Got an Apple iPad? To help you start using it like a pro, here are a few tips and answers to the most commonly asked iPad questions…
How to take a screenshot on an iPad
Fancy taking a screenshot on your iPad? Here’s what you need to do.
1. Go to the screen or content that you want to capture.
2. Press and hold the power button (usually located on the top or side of the iPad). If you’ve got an older iPad without a power button, press and hold the home button – that’s the circular button underneath the iPad display.
4. While you’re holding the Home or Power button, quickly press the ‘Volume Up’ button on the right-hand side of your iPad. You’ll see a quick flash on the screen, and you’ll also hear the sound of a camera shutter (if you’re not on silent mode).
6. Now release both buttons simultaneously.
7. Your screenshot will now be automatically saved in your Photos app. From there, you can edit and share it.
How to use split-screen mode on an iPad
Splitting the screen on your iPad is great if you’re a multi-tasker who need to work on two things at the same time. For example, you can have a webpage open on one screen while taking down notes on the other. You can also use it to make your entertainment more interactive – such as watching a video live-stream on one screen while chatting on social media about it on the other. Here’s how to do the split:
1. Open up the first app you want to use in split screen mode.
2. Now access the app switcher by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. If you’ve got an iPad with a home button, swipe down from the top-right corner.
3. In the app switcher, find the second app you want to use in split screen mode. Drag the icon from the app switcher, and place it on the left or right-hand side your iPad screen.
5. Release your finger, and the second app will now open up in split screen mode. Your first app will still be visible on the other side of the screen.
When you want to come out of split screen mode, simply drag the app divider all the way to one side of the screen. The remaining app will now fill up your entire display.
Note: Not all apps support split screen mode. So if the above doesn’t work for you… that’s probably the reason.
How to lock an iPad screen
Locking your iPad screen prevents anyone else from accessing it or viewing your personal information. It’s also a convenient way of putting your iPad in standby mode when you’re not using it, which helps conserve battery life. Follow these simple steps to go into lockdown:
If your iPad has a power button:
1. Press and hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears onscreen.
2. Now release the power button. You’ll see a lock icon at the top of the screen, which tells you the iPad is locked.
If your iPad doesn’t have a power button, here are the steps to follow:
1. Open the settings app.
2. Tap ‘display & brightness’.
3. Tap ‘auto-lock’.
4. In the ‘auto-lock’ settings, choose the time interval where you want your iPad to automatically lock.
How to unlock an iPad screen
To unlock your iPad, you’ve got a few options:
1. Passcode unlock. If your iPad has a passcode enabled, simply tap ‘enter passcode’ on the lock screen and enter the correct passcode.
2. Touch ID unlock. If you’ve set up Touch ID (fingerprint recognition) on your iPad, you can unlock it by placing your finger on the home button. It’ll quickly scan your fingerprint and unlock your device.
3. Face ID unlock: If your iPad supports Face ID (facial recognition), you can unlock it by positioning the front camera to scan your face. When the iPad recognises your face, it’ll automatically unlock.
Note: If you’ve forgotten your passcode and don't have access to the recovery options, unlocking your iPad will be much more difficult. If this happens to you, we suggest you contact Apple Support to get the help you need.
How to reset an iPad
Resetting an iPad to factory settings isn’t something you’re going to do very often. But if you’re thinking of recycling, selling or giving away an old iPad, you should definitely do a factory reset before you hand it over. This wipes off all user data and passwords from the machine, leaving none of your personal information for any nosy types to snoop over.
To factory reset an iPad, follow these steps:
1. Backup your data. You can do this by connecting your iPad to a computer with iTunes, or using iCloud backup. This step is optional, but it’ll make sure you don't lose any important information.
2. Find and tap the ‘settings’ app on your iPad's homescreen.
3. Find and tap ‘General’. Scroll down and tap ‘reset’, then ‘proceed’.
4. Tao ‘Erase All Content and Settings’, confirm and tap ‘erase now’.
5. Enter your passcode and Apple ID password.
8. The factory reset process will now begin. You'll see the Apple logo and a progress bar on the screen. Make sure you don’t turn off your iPad while the factory reset is in process.
Job done! When the factory reset is complete, your iPad will restart and display the initial setup screen. All your personal data, settings and downloaded apps will have been erased.
Need any more help?
If you need more help using your iPad, here’s more advice on using a new tablet. Looking for a new tablet, laptop or other piece of tech? If you’d like to talk to an expert, pop in-store and chat to one of our colleagues. They’re always happy to help.