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How to Open the iPad's Settings
Control how your iPad looks and runs
By Daniel Nations Daniel Nations Writer University of Texas at Arlington Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 7, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple iPad Macs What to Know
On the iPad Home Screen, select Settings.Or press and hold the Home button, and say, "Hey Siri, open Settings."Or swipe down on Home screen > search for settings > select Settings icon. This article shows how to open Settings on a third- or later-generation iPad.
On the Home Screen
Simply find Settings on your iPad's home screen and tap its icon to open.
Use Siri
Hold the Home button to activate Siri. Once the voice assistant activates, say, "Launch Settings." Opening apps by name is one of many productive features Siri offers. Use Spotlight Search
If the Settings app isn't on the Home screen, use Spotlight Search to open Settings or other apps. Place your finger on the Home Screen, then swipe down. In the search screen, enter Settings in the input box. Tap the icon in the results like you would on the Home screen. When Settings is open, you can move the icon to the dock at the bottom of the iPad screen. Doing so provides constant access to it in the future. What Can You Do in Settings
The Settings app has several options that change how the iPad behaves. Some are practical for everyone, like turning off cellular service to save battery life. Others are important for those who need extra help using the iPad, like the Accessibility settings. Here are a few things you can do with the iPad Settings. Add a New Mail Account
Add new mail accounts under the Mail, Contacts, and Calendars settings. You can also configure whether or not to receive notifications when you receive new messages and how often the iPad checks the inbox. Turn Off App Notifications
Turn off notifications for a specific app. Notifications are handy to receive news and updates in real-time. But you may not want them for all apps. Rather than turning off push notifications for the entire iPad, go to the Notifications settings and turn them on or off for a single app. Adjust the iPad' s Brightness
This setting saves battery life. In the Brightness and Wallpaper settings, slide the brightness down to a point where the iPad is easy to see but not quite as bright. The lower this setting, the longer the battery will last. Set a Default Web Browser
You don't have to use Google as your default search engine. Select Safari > Search > Search Engine to configure the default search engine by selecting one of the other available options. Turn on Automatic Downloads
From Settings > App Store, choose which apps automatically download updates. You can also manage music, books, and apps downloaded on other devices, even PCs, by opening Settings > Your Name and selecting which apps use iCloud. Customize Your iPad' s Look
You can use any image you want for the background on the Lock screen and the Home screen. Go to Settings > Wallpaper and set a custom wallpaper for each screen or use one image for both. Configure Touch ID
If you have a newer iPad with the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and didn't configure it during the initial setup, do so in Settings. Touch ID isn't just for Apple Pay. It has other uses, such as unlocking your iPad without typing a passcode. Configure FaceTime
Want to change how people reach you using FaceTime on your iPad? From Settings > FaceTime, turn the app on or off, manage incoming notifications, or set your Apple ID or an email address to use with FaceTime. Turn Off Wi-Fi
iOS's ability to ask you whether you want to join a nearby Wi-Fi network can be handy. If you're traveling and passing by different networks, it can also be annoying. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Ask to Join Networks, and select Off or Notify to prevent your iPad from asking for permission to join nearby networks. How to Find the MAC Address on an iPad Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Disable the Control Center on the iPad Lock Screen How to Use the iPad Control Panel The 18 Best Tips to Get More iPad Battery Life (Updated for iPadOS 15.5) How to Set Your iPad's Background Wallpaper How to Turn Off Siri on the iPad Lock Screen How to Enter Low Power Mode on the iPad How to Use the iPad Calendar How to Use Spotlight Search on Your iPhone or iPad How to Fix an iPad That Won't Update How to Turn On AirDrop on iPad Fixing an iPad That Won't Connect to Wi-Fi How to Restore an iPad to Factory Default Using iTunes How to Use Do Not Disturb on iPad What Does the iPad Home Button Do? How to Fix It When an iPad Won't Turn Off How to Search Your iPad for Apps, Music, or Movies Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies