen.

Access more controls in Control Center

Many controls offer additional options. To see available options, touch and hold a control. For example, you can do the following in Control Center:

• Touch and hold the top-left group of controls, then tap the AirDrop button to open the AirDrop options.
• Touch and hold the Camera button to take a selfie, record a video, or take a photo.
• Touch and hold the Control Center Power button at the top right of the screen (while Control Center is open). Then drag the slider to power off the iPad.

Customize controls

You can rearrange, add, or remove Control Center controls.

1. Open Control Center.
2. Tap the Add button at the top left of Control Center to begin editing the controls.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Rearrange controls: Drag a control to a new position.
   • Remove a control or a set of controls: Tap the Remove button at the upper left of the control.
   • Resize a control: Drag the handle at the lower right edge of the control.
   • Create a new section of controls: Tap the bottommost icon (the little circle) along the right edge of the screen. Then tap Add a Control, and choose which controls to add to your custom group. Or you can drag a control off the bottom of the page to create a new section.
   • Add more controls: Tap Add a Control to open the controls gallery. Tap a control to add it to Control Center.

     

4. When you finish customizing, close Control Center by swiping up from the bottom center of the screen.

Add a custom group of controls

You can even add a whole new group of controls to Control Center.

1. Open Control Center.
2. Tap the Add button at the top left of Control Center. Then tap the bottommost icon (the little circle) along the right edge of the screen.
3. Tap Add a Control at the bottom of Control Center to open the controls gallery. Then tap a control in the controls gallery to add it to the group.
4. To further customize the new group of controls, do any of the following:
   • Rearrange controls: Drag a control to a new position.
   • Remove a control or a set of controls: Tap the Remove button at the upper left of the control.
   • Resize a control: Drag the handle at the lower right of the control.
   • Add more controls: Tap Add a Control at the bottom of Control Center. Then tap a control to add it to the group.

     Note: If you don’t see the control you want to add, type its name in the search field at the top.

5. When you’re finished, close Control Center by swiping up from the bottom center of the screen.

Temporarily disconnect from a Wi-Fi network

In Control Center, tap the Wi-Fi Switch button; to reconnect, tap it again.

To see the name of the connected Wi-Fi network, touch and hold the Wi-Fi Switch button.

Because Wi-Fi isn’t turned off when you disconnect from a network, AirPlay and AirDrop still work, and iPad joins known networks when you change locations or restart iPad. To turn off Wi-Fi, go to the Settings app, then tap Wi-Fi. (To turn on Wi-Fi again in Control Center, tap the Wi-Fi Switch button.) For information about turning Wi-Fi on or off in Control Center while in Airplane Mode, see Choose iPad settings for travel.

Temporarily disconnect from Bluetooth devices

In Control Center, tap the Bluetooth Switch button; to allow connections, tap the button again.

Because Bluetooth® isn’t turned off when you disconnect from devices, location accuracy and other services are still enabled. To turn off Bluetooth, go to the Settings app, tap Bluetooth, then turn it off. To turn on Bluetooth again in Control Center, tap the Bluetooth Switch button. For information about turning Bluetooth on or off in Control Center while in Airplane Mode, see Choose iPad settings for travel.

Turn off access to Control Center in apps

Go to the Settings app, tap Control Center, then turn off Access Within Apps.

See also

• Perform quick actions on iPad

Many apps give you a different view when you rotate iPad, as long as the rotation lock is off. You can also lock the screen orientation so it doesn’t change when you rotate iPad, and while it’s locked, the Lock Rotation icon appears in the status bar.

Rotate the screen

1. To make sure the rotation lock is off, open Control Center and tap the Lock Rotation button if it’s red.

   Note: If you don’t see the Lock Rotation button, add it to Control Center. See Customize controls.

2. Turn your iPad sideways.

   

Lock or unlock the screen orientation

The screen orientation can be locked so it won’t change when you rotate iPad.

Open Control Center, then tap the Lock Rotation button. The button is red when the orientation is locked, and gray when it isn’t.

Note: If you don’t see the Lock Rotation button, add it to Control Center. See Customize controls.

With the screen orientation locked, you’ll see the Lock Rotation icon in the status bar.

See also

• Use and customize Control Center on iPad

When you travel with iPad, choose settings that comply with airline requirements. Some airlines let you keep your iPad turned on if you switch to Airplane Mode.

Turning on Airplane Mode switches off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and cellular networks at first, but you can turn them back on even while it’s on. That way, you can make or receive FaceTime calls or use features and accessories that require wireless communication. When Airplane Mode is on, its icon shows up in the status bar at the top of your screen.

To choose settings that minimize cellular charges when you travel (Wi-Fi + Cellular models), see View or change cellular data settings on iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular models).

When you travel abroad, you may be able to sign up for cellular service with a carrier in the region you’re visiting, right from your iPad (available on Wi-Fi + Cellular models with Touch ID or Face ID). See Connect to a cellular network if Wi-Fi isn’t available.

Turn on Airplane Mode

Open Control Center, then tap the Airplane Mode Switch button.

If you’d rather, turn Airplane Mode on or off in Settings. When it’s on, you’ll see its icon in the status bar at the top of the screen.

Turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while in Airplane Mode

If your airline allows it, you can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while in Airplane Mode.

1. Open Control Center, then turn on Airplane Mode.
2. Tap the Wi-Fi Switch button to turn on Wi-Fi or the Bluetooth Switch button to turn on Bluetooth.

   If you turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while in Airplane Mode, it may still be on the next time you return to Airplane Mode. To turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth while in Airplane Mode, open Control Center, then tap the Wi-Fi Switch button or the Bluetooth Switch button.

See also

• Use and customize Control Center on iPad