To turn the grid on or off in the iPad camera, open Settings, tap Camera, and switch Grid on or off. Apple says the grid shows lines on the camera screen to help you straighten and compose your shot. The same Camera settings screen also has video resolution and other options.
These steps come from Apple’s iPad User Guide pages on advanced camera settings and recording video. Tips on using the grid come from 4RIL, PCHardwarePro, and iSumsoft.
How to Turn the Camera Grid On or Off on iPad
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Camera.
- Turn Grid on to show the lines, or off to hide them.
Result: The next time you open the Camera app, the lines appear (or disappear). 4RIL says the grid shows in all camera modes, such as Photo, Video, and Portrait, and doesn’t appear in your finished photos. It’s only on the screen while you frame the shot.
How to Use the Grid for Better Photos
PCHardwarePro and iSumsoft describe the grid as a 3×3 pattern that splits the screen into nine equal parts. That makes it easier to follow the rule of thirds:
- Put subjects on the lines. iSumsoft suggests placing the most important parts of the scene along the lines or where they cross.
- Level the horizon. For landscapes, iSumsoft suggests lining the horizon up with the top or bottom line.
- Frame faces. When photographing people, iSumsoft suggests putting the subject’s eyes near a point where the lines cross.
If a photo still comes out crooked, Apple says you can straighten or tilt it later with the editing tools in the Photos app.
How to Adjust Focus and Exposure
The grid helps with framing, and Apple says you can also set the focus yourself. The camera sets focus and exposure automatically, but you can override them:
- Open Camera on your iPad.
- Tap the screen to show the focus area and exposure setting in yellow.
- Tap where you want the focus to be.
- Next to the focus area, drag the exposure control up or down to make the shot brighter or darker.
Result: The photo uses your focus point and exposure. To keep those settings for the next few shots, Apple says to touch and hold the focus area until AE/AF Lock appears.
How to Change Video Recording Resolution
- Open Settings > Camera.
- Tap Record Video.
- Choose from the video formats and frame rates your iPad supports.
Result: New videos record at that setting. Apple says that depending on your model, options can include HD, 4K, HD (PAL), and 4K (PAL), and you can turn on Show PAL Formats to see the PAL options. Apple also notes that faster frame rates and higher resolutions make larger files. In Video mode, quick toggles at the top of the screen let you change resolution and frame rate without leaving the Camera.
How to Turn Down the Camera Shutter Sound
- Open the Camera app.
- Open Control Center and drag the volume slider down.
- Tap outside Control Center to go back to the camera.
Apple notes the shutter doesn’t make a sound when Live Photos is on, and in some countries and regions you can’t mute it at all. The same options apply on a phone; see how to turn off the camera sound on iPhone.
Other Camera Settings
Apple lists these in Settings > Camera:
- Preserve Settings: keep your last camera mode, such as Video or Pano, and your Live Photo setting.
- Scene Detection: on supported models, identifies what you’re photographing and applies a tailored look. It’s on by default.
- Lens Correction: on supported models, adjusts photos from the front or Ultra Wide camera to look more natural. It’s on by default.
- Save Captures to Photo Library: turn this off to stop photos you take in Messages from saving to the Photos app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the grid lines show up in my photos?
No. 4RIL says the grid is only visible while you compose a shot and doesn’t appear in the final photo. Apple describes it as a grid on the camera screen.
Does the grid work in Video mode?
Yes. 4RIL says the grid appears in all camera modes, including Video, Portrait, and Panorama, once you turn it on in Settings.
Related Guides
- How to screen record on iPad
- How to check storage on your iPad
- How to rotate a picture from portrait to landscape
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.