If you have an iPad and feel that You always end up using your mobile phone or laptopYou're not alone. The iPad, especially the newer models with the M chip and Apple Pencil, is a true digital Swiss Army knife, but it only truly shines when you know its tricks, key apps, and hidden features.
In this guide you will find a very complete tour of everything you can do to Get the most out of your iPad in productivity, creativity and leisureFrom system gestures and shortcuts to the best apps (free and paid), including multitasking, keyboard tricks, quick notes, document scanning, and ways to extend battery life.
Basic gestures and tricks that change the way you use your iPad
One of the lesser-known but most useful details is that you can Return to the top of any app or website with a single tapWhen you're way down a page, tap the top of the screen, right where you see the time and battery level: the iPad will automatically scroll to the top.
You can also adjust the keyboard so that it is more comfortable to write with one handPinch the entire keyboard and it will shrink to a size similar to the iPhone keyboard, becoming a floating keyboard. You can then drag and drop it wherever you need it.
If you prefer an alternative method to shrink the keyboard, press and hold the keyboard icon that appears in the bottom right when it's in full size and choose the option “Floating” to switch to that compact modeFrom there you can continue using writing gestures by sliding your finger between letters.
Taking a screenshot also has a trick: in addition to the classic combination of the top button and volume up, you can slide from the bottom left or right corner towards the center with your finger or Apple Pencil. This way you not only capture the screen, but you can also save an entire webpage as a PDF to read or annotate later.
Multitasking and app organization: work like on a laptop (or better)
iPadOS multitasking has come a long way, and if you get used to it, It ceases to be a simple tablet and becomes more like a computer.You have several ways to use multiple apps at the same time, depending on what you need at any given moment.
With Split View You can split the screen between two apps simultaneously. Place the apps you want to use in the Dock, open one of them, and then swipe down slightly from the bottom to reveal the Dock. Press and hold the icon of the other app and drag it to the right or left side of the screen until the interface splits in two.
If you want to take it a step further, you can Use up to three apps at the same timeFirst, place two apps in Split View as we've seen, and then bring back the Dock. Drag a third app to the center, to the dividing line area, and it will open in a floating window (Slide Over mode) on top of the other two.
On compatible models, the Visual Organizer (Stage Manager) It lets you work with multiple resizable windows, almost like on a Mac. You activate it from the Control Center by tapping the icon with three dots and a screen, and you'll see how the active app is centered while the rest are displayed as thumbnails to the left.
Don't forget the bottom Dock: it's key for multitasking because allows you to quickly launch and combine appsYou can customize it by pressing and holding any app on the home screen and dragging it to the Dock. The left side displays the apps you pin, while the right side shows up to three recent apps that the system automatically places there.
Control Center, Shortcuts, and Spotlight: all at a single gesture
The Control Center is that panel that appears when swipe down from the top right cornerThere you can have much more than brightness, WiFi or Bluetooth: iPadOS lets you add tools like screen recording, focus mode or access to Quick Notes.
To customize it, go to Settings, then Control Center, and open the section for “Customize controls” to add or remove shortcutsThe controls above are the ones that are already active; you can rearrange them by dragging the three-line icon, and add new ones by tapping the green “+” symbol next to each available option.
Each app icon on your home screen hides quick actions: press and hold an icon for a second and you'll see a context menu with direct shortcuts to the app's usual functions (new note, new tab, start a recording, scan, etc.). It's a very quick way to get exactly what you want without navigating through internal menus.
And if you can't find something, swipe down from the center of the screen to open Spotlight, the universal search engine for iPadIt can locate apps, contacts, emails, files, notes, suggested websites, news... Type a keyword and you'll see results from almost your entire system and applications.
Widgets and home screen: useful information always in view
The iPad lets you go beyond static app icons: you can Pin widgets to the home screen To see your calendar, weather, reminders, notes, news, or whatever you use most at a glance, press and hold on an empty space on the screen until the icons "jitter," then tap the "+" button that appears in the upper corner.
Select the widget you want and its size, place it where you want, and if you wish, create Smart stacks that rotate multiple widgets in the same spaceiPadOS automatically chooses which widget to show based on the time, location, or your habits, although you can also manually scroll through them.
Additionally, the system has a dedicated column of widgets that slides out from the left. If you open it and tap "Edit" at the bottom, you'll be able to add more widgets, rearrange them, or remove themOn iPads, you can even pin that column so that it always appears on the main home screen by activating "Keep on Home Screen".
Keyboard, text gestures, and handwriting: type faster and better
The iPad keyboard hides many functions so that Writing shouldn't be a chore, even on a touchscreen.One of the most practical tricks is the virtual trackpad: place two fingers on the keyboard and hold for a moment; the keyboard turns gray and you can now move the cursor by sliding your fingers, as if you had a real trackpad.
To quickly select text without struggling with the cursor, you can Double-tap a word to select it.Press three times to select the entire sentence and four times to select the entire paragraph. It's much more convenient than dragging the selector letter by letter.
Apple has added a series of specific gestures for copying, cutting, and pasting: pinch with three fingers to Copy the selected text, repeat the pinch twice to cut and spread three fingers (the opposite gesture) to stick. Also, sliding three fingers to the left undoes the last action, and to the right redoes it.
If you type a lot of numbers and symbols, notice that each key displays a second option at the top: simply Hold the key and slide down to type that symbol without changing modes. It seems trivial, but in long texts it saves considerable time.
If you have an Apple Pencil, the Scribble feature lets you Write by hand in any text fieldiPadOS recognizes your handwriting and automatically converts it to typed text. You can activate this feature in Settings > Apple Pencil by turning on the "Scribble Handwriting" option. The entire process takes place on the device itself, so your information never leaves the iPad.
Notes, scans, and Apple Pencil: turn your iPad into an infinite notebook
The Notes app has gone from being a basic tool to a true organizational hub. You can Mix text, lists, photos, scanned documents, drawings, or links in the same note, and even share them and collaborate with other people in real time.
To avoid losing an idea, you have Quick Notes: swipe from the bottom right corner towards the center with your finger or Apple Pencil and a note window will automatically open. even while on the lock screenIt's ideal for jotting something down when you're in a hurry.
The iPad includes a document scanner built into Notes. Create a new note, tap the camera icon, and choose "Scan Documents." Simply point the camera at the document, and the system will scan it. Detects edges, corrects perspective, and saves the result as a PDFYou can also use the Notes icon shortcut on the home screen and tap "Scan document" directly.
With Apple Pencil you can also sign PDF documents from Markup (the built-in annotation tool): open a PDF from Files, Mail, or Photos, tap the pencil icon, and Add your handwritten signature instantly, then share the file.It's extremely convenient for contracts, authorizations, or forms.
Files, external storage, and "desktop" work
The Files app is the equivalent of Finder on a Mac or Explorer on Windows. From there you can Access everything you have on your iPad, iCloud Drive, and services like Dropbox or Google Drive. y manage storage on your iPad without having to go app by app. You can copy, move, rename, compress and decompress files, just like on a computer.
iPads with USB-C port support SD cards and external USB drivesOften you'll need an adapter, but once connected, the content appears in Files, and you can open photos, videos, or documents directly, or copy them to your iPad to edit them with your favorite apps.
This “desktop app” philosophy has been extended to other iPadOS applications such as Photos, which They offer sidebars, context menus, and advanced features very similar to what you'd find on a Mac. The experience is becoming more and more like a full-fledged computer.
Pure productivity: shortcuts, universal clipboard, and concentration modes
If you want your iPad to be your work tool, the Shortcuts app is essential for perform quick actions on your iPad. with her you can Automate sequences of actions: open apps, change settings, send messages, or play music with a single tap or voice command. For example, you could create a "get to the office" shortcut that activates focus mode, opens your to-do list app, and connects to a specific Wi-Fi network.
Within Shortcuts, tap "Add action" and use the search bar or categories to link steps together. Then give it a name and an icon; you'll be able to Run it from the app, from the desktop, from the Control Center, or by asking Siri..
The Universal Clipboard is another gem of the Apple ecosystem: if you use the same Apple ID on your iPhone, Mac, and iPad, Anything you copy to one will be available on the others for a few seconds.You just need to have WiFi, Bluetooth and Handoff enabled on all devices.
For example, you can copy text on your Mac and paste it into a note on your iPad without any special steps. To do this, go to Settings > General on your iPad and Make sure Handoff is activeFrom then on, it practically works "by itself".
To avoid distractions, iPadOS includes the following modes: Concentration, which filters which notifications you receiveYou can set up a Work mode that only allows notifications from colleagues and work apps, a Sleep mode, a Leisure mode, or create custom profiles. You'll find these in Settings > Focus mode.
Specific tips for Safari and browsing
If you use Safari, there's a lifesaver trick: you can recover tabs closed by mistakeTap the button to view open tabs and hold the "+" icon in the corner; a list will appear with the recently closed tabs, ready to reopen with a tap.
When you take screenshots of web pages from Safari using the corner gesture, you'll see the option to save only the visible part or the entire pageIf you choose full page, a PDF is generated that's perfect for reading, highlighting, or sending by email.
Sharing files and working in the cloud: AirDrop, iCloud, and Mail Drop
To transfer files between nearby Apple devices, AirDrop is the fastest way: simply open the share menu in any app, tap the AirDrop icon, and choose the device or nearby contactThe file is sent directly, without cables or external services.
If you want someone to have access to a file in iCloud, instead of attaching it, you can use the "Add People" option in the Files sharing menu. This way, You share a link to the file in the cloud, with read-only or edit permissions.And you can revoke or change those permissions whenever you want.
For very large files sent by email, Mail Drop is ideal. From the Mail app, attach a large file stored in iCloud or on your iPad, and the system will ask if you want to use Mail Drop. If you accept, The file is uploaded to iCloud and a download link is sent.so you can send gigabytes to any address, even if it uses Gmail or another service.
Essential free apps to get the most out of your iPad
Beyond Apple's apps, there are quite a few free apps that Take your iPad to the next level without spending a penny.If you want a more comprehensive overview, also check out the best apps for iPad which we recommend.
For PDF documents, Adobe Acrobat Reader is a classic: it allows you to Easily read, annotate, and sign PDFseven with Apple Pencil, and it's usually sufficient unless you work daily with very advanced functions.
If you enjoy taking notes or writing, Bear is ideal for polished texts: it combines a highly flexible tagging system with Advanced editing, support for markdown, and insertion of images and linksThe free version more than covers normal use.
For quick design without being an expert, Canva brings its templates to the iPad. collages, presentations, posters, logos and social media contentIt's perfect for both beginners and advanced users who want to go fast.
The official ChatGPT app on iPad gives you convenient access to GPT-4o as a writing assistant, text summarization, task assistance, or brainstorming toolHaving it pinned to the Dock makes it easy to use almost like any other system tool.
If you consume a lot of news, Feedly lets you to gather in one place the news from the media outlets you follow via RSS, with the option to mark articles as read or save them for later.
For simple video and animation, FlipaClip offers a frame-based system with layers, customizable brushes, and sound effects. Ideal for creating content for TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube and learn to record videos with your iPad without the need for complex programs.
Apple's GarageBand remains a benchmark: it combines virtual instruments, voice recording, and multiple tracks for compose music or edit audio with very serious results, although its interface is easy for anyone to use.
If you give a lot of presentations, Keynote is Apple's alternative to PowerPoint, and many professionals prefer it. It allows Create visually stunning presentations with smooth animations, custom templates, and compatibility with PowerPoint files..
To get in shape without leaving home, LazyFit: Home Planner offers guided video workouts tailored to your available time. Its free version already provides access to... complete workouts without the need for special equipment.
Lettre.app is designed for those who enjoy writing letters, postcards, or greetings by hand. It includes Various templates where you can combine handwritten text, photos, and drawings, perfect for getting the most out of the Apple Pencil.
If you're interested in meditation, Medito is a very special option: it's 100% free, with no ads or in-app purchasesand offers guided sessions to reduce stress, improve sleep and work on mindfulness.
MusicHarbor integrates with Apple Music or Spotify to to notify you when your favorite artists release new songs or albums, displaying that information in a simple interface with widgets, filters, and reminders.
Notion is almost a universe unto itself: it allows you to combine notes, databases, tasks, calendars, and collaborative projects. Although it has paid plans, for individual use it offers one of the most comprehensive productivity experiences at no cost.
TV Time is ideal if you watch a lot of series and movies: it helps you to Keep track of what you've watched, discover new titles, and know which platform each piece of content is on., with reviews from other users.
Finally, WhatsApp for iPad is available and syncs with your iPhone to keep all your chats up to date. Thanks to the large screen, it's very comfortable to use. video calls, long voice notes, and writing lengthy messagesIf you need alternatives, consult the videoconferencing programs for iPad.
Paid apps that turn the iPad into a professional workstation
If you're willing to invest a little, there are paid apps that They transform the iPad into a professional tool to study, create content, compose music, or manage your work in much greater depth.
1Password is one of the most highly rated password managers: it saves all your encrypted passwords, autofills them on websites and apps, and It includes a secure password generator and storage for sensitive documents.In addition, it also serves as a two-factor authenticator.
AnkiMobile Flashcards is the iPad version of the popular memory card system. While it's not the cheapest app, its algorithm and the tools it offers make it a great option. one of the best options for memorizing vocabulary, formulas, or complex concepts.
Feather is designed for illustrators who want to work in 3D on the iPad. It offers Advanced 3D modeling and drawing tools optimized for Apple Pencil, being more appropriate for professionals than for very casual users.
Final Cut Pro for iPad has brought professional video editing to touch formatAlthough it still has some limitations compared to macOS, it already allows working with multiple tracks, advanced effects, and precise controls with Apple Pencil.
Forest, based on the Pomodoro Technique, turns your concentration into a little game: you start a timer and A virtual tree grows as long as you stay in the appIf you give up to get distracted, the tree dies. It's surprisingly effective at maintaining focus.
Goodnotes 6 is almost a standard among students: it offers highly customizable digital notebooks, handwriting recognition to convert it to text, and Excellent integration with iCloud and Apple PencilIdeal for taking handwritten notes in class or meetings.
iA Writer is a minimalist text editor designed for distraction-free writing. It uses Markdown formatting and It offers a clean, content-focused environmentPerfect for professional or personal writing if you work with a physical keyboard.
LumaFusion was for a long time the benchmark for video editing on iPad and still is: it allows working with multiple layers of video and audio, transitions, effects, and color corrections, all adapted to touch gestures and compatibility with Apple Pencil.
Moses stands out for its AI-based audio features: in addition to classic editing, It allows you to separate voices and instruments, reduce noise, and prepare tracks.which makes it very interesting for podcasters and musicians.
Paprika 3 is a powerful recipe manager: you can Save your own recipes, import from websites, organize them by categories, and create shopping listsWith the iPad in the kitchen, it's a delight to follow the steps while you cook.
Procreate Dreams focuses on the animation of illustrations, offering A huge variety of tools, layers, and gesture control to bring your drawings to lifeAlthough it has a learning curve, it's one of the best animation apps available for iPad.
Pixelmator is a very capable image editing suite that, although lighter than on macOS, allows Advanced retouching, layer-based editing, and powerful photography toolsApple's acquisition of the app strengthens its position within the ecosystem.
StaffPad is aimed at composers who work with musical notation: it recognizes your handwritten scores, It converts it into clean notation, integrates samples, and facilitates the creation of complete orchestral arrangements.It's niche, but excellent at what it does.
Things 3 is a highly polished task and project manager, with a careful design and features for Organize everything from simple personal lists to complex projects linked to your calendarIts single payment model is attractive in the long term.
Multimedia, external monitor, and professional use with iPad Pro
If you have a modern iPad Pro, especially one with an M chip, you can connect it to an external monitor using a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Many apps, such as Keynote or iMovie, They offer additional views or enhanced presentations on large screenswhich makes the iPad a very serious tool for presentations or video editing.
The iPad can also be a great tool for specific professions. For example, a race car driver can Use the iPad Pro to review telemetry, manage business documentation, show race videos, or annotate strategies with Apple Pencilall with the convenience of a touchscreen and mobility.
Battery, performance, and some final details that make all the difference
To extend battery life, check which apps are updating in the background. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and Disable the feature for the apps that consume the most resources or for all apps at once.This will prevent unimportant services from draining energy when you're not using them.
Another way to personalize your experience is to change your wallpaper. You can do this from Settings > Wallpaper, by choosing “Select New Wallpaper,” or from any photo in iCloud Photos by tapping “Share” and then “Wallpaper.” Choose an image that inspires you. makes using the iPad more enjoyable on a daily basis.
Finally, you can use the text replacement feature to save time on phrases you repeat often. In Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement, create shortcuts like “myemail” or “signature01” that expand to longer texts, addresses, signatures, or expressions that you use constantly.
With this arsenal of gestures, apps, shortcuts, and tricks, your iPad ceases to be just a big screen and becomes a central tool for working, creating, studying, training, cooking, watching series or simply better organizing your digital lifeThe key is to spend a few days trying out these features, adapting them to your routine, and letting the iPad truly compete in the same league as your Mac and iPhone.
