Section 1: iPad Basics

In this section, I’ll be covering material a lot of you already know if you’ve had your iPad for a while. I recommend looking over it anyway to brush up on your skills and maybe even discover a few new tips. It is important to note that with the release of iPadOS 16 in the fall of 2022, not all iPads will be able to use some the latest software featured in this guide.

The iPads that are compatible with iPadOS 16 are as follows:

iPad Pro (all models)
iPad Air (3rd Generation and later)
iPad (5th Generation and later)
iPad Mini (5th Generation and later)

Navigate iPad Models with a Home Button

Buttons and Ports

1. Home Button, Touch ID Sensor

When holding your iPad in portrait orientation, you’ll find the Home button centered below the screen. Pressing this button wakes your device and takes you back to your Home screen if you’re using an app. Double pressing it takes you to your App Switcher to navigate between apps. Pressing and holding it summons your digital assistant Siri.

If you have an iPad Air 2 (or later model), iPad Mini 4 (or later), or iPad Pro (all generations), the Home button also houses Touch ID, a fingerprint scanner that authenticates your identity before unlocking your device—no need to enter your passcode!

2. Top Button (or Sleep/Wake Button)

Along the top of the iPad on the right is the Sleep/Wake button. Pressing and holding this button turns your device on and off. When your device is on and awake, pressing this button puts your iPad back to sleep. When idle, pressing it wakes your device. You can also press the Sleep/Wake button to send incoming calls to Voicemail.

3. Volume Buttons

Along the right side of your tablet near the top, you’ll find the volume buttons, which can control the volume when you play videos and music as well as your ringer and alerts. You can customize what the buttons control by going to Settings > Sounds. If you toggle on Change with Buttons, you’ll be able to control your ringer and alert levels with the volume buttons.

Because I tend to rely on my iPhone for alerts, I prefer to mute the notifications on my iPad to avoid redundant alert sounds. With alerts muted regardless of volume level, I can then use the volume buttons just to control video and music playback.

4. Lightning Connector

This port is located on the bottom of your device in portrait orientation and is where you plug your iPad into the Lightning to USB charger included with your purchase.

5. 3.5 mm Headphone Jack

Apple has done away with the headphone jack on most devices, but if you have an iPad with a Home button, then you also still have a headphone jack! That means you can listen to audio with wired headphones without dealing with any dongles or extra steps.

6. Smart Connector for iPad Pro (1st and 2nd Generation)

If you have an iPad Pro, you’ll find three small holes along the bottom of your device when it’s in landscape orientation called the Smart Connector. The Smart Connector lets you attach keyboards without Bluetooth pairing.

7. Side Switch for Older iPads

Only certain iPad models come with a side switch. You’ll find this switch on the iPad 4 and iPad Mini 3 or older models. The side switch, located above the volume controls, can mute all notification and alert sounds from your device or lock the screen orientation. You can program which you’d like the switch to control by going to Settings > General > Use Side Switch To. I’d recommend programming the switch to whichever feature you anticipate using more often. I like to mute my phone often, so that’s what I chose, and if I want to lock the orientation of my device, that option will appear in the Control Center. The iPad Air 2 (or later), iPad Pro, and iPad Mini 4 (or later) don’t have a side switch, but you can control both options in the Control Center instead.

Navigate iPad Models without a Home Button

Buttons and Ports

1. Top Button (or Sleep/ Wake Button)

Along the top of the iPad on the right is the Sleep/Wake button. Pressing and holding this button activates Siri. When your device is on and awake, pressing this button puts your iPad back to sleep. When idle, pressing it wakes your device. You can also toggle on Lock/ Unlock under Settings > Display & Brightness. This will allow you to wake your iPad when you open your iPad cover. You can also press the Sleep/Wake button to send incoming calls to Voicemail.

NOTE: If you have Face ID enabled, simply wake your iPad and look at the screen to unlock your device. The lock icon along the top should unlock once you are recognized, indicating that you can start using the device. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to your Home screen. To lock your iPad once again, press the Top button. If you don’t have Face ID enabled, then to unlock your device, you must wake your iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen, and then enter your passcode.

2. Top Button as Touch ID

On the iPad Air (4th generation) and later, and the iPad mini (6th generation), the Top button also functions as the Touch ID sensor. It works the same way as the Home button sensor, by simply resting your finger on the button as a form of identity verification. You can set up Touch ID by going into Settings> Touch ID & Passcode. This will allow you to use your fingerprint as an alternative to a password. It is important to note though that while these iPads use Touch ID like the iPads with a Home Button, they are still navigated the same way as you would an iPad without a Home Button. You will still swipe up to return to your home screen and swipe down from the top right corner to access the Control Center.

3. Volume Buttons

4. USB-C Connector

This port is located on the bottom of your device in portrait orientation and is where you plug your iPad into the USB-C charger included with your purchase. For newer iPads, this port will support Thunderbolt / USB 4.

5. Smart Connector

You’ll find three small holes along the bottom of your device when it’s in portrait orientation called the Smart Connector. The Smart Connector lets you attach keyboards without Bluetooth pairing.

Should You Buy a Cellular iPad?

Some iPads connect to cellular networks, allowing you to connect to the internet even when you’re out of Wi-Fi range. A cellular iPad costs extra and will require a monthly data plan from your carrier, so you should make sure you really need one before making your decision.

If your iPad is your sole mobile device, having a cellular model could be really valuable for going online when you’re on the go, getting directions, and making calls using FaceTime or third-party apps (cellular plans cover data only, not talk or SMS). If you decide to go with cellular after all, see what coverage each carrier has in your area before making your choice. If your iPad is your secondary device or you’re mainly using it in spaces with Wi-Fi networks, then a cellular model is probably unnecessary. Remember that if you have an iPhone, you can enable Personal Hotspot to share the connection with your iPad. It will, however, take a toll on your iPhone’s battery and will take up extra data. It’s a feature I love to have as a backup plan. However, if you have an unlimited data plan for your iPhone and a great external charger, it could be a sustainable solution for you.

iPad-Only Gestures

Navigating the touchscreen on any Apple device works the same way, allowing you to tap, swipe, and pinch items to manipulate them easily. But with the iPad, some extra gestures take advantage of the tablet’s larger display.

Go to the Home Screen

If you’re using an app and want to go to the Home screen, try the five-finger pinch. Start by spreading your hand out and touching all five fingers to the screen, then narrow them together to a point. You’ll be taken straight to your Home screen. You can also swipe up from the bottom of your screen to close an app.

Open the App Switcher

Using the App Switcher is a useful shortcut to navigate between apps and clear out recently used apps. Later on, we’ll cover how to switch between apps and navigate your iPad while multitasking with iPadOS 16’s new user interface, Stage Manager. Below, I’ll cover how to access and use the App Switcher.

Swipe up the bottom of your screen to the middle of the screen to display the App Switcher. If you’ve recently opened more than six apps, you can swipe left and right to view currently active or recent applications.
To close an app, swipe up on the app window to force quit it. To exit the App Switcher view, tap on the screen around the app windows.

You can also swipe up from the bottom of your screen to close an app.

Switch Between Apps Gesture

If you want to switch between applications without bothering with the App Switcher, there are a couple of gestures you can use:

Try the four-finger swipe left/right. This allows you to slide between active applications without opening the multitasking bar. Place four fingers on the screen and "turn the page."
You can also swipe left or right from the bottom of the screen using one finger. With this gesture, start from the left or right corner, and make a small arc across the bottom of the screen. (This arc should be very slight, as swiping too high will open the App Switcher.)

Both of these gestures are great for shuffling between messages, documents, browsers, and more.