rotation lock sign appears frequently on the screen without being switched on or off. The set rotation is not affected at all, but the frequency of the rotation lock sign appearance suggests there is something wrong somewhere.

Ipad Air 16GB

iOS 8.4


The rotation lock sign logo appears frequently on the screen by itself when Lock Rotation is enabled using the "Use Side Switch To" option on my iPad Air. This lock sign logo appears without the side switch being switched on or off . The already set rotation orientation position is not affected at all when the sign appears, but the frequency of the rotation lock sign appearance suggests there is something wrong somewhere. It has happened so frequently that i was able to get a screen print of one of its occurrences.


I have reverted the "Use Side Switch To" for use for Mute and Unmute. I have enabled the screen lock from the control center.

I noticed that the Lock and Unlock sign does not appear as a bold sign logo on the screen during an enable or disable process when the Orientation Lock and unlock is set in control center. This is also the case with my iPhone 6.


Given that my iPhone 6 is the first iPhone that I have ever owned or used, I cannot say now if all previous iPhones ever had the option to select "Use Side Switch To" for toggling between Mute and Rotation Lock. I can say however that the absence of this option in the iPhone 6 is a great idea. The lock control is better located in the control center, where it also already exists in the iPads iOS 8.4 version that is installed in my device. So it needs to be removed from the Settings > General pane, as already is in with the iPhone 6. Perhaps its not too late to do this with the upcoming iOS 9 ?


If on the other hand, there is a good reason to maintain that design, then it should be noted that I have this experience and maybe other users out there might have same experience with their iPads.

Thank You.

iPad Air, iOS 8.4

Posted on Aug 12, 2015 7:43 AM

Reply
3 replies

Aug 12, 2015 8:01 AM in response to amaju

Sounds like an intermittent side switch/dirty contacts within the side switch. My iPad mini 2's side switch was very sensitive and would trigger with a very light touch or sometimes even on it's own. I corrected it on mine by working the side switch back and forth repeatedly through it's range of motion. Just flick the switch back and forth maybe 50 or so times. What this does is it cleans the contacts within the switch which can get corroded over time. Give it a try and see if it helps...you may also need to do it more than 50 times (that's just a random number I gave).


If you continue having issues with it, take it in to your local Apple Store's Genius Bar for a free evaluation. You need a reservation and an Apple ID to make the reservation:


http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/


You can also try a force restart of the device as well but your issue seems hardware related to me since I experienced the same thing with my side switch.


Force Restart (won't affect settings/data/music/apps/etc)

1. Press and hold (& continue to hold) BOTH the Sleep/Wake button & the Home button.

2. Continue to hold BOTH (ignoring any other messages that may show) until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

3. Release BOTH buttons when you see the Apple logo and allow the device to boot normally.

Aug 12, 2015 11:46 AM in response to SergZak

Hey SergZak...


The side switch feels just fine, it is not sensitive at all from what I have observed. I would not think dirt either because of my general environment and general device handling and usage etiquette... but tell you what, I have set the side switch back to its default Mute control function in Settings = General, I will leave the switch on Mute enabled. This is the position it has been on all the while when set for the Lock Rotation function.


If I start getting the Mute sign logo popping up like the Lock Rotation sign logo was, then I will be sold that it is an issue with the switch hardware.

I will definitely update you. I am already monitoring the situation, so thank you for the reply.


While I monitor the situation, I will be happy to read any other opinions.

Aug 13, 2015 6:59 PM in response to SergZak

Hello SergZak... I can confirm that the issue is not hardware related. Since I set the side button to control Mute, the Mute sign logo has yet to show up without being switched on or off. My assumption is if the switch is faulty then I should experience the same behaviour with the Mute sign.


I have not tried flicking the switch yet, I will try this option if somehow the behaviour resumes. I will keep you posted.

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rotation lock sign appears frequently on the screen without being switched on or off. The set rotation is not affected at all, but the frequency of the rotation lock sign appearance suggests there is something wrong somewhere.

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