It's a common misconception that the iPad, with its expansive display, is only meant for full-screen, immersive experiences. But what if you want to shrink an app, keep a video playing in the corner, or have two apps open side-by-side? The iPad is a multitasking powerhouse, offering several ways to achieve a "small screen" or multiple "small screens" to boost your productivity. Let's dive in!
How to Get a "Small Screen" (Multitasking) on iPad: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you ready to unlock the true potential of your iPad and transform it into a multitasking marvel? Let's explore the various ways to get smaller app windows and boost your productivity!
Step 1: Understanding iPad Multitasking Fundamentals
Before we jump into the "how-to," let's quickly grasp the core concepts of iPad multitasking. This isn't about simply resizing a single app window (like on a desktop computer). Instead, iPadOS offers specialized features designed for a tablet environment.
- Picture in Picture (PiP): This allows a video or FaceTime call to play in a small, resizable, and movable window while you use other apps. Think of it as a floating "small screen" for your media.
- Split View: This divides your iPad screen into two adjustable sections, allowing you to run two different apps side-by-side simultaneously. It's like having two "small screens" interacting directly.
- Slide Over: This brings a third app into a smaller, floating window that overlays your main app(s). It's perfect for quick access to apps like Messages, Reminders, or Calculator without leaving your primary task. This is perhaps the closest you'll get to a "floating window mode" on iPad for general apps.
- Stage Manager (for M1 iPads and newer): While not strictly "small screen" in the same way as PiP or Slide Over, Stage Manager allows for resizable, overlapping windows, offering a more desktop-like multitasking experience for compatible iPads. We'll touch on this briefly, but the focus here is on the more universally available "small screen" features.
Step 2: Enabling Multitasking Features (If Necessary)
While most multitasking features are enabled by default on modern iPads, it's always good to double-check.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Settings
- Open Settings: Tap the Settings app icon on your Home Screen.
- Navigate to Multitasking & Gestures: In the sidebar, scroll down and tap on "Home Screen & Multitasking" or "Multitasking & Gestures" (the naming might vary slightly depending on your iPadOS version).
- Ensure Features are On: Under the "Multitasking" section, make sure that "Allow Multiple Apps", "Picture in Picture", and "Gestures" are all toggled on. If any are off, simply tap the toggle to enable them.
Step 3: Mastering Picture in Picture (PiP) for Videos and FaceTime
This is the quintessential "small screen" experience for media consumption. Imagine watching a YouTube video while Browse Safari, or staying on a FaceTime call while checking your email!
Sub-heading: Activating Picture in Picture
- Start a Video or FaceTime Call: Open an app that supports PiP (like YouTube, Apple TV, Netflix, or FaceTime) and begin playing a video or start a FaceTime call.
- Go to Home Screen or Open Another App:
- Method A: Swipe Up: While the video or call is active, simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to your Home Screen. The video/call will automatically shrink into a small, floating window.
- Method B: Tap the PiP Icon: Look for the PiP icon (it usually looks like a rectangle with an arrow pointing to a smaller rectangle in the corner). Tapping this icon will shrink the video.
Sub-heading: Controlling the PiP Window
- Resize: Pinch in or out on the PiP window to make it smaller or larger.
- Move: Drag the PiP window to any of the four corners of your screen.
- Hide: Drag the PiP window off the left or right edge of the screen. A small arrow will remain, and you can tap it to bring the video back.
- Return to Full Screen: Tap the PiP window, then tap the full-screen icon (a rectangle with arrows pointing outwards) in the top-left corner.
- Close: Tap the PiP window, then tap the 'X' icon in the top-left corner.
Step 4: Utilizing Split View for Side-by-Side Productivity
Split View is your go-to for comparing information, taking notes while researching, or dragging and dropping content between apps. It's like having two productive "small screens" working in harmony.
Sub-heading: Opening Apps in Split View
There are a few convenient ways to initiate Split View:
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Using the Multitasking Menu (Recommended):
- Open the First App: Launch the first app you want to use.
- Tap the Multitasking Button: Look for the three small dots at the top center of the screen. Tap them.
- Select Split View: A menu will appear. Tap the Split View icon (a rectangle split vertically down the middle).
- Choose Second App: The first app will move aside, revealing your Home Screen. Tap the second app you want to use from your Home Screen or Dock. It will appear side-by-side with the first app.
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Using the Dock:
- Open the First App: Launch the first app you want to use.
- Reveal the Dock: Slowly swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen, then release when the Dock appears.
- Drag the Second App: Touch and hold the icon of the second app you want from the Dock.
- Place in Split View: While still holding, drag the app icon to the left or right edge of the screen. Release your finger when the app snaps into place.
Sub-heading: Adjusting and Managing Split View
- Resize Apps: In Split View, you'll see a vertical divider between the two apps. Drag this divider to the left or right to adjust the screen real estate each app occupies. You can usually choose between 50/50, 70/30, or 30/70 splits.
- Replace an App:
- Method A: Swipe down from the three dots at the top of the app you want to replace. The app will move aside, revealing your Home Screen/Dock. Select a new app.
- Method B: Drag the divider fully to one side, closing the app you want to replace, then open a new app in its place.
- Close Split View:
- Drag the Divider: Drag the vertical divider all the way to the left or right edge of the screen, effectively closing one app and making the other full screen.
- Use Multitasking Menu: Tap the three dots at the top of the app you want to keep, then tap the full-screen icon (a single, filled rectangle).
Step 5: Leveraging Slide Over for Quick Access
Slide Over is like having a truly "small screen" that floats above your primary app (or Split View apps). It's ideal for checking quick messages, jotting down a note, or using a calculator without interrupting your main workflow.
Sub-heading: Opening an App in Slide Over
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Using the Multitasking Menu (Recommended):
- Open the Primary App: Launch the app you want to use as your main focus.
- Tap the Multitasking Button: Tap the three small dots at the top center of the screen.
- Select Slide Over: A menu will appear. Tap the Slide Over icon (a rectangle with a smaller, shaded rectangle on the right).
- Choose Second App: The primary app will move slightly, and your Home Screen will appear. Tap the second app you want to use from your Home Screen or Dock. It will open as a floating Slide Over window.
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Using the Dock:
- Open the Primary App: Launch the app you want to use.
- Reveal the Dock: Slowly swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen, then release when the Dock appears.
- Drag the Second App: Touch and hold the icon of the second app you want from the Dock.
- Place in Slide Over: While still holding, drag the app icon to the middle of the screen (don't drag it to the edges as you would for Split View). Release your finger when the app appears as a floating window.
Sub-heading: Managing Slide Over Apps
- Move the Slide Over Window: Drag the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window to move it to the left or right side of the screen.
- Hide/Show Slide Over: Swipe the Slide Over window off the screen to the left or right. To bring it back, swipe inward from the edge where you hid it.
- Switch Between Slide Over Apps: If you have multiple apps in your Slide Over "stack," swipe left or right on the horizontal bar at the bottom of the Slide Over window to cycle through them. You can also swipe up from the bottom of the Slide Over window to see all open Slide Over apps and tap to select.
- Convert to Split View: While in Slide Over, drag the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window to the left or right edge of the screen until it snaps into Split View.
- Close Slide Over:
- Convert to Full Screen: Tap the three dots at the top of the Slide Over window, then tap the full-screen icon. This will make the Slide Over app full screen, and the app behind it will remain open in the background (you can access it via the App Switcher).
- Drag to Dismiss (via Split View): This is a slightly more involved way to fully close it. Drag the Slide Over app into Split View. Then, drag the divider all the way to the side to close it.
Step 6: Exploring Stage Manager (for M1 iPads and newer)
If you have an iPad with an M1 chip or newer, Stage Manager offers a more flexible "small screen" experience with resizable, overlapping windows. This provides a truly desktop-like feel.
Sub-heading: Activating Stage Manager
- Open Settings: Tap the Settings app icon.
- Navigate to Home Screen & Multitasking: Tap "Home Screen & Multitasking".
- Enable Stage Manager: Tap "Stage Manager" and toggle it on. You can also adjust settings like "Show Recent Apps" and "Show Dock."
- Access from Control Center: Once enabled, you'll see a new Stage Manager icon in your Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen). Tap it to activate Stage Manager.
Sub-heading: Using Stage Manager
- Resize Windows: When an app is in Stage Manager, you'll see a small handle in the bottom-right corner. Drag this handle to resize the app window.
- Overlap Windows: You can drag and overlap multiple app windows.
- Group Apps: Drag an app from the "Recent Apps" sidebar onto your current window to create a group.
- Switch Apps: Tap on any visible window or tap an app in the "Recent Apps" sidebar to switch to it.
Note: Stage Manager is a more advanced multitasking feature and might take some getting used to. For simple "small screen" needs, PiP, Split View, and Slide Over are generally more intuitive and widely available.
Conclusion: Empowering Your iPad Productivity
By mastering these multitasking features, you're no longer limited to one app at a time. Whether you need a video playing in the corner, two apps side-by-side for serious work, or a quick-access floating app, your iPad can do it all. Experiment with these different modes to find the workflow that best suits your needs and elevate your iPad productivity to new heights!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to use Picture in Picture on iPad?
Start a video or FaceTime call, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap the PiP icon. The video will shrink into a movable window.
How to resize a small video screen on iPad?
Pinch in or out on the Picture in Picture window to make it smaller or larger.
How to hide a floating video on iPad?
Drag the Picture in Picture window off the left or right edge of the screen. An arrow will remain, and you can tap it to bring the video back.
How to use two apps at once on iPad?
Use Split View by opening the first app, tapping the three dots at the top, selecting the Split View icon, and then choosing your second app from the Home Screen or Dock.
How to adjust the size of apps in Split View on iPad?
Drag the vertical divider between the two apps in Split View to the left or right to change their respective sizes.
How to close one app in Split View on iPad?
Drag the vertical divider all the way to the left or right edge of the screen to make one of the apps full screen and close the other.
How to open a floating app on iPad?
Use Slide Over by opening your primary app, tapping the three dots at the top, selecting the Slide Over icon, and then choosing the app you want to float from your Home Screen or Dock.
How to switch between multiple Slide Over apps on iPad?
Swipe left or right on the horizontal bar at the bottom of the Slide Over window, or swipe up from the bottom of the Slide Over window to see all open Slide Over apps.
How to enable Stage Manager on iPad?
Go to Settings > Home Screen & Multitasking > Stage Manager and toggle it on. Then, activate it from the Control Center.
How to drag and drop between apps on iPad?
Open two apps in Split View or Slide Over, then touch and hold the item (text, image, file) in one app until it lifts, and drag it to the other app.
