Despite its mobile-centric roots, Apple's iPadOS operating system has evolved into a relatively capable platform for performing general-purpose computing tasks. While not quite on the level of macOS, Windows, and Linux, iPadOS still packs in features and functionalities that elevate the entire iPad experience when leveraged correctly.
Swipe Finger from Corner
Edge gestures are just plain convenient
Swipe Finger from Corner is an underappreciated gem within iPadOS that lets you quickly create a new Quick Note or access the screenshotting menu via dedicated swiping gestures. Both the bottom left-hand corner and the bottom right-hand corner swipe gestures can be configured independently of one another, and it's possible to toggle one side on while leaving the other off as well.
The feature isn't nearly as powerful as hot corners on macOS, as it only lets you select between the two aforementioned functions, but it's a handy inclusion nonetheless. For those with motor disabilities, the screenshot function also doubles as an accessibility feature, removing the need to press down on physical hardware buttons to initiate a screen grab.
Note that Swipe Finger from Corner is automatically disabled when in Windowed Apps and Stage Manager modes, as it conflicts with the gesture-based window resizing experience. To enable Swipe Finger from Corner, make sure to first select Full Screen Apps mode.
To access and configure edge gestures on iPadOS, follow these steps:
- Launch the Settings application.
- Navigate to Multitasking & Gestures > Swipe Finger from Corner and then toggle the entry on.
- Using the dropdown menus, map functions for both the Bottom Left Corner and the Bottom Right Corner options.
Show App Library in Dock
Instant access to all your installed applications
By default, it's always possible to access the iPad's App Library by swiping to the right-most page of your home screen. If you're like me and have several pages of apps and widgets set up, then this swiping can create a fair bit of friction over time. To rectify this, simply toggle the Show App Library in Dock feature within Settings, which adds a dedicated App Library button to the far right-hand side of the iPad's dock.
When enabled, this App Library button is accessible at all times, simply by swiping the Dock into view. For example, if you're running a full-screen application and want to peruse all your other installed software, simply swipe up to invoke the Dock, and then tap on the App Library icon to spring the interface into view.
The App Library is a unified location within iPadOS that serves as an app drawer or app shelf, pooling all installed applications into one spot and sorting them automatically by both category and by alphabetic order.
To enable quick access to your App Library from anywhere, follow these steps:
- Launch Settings.
- Navigate to Home Screen & App Library > Dock.
- Toggle the Show App Library in Dock switch to the on position.
Guided Access
App pinning for extra peace of mind
On Android, one of my favorite lesser-known features is app pinning. When enabled, the system forces a given app to remain in the foreground at all times, which can then only be deactivated by inputting a PIN code or password. For those times when handing your slab to a child or to, say, a snoopy acquaintance, app pinning proves incredibly useful.
On iPadOS, despite being integrated into the system as an accessibility feature as opposed to a general-purpose one, app pinning is indeed available and user-configurable. Known as Guided Access, it allows you to pin a single app on screen via a triple-click of the sleep/wake button.
To get started with Guided Access, follow these steps:
- Launch Settings.
- Navigate to Accessibility > General > Guided Access.
- From here, toggle Guided Access on.
- Optionally, you can configure Passcode Settings, Time Limits, Display Auto-Lock and other related functions directly from this same page.