10 useful iPad tricks: Multitasking, screen recording, and more

Whether you use an iPad for school, work, or just to relax, knowing how to get the most out of it makes a big difference. Apple packs a lot of power into its tablets, and some of the most useful features are often hidden just below the surface. From multitasking to screen recording, locking access for kids, and using your iPad as a second monitor, this guide covers the top tricks every user should know.

All of the features listed below work perfectly on the refurbished iPads currently available at Swappie,including iPad 9, iPad 10, iPad Air 4, and iPad Air 5. Whether you’re already a user or considering buying one, this guide will help you unlock the iPad’s full potential.

1. How to split screen on iPad

Split screen, also called Split View, allows you to use two apps side by side. It’s one of the best iPad features for productivity, multitasking, or studying.

How to use it:

1. Open the first app
2. Swipe up slightly from the bottom to open the Doc
3. Drag a second app from the Dock to the right or left side of the screen
4. Adjust the divider between the two apps as needed
   

Perfect for reading and note-taking, replying to messages while browsing, or editing a document while researching online.

2. How to screen record on iPad

If you want to record gameplay, create a tutorial, or capture a walkthrough, iPad’s built-in screen recording tool does the job.

Steps:

1. Open Settings > Control Cente
2. Tap + next to Screen Recording to add it
3. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center
4. Tap the Record button
5. To stop recording, tap the red bar at the top or go back to the Control Center.
   

Your recording will be saved automatically in the Photos app.

3. How to use your iPad as a second screen (Sidecar)

If you have a Mac, your iPad can act as a second display using Sidecar. This is ideal for anyone who works with multiple windows, creative software, or prefers more screen space without buying an external monitor.

What you need:

• A Mac running macOS Catalina or later
• An iPad with iPadOS 13 or later
• Both devices use the same Apple ID.
  

How to use:

1. On your Mac, go to System Settings > Displays
2. Click the + and select your iPad
3. It connects wirelessly or via cable in seconds.
   

With Apple Pencil, you can even draw or annotate directly on Mac apps like Photoshop.

4. How to lock iPad screen for kids

Want to let your child use a game or learning app without switching to something else or tapping unwanted buttons? Use Guided Access to lock the screen to one app.

Setup:

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access
2. Turn it on and set a passcode.
   

To use it:

1. Open the app you want your child to use
2. Triple-click the Home or Top button to activate
3. Triple-click again and enter your code to exit.
   

Ideal for parents who want safe, focused iPad time for kids.

5. How to take a screenshot on iPad

Screenshots are great for saving information, sharing content, or troubleshooting.

iPad with Home button (iPad 9):

• Press the Top button + Home button at the same time.

iPad without Home button (iPad 10, Air 4, Air 5):

• Press the Top button + Volume Up.

The screenshot appears briefly in the bottom-left corner. Tap it to edit or leave it to save automatically in Photos.

6. How to lock the screen manually

To prevent accidental touches or when you’re done using the iPad:

• Simply press the Top button once to lock it
• You can also set auto-lock by going to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.

For extra protection, set a passcode or enable Face ID under Settings > Face ID & Passcode.

7. How to use Slide Over

Slide Over lets you open an app in a small floating window, ideal for quick replies or checking notes without leaving your main app.

How to use it:

1. Open your main app
2. Swipe up for the Dock
3. Drag another app to the center of the screen.

You can move the window or swipe it off-screen to hide and bring it back.

8. How to switch quickly between apps

iPadOS offers fast app switching through gestures:

• Swipe left or right with four fingers to move between open apps
• Swipe up and hold from the bottom to open the app switcher.

Great for multitasking or jumping between recent documents and browsers.

9. How to use Picture-in-Picture

Watch a video or FaceTime while doing other things.

1. Start playing a video or FaceTime call
2. Tap the Picture-in-Picture icon
3. The video shrinks and moves to a corner,drag to reposition it as needed.
   

You can return to full screen or close it at any time.

10. How to use Universal Clipboard (if you have a Mac)

With Universal Clipboard, you can copy something on your Mac and paste it on your iPad, or vice versa. Ideal for students and creatives working across devices.

Just make sure:

• Both devices are on the same Apple ID and Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth and Handoff are turned on.
  

Try it: Copy text on your Mac, switch to your iPad, and paste!

Which iPads support these tricks?

All the refurbished iPads currently available at Swappie support the features listed above. Here’s a quick overview:

iPad 9 (2021)

The only model in our range with a Home button, perfect for users who prefer classic iOS navigation. Despite the older design, it fully supports multitasking, Guided Access, Sidecar, and all modern features thanks to the A13 chip and iPadOS.

iPad 10 (2022)

A fully modern design with USB-C and a 10.9″ Liquid Retina display. It’s fast, reliable, and supports all multitasking gestures, screen recording, Sidecar, and Picture-in-Picture. A perfect everyday iPad with all the latest tools.

iPad Air 4 (2020)

With the same screen and chip as iPad 10, but a more premium feel, this model is ideal for users who want better accessory compatibility. It supports Apple Pencil 2, Magic Keyboard, and every iPadOS feature.

iPad Air 5 (2022)

The most powerful iPad in Swappie’s current range, with an M1 chip and 8 GB of RAM. Designed for creatives and multitaskers, it handles all the tricks above effortlessly,and does it faster. It’s future-proof, powerful, and great value refurbished.

Why buy a refurbished iPad from Swappie?

All these advanced features are available on Swappie iPads,at a fraction of the price. Each device is professionally inspected, cleaned, and reset to factory settings, ready to use out of the box.

• Save up to 40% vs. new
• 24-month warranty
• 14-day free returns
• In-house refurbishment ensures top quality
  

Looking for a powerful iPad without overpaying? Swappie’s refurbished models give you the same experience,with more peace of mind.

Explore iPads at Swappie