The iPad is much more than just a tablet for browsing or watching videos. Many users don't fully explore everything this powerful Apple device has to offer. From built-in apps designed for creativity and productivity to advanced multitasking features, the iPad is a complete tool if you know how to use it.
In this guide you will discover How to make the most of the built-in apps on your iPadFrom quickly locating apps with the App Library to creating amazing projects with tools like iMovie and Keynote, you'll also learn about multitasking features that allow you to work with multiple apps at once without having to close any of them.
Quick navigation with the App Library
One of the most practical ways to find any application on your iPad is by using its App LibraryThis feature automatically groups your apps into categories, making them easy to access without having to search through pages.
You can even hide some pages from the home screen to bring the Library closer to the first page. Just press and hold the wallpaper until the icons start to jiggle, then tap the dots indicating the pages and uncheck the ones you want to hide. To get them back, simply check them again.
Once set up, you'll be able to swipe from the home page directly to the App Library with one or two gestures. Before continuing, we recommend saving this article for later. How to use multiple apps simultaneously on your iPad, may be of help to you.
Master multitasking on your iPad
The iPadOS system allows work with multiple apps at once thanks to features like Split View, Slide Over, and Center Window. These allow you to place apps side by side, floating on the screen, or in a separate window.
Using the Multitasking Menu
- Open any app.
- Press the Multitasking button at the top.
- Select between Split View or Slide Over.
- Choose the second app from the Home screen or Dock.
Split View splits the screen between two apps. Slide Over displays a second app as a floating window. You can adjust the size by dragging the separator between the two apps.
Drag & Drop between apps
Another notable feature of the iPad is its drag and drop items between applications. This allows you to move text, images, or files simply by holding down and dragging to another window.
Using Spotlight with a keyboard
With a keyboard connected, you can use Spotlight (Command + Spacebar) to quickly search for an app. Then, drag it out of Spotlight and place it wherever you want: in Split View or Slide Over.
Center window
Some apps, like Notes or Mail, allow you to open content in a separate window. Just long-press on an email or note and select "Open in new window." From there, you can move or close it using the Multitasking button.
Multitasking with gestures
- App switcher: swipe from the bottom to the middle of the screen and hold.
- Switch between apps: slide four or five fingers to the sides.
- Back to top: swipe up from the bottom edge or pinch in with five fingers.
Picture in Picture (PiP)
During a video call or video playback, you can activate it by pressing the PiP button. The video will move to a corner while you open other apps. You can drag it to another position, hide it by sliding the window, or return it to full screen with a tap.
The best integrated apps to be more productive
Pages: Creating engaging documents
Pages is a full-featured word processing app for the iPad. It lets you add text, images, change styles, and even use the Apple Pencil to write or illustrate by hand directly on your document.
A particularly useful feature is the presenter mode, which turns any document into a teleprompter for public speaking. Plus, all your colleagues or peers can collaborate in real time from any Apple device.
Numbers: Supercharge your spreadsheets
Numbers It's ideal for creating visually compelling spreadsheets with images, pivot tables, and custom styles. It also allows you to annotate with the Apple Pencil.
Syncing via iCloud makes it easy to continue a project on your iPad and finish it on a Mac without losing data.
Keynote: High-Impact Presentations
To create presentations, Keynote It offers more than 30 pre-designed themes, animations, effects, and the ability to draw on slides. It includes the Rehearse feature to view speaker notes, time, and upcoming slides in a single pane, and is compatible with PowerPoint to facilitate blended work environments.
iMovie: movies from your iPad
iMovie Turn your iPad into a video editing studio. You can create trailers and 4K movies, add visual effects, soundtracks, titles, and backgrounds, and even use chroma key to change scenes.
Its simple interface allows you to start and end projects on your iPad or Mac, while maintaining all your applied effects.
GarageBand: music for everyone
GarageBand Turn your iPad into a portable music studio, featuring realistic touch instruments, voice recording, and loop editing. It also offers free downloads of new sounds in the Sound Library.
Its intuitive interface is perfect for both beginners and advanced musicians, allowing you to compose entire songs using only your iPad.
Swift Playgrounds: Learn to code by playing
To get started in programming, Swift Playgrounds It's an excellent option. Designed by Apple, it teaches Swift programming through games and challenges, making it ideal for non-technical students.
It also allows you to control robots or devices such as LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 from the same application.
Disable or manage pre-installed apps
Some Apple apps cannot be deleted, but can be managed using restriction policiesThis is especially useful in educational or business environments and requires specific tools like Sophos Mobile. Creating groups of prohibited apps and assigning them to device policies allows you to block their use and ensure complete control.
Identity management with the Cl@ve app on iOS
In official integrations, such as the Cl@ve app from the Tax Agency, is available on iOS to facilitate secure access through authentication and electronic signature.
To do this, you must have iOS 15 or higher. After downloading it, you can register your certificate, make video calls, or attend in person. You can then scan QR codes and confirm access via notifications on the iPad.
From watching videos while answering emails, to editing professional movies or learning to code, the iPad has very powerful integrated apps that often go unnoticed. Thanks to multitasking, real-time collaboration, and cross-device compatibility, it becomes an ideal tool for learning, working, and creating without limits. We hope you now know how to use the built-in apps on your iPad.
