Adjusting iPad volume buttons to how you hold the iPad: here’s how

Customize iPad volume buttons

The default orientation for an iPad is upright, with the volume buttons on the top right side. But you can also hold the iPad horizontally or upside down, so that the volume buttons are no longer at the top right, but at the top left, bottom left and bottom right respectively. Normally, the volume buttons retain their function no matter how you hold the iPad. That can sometimes be inconvenient. One time you use the right button to turn up the iPad, while the other time you use the left button, depending on how you hold it. Since iPadOS 15.4, you can change this so that the iPad volume buttons adapt to the orientation.

This feature was first introduced on the iPad mini 2021, where the volume buttons have been moved to the top. But since iPadOS 15.4, you’ll also find the setting to change how the iPad volume buttons work on older iPads. By default, the setting is set so that a volume button retains its fixed function, regardless of how you hold it. As a result, the button to increase the volume, for example, is sometimes left, right, above or below. But with the Fixed position volume controls setting, you can easily adjust this.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to adjust the setting on the iPad mini 2021, iPad Air 2022 and newer. It applies to these models:

• iPad mini 2021 (and newer)

• iPad Air 2022 (and newer)

• iPad Pro 2022 (and newer)

• iPad 2022 (and newer)

In those models, the dynamic operation of the volume buttons is enabled by default and can therefore not be turned off. With these models, the operation of the volume buttons is therefore adjusted to how you hold the iPad.

Here’s how to customize how the iPad volume buttons work on all other models:

1. On iPad with iPadOS 15.4 or later, go to Settings > Sounds.
2. Scroll all the way down.
3. Turn off the switch at Fixed Position Volume Controls.

If you turn this off, it works as follows:

• If you hold the iPad vertically (with the volume buttons at the top right or bottom left), you turn the volume up with the top button and the volume down with the bottom button.
• If you hold the iPad horizontally (with the volume buttons at the top left or bottom right), you turn the volume up with the right button and the volume down with the left button.

As you can see, it no longer matters how you hold the iPad if you turn off the Fixed position volume controls option, because with the top/right button you always turn up the volume. The schematic image shows how this works. Of course, you can still use the Control Center on the iPad to adjust the volume.

More tips about buttons on your iPhone or iPad? Then read this:

• Here’s how to troubleshoot iPhone volume buttons
• Do more with iPhone buttons
• This is how you use the side button of the iPhone
• This is how you add an escape button to your physical iPad keyboard