Unleash Multitasking Power: Split Screen on Your iPad 9th Generation

So, you want to know how to unlock the secrets of split screen multitasking on your trusty iPad 9th generation? You’ve come to the right place. In essence, there are two primary methods: using the Multitasking menu (three dots at the top) and leveraging the Dock. Let’s dive into each with step-by-step instructions and pro tips to get you multitasking like a pro in no time.

Mastering Split View on iPad 9th Gen

Here’s a breakdown of how to engage Split View, enabling you to run two apps side-by-side:

Method 1: Utilizing the Multitasking Menu

1. Open your first app: Start with the app you want on one side of your screen.
2. Access the Multitasking menu: Look at the very top center of your screen. You’ll see three small dots. Tap those dots.
3. Choose Split View: A small menu will appear. Tap the Split View icon (it looks like two rectangles, one slightly smaller than the other, side-by-side). Your current app will slide to one side of the screen.
4. Select your second app: Your iPad will now show your Home Screen or your App Library. Select the second app you wish to use in Split View. Tap it, and it will open alongside your first app.

Method 2: The Dock Approach

1. Open your first app: Just like before, launch the app you want to be the “main” app.
2. Reveal the Dock: Gently swipe up from the bottom edge of your screen without lifting your finger entirely. This will bring up the Dock.
3. Drag and Drop: Locate the icon of the second app you want to use. Tap and hold the app icon, and then drag it either to the left or right edge of your screen. As you drag, you’ll see the first app adjust to accommodate the second. Release the app icon.
4. Split View Activated: Boom! You’re now in Split View with your two apps neatly arranged beside each other.

Key Considerations for Split View

• App Compatibility: Not all apps support Split View. If an app doesn’t offer Split View functionality, the multitasking menu might not display the Split View icon, or you might not be able to drag it from the Dock.
• Resizing Windows: A vertical bar separates the two apps in Split View. Drag this bar left or right to adjust the relative size of each app window. You can even drag it all the way to one side to effectively close one of the apps.
• Switching Apps: In Split View, you can easily switch one of the apps for another. Swipe down from the top of the app you want to replace, then select a new app from your Home Screen or App Library.

Slide Over: Another Multitasking Marvel

Besides Split View, the iPad 9th generation also offers Slide Over, another handy multitasking feature. Slide Over displays an app in a floating window on top of your current app.

How to Use Slide Over:

1. Follow the same steps as the Dock approach for Split View up to the point of dragging.
2. Instead of dragging the app to the very edge of the screen, drag it slightly above the edge. The app will then open in a floating window.
3. Position the Slide Over window: You can drag the Slide Over window to the left or right side of your screen.
4. Dismiss the Slide Over window: Swipe the Slide Over window off the screen (either left or right) to temporarily hide it. To bring it back, swipe from the edge of the screen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why can’t I see the Multitasking menu (three dots) at the top of my screen?

Ensure that Multitasking gestures are enabled in your iPad settings. Go to Settings > Home Screen & Dock > Multitasking. Make sure the “Multitasking” toggle is turned on. Also, some apps might temporarily disable the multitasking menu. Try a different app to see if the issue persists.

2. How can I exit Split View?

There are a couple of ways. The easiest is to drag the dividing bar all the way to the left or right edge of the screen. Alternatively, tap the three dots at the top of either app and select the full-screen icon (the single rectangle).

3. Can I use Split View with more than two apps simultaneously?

No, Split View is limited to two apps side-by-side. However, you can use Slide Over to have a third app floating on top of the Split View apps.

4. How do I know if an app supports Split View or Slide Over?

The easiest way is to try! Open the app and attempt to activate Split View using either the Multitasking menu or the Dock. If the app doesn’t support it, the options will be greyed out, or the app won’t attach to the side of the screen. Apple’s App Store may sometimes indicate multitasking compatibility in the app description, but this isn’t always reliable.

5. Can I use Split View in both portrait and landscape orientation?

Yes, you can use Split View in both portrait and landscape orientations on your iPad 9th generation. The app arrangement will adjust automatically when you rotate your iPad.

6. How do I change the size of the apps in Split View?

Simply drag the vertical divider between the two apps left or right. This allows you to give one app more screen real estate than the other, depending on your needs.

7. My Dock keeps disappearing. How do I make it stay on the screen?

By default, the Dock is set to auto-hide. To make it permanently visible, go to Settings > Home Screen & Dock and toggle off “Show Suggested and Recent Apps in Dock” and off “Show Dock When Using Apps”. This might not completely fix it, as the dock can still hide, but it will be less frequent.

8. What happens if I try to drag an app from the Dock that doesn’t support Split View?

The app won’t attach to the side of the screen. Instead, it will simply open in full-screen mode, replacing the app that was previously open.

9. Is there a way to quickly switch between the apps I have in Split View?

While there’s no dedicated “switch apps” button, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the App Switcher. From there, you can see your Split View arrangement and switch to other open apps.

10. Can I use Split View with Safari to view two different websites at the same time?

Yes, you can! This is a popular use case for Split View. Simply open Safari and then use either method described above to open a second instance of Safari. You can then navigate to different websites in each window. If that fails, drag another browser like Chrome to the side of the screen, instead of Safari.

11. Does Split View drain my iPad’s battery faster?

Running two apps simultaneously does require more processing power, which can lead to slightly faster battery drain. However, the impact is usually not significant unless you’re running particularly demanding apps. Adjust screen brightness and close unused apps to conserve battery life.

12. I’m still having trouble getting Split View to work. What should I do?

First, restart your iPad. This can often resolve minor software glitches. Make sure you’re running the latest version of iPadOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Finally, ensure that the apps you’re trying to use are compatible with Split View. If none of these steps work, consider contacting Apple Support.

By mastering these techniques, you can transform your iPad 9th generation into a multitasking powerhouse. Happy splitting!