• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

AppleToolBox

Tools and Fixes for Mac, iPad, iPhone & iPod

Search posts

  • About
  • Contact

CONNECT WITH US

CATEGORIES

';
  • All
  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • Mac/MacBook
  • Apple Watch
  • How-To’s
  • Reviews

SITE

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise

Search posts

You are here: Home / iPad / How to use (Multitouch) Multitasking Gestures for iPad
A New User's Guide to the iPad: iPad 101, iPad Basics

How to use (Multitouch) Multitasking Gestures for iPad

By SK 2 comments Last updated August 14, 2017

Multitouch or Multitasking gestures are one of the coolest features of iOS for the iPad. With these gestures, you easily and quickly switch between apps, return to the main screen (home screen), close apps, and much more. Use Multitasking to work with two apps at the same time, answer texts or emails while watching videos, or quickly switch to different apps using these gestures.


A New User's Guide to the iPad: iPad 101, iPad Basics

Contents

    • 0.1 Related Articles
  • 1 How to enable Multitasking Gestures
    • 1.1 Close Apps and Pinch to the Home Screen
    • 1.2 Open Multitasking Bar
    • 1.3 Switch Apps by Swiping Left or Right  
  • 2 Turn Multitasking features on or off
  • 3 Use apps while you watch a video with Picture in Picture
    • 3.1 Related Posts:

Related Articles

  • How-To Use Split View and Picture in Picture on Your iPad
  • Tips on How To Use Your iPad Dock

How to enable Multitasking Gestures

First, make sure that you have allowed Multitasking Gestures. To turn this on, just tap Settings > General > Multitasking > Gestures (or Multitasking Gestures in older iOS) and toggle this ON.

iOS 11 Split-Screen Not Working on iPad? How-To Fix

Now you can use either four or five fingers to perform various multi-touch tasks as follows:



Close Apps and Pinch to the Home Screen

pinch to the home screen iPad

Use four or five fingers in a pinching gesture to get back to the home screen, instead of pressing the home button. It is quick and straightforward.

Open Multitasking Bar

Want to open your multitasking bar to force close an app or switch between apps? You may do so by clicking the home button twice. You can also do this with multitasking gestures by using four or five fingers to swipe up.

swipe up to reveal multitasking bar

Switch Apps by Swiping Left or Right  

swipe left or right between apps

This is one of the most useful of the multitasking gestures. Switch between apps by using four or five fingers and swiping left or right.

Turn Multitasking features on or off

  • Go to Settings > General > Multitasking
    • Allow Multiple Apps: Turn off if you don’t want to use Slide Over or Split View
    • Persistent Video Overlay: Turn off if you don’t want to use Picture in Picture
    • Gestures: Turn off if you don’t want to use Multitasking gestures to see the app switcher, return to the Home screen, and more

Use apps while you watch a video with Picture in Picture

How to use (Multitouch) Multitasking Gestures for iPad

With Picture in Picture, use FaceTime or watch a movie AND do other things like check email, text friends, or write up notes and reminder. All you need to do is tap the picture in picture button and your FaceTime or screen scales down to a corner of your display. Open Another app and your video or FaceTime conversation continues.

sudz - apple
SK( Managing Editor )

Obsessed with tech since the early arrival of A/UX on Apple, Sudz (SK) is responsible for the editorial direction of AppleToolBox. He is based out of Los Angeles, CA.

Sudz specializes in covering all things macOS, having reviewed dozens of OS X and macOS developments over the years.

In a former life, Sudz worked helping Fortune 100 companies with their technology and business transformation aspirations.

Related Posts:

  • iPad Split-Screen Not Working? How-To FixiPad Split-Screen Not Working? How-To Fix
  • How-to close apps in iPad multitasking Split View or Slide-OverHow-to close apps in iPad multitasking Split View or…
  • iOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them - Troubleshooting GuideiOS 13 or iPadOS problems and how to fix them -…
  • How-To Use Your iPad Dock in iOS 11 and aboveHow-To Use Your iPad Dock in iOS 11 and above
  • iMessage Not Working iOS 12? Fix Message App ProblemsiMessage Not Working iOS 12? Fix Message App Problems
  • How To Fix Messages and iMessage Problems in iOS 11How To Fix Messages and iMessage Problems in iOS 11
  • iMessage not working iOS 13 or iPadOS? Fix it todayiMessage not working iOS 13 or iPadOS? Fix it today
  • How to use split-screen on a Mac to view side-by-side appsHow to use split-screen on a Mac to view side-by-side apps
  • AirPods Pro---The Complete GuideAirPods Pro---The Complete Guide

Reader Interactions

Write a Comment Cancel reply

Show 2 Comments

  1. Kristine Park says

    November 4, 2020 at 9:36 AM

    The gestures feature is making it impossible for me to use my touchscreen to scroll when there’s a drop down menu to choose an item from. All it does is keep moving the entire page to the right and that’s after it’s enlarged it to the point where only one word is visible on the page, how do I fix this without loosing my ability to use the gestures feature? Anyone have the same issue or a solution that I can try? Appreciate it in advance! TTFN KLP

    Reply
  2. Carlo says

    April 28, 2013 at 4:47 PM

    I got an iPad for my birthday so naturally a newbie as far as the features of the tablet. The tips as described above will surely be used. Thank you for putting these out.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Popular Posts

  • How To Calibrate Your Apple Watch
  • Rows of shelves of archive boxes in a warehouse How to Archive and Back Up Emails on Your Mac
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 Hero iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: The Best of 2020
  • How to export Messages from the Mac and save them into a readable format Hero How to Export Messages From the Mac and Save Them Into a Readable Format
  • iPhone camera taking photo in scenic location A Complete Guide to Editing Photos on Your iPhone

Connect with us

Recent Comments

  • Ahmed on Mac user account disappeared? Here’s how to get it back without losing any data: “You are a life-saver. Thanks.”
  • Allan Burnett on Apple Watch Competitions: Understand Your Activity Score: “Just to be clear, the maximum points you can get is 600, BUT you can get more than 200% on…”
  • bob schaefer on What is iPhone Haptic Feedback? Enable or Disable?: “I do not like this feature , especially the fact that I can’t turn it off . I drive 100…”
  • Ian on iPhone Favorite Contacts not working? Fix it!: “Too complicated, still got no favourites”

Footer

ABOUT

  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use

DEVICES

  • iPhone
  • Mac & MacBook
  • Apple Watch
  • iPad
  • AirPods
  • Apple TV
  • iPod Touch

GUIDES

  • iOS 13 & iPadOS
  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • App Store
  • iTunes
  • FaceTime
  • iMessage
  • Siri
  • Books and iBooks
  • Game Center
  • AirPlay

CONNECT

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • FeedBurner
  • YouTube

© Copyright 2010-2021 AppleToolBox · All Rights Reserved

This site and its content are in no way affiliated or endorsed by Apple, Inc. · Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited