How to Use New Multitasking Features in iPadOS 15 on Your iPad

Alongside numerous new iOS 15 features, Apple introduced the most important and needed change for iPad users with iPadOS 15, advanced multitasking. The new multitasking menu gives iPad users more room to manage their workflow and get things done efficiently. However, even if you’re on iPadOS 15 public or developer beta, you may have overlooked new multitasking features or don’t know how to use them effectively. To help you with that, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to explain how to enable and use the enhanced iPadOS 15 multitasking features on your device.

New iPadOS 15 Multitasking Features Detailed (2021)

The article details all the new multitasking features along with the new shelf added to your iPad with iPadOS 15. That said, let’s take a look at what’s new.

New Multitasking Menu in iPadOS 15

The current method of multitasking on the iPad requires users to open an app, swipe on the dock, and drag an app from there to multitask both apps. iPadOS 15 built on this functionality rather than removing these legacy methods, thus creating the best of both worlds.

Multitasking in iPadOS 15 new multitasking menu this is indicated by a ellipsis icon (three dots) at the top of each app. Tapping the ellipsis icon brings up three options:

• Full Screen View
• Split View
• Swipe

These three options in the iPad’s multitasking menu now make up the daily drive for getting around and getting things done. Below we have detailed the steps to enable Split View and Scrolling. Full screen view, as the name suggests, allows a single app to go full screen and take up all the screen real estate.

What is Split View and How to Use it in iPadOS 15

Split View in iPadOS 15, using two apps at the same time. Useful when writing something while watching a lecture or listening to a podcast, or sending an email while communicating with your team on Slack. Split View splits the screen in two and offers a slider in the middle for you to adjust the screen area each app takes up on your iPad. You can enter Split View of iPad using these two new ways.

Method 1: Using the New Multitasking Menu

The preferred way to enable Split View in iPadOS 15 is the new multitasking menu. To enter Split View, follow these steps:

1. Open the first app you want to multitask with.
2. Now, press three points button at the top of the app. You will see three options.
3. Select the middle expression Split View. Your app now slides to the right and hides in a corner.
4. Then select the second app you want to multitask with. You can select the second app from your home screen, dock or from the App Library newly added in iPadOS 15. When you select the second app, Spilled View activates on your iPad. Here’s how it looks:
   

And that’s it. You can also adjust the proportions of the app using the gray slider in the middle of your iPad’s screen (as shown in the GIF above).

Method 2: Using App Switcher Mode

The app switcher on iPad has always been a handy way to quickly switch between open apps without going to the home screen. iPadOS 15 has integrated a nifty multitasking feature into the app switcher to give you new ways to open multiple apps together. So, if you’re not a fan of the new multitasking menu, follow these steps to combine apps in the app switcher and open them in Split View:

1. If you haven’t already, keep the apps you want to use in Split View open in the background.
2. Now, Turn on App Switcher mode. You can do this by swiping from the bottom of your screen to the middle, or by double-pressing your iPad’s home button (if you have an older generation iPad). Now you will see all the apps running in the background.
3. Next, hold and drag the first app over the other app you want to open side-by-side for multitasking. When you do this, you will immediately see the applications merge into Split View.
4. Now tap Split View to open both apps in full screen and multitask!
5. Likewise, you can remove one of the apps from Split View by holding down and dragging it away from the other app. You can see it in action in the GIF above.

For Split View multitasking on iPad, using the App Switcher is most convenient for users who are already familiar with the system. You can make as many Split Views as you want in App Switcher. However, keep in mind that some apps may not be compatible. For example – We were unable to combine the Amazon app with any other app for Split View in our testing.

What is Slide Over and How to Use it in iPadOS 15

Slide Over has long been loved by iPad users. A great way to multitask on iPadOS, Slide Over is based on the idea. floating apps easily accessible and can be turned off when needed. The iPadOS 15 update brings a quick way to turn an app into Slide Over mode. Follow the steps below to use the Swipe feature in the new multitasking menu.

1. First, open the application you want to use in Slide Over mode.
2. Then press the three dots button at the top of the app. Click on the third option that shows Slide Over mode.
3. As before, the current app will move and hide to the right. Now select the app you want to be in full screen mode and open it. This much. You will now see the first app in a small floating window over the second app you just opened. you can choose move this app to any area your screen.
4. You can also hide the floating app window even in the corner by holding the edge and swiping to the right. You can do it too Open more apps in Slide Over and have them overlap. You can then switch between them in one motion.

Interestingly, you will be able to see all the Slide Over apps on the right side of the App Switcher if you forgot any of them. This is beautiful, isn’t it?

Rack Multitasking on iPadOS 15

Shelf is a new multitasking feature introduced in iPadOS 15. It was designed as a way to quickly navigate through multiple open windows of the same application. Shelf located at the bottom of the app, such as docks and similar means. You can use Shelf when you want to have multiple instances of the Mail app or multiple tabs in Safari open and accessible at the same time. Follow the steps below to learn how to use Shelf in iPadOS 15.

note: We’re using the Safari browser for this tutorial, but Shelf in iPadOS 15 is also accessible in many other apps like Mail, Notes, and more.

1. Open Safari on your iPad and slowly swipe up from the bottom to access the Dock.
2. Now press and hold the Safari icon until a small menu pops up. Next, tap on “.Show all Windows” choice.
3. Instead of the app switcher view, you’ll now see the new Shelf multitasking view pop up at the bottom of your iPad’s screen.
4. You can now open and switch multiple new windows, swipe up to close a window, and even hold and drag a window to easily turn it into Slide Over. Take a look at this GIF to better understand how it works:

note: Unless you want to repeatedly use the slot to access the rack. Long press the three dots icon at the top and you will see open windows available in the Shelf at the bottom.

New Multitasking Keyboard Shortcuts in iPadOS 15

As for those who use an external keyboard with their iPad, the iPadOS 15 update brings a host of new multitasking keyboard shortcuts for easier accessibility.

Connect your keyboard to access the new list of multitasking shortcuts and command key (cmd). A pop-up window will appear on your screen with all the commands you can use to access the multitasking features. As you may notice here, iPadOS 15, Sphere key to multitasking.

You can use the following keyboard shortcuts to multitask on your iPad. Split View commands help to navigate the split screen view easily.

Also, if you have multiple windows open and you want to access the rack from your keyboard, Orb + Down Arrow Key simultaneous. For keyboard users who don’t want to go to the trouble of using all gestures, this shortcut is the most convenient way to access the rack.

Have Fun with Enhanced Multitasking in iPadOS 15

The new multitasking features are just one of many coming to your iPad with the iPadOS 15 update when it rolls out to all users this fall. Whether it’s Quick Note in iPadOS 15 or Live Text in iOS 15, there’s something new for everyone. If you’re keen to try these features, go ahead and download and install the iOS 15/ iPadOS 15 public beta now. And after you install it, check out all 30 of the best features in iPadOS 15. What are your thoughts on the multitasking features? Let us know in the comments section below.