How to Make the Most of Stage Manager on Your iPad

Apple has introduced a new feature called Stage Manager for iPad with the release of iPadOS 16 software. This feature allows you to organize your apps and windows in a neat and efficient manner. For the first time ever, you can create overlapping app windows of different sizes on your iPad. In this article, we will guide you on how to enable and use Stage Manager on your iPad.

Update Your iPad to iPadOS 16

Before you can start using Stage Manager, you need to make sure that your iPad is updated to the latest software version. iPadOS 16 is expected to be released later this year, but you can already install the developer beta version if you want to try it out now. Once the official version is released, you can update your iPad by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Enable Stage Manager on Your iPad

Stage Manager is disabled by default on your iPad, so you need to enable it manually. Here's how:

  1. Swipe down in the top right corner of your iPad's home screen.
  2. Look for the Stage Manager icon and tap on it to enable it.

If you don't see the Stage Manager option in the Control Center menu, you can add it by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Control Center.
  3. Find the Stage Manager option under the More Controls menu and tap on the + icon to add it.

Once you have enabled Stage Manager, you can customize your experience by going to the Home Screen & Dock menu in the Settings app. From there, you can enable the Stage Manager toggle and choose to display recent apps and the dock.

How to Use Stage Manager on Your iPad

Stage Manager allows you to resize app windows on your iPad, giving you more flexibility and control. To use Stage Manager, simply follow these steps:

  1. Open any app on your iPad.
  2. You will notice a resize indicator in the bottom right corner of the app window.
  3. Use your fingers or a mouse to hold and drag the indicator to resize the app window.

Grouping Apps Using Stage Manager on iPad

With Stage Manager, you can create groups of overlapping app windows and easily switch between them. To group apps using Stage Manager, follow these steps:

  1. Enable Stage Manager and resize any app window on your iPad.
  2. Drag and drop another app from the dock or the recent apps menu.
  3. The newly opened app becomes the active window, and you can tap on another app window to make it active.

Ungrouping Apps

If you want to ungroup apps in Stage Manager, follow these steps:

  1. Open the group of apps in Stage Manager.
  2. Tap on the app window you want to ungroup.
  3. Select the three horizontal dots at the top middle of the app.
  4. Tap on the third icon (the one with a dash) to remove the app from the group.

Stage Manager Compatibility

It's important to note that Stage Manager is only available on iPad models with M-series CPUs, such as the iPad Air 5th generation, 11-inch iPad Pro (2021), and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021). Apple has stated that Stage Manager requires certain hardware capabilities, such as large internal memory and fast storage, which are only available on iPads running the M1 chip.

Stage Manager Is a Game Changer on iPad

Stage Manager becomes even more powerful when you connect your iPad to an external monitor. With iPadOS 16, you can work with up to eight apps simultaneously, with up to four apps on your iPad and up to four apps on the external display. This feature greatly improves the multitasking capabilities of the iPad and allows you to be more productive.

In conclusion, Stage Manager is a fantastic addition to the iPad's multitasking capabilities. It enables you to organize and manage your apps and windows in a way that suits your workflow. Whether you're a creative professional or a productivity enthusiast, Stage Manager will help you make the most of your iPad. So go ahead, enable Stage Manager on your iPad, and experience a whole new level of productivity.