You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Volume buttons are swapped

Volume buttons operate opposite from expected.


I’ve tried switching the “Turn on Fixed Position Volume Controls” but that option isn’t present in my menu on an iPad Air, 5th Gen. iOS 16.6.

Posted on Aug 14, 2023 3:38 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 15, 2023 6:52 AM

Expanding upon Demo’s comments…


Dynamic volume controls were introduced with release of iPadOS 15.4 onwards. The “logic” behind dynamic volume controls is such that regardless of the screen orientation, the relative function remains constant - as follows:


  • When the physical buttons are positioned on a vertical edge of the iPad, the uppermost button will always increase the volume. Conversely, lower button will decrease the volume.


  • When the physical buttons are positioned on a horizontal edge of then iPad, the button on the right will increase the volume - while the button on the left will decrease the volume.




For reasons known only to Apple, the ability to disable this feature is not available for any new models of iPad and iPad Pro that have since been launched - these models being:

  • iPad Air5
  • iPad mini6
  • fourth generation iPad Pro 11”
  • sixth generation iPad Pro 12.9”
  • iPad10


This is documented within this recently updated Apple Support document:

Use the Home, side, and other buttons on your iPad - Apple Support


Apple invite submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback pages. If you would like to see the ability to disable dynamic volume control functions for your iPad, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make your voice heard:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 15, 2023 6:52 AM in response to eden909

Expanding upon Demo’s comments…


Dynamic volume controls were introduced with release of iPadOS 15.4 onwards. The “logic” behind dynamic volume controls is such that regardless of the screen orientation, the relative function remains constant - as follows:


  • When the physical buttons are positioned on a vertical edge of the iPad, the uppermost button will always increase the volume. Conversely, lower button will decrease the volume.


  • When the physical buttons are positioned on a horizontal edge of then iPad, the button on the right will increase the volume - while the button on the left will decrease the volume.




For reasons known only to Apple, the ability to disable this feature is not available for any new models of iPad and iPad Pro that have since been launched - these models being:

  • iPad Air5
  • iPad mini6
  • fourth generation iPad Pro 11”
  • sixth generation iPad Pro 12.9”
  • iPad10


This is documented within this recently updated Apple Support document:

Use the Home, side, and other buttons on your iPad - Apple Support


Apple invite submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback pages. If you would like to see the ability to disable dynamic volume control functions for your iPad, this would be the most appropriate channel through which to make your voice heard:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Aug 14, 2023 3:59 PM in response to eden909

You cannot turn off dynamic volume on your model iPad.

Use the Home, side, and other buttons on your iPad - Apple Support


Dynamic volume buttons adjust automatically as you rotate your iPad. So you increase volume with the button on the right or top, and you decrease volume with the button on the left or bottom, regardless of how you hold your iPad. 


These iPad models feature always-on, dynamic volume buttons: 


  • iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
  • iPad (10th generation)
  • iPad mini (6th generation)
  • iPad Air (5th generation)



Volume buttons are swapped

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.