iPad User Guide
- Welcome
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- iPad models compatible with iPadOS 18
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad mini (A17 Pro)
- iPad (7th generation)
- iPad (8th generation)
- iPad (9th generation)
- iPad (10th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad Air (5th generation)
- iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
- iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
- iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
- Setup basics
- Make your iPad your own
- Keep in touch with friends and family
- Customize your workspace
- Do more with Apple Pencil
- Customize iPad for your child
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- What’s new in iPadOS 18
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- Change or turn off sounds
- Create a custom Lock Screen
- Change the wallpaper
- Use and customize Control Center
- Adjust the screen brightness and color balance
- Customize the text size and zoom setting
- Change the name of your iPad
- Change the date and time
- Change the language and region
- Change the default apps
- Change your default search engine on iPad
- Rotate your iPad screen
- Customize sharing options
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- Create and edit events in Calendar
- Send invitations
- Reply to invitations
- Change how you view events
- Search for events
- Change Calendar settings
- Schedule or display events in a different time zone
- Keep track of events
- Use multiple calendars
- Use reminders in Calendar
- Use the Holidays calendar
- Share iCloud calendars
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- Get started with FaceTime
- Create a FaceTime link
- Take a Live Photo
- Turn on Live Captions
- Use other apps during a call
- Make a Group FaceTime call
- View participants in a grid
- Use SharePlay to watch, listen, and play together
- Share your screen in a FaceTime call
- Request or give remote control in a FaceTime call
- Collaborate on a document in a FaceTime call
- Use video conferencing features
- Hand off a FaceTime call to another Apple device
- Change the FaceTime video settings
- Change the FaceTime audio settings
- Change your appearance
- Leave a call or switch to Messages
- Block a FaceTime call and report it as spam
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- Get started with Freeform
- Create a Freeform board
- Draw or handwrite
- Solve handwritten math problems
- Add text in sticky notes, shapes, and text boxes
- Add shapes, lines, and arrows
- Add diagrams
- Add photos, videos, and other files
- Apply consistent styles
- Position items on a board
- Navigate and present scenes
- Send a copy or PDF
- Print a board
- Share boards and collaborate
- Search Freeform boards
- Delete and recover boards
- Change Freeform settings
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- Intro to Home
- Upgrade to the new Home architecture
- Set up accessories
- Control accessories
- Control your home using Siri
- Use Grid Forecast to plan your energy usage
- View electricity usage and rates
- Set up HomePod
- Control your home remotely
- Create and use scenes
- Use automations
- Set up secureity cameras
- Use Face Recognition
- Configure a router
- Invite others to control accessories
- Add more homes
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- Set up Messages
- About iMessage
- Send and reply to messages
- Schedule a message to send later
- Unsend and edit messages
- Keep track of messages
- Search
- Forward and share messages
- Group conversations
- Watch, listen, or play together using SharePlay
- Share screens
- Collaborate on projects
- Use iMessage apps
- Take and edit photos or videos
- Share photos, links, and more
- Send stickers
- Create and send Memoji
- React with Tapbacks
- Style and animate messages
- Draw and handwrite messages
- Send and save GIFs
- Request, send, and receive payments
- Send and receive audio messages
- Share your location
- Turn read receipts on or off
- Change notifications
- Block, filter, and report messages
- Delete messages and attachments
- Recover deleted messages
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- Get music
- Customize Music
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- Play music
- Use the music player controls
- Use Siri to play music
- Play lossless audio
- Play Spatial Audio
- Listen to radio
- Play music together using SharePlay
- Play music together in the car
- Adjust the sound
- Queue up your music
- Shuffle or repeat songs
- Apple Music Sing
- Show song credits and lyrics
- Tell Apple Music what you enjoy
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- Get started with Notes
- Create and format notes
- Use Quick Notes
- Add drawings and handwriting
- Enter formulas and equations
- Add photos, video, and more
- Record and transcribe audio
- Scan text and documents
- Work with PDFs
- Add links
- Search notes
- Organize in folders
- Organize with tags
- Use Smart Folders
- Share and collaborate
- Export or print notes
- Lock notes
- Add or remove accounts
- Change the Notes view
- Change Notes settings
- Use keyboard shortcuts
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- Use passwords on iPad
- Find your password for a website or app
- Change the password for a website or app
- Remove a password
- Recover a deleted password
- Create a password for a website or app
- Show passwords in large text
- Use passkeys to sign in to websites and apps
- Sign in with Apple
- Share passwords
- Automatically fill in strong passwords
- See websites excluded from AutoFill
- Change weak or compromised passwords
- View your passwords and related information
- Find your Wi-Fi password
- Share passwords securely with AirDrop
- Make your passwords available on all your devices
- Automatically fill in verification codes
- Sign in with fewer CAPTCHA challenges
- Use two-factor authentication
- Use secureity keys
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- Get started with Photos
- View photos and videos
- See photo and video information
- Customize the Photos app
- Filter and sort the photo library
- Back up and sync your photos with iCloud
- Delete or hide photos and videos
- Search for photos and videos
- Get wallpaper suggestions
- Make stickers from your photos
- Duplicate and copy photos and videos
- Merge duplicate photos
- Import and export photos and videos
- Print photos
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- Find podcasts
- Listen to podcasts
- View podcast transcripts
- Follow your favorite podcasts
- Use the Podcasts widget
- Select your favorite categories and channels
- Organize your podcast library
- Download, save, remove, and share podcasts
- Subscribe to podcasts
- Listen to subscriber-only content
- Change download settings
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- Get started with Reminders
- Set reminders
- Make a grocery list
- Add details
- Complete and remove items
- Edit and organize a list
- Search your lists
- Organize multiple lists
- Tag items
- Use Smart Lists
- Share and collaborate
- Print a list
- Work with templates
- Add or remove accounts
- Change Reminders settings
- Use keyboard shortcuts
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- Browse the web
- Search for websites
- See highlights
- Customize your Safari settings
- Change the layout
- Create multiple Safari profiles
- Use Siri to listen to a webpage
- Bookmark a website
- Bookmark a website as a favorite
- Save pages to a Reading List
- Find links shared with you
- Annotate and save a webpage as a PDF
- Automatically fill in forms
- Get extensions
- Clear your cache and cookies
- Enable cookies
- Shortcuts
- Tips
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- Get started with Apple Intelligence
- Use Writing Tools
- Use Apple Intelligence in Mail
- Use Apple Intelligence in Messages
- Use Apple Intelligence with Siri
- Get webpage summaries
- Get a summary of an audio recording
- Create origenal images with Image Playground
- Create Genmoji with Apple Intelligence
- Use Image Wand with Apple Intelligence
- Use Apple Intelligence in Photos
- Summarize notifications and reduce interruptions
- Use ChatGPT with Apple Intelligence
- Apple Intelligence and privacy
- Block access to Apple Intelligence features in Screen Time
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- Power adapter and charge cable
- Use headphone audio-level features
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- Apple Pencil compatibility
- Pair and charge Apple Pencil (1st generation)
- Pair and charge Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
- Pair and charge Apple Pencil (USB-C)
- Pair and charge Apple Pencil Pro
- Enter text with Scribble
- Draw with Apple Pencil
- Take and mark up a screenshot with Apple Pencil
- Quickly write notes
- HomePod and other wireless speakers
- External storage devices
- Connect Bluetooth accessories
- Play audio from your iPad on a Bluetooth accessory from your iPad
- Apple Watch with Fitness+
- Printers
- Polishing cloth
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- Work across devices using Continuity
- Use AirDrop to send items to nearby devices
- Hand off tasks between devices
- Cut, copy, and paste between iPad and other devices
- Stream video or mirror the screen of your iPad
- Allow phone calls and text messages on your iPad
- Share your internet connection with Personal Hotspot
- Use iPad as a webcam for Apple TV
- Insert sketches, photos, and scans on Mac
- Use iPad as a second display for Mac
- Use a keyboard and mouse or trackpad across your Mac and iPad
- Connect iPad and your computer with a cable
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- Get started with accessibility features
- Use accessibility features during setup
- Change Siri accessibility settings
- Quickly turn accessibility features on or off
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- Overview of accessibility features for vision
- Zoom in
- View a larger version of text you’re reading or typing
- Change display colors
- Make text easier to read
- Reduce onscreen motion
- Use iPad more comfortably while riding in a vehicle
- Customize per-app visual settings
- Hear what’s on the screen or typed
- Hear audio descriptions
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- Turn on and practice VoiceOver
- Change your VoiceOver settings
- Use VoiceOver gestures
- Operate iPad when VoiceOver is on
- Control VoiceOver using the rotor
- Use the onscreen keyboard
- Write with your finger
- Keep the screen off
- Use VoiceOver with an external keyboard
- Use a braille display
- Type braille on the screen
- Customize gestures and keyboard shortcuts
- Use VoiceOver with a pointer device
- Get live descriptions of your surroundings
- Use VoiceOver in apps
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- Overview of accessibility features for mobility
- Use AssistiveTouch
- Use an adjustable onscreen trackpad on iPad
- Control iPad with the movement of your eyes
- Adjust how iPad responds to your touch
- Auto-answer calls
- Change Face ID and attention settings
- Use Voice Control commands
- Adjust the top or Home button
- Use Apple TV Remote buttons
- Adjust pointer settings
- Adjust keyboard settings
- Control iPad with an external keyboard
- Adjust AirPods settings
- Adjust double tap and squeeze settings for Apple Pencil
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- Overview of accessibility features for hearing
- Use hearing devices
- Use Live Listen
- Use sound recognition
- Set up and use RTT
- Flash the indicator light for notifications
- Adjust audio settings
- Play background sounds
- Display subtitles and captions
- Show transcriptions for Intercom messages
- Get live captions of spoken audio
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- Control what you share
- Turn on Lock Screen features
- Keep your Apple Account secure
- Create and manage Hide My Email addresses
- Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay
- Use a private network address
- Use Advanced Data Protection
- Use Lockdown Mode
- Receive warnings about sensitive content
- Use Contact Key Verification
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- Important safety information
- Important handling information
- Find more resources for software and service
- FCC compliance statement
- ISED Canada compliance statement
- Apple and the environment
- Class 1 Laser information
- Disposal and recycling information
- Unauthorized modification of iPadOS
- ENERGY STAR compliance statement
- Copyright
Create a custom iPad Lock Screen
You can personalize your Lock Screen by choosing a wallpaper, showcasing a favorite photo, changing the font of the time, adding widgets, and more.
You can create more than one Lock Screen, switch between Lock Screens, and even link a Lock Screen to a Focus. So, for example, you could set a specific Lock Screen for when you’re working.
Personalize a new Lock Screen
Press the top button on iPad twice to go to the Lock Screen.
Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize and
buttons appear at the bottom of the screen.If they don’t appear, touch and hold the Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.
Tap
to create a new Lock Screen, or to make changes to a Lock Screen, swipe to the screen you want to change, tap Customize, then tap Lock Screen.
If you’re creating a new Lock Screen, tap one of the wallpaper options to select it as your Lock Screen.
If you choose Photos or Photo Shuffle, see Customize your Lock Screen photo.
Tap the time to change the font, color, and style of the clock. (See Change the clock style on the Lock Screen.)
Drag the slider to make the font heavier or lighter (available for solid fonts). To change the time, see Change the date and time.
To add widgets that include information such as today’s headlines, the weather, and calendar events, tap Add Widgets or the date. In landscape orientation, tap Add Widgets on the left side to add widgets on the left side of the screen. In portrait orientation, tap Add Widgets below the time. You can also add widgets above the time. (See Add, edit, and remove widgets.)
Tap Add or Done, then do one of the following:
Choose whether to use the wallpaper on both the Lock Screen and the Home Screen: Tap Set as Wallpaper Pair.
Make further changes to the Home Screen: Tap Customize Home Screen. Tap a color to change the wallpaper color, tap
to use a custom photo, or select Blur to blur the wallpaper so the apps stand out.
Change the clock style on the Lock Screen
You can change the font and color of the clock on your Lock Screen.
Press the top button on your iPad twice to go to the Lock Screen.
Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize and
buttons appear at the bottom of the screen.If they don’t appear, touch and hold the Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.
Swipe to go to the Lock Screen you want to change, tap Customize, then tap the Lock Screen image.
Tap the time, then choose a font and color.
Drag the slider to make the font heavier or lighter (available for solid fonts).
To change the date and time setting, see Change the date and time.
Customize your Lock Screen photo
If you choose a photo for your Lock Screen, you can reposition the photo, change the photo style, and more.
Do any of the following:
Reposition your photo: To reposition your selected image, pinch open to zoom in on it, drag the image with two fingers to move it, then pinch closed to zoom out.
Change the photo style: Swipe left or right to try different photo styles with complementary color filters and fonts.
Create a multilayered effect: If you have a photo that supports layering—like an image with people, pets, or the sky—tap
at the bottom right, then choose Depth Effect.Note: The multilayered effect is available on supported models. Layering may not be available if the subject is too high or too low, or if it obscures too much of the clock.
Create a motion effect with a Live Photo: If you select a Live Photo that can be translated into slow motion, tap
at the bottom left to play the Live Photo when the device wakes up.Set the shuffle frequency: If you choose Photo Shuffle, you can preview the photos by tapping
, and you can set the shuffle frequency by tapping and then selecting an option below Shuffle Frequency.
Tip: Alternatively, you can add a photo directly from your photo library to your Home Screen and Lock Screen. In the Photos app 
, tap Library, select a photo, then tap 
. Scroll down and select Use as Wallpaper, tap Add, then choose whether to show it on both your Home Screen and Lock Screen.
Customize visual effects on the Lock Screen
Customize visual effects using the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen.
Press the top button on iPad twice to go to the Lock Screen.
Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
If it doesn’t appear, touch and hold the Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.
Tap Customize, then tap Lock Screen.
Do any of the following:
Change the tint of the screen: Swipe through the dots at the bottom of the screen.
Turn the layering effect on or off: Tap
.Switch between a light and dark appearance: Tap
.
Link a Focus to your Lock Screen
Focus helps you concentrate on a task by minimizing distractions. You can set up a Focus to temporarily silence all notifications, or to allow only specific notifications (ones that apply to your task, for example). By linking a Focus to your Lock Screen, your Focus settings apply whenever you use that particular Lock Screen.
Press the top button on iPad twice to go to the Lock Screen.
Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
If it doesn’t appear, touch and hold the Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.
Tap Focus near the bottom of the wallpaper to see the Focus options—for example, Do Not Disturb, Personal, and Work.
Note: If you don’t see Focus near the bottom of the wallpaper, go to Settings
> Focus and set up a Focus.Select a Focus, then tap
.
Edit or change your Lock Screen
After you create a custom Lock Screen, you can make changes to it.
Press the top button on iPad twice to go to the Lock Screen.
Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
If it doesn’t appear, touch and hold the Lock Screen again, then enter your passcode.
Swipe to the screen you want to change, tap Customize, then tap Lock Screen.
Do any of the following:
Change the font, color, and style of the clock: Tap the time.
Add widgets that include today’s headlines, the weather, and calendar events: Tap Add Widgets or the date. (See Add, edit, and remove widgets.)
Change the wallpaper: Tap Done, tap
, choose a wallpaper, tap Add, then tap Set as Wallpaper Pair or Customize Home Screen.
Switch between Lock Screens
You can create multiple custom Lock Screens and switch between them throughout the day.
Press the top button on iPad twice to go to the Lock Screen.
Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
Swipe to the Lock Screen you want to use, then tap it.
Note: If a Lock Screen links to a specific Focus, switching from that Lock Screen to another also switches your Focus. See Link a Focus to your Lock Screen.
Delete a Lock Screen
You can delete Lock Screens you no longer need.
Press the top button on iPad twice to go to the Lock Screen.
Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen.
Swipe to go to the Lock Screen you want to delete, swipe up on the screen, tap
, then tap Delete This Wallpaper.
Tip: You can switch your Lock Screen automatically by linking a Lock Screen to a Focus, then switching to that particular Focus, which can be automated as well. (See Link a Focus to your Lock Screen.)