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How to Use Multitasking Gestures on Your iPad

Quickly switch between open apps with a swipe

By Daniel Nations Daniel Nations Writer University of Texas at Arlington Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 5, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple iPad Macs

What to Know

In iPadOS: Go to Settings > Home Screen & Dock. Tap the Gestures toggle switch to turn gestures on or off.iPads running iOS 12-iOS 10: Go to Settings > General > Multitasking & Dock. Tap the Gestures toggle switch to turn gestures on or off.Multitasking gestures are multi-touch, which means you use four or five fingers on the screen to activate them. This article explains how to use multitasking gestures on the iPad to quickly switch between apps, return to the Home screen, and open the Task Manager.

Turn Multitasking Gestures On or Off in Settings

By default, the multitasking gestures are turned on and ready to use. However, you can ensure they are turned on by going into the iPad settings. Open Settings on your iPad. Tap General on iPads running iOS 12 through iOS 10. (On iPads running iPadOS, tap Home Screen & Dock instead and skip to Step 4.) Tap Multitasking & Dock. Tap the Gestures toggle switch to turn gestures on or off.

What Are Multitasking Gestures How Do You Use Them

Multitasking gestures are multi-touch, which means you use four or five fingers on the screen to activate them. Once these gestures are turned on, they carry out specific functions that make the multitasking features of the iPad be more fluid.

Switch Between Apps

The most useful multitasking gesture is the ability to switch between apps. Use four fingers and swipe left or right on the screen. For example, you can have Pages and Numbers open on the iPad and switch between them seamlessly. You need to have recently opened at least two apps to use this feature.

Open the Task Manager

The Task Manager is used to switch between apps or close apps completely, which is handy if an iPad is running slowly. To open the Task Manager, double-click the Home button on iPads that have a physical Home button or swipe upward toward the top of the screen with four or five fingers. You only swipe partway up the display to see the open apps. Swiping farther returns you to the Home screen.

Go Back to the Home Screen

Instead of clicking the Home button, swipe up to the top of the display using four or five fingers to return to the Home screen. This is the same gesture that opens the Task Manager, but it's a longer swipe. For information on split screen and slide-over multitasking introduced in iOS 9, check out How to Use Split Screen on iPad. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Split Screen on iPad How to Use the iPad Control Panel How to Open the iPad's Settings How to Use the iPad Calendar How to Use Apple Stage Manager How to Set Up and Use Touch ID, the iPhone Fingerprint Scanner How to Force-Quit or Close an iPad App How to Close Apps on Android How to Disable the Control Center on the iPad Lock Screen The iPadOS Versions Guide How to Scan Documents With Your iPad How to Use Spotlight Search on Your iPhone or iPad How to Use Samsung Smart Alert and Direct Call How to Lock Apps on Any iPhone How to Turn On/Off Auto-Correct on the iPhone/iPad How to Turn Off Siri on the iPad Lock Screen Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies